Explanation
The existence of potential homeland security threats in general, and the loss of electrical power in particular, have underscored the prudence of acquiring back-up electrical power capability at critical city facility locations. This was demonstrated at the Public Service Department, Transportation Division's East Twenty-Fifth Avenue snow and ice command center during the extraordinary winter weather event December 24-26, 2005. At one point, there was a complete power failure that affected communications and operations.
The Transportation Division's 2005 capital improvements budget contains $1,000,000.00 for the design and installation of backup power systems. The locations of the Division's facilities have been separated into two groups that are for convenience identified as "Group A" and "Group B". To date, two expenditure ordinances have addressed this issue. Ordinance 1283-2005, passed by City Council July 25, 2005, authorized a contract with GPD Group for the design of the "Group B" locations. Ordinance 1771-2005, passed City Council on January 9, 2006, authorized a contract with Star Consultants, Incorporated, for the design of the "Group A" locations. The balance of the budgeted funds will be utilized for purchase and installation of the generators. The $1,000,000.00 budget represents an estimate of total generator-related expenses.
The Division may be able to partially offset or supplement this expense up to $200,000.00 through the Franklin County Terrorism Advisory Team's (TAT) homeland security grant. This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to apply for said grant and if approved by the grantor, to execute grant agreements.
Fiscal Impact: If approved, the grant money will serve to either offset or supplement budgeted city funds. Once notified of approval of the City's application, appropriation and expenditure legislation will be submitted for councilmanic action as required.
Emergency action is requested to expedite the submittal of this grant application; timely application may prove critical to the approval process.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to apply to the Franklin County Terrorism Advisory Team for homeland security grant funding to be used to design, purchase, construct and/or install backup electrical generator equipment at critical city facilities; to authorize the Director to execute grant agreements as required on behalf of the Transportation Division; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the potential of homeland security threats and weather events have underscored the prudence of acquiring back-up electrical power capability at critical city facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division's 2005 capital improvements budget contains funding to design, purchase, construct and/or install back-up generators; and
WHEREAS, the Division may be able to partially offset or supplement this expense through the Franklin County Terrorism Advisory Team's (TAT) homeland security grant; and
WHEREAS, the need exists to authorize the Public Service Director to apply for said grant and if approved by the grantor, to execute grant agreements as appropriate; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize said grant application as timely application may prove critical to the approval process, 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 Public Service Director be an hereby is authorized to make application to the Franklin County Terrorism Advisory Team for homeland security grant funding to be used to design, purchase, construct and/or install backup electrical generator equipment at critical city facilities and to authorize the Director to execute grant agreements as required should said grant application be approved.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto that are 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.