Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development (Ohio DOD) for the Blueprint Linden - Hudson / McGuffey Project. The amount of the award is $3,500,000.00.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law March 11, 2021 and established the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which together make up the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program. This program was intended to provide support to State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain impacts on their communities, residents, and businesses. Grantee agrees to comply with all requirements of the SLFRF.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
Emergency action is requested to immediately provide the Department of Public Utilities with the authorization to enter into the grant agreement.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development for the Blueprint Linden - Hudson / McGuffey Project; to accept and expend grant funds for the Blueprint Linden - Hudson / McGuffey Project and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting is performed; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Development has awarded the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities a grant for Blueprint Linden - Hudson / McGuffey Project in the amount of $3,500,000.00.
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to accept the Ohio Department of Development Grant in accordance with the conditions of the grant award; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to execute a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development, accept and expend grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for the approved project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities will utilize the grant funds from the Ohio Department of Development to fund a wet weather management project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio DOD for the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant so an integrated solution for consent order requirements of the City’s wet weather management plan can be addressed as soon as possible in accordance with the terms of the order, thereby preserving 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 Director of the Department of Public Utilities Development is authorized and directed to enter into grant agreements with Ohio DOD and to accept and expend awarded grant funds for a wet weather management project.
SECTION 2. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized without additional legislation required to make the repayment, 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 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.