Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to increase contracts for the Project Dry Basement Program, and to authorize the expenditure of up to $800,000.00 in order to fund the thid year of the three-year committment. The purpose of this program is to reduce water-in-basement occurrences within residential homes in the City of Columbus.
This Program authorized the Director of Public Utilities to enter into the necessary agreements with homeowners and contracts with licensed plumbers to perform work related to the installation of devices that are appropriate for the elimination of water in basements (WIBs) in residences within the City of Columbus. These devices will typically include an approved backwater prevention valve; but in some instances may include a sump pump. Sump pumps will be installed only where necessary. Other devices may be considered if deemed necessary to protect a residence from future WIBs.
Eligible residences would be single family or duplexes in Columbus that have suffered a WIB after January 1, 2004 caused by a mainline sewer blockage or a mainline sewer surcharge. Backups caused by blockages or other conditions in residential service lateral sewers on the homeowners property are not eligible for remediation under this program. WIB's must be reported to the Division and documented by the Sewer Maintenance Operations Center.
Eligible property owners are contacted by the Division and invited to take part in the Project Dry Basement Program. Responding eligible owners are contacted by division staff who assess the situation and estimate the extent of work necessary to correct the WIB problem. A contracted plumber is assigned by the division to complete the necessary installations. Contracting procedures comply with the provisions of Section 329.09 of Columbus City Codes. The contracted plumbers, Holdridge Mechanical, Inc., The Waterworks and Fox Mechanical, Inc. are required to secure any necessary permits and all work must be inspected and approved by appropriate City inspection personnel. Division personnel secure a release of future liability from the homeowner and will pay the contracted licensed plumber.
To date:
878 application packets have been sent to homeowners
441 applications ahve been returned to the division by homeowners (50% response)
416 inspections have been completed by division personnel
375 jobs have been completed
The average cost to date per job is $4,880.00 and $1,830,00.00 of the original has been paid to the plumbing contractors.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
The funds requested within this ordinance have been budgeted within the 2006 Capital Improvements Budget for purposes of funding improvements of this nature that increase the efficiency of its wastewater treatment facilities.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into planned modifications of contracts for the installation of devices appropriate for the elimination of water in basements in connection with Project Dry Basement; to authorize the transfer of $792,310.00; the expenditure of $800,000.00 from the Voted Sanitary Bond Fund; for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage. ($800,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Columbus and the members of the Columbus City Council are jointly committed to improving the safety and quality of life in neighborhoods, in an effort to make Columbus the best city in the nation to live, work and raise a family; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0856-2004, as passed July 12, 2004, authorized the Director of Public Utilities to establish the Project Dry Basement Program, and to enter into contracts with Fox Mechanical; The Waterworks; and Holdridge Mechanical using the competitive procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and whereupon the Division of Sewerage and Drainage has sent a total of 878 applications to homeowners; received 441 completed application; performed 416 inspections; and as of December 31, 2006 have succesfully completed 375 plumbing improvement installations; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance requests the transfer of $792,310.00 and expenditure of up to $800,000.00 in order to fund the third year of this program; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Auditor be and hereby is authorized and directed to transfer a total of $792,310.00 from within the Voted Sanitary Bond Fund No. 664| Division 60-05| Object Level Three No. 6678:
From:
Proj.: 650014| Sanitary Sewer Construction| OCA No. 642918| $274,790.37
Proj.: 650100| Sanitary Sewer Contingency| OCA No. 650100| $240,164.67
Proj.: 650353| SWWTP Digester Rehab.| OCA No. 651353| $211.19
Proj.: 650366| SWWTP Final Clarifier| OCA No. 650366| $10,000.00
Proj.: 650429| Cleveland Comb. Sewer Rehab.| OCA No. 650429| $0.41
Proj.: 650474| Rose Run North Subt.| OCA No. 642918| $16,018.60
Proj.: 650492| Blacklick San. Interceptor| OCA No. 650492| $60,000.00
Proj.: 650619| Strimple, Kilbourne & Minerva| OCA No. 642918| $59,783.18
Proj.: 650662| Walhalla Ravine Area San.| OCA No. 650662| $18,467.83
Proj.: 650675| Clinton Heights Area San.| OCA No. 664675| $20.00
Proj.: 650680| Piedmont/High Area Sewer Imp.| OCA No. 664680| $41,634.03
Proj.: 650683| Orchard/Milton Area Sewer Imp.| OCA No. 664683| $69,204.72
Proj.: 650685| Como/Milton Area Sanitary| OCA No. 664685| $1,150.00
Proj.: 650718| Whetstone Park Wet Weather Relief| OCA 664718| $865.00
To:
Proj.: 650350| WWTF Contingencies| OCA No. 664350| $792,310.00
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be so made from a project account funded by monies from more than one source.
Section 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modifications associated with the expenditure of the funds transferred under Section 1., above.
Section 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized under the provisions of Columbus City Codes Section 329.09 to contract with licensed plumbers who are qualified to install the devices appropriate for the elimination of water-in-basements.
Section 5. The the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to continue the Project Dry Basement Program, and to enter into the necessary agreements with homeowners and/or contractors to perform work related to the installation of devices and appurtenances appropriate for the elimination of water-in-basements; and is further authorized to expend up to $800,000.00 from within the Voted Sanitary Bond Fund No. 664, as follows:
Proj. No.: 650350| WWTP Contingencies| OCA 664350| OL3: 6678| Amt: $800,000.00
Section 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.