Explanation
1. BACKGROUND.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to increase contracts for the Project Dry Basement Program, and to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 in order to fund the second year of the three-year project. The purpose of this program is to reduce water-in-basement occurrences within residential homes in the City of Columbus.
This Program authorized 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.
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 or a mainline sewer surcharge. Backups caused by blockages or other conditions in residential service lateral sewers on the homeowners property are not eligible for remediation under this program. WIB's must be reported to the Division and documented by the Sewer Maintenance Operations Center.
Eligible property owners are contacted by the Division and invited to take part in the Project Dry Basement Program. Responding eligible owners are contacted by division staff who assess the situation and estimate the extent of work necessary to correct the WIB problem. A contracted plumber is assigned by the division to complete the necessary installations. Contracting procedures comply with the provisions of Section 329.09 of Columbus City Codes. The contracted plumbers, Holdridge Mechanical, Inc., The Waterworks and Fox Mechanical, Co. are required to secure any necessary permits and all work must be inspected and approved by appropriate City inspection personnel. Division personnel secure a release of future liability from the homeowner and will pay the contracted licensed plumber.
To date:
576 application packets have been sent to homeowners
314 applications ahve been returned to the division by homeowners (54% response)
301 inspections have been completed by division personnel
219 jobs have been assigned to the three plumbing contractors
146 jobs have been completed
The average cost to date per job is $4,517.00 and $659,599.00 of the original $1,000,000.00 has been paid to the plumbing contractors.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
The funds requested within this ordinance have been budgeted within the 2004 and 2005 Capital Improvements Budget for purposes of funding improvements of this nature that increase the efficiency of its wastewater treatment facilities.
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 continuation 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 modify 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; to amend the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget; 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, Ordinance No. 0856-2004, as passed July 12, 2004, authorized the Director of Public Utilities to establish the Project Dry Basement Program, and to enter into contracts with Fox Mechanical; The Waterworks; and Holdridge Mechanical using the competitive procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and whereupon the Division of Sewerage and Drainage has sent a total of 576 applications to homeowners; received 314 completed application; performed 301 inspections; issued 219 work orders among the three contractors; and as of April 25, 2005 have succesfully completed 146 plumbing improvement installations; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance requests the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 in order to fund the second year of this program; now, therefore 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; to amend the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget, pursuant to the continuation 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 continue 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 the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance No. 1059-2004 is hereby amended as follows, to provide sufficient budget authority for the project expenditure authorized herein.
CURRENT:
Project 650350 - WWTF Renovations & Rehab. - $1,000,000.00 (Voted Bond Funds)
AMENDED TO:
Project 650350 - WWTF Renovations & Rehab. - $2,000,000.00 (Voted Bond Funds)
Section 7. 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. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.