Explanation
Background: The Sustainable Columbus initiative was established by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther in 2017 and has grown into a fully staffed citywide sustainability office. The Sustainable Columbus office is merging with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion alongside the city’s Small Business office within the Department of Development to create an office focused on increasing prosperity and inclusive economic growth. Sustainable Columbus will retain its mission and focus on the Columbus Climate Action Plan, as well as retain all programming including the City’s community choice aggregation program and associated program funding. Ordinance No. 1554-2021 authorized the Director of Finance and Management to establish a Special Revenue Fund entitled ‘Sustainable Columbus Fund’ which is authorized to accept funds from AEP Energy, Inc. in connection with the Community Choice Aggregation program known as Clean Energy Columbus. Ordinance 1554-2021 is being amended to move administration of the Sustainable Columbus Fund to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Emergency Justification:
Emergency action is not being requested.
Fiscal Impact
This ordinance will allow the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to administer and expend funds from Special Revenue Fund 2260 and associated sub-funds. No fiscal impact.
Title
To amend the Background, Section 2, and Section 4 of Ordinance 1554-2021 allowing expenditure from the Sustainable Columbus Fund Special Revenue Fund by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1554-2021, passed by Columbus City Council on July 1, 2021, authorized the Director of Finance and Management to establish a Special Revenue Fund titled the ‘Sustainable Columbus Fund’; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1554-2021 authorized the Director of Finance and Management to expend from the Fund for activities such as community education and outreach, grants, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency projects, training, workforce development, administrative costs incurred by the City, and other activities related to clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will now manage the Sustainable Columbus office and associated programming; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Background of Ordinance 1554-2021, is hereby amended as follows with additions in underline:
Background: The Department of Finance and Management has established a Special Revenue Fund entitled “Sustainable Columbus Fund”, which is authorized to accept funds from AEP Energy, Inc. in connection with the Community Choice Aggregation program known as Clean Energy Columbus enacted by the City of Columbus.
The Clean Energy Columbus program allows the City of Columbus to pool together the retail electrical loads of their residents and small businesses to contract for energy on their behalf. This process, known as Governmental Aggregation or sometimes Community Choice Aggregation, provides an opportunity for residential and small business consumers to participate collectively in the potential benefits of electricity deregulation, which include, but are not limited to, competitive electricity rates, increased consumer choice, an increased demand for renewable energy to help grow the industry, and a 100% renewable energy supply - which means a healthier and more equitable living environment for Columbus residents.
To achieve these benefits, Ordinance 1642-2020 authorized the City of Columbus to perform all necessary actions to effect a Governmental Electricity Aggregation program for the City with opt-out provisions pursuant to Section 4928.20 of the Ohio Revised Code. The City added this program to the ballot on November 3, 2020 and it was approved by the majority of the electors, as required by law.
Pursuant to the authority granted by Ordinance 1642-2020, the City entered into a Governmental Aggregation Master Retail Electric Supply Agreement with AEP Energy, Inc. This Master Supply Agreement provides for the supply of electricity for City of Columbus program participants, both residential and commercial. In addition, this agreement includes in its overall generation supply rate a Community Grant fund rate for all retail electric supply that is consumed and paid for by customers participating in the Community Choice Aggregation program. These funds will be paid to the City on a monthly basis by AEP Energy, Inc.
Proceeds from these receipts shall be used to provide a range of energy management and alternative energy initiatives to benefit the greater Columbus community. Some of these initiatives may include but are not limited to the following: community education and outreach, grants, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency projects, training, workforce development, administrative costs incurred by the City, and other activities related to clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion now includes the city’s sustainability office and will administer and manage the Sustainable Columbus Fund.
SECTION 2. That Section 2 of 1554-2021 is hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 2. That this Special Revenue Fund be authorized to accept funds from AEP Energy, Inc. and other public and private sources and that such funds shall be used for the purpose of supporting energy management, alternative energy initiatives, and sustainability in the greater Columbus community.
SECTION 3. That Section 4 of 1554-2021 is hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 4. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to expend funds for activities such as community education and outreach, grants, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency projects, training, workforce development, administrative costs incurred by the City, and other activities related to clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
SECTION 4. That the existing Background of Ordinance 1554-2021, as well as existing Sections 2 and 4 of Ordinance 1554-2021, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. That all references in the recitals of Ordinance No. 1554-2021 inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. That all provisions of Ordinance 1554-2021 not expressly repealed herein shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.