Explanation
1. BACKGROUND.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish the Project Dry Basement Program, authorize entering into contracts and further authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 in order to fund the first year of the proposed three-year project. The purpose of this program will be to reduce water-in-basement occurrences within residential homes in the City of Columbus.
This Program will allow 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.
Division of Sewerage and Drainage personnel are developing a listing of all residential WIBs since January 1, 2004. 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. Backups caused by blockages or other conditions in residential service lateral sewers on the homeowners property would not be eligible for remediation under this program. WIB's must have been reported to the Division and documented by the Sewer Maintenance Operations Center.
Eligible property owners will be contacted by the Division and will be invited to take part in the Project Dry Basement Program. Responding eligible owners will be contacted by division staff who will assess the situation and estimate the extent of work necessary to correct the WIB problem. A contracted plumber will be assigned by the division to complete the necessary installations. Contracting procedures will comply with the provisions of Section 329.09 of Columbus City Codes. The contracted plumber will be required to secure any necessary permits and all work must be inspected and approved by appropriate City inspection personnel. Division personnel will secure a release of future liability from the homeowner and will pay the contracted licensed plumber.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
The funds requested within this ordinance have been budgeted within the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget for purposes of funding improvements of this nature that increase the efficiency of its wastewater treatment facilities. The amount requested is only an estimate of the potential utilization of this project by the Columbus citizens eligible for this program. Future appropriations will be based upon the documented participation and success of the program during this first year.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
The Division of Sewerage and Drainage is requesting City Council to designate this ordinance an emergency measure in order to allow for the immediate establishment and commencement of the Project Dry Basement Program, pursuant to eliminating water-in-basements within the qualifying residences of the citizens of the Columbus.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish the Project Dry Basement Program; to enter into various contracts for the installation of devices appropriate for the elimination of water in basements; to authorize the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of $1,000,000.00 from the Sewer System Reserve Fund to the 1991 Voted Sanitary Bond Fund; for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
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, the Division of Sewerage and Drainage of the Department of Public Utilities has been directed to address documented water-in-basement complaints of the citizens of the City of Columbus, and in doing so, hereby requests authority to establish the Project Dry Basement Program; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance requests the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 in order to fund the first year of this program; and prior to submitting future appropriations, the Director of Public Utilities will provide the Mayor and the City Council with a report upon the progress and effectiveness of the program; 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 authorize the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Sewer Reserve Fund to the 1991 Voted Sanitary Bond Fund pursuant to the establishment and commencement of the Project Dry Basement Program in an effort to eliminate water-in-basements of the citizens of the City of Columbus, 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 from the unappropriated monies in the Sewer System Reserve Fund, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources, and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 21, 2004, the sum of $1,000,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Division No. 60-05| Object Level One: 10| Object Level Three: 5502| OCA Code 901654.
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $1,000,000.00 from the Sewer System Reserve Fund to the 1991 Voted Sanitary Bond Fund No. 664, into the Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Renovations and Rehabilitation Project Account No. 650350; at such time as deemed necessary by him and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
Section 3. That the amount of $1,000,000.00 is hereby appropriated for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Renovations and Rehabilitation Project Account No. 650350, within the 1991 Voted Sanitary Bond Fund No. 664| Division 60-05| OCA Code 664350| Object Level Three No. 6678.
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 establish 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 $1,000,000.00 from the project account for which funds have been appropriated within Section 3 herein.
Section 6. 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.