Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Need: The Ohio EPA requires this legislation which authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to execute six (6) WPCLF supplemental loan agreements, for the additional financing of six Division of Sewerage & Drainage projects. These Capital Improvements Projects, as identified in Section 1., are being financed through the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). This loan program is jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). The WPCLF provides below-market interest rate loans for municipal wastewater treatment improvements.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: WPCLF supplemental loan applications are now being processed for these projects. This authorizing legislation is a requirement for loan approval and must be submitted to the Ohio EPA as a part of each loan application prior to the OWDA board meeting on May 25, 2006.
3. FISCAL IMPACT N/A
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to execute six (6) Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Supplemental Loan Agreements with the Ohio Water Development Authority and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, for the financing of six Division of Sewerage and Drainage projects, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City is in the process of submitting supplemental loan applications to the Ohio EPA under the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF),to finance additional costs for six (6) Division of Sewerage and Drainage projects, which assistance will be of help in reducing total project costs to the City's sewerage customers; and
WHEREAS, the City is required to submit to the Ohio EPA a certified copy of the approved City Council legislation which authorizes the Director of the Public Utilities Department to execute the WPCLF supplemental loan agreements; and
WHEREAS, this legislation must be approved and a certified copy must be submitted to the Ohio EPA prior to the OWDA board meeting on May 25, 2006 as part of the loan application and loan agreement approval process, therefore 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 Director of Public Utilities to execute these six (6) WPCLF Supplemental Loan Agreements with the State of Ohio for the immediate preservation of he public peace, health, 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 to execute six (6) ) Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Supplemental Loan Agreements with the Ohio Water Development Authority and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, for the financing of the following Division of Sewerage and Drainage projects:
1. CIP No. 650246, Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Handling and Dewatering, Phase 2, WPCLF No. CS392244-02-2
2. CIP No. 650246, Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Handling and Dewatering, Phase 3, WPCLF No. CS392244-03-1
3. CIP No. 650252.1B, Jackson Pike New Headworks, Phase 1B, WPCLF No. CS392261-02-1
4. CIP No. 650252.2A, Jackson Pike New Headworks, Phase 2A, WPCLF No. CS392261-03-1
5. CIP No. 650348, Wastewater Treatment Facilities I & C System Upgrade, Phase 2, WPCLF No. CS392258-02-4
6. CIP No. 650349, Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Dewatering & Improvements, WPCLF No. CS395259-01
Section 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.