Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an intergovernmental working agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) to provide support and coordination for the following programs and projects: Lawncare Practices Outreach and Involvement Program; Community Backyards; Contractor Outreach Program; Stormwater and Conservation Education in schools within the City of Columbus; Outreach to Developers, Contractors and Stormwater Professionals; Columbus Watershed Assistance; Franklin County Stream Resource Geodatabase; and Develop Urban Watershed Delineations. In the past these programs and projects were managed under separate agreements but for the benefit of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities in managing Stormwater and improving source water quality they are now combined under one agreement.
These programs help meet requirements of the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit to provide education and opportunities for public participation in protecting the quality of water in our streams and rivers. FSWCD has long been recognized as a leader in natural resource conservation and residents respond well to the programs' messages. Participation has grown each year since the inception of the rain barrel cost share program in 2010. That program has expanded into the Community Backyards Program and the Lawncare Practices program was added in 2015 to further meet the requirements of our permit. Teachers in Columbus City Schools depend on and trust FSWCD staff to deliver stormwater education to bring to life what their students are learning in the classroom about protection of natural resources.
The term of this contract will be from date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including March 31, 2026.
SUPPLIER: Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (31-0847446) DAX# (004386), Non-Profit Organization
FISCAL IMPACT: $423,520.00 is needed for this agreement and is budgeted and available as follows: $323,270.00 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund, $50,000.00 from the Sewer Operating Fund, and $50,250.00 from the Water Operating Fund, all within the Department of Public Utilities.
$359,000.00 was spent in 2024
$300,700.00 was spent in 2023
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested due to the previous contract lapsing on March 31, 2025, and delays in receiving required documentation. This will allow the Division of Stormwater to continue utilizing FSWCD'S work in support of the City MS4 permit.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an intergovernmental working agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District for the Combined Stormwater Education Programs; to authorize the expenditure of $323,270.00 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund, $50,000.00 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, and $50,250.00 from the Water Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency ($423,520.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the various sections of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, and the Division of Water, have jointly entered into intergovernmental working agreements with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) to provide support and coordination for the following programs and projects: Community Backyards; Business Outreach Program; Stormwater and Conservation Education in schools within the City of Columbus; 2025 Outreach to Developers, Contractors and Stormwater Professionals; Columbus Watershed Assistance; Franklin County Stream Resource Geodatabase; Develop Urban Watershed Delineations; and
WHEREAS, in the past these programs and projects were managed under separate agreements, but for the benefit of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities in managing Stormwater and improving source water quality, in 2017, they were combined under one agreement going forward; and
WHEREAS, these programs help meet requirements of the City's MS4 permit to provide education and opportunities for public participation in protecting the quality of water in our streams and rivers; and
WHEREAS, the term of this contract will be from the date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including March 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage, and the Division of Water, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an intergovernmental agreement for the Combined Stormwater Education Programs with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District without delay since the previous contract lapsed on March 31, 2025 and to allow continuing support of the City MS4 permit, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into an intergovernmental working agreement with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, 1404 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43212, to provide for the Combined Stormwater Education Programs for the various sections of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, and the Division of Water. The term of this agreement will be from the date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including March 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $423,520.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6200 Storm Sewer Operating Fund in the amount of $323,270.00, Fund 6100 Sewer Operating Fund in the amount of $50,000.00, and Fund 6000 Water Operating Fund in the amount of $50,250.00 in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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.