Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, accept, and enter into an Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF) grant, and, upon award of the grant, enter into a grant agreement with the State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for conducting Level 3 Credible Data Training.
The Ohio Environmental Education Fund program is administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. This grant application is for conducting Level 3 Credible Data Training in both the Fish Index of BioIntegrity and the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index data collecting procedures. This training will allow the collection of credible data from our raw water sources that can be used by the city and other outside entities such as the OEPA. Additionally, it will assist in providing data relevant for response to regulatory processes when needed. This data will help protect our raw drinking water supply by having accurate, detailed information which will aid in making managerial decisions.
Currently staff at the Department of Public Utilities, Watershed Section routinely monitor the quality of a headwater stream, however because the department is not certified the OEPA is unable to use the data collection from the Department of Public Utilities. After receiving the Level 3 Credible Data Training and becoming certified, Watershed staff can collect data to determine the baseline water quality of a headwater stream prior to any development. This will assist the OEPA to ensure developers property address negative water quality impact.
The amount of the grant is $15,050.00. The grant match amount is $1,500.00 and will come from the Department of Public Utilities Water Operating Fund.
2. EMERGENCY:
The Department of Public Utilities is requesting City Council to deem this legislation an emergency measure to allow the Director to submit the application by the deadline and enter into the grant agreement as soon as possible upon award of the grant.
3. FISCAL IMPACT:
There is a $1,500.00 match requirement for this grant. These matching funds will come from the Water Operating Fund and be transferred into the Water Grant Fund. This Ordinance also requests the authority for the City Auditor to appropriate the proceeds of said grant for purposes of funding this project work.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, accept and enter into an Ohio Environmental Education Fund Grant Agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for Level 3 Credible Data Training; to authorize the transfer of $1,500.00 from the Water Operating Fund into the Water Grant Fund for grant matching funds; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $16,550.00 from the Water Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($16,550.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Ohio Environmental Education Fund, has solicited applications for a grant in accordance with the Ohio Environmental Education Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to apply for and, if awarded, accept said grant, to appropriate and expend the funds; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Utilities is required to be authorized by Council to apply for and enter into the grant agreement; to accept the grant money of $15,050.00; and appropriate the funds necessary for the grant match; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for this Council to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds from the Water Operating Fund to the Water Grant Fund to meet the grant match requirement of $1,500.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to accept and enter into the grant agreement so the terms and conditions of the grant agreement between the City of Columbus and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are accomplished; for the immediate 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 and directed to accept a grant in the amount of $15,050.00 and enter into a grant agreement with the State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Environmental Education Fund for Level 3 Credible Data Training in both the Fish Index of BioIntegrity and the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index data collecting procedures and to expend $1,500.00 from the Water Grant Fund for the match requirement of the grant.
SECTION 2. That the Department of Public Utilities has committed to administer the grant through grant coordination, grant reporting, grant fund pay requests, and contract administration services.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $1,500.00 within the Water Operating Fund, Fund No. 600, as follows:
FROM:
Dept/Div No. | Fund No. | Fund Name | OCA Code | OCA Name | OL3 | Change
60-09 | 600 | Water Operating Fund | 603001 | Watershed Mgmt | 3000 | -$1,500.00
TO:
Dept/Div No. | Fund No. | Fund Name | Grant No. | OCA Code | Grant Name | OL3 | Change
60-09 | 600 | Water Operating Fund | 603001 | Watershed Mgmt | 5501 | +$1,500.00
SECTION 4. That from the unappropriated monies in the Water Operating Fund, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources, and unappropriated for any other purpose during the grant period, the sum of $1,500.00, is hereby appropriated, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement, to the Division of Power and Water, Division 60-09, Fund 600, Object Level One 10, Object Level Three 5501, OCA 603001.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $1,500.00 between funds as follows:
Department of Public Utilities
Division of Power and Water
FROM:
Dept/Div No. | Fund No. | Fund Name | OCA Code | OCA Name | OL3 | Change
60-09 | 600 | Water Operating Fund | 603001 | Watershed Mgmt | 5501 | -$1,500.00
TO:
Dept/Div No. | Fund No. | Fund Name | Grant No. | OCA Code | Grant Name | OL3 | Change
60-09 | 620 | Water Grant Fund | Grant No.: to be assigned by City Auditor | OCA: to be assigned by City Auditor | Level 3 Credible Data Training | 0886 | +$1,500.00
SECTION 6. That the proceeds from the Water Grant Fund, for Level 3 Credible Data Training, in the amount of $16,550.00 are hereby appropriated to the Division of Power and Water | Dept/Div. 60-09 | Fund No. 620 | Water Grants Fund | Grant No.: to be assigned by City Auditor | OCA Code: to be assigned by City Auditor | Grant Name: Level 3 Credible Data Training | OL3 3000 | Amount : +$16,550.00
SECTION 7. That for the purpose of paying the costs associated with the required match for the grant project, the expenditure of $16,550.00 is hereby authorized within the Division 60-09 | Fund No: 620 | Water Grants Fund | Grant No.: to be assigned by City Auditor | OCA Code: to be assigned by City Auditor | Grant Name: Level 3 Credible Data Training | Object Level 3: 3331 | Amount: $16,550.00.
SECTION 8. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 9. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance 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 no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 10. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 11. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 12. 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 approved nor vetoes the same.