Explanation
BACKGROUND: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the City of Columbus was awarded $7,403,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy as a formula allocation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). Funds are being used to develop, promote, implement and manage programs designed to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy usage, improve energy efficiency, and create and retain jobs. The City of Columbus planned to address these goals with the following activities:
· A revolving loan fund for use by businesses for energy efficiency retrofits
· Bike infrastructure improvements
· Energy efficient retrofit for the central safety building
· Energy efficient lighting at Columbus fire stations
· Participate with the State of Ohio to retrofit the Center of Science and Industry
· Retrofit the Cultural Arts Center with energy efficient lighting
· Retrofit the city's pedestrian signal heads with energy efficient LED technology
· Retrofit homes for low-income households in the Columbus area with energy efficient lighting and appliances.
Ordinance 0868-2009 authorized the city to apply for and accept the grant. Ordinances 1511-2009 and 0148-2010 authorized appropriations in various divisions and object levels.
The planned use of the EECBG funds for a revolving loan fund activity was established and promoted by the Development Department, unfortunately no applications were received. It is a requirement that federal funds be spent in a timely manner so it has been determined that additional funding will benefit the Central Safety Building energy retrofits, and will allow up to six more fire station high-energy lighting retrofit projects. Funds previously identified as program administration for the revolving loan fund activity will be redirected to the grant administrative functions of the Department of Finance and Management. These changes in project budgets require adjustments in the appropriations to align funds properly within the city's accounting records.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation will transfer funds between departments and object levels with no net impact on the total appropriation.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to allow the financial transactions to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management.
Title
To authorize the transfer of $1,128,768.44 between departments and object levels of the General Government Grant Fund to provide Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding for approved programs, and to declare an emergency ($1,128,768.44).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been awarded $7,403,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy for the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant programs; and
WHEREAS, adjustments are needed in the appropriations on the books of the City of Columbus in order to properly align funding for the EECBG programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus, in that it is immediately necessary to transfer appropriation between departments and object levels within the general government grant fund, 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 Auditor's Office is hereby authorized to transfer appropriation within fund 220, grant number 459106, as follows:
FROM: Dept. 44-02, OCA 499107, Object Level 03, $1,100,000
Dept. 44-02, OCA 449106, Object Level 01, $28,768.44
TO: Dept. 45-50, OCA 459109, Object Level 06, $450,000
Dept. 45-50, OCA 459110, Object Level 06, $650,000
Dept. 45-01, OCA 459107, Object Level 01, $28,768.44
SECTION 2: 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.