Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Need. This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), for the purpose of providing partial funding to perform a watershed study of the Hellbranch Watershed in Franklin County and the City of Columbus that will establish a watershed baseline; model future stream impacts based on various land uses and identify several potential restoration/improvement projects. Also participating will be the City of Hilliard, The City of Grove City, Brown Township, Norwich Township, Pleasant Township, Prairie Township and Metro Parks.
Emergency Designation: Emergency designation is requested so as to meet Franklin SWCD timelines for funding and to receive state matching funds.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted Amount: The agreement amount is for $50,000, $25,000 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund and $25,000 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund. The Division has sufficient funds available for this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), for the purposes of providing funding for a watershed study of the Hellbranch Watershed; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund and $25,000.00 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the public interest demands the recognition of the importance of the Hellbranch Watershed in Franklin County Ohio by each of the following jurisdictions; Franklin County, the City of Columbus, the City of Hilliard, The City of Grove City, Brown Township, Norwich Township, Pleasant Township, Prairie Township and Metro Parks, and
WHEREAS; the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), will serve as lead agency to perform a watershed study of the Hellbranch that will establish a watershed baseline; model future stream impacts based on various land uses and identify several potential restoration/improvement projects, and;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said agreement for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into an agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District to perform a watershed study of the Hellbranch Watershed.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $25,000.00, is hereby authorized from the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Division 60-15, Storm Sewer Operating Fund, Fund 675, OCA 675002, OL3 3407 and $25,000.00, from the Sewerage System Operating Fund 650, OCA 605006, OL3 3407.
Section 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.