Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to become a member of the Center for Resilience at the Ohio State University. The annual cost of this membership is $25,000.00.
The Center for Resilience is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to improving the resilience of industrial systems and the environments in which they operate. The Center has developed a powerful network of engineers, scientists, and business scholars at the Ohio State University and collaborating institutions, leveraging over $20 million dollars in ongoing research programs.
One of the immediate benefits of participating in the Center for Resilience will be to evaluate the City's alternatives in disposing of its wastewater treatment sludge. The Center has been working with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio in the development of a computer based Eco-Flow modeling methodology. The Center will customize this model for the City's use. This program will characterize the ecological impacts, including environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, associated with sludge treatment and disposal. It will evaluate the economic trade-offs of sludge management options, including capital costs, operating costs and potential cost reductions due to the generation of economically valuable commodities such as methane. The program will provide the City with the capability of assessing the ecological and economic trade-offs of alternative operating policies and technology choices, and thus continuously improving the cost effectiveness of sludge treatment.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
The Division of Sewerage and Drainage has funding available within its 2007 Operating Budget for this expenditure. The Director of Public Utilities has agreed to request funding for membership in Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008, contingent on approval of funding legislation by City Council, and will determine its future membership annually thereafter based upon an evaluation of the benefits received by the Division.
SUPPLIER: Ohio State University Center for Resilience (31-6401599) Non Profit
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to become a member of the Ohio State University's Center for Resilience; and to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund for its annual membership fee; for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, for the City of Columbus and Central Ohio to prosper in the new century, the City must ensure that its actions are environmentally responsible and sustainable; and
WHEREAS, there are many environmental challenges facing the City of Columbus, including the need to protect our air, water and land, while maintaining healthy neighborhoods and a strong economy; and
WHEREAS, to meet these challenges, Mayor Michael B. Coleman issued the "Get Green Columbus" memo as a road map to provide Environmental Stewardship for the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to fulfill the Mayor's commitment, the Division of Sewerage and Drainage of the Department of Public Utilities has determined it both necessary and beneficial to leverage its relationship with The Ohio State University through the Ohio State University Research Foundation for purposes of becoming a member to the Center for Resilience; pursuant to evaluating its wastewater operations to identify and analyze its waste stream options; and
WHEREAS, in order to allow the commencement of this aforementioned project work, it will be necessary for this City Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with and to become a member of the Ohio State University Research Foundation, for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Public Utilities Department be and is hereby authorized to become a member and to make payment to the Ohio State University Research Foundation for its 2007 membership in the Center for Resilience.
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Sewer System Operating Fund No. 650| Department No. 60-05| OCA 605006| Object Level One: 03| Object Level 3: 3332.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.