Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $10 million in discretionary grant funding through the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program. This is the eighth round of funding for the AID Demonstration grant program. The NOFO was released on July 1, 2021 and will remains open through September 28, 2021.
The AID Demonstration Program provides incentive funding for activities eligible for assistance in any phase of a highway transportation project between project planning and project delivery including: planning, financing, operation, structures, materials, pavements, environment, and construction that address the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program (TIDP) goals. The funding available for this year’s grants totals approximately $10 million.
The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit an AID Demonstration Program grant application as a subrecipient through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). City staff has spoken with ODOT, and it is willing to submit an application requesting approximately $1 million for the Dynamic Curb Lane Management System that is being developed by the Department of Public Service’s Parking Services Division.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to formally apply for an AID Demonstration program grant as a subrecipient. It also authorizes the execution of agreements with USDOT, ODOT, or others in connection with the application for the grant, the award of the grant, the expenditure of grant funds, and the return of unused grant funds if any should remain at the end of the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
TIDP grants may be used for up to eighty percent (80%) of future eligible project costs. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide the Department of Public Service with the authorization to proceed with an application prior to the application period’s end.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for an Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program Grant as a subreceipient through the Ohio Department of Transportation from the United States Department of Transportation; to authorize the execution of grant and other requisite agreements with the United States Department of Transportation and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant award on behalf of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the eighth round of funding for Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program, which is a grant program to be awarded on a competitive basis; and
WHEREAS, USDOT is accepting applications for the FY 2021 funding round through September 28, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to partner with other interested stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), to submit a funding application for the City’s Dynamic Curb Lane Management System; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval is needed to apply for and accept the grant funding; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to prepare and submit the aforesaid grant application prior to the end of the application period, for the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit an application for a grant from USDOT’s AID Demonstration Program and to accept said grant, if awarded.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute any agreement or other documents necessary to effectuate applying for and receiving AID Demonstration Program grant funding as a subrecipient through the Ohio Department of Transportation.
SECTION 3. That the Department of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to expend any awarded grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grant.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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.