Explanation
The Finance and Management Department, Fleet Management Division, is eligible to participate in a grant opportunity in partnership with Clean Fuels Ohio for a grant with the United States Department of Energy. The funding opportunity is titled "Clean Cities FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector" and was created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to fund cost-shared projects that expand the use of alternative fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles as well as the installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle or advanced technology vehicle. Operation and maintenance of vehicles, infrastructure and other associated equipment acquired through the program are also allowable within specified limits. The purpose of the project is to fund activities that will help decrease the nation's dependence on petroleum by increasing the use of alternative fuels that will lessen petroleum consumption and also reduce vehicle emissions. Local governments must be in partnership with an active designated Clean Cities Coalition in order to be eligible to apply for funds. Clean Fuels Ohio is the Columbus Clean Cities Coalition designee.
Clean Fuels Ohio is planning to partner with local governments, school districts, airport authorities, counties and non-profits around the State for the purpose of requesting these funds. Clean Fuels Ohio anticipates requesting the maximum award of $15 million. Columbus' portion of the funding request will be focused on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Fleet Management anticipates requesting funding for the design and construction of a CNG fueling station (possibly to be located at the current Fleet Management main facility at 4211 Groves Road), several CNG vehicles and several hybrid vehicles possibly to be used by the Department of Public Utilities and the Department of Public Service.
Clean Fuels Ohio will be the grant applicant as well as the fiduciary for grant funds. The City of Columbus will be a partner in the application and will be responsible for the administration of its portion of grant funds received, should the grant request be awarded. The federal grant application deadline is May 29, 2009. The grant period is up to four years but vehicle deployment and infrastructure development must be completed within the first two years.
This project supports the efforts and recommendations of the Mayor's "Green Team", which created a subcommittee focused on reducing emissions from City-owned vehicles. Projects included in this grant application are a result of plans formulated by this Committee, Fleet Management, and Clean Fuels Ohio.
Fiscal Impact: If awarded, the grant requires a 50% match for all projects. The match would come from the operating and capital budgets of the various divisions involved in the grant, and likely primarily Public Utilities. Vehicles for the project will be selected from ones identified as funded in the capital plan to minimize the need for additional funds. Otherwise commitments for data reporting for up to four years after project onset, Department of Energey merit reviews, performance audits, and knowledge transfer.
Emergency action is requested so that the May 29, 2009 federal grant application deadline can be met.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into partnership with Clean Fuels Ohio for the purpose of applying for federal funds through the United States Department of Energy for the Clean Cities Solicitation to fund Columbus' alternative fueled vehicle projects and infrastructure; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Fleet Management Division, in partnership with Clean Fuels Ohio, is eligible to apply for a grant through the United States Department of Energy titled "Clean Cities FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector", Area of Interest 4; and
WHEREAS, the grant requires that local governments must be in partnership with an active designated Clean Cities Coalition in order to apply for funding; and
WHEREAS, Clean Fuels Ohio is an active designated Clean Cities Coalition designee; and
WHEREAS, funding through the Clean Cities grant would fund Columbus' alternative fueled vehicles and CNG infrastructure projects; and
WHEREAS, the proposed projects would reduce the consumption of petroleum and reduce vehicle emissions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Finance and Managment Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Managment Director to enter into partnership with Clean Fuels Ohio so that the federal grant application deadline of May 29, 2009 can be met for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into partnership with Clean Fuels Ohio, for the purpose of applying for the Clean Cities grant through the United States Department of Energy to fund alternative fueled vehicles and infrastructure projects to reduce reliance on petroleum and reduce emissions from City vehicles.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance authorizes a partnership and is not a commitment to expend City funds.
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.