Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to renew the yearly subscription for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage with the Water Environment Federation Research Foundation (WERF). The Research Foundation performs research that applies to various operations within the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, including sewage sludge incineration, Stormwater management, bio-solids reuse, whole effluent toxicity, and combined sewage overflow (CSO). Subscription rates are based on prior year average daily flow managed including wet weather flow. For 2012 the average was 160 multiplied by $415.00 per mgd.
The USEPA no longer performs important research work and the Water Environmental Federation Research Foundation fills this void by performing needed research in the areas stated above. Subscribers to WERF are provided direct and timely access to research information that enables the Department of Public Utilities to enhance and improve the quality of wastewater and storm water management. There are many emerging issues that require research in the near future and being a subscriber to WERF enables the Department of Public Utilities to receive any future research that will be shared with personnel within the department. The subscription period is through December 31, 2013.
SUPPLIER: Water Environment Research Foundation (54-1511635), Non-Profit.
FISCAL IMPACT: This subscription was budgeted in the amount of $63,840.00. WERF has raised the rate from $399.00 per mgd to $415.00 for 2013. Funds will be reprioritized to cover the additional costs. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2013 Operating Budget, Ordinance #2631-2012.
$63,840.00 was spent in 2012
$62,560.00 was spent in 2011
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: This ordinance is being submitted as emergency to allow for the direct and timely access of information from WERF.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to pay subscription fees to subscribe with the Water Environment Research Foundation for Fiscal Year 2013 for use of the Utility Subscription Program for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, to authorize the expenditure of $66,400.00 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($66,400.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to subscribe with the Water Environment Federation Research Foundation to insure continued and proper research in Wastewater Treatment areas for Fiscal Year 2013, and
WHEREAS, the Research Foundation performs research that applies to our operations - sewage sludge incineration, Stormwater management, bio-solids reuse, whole effluent toxicity, and combined sewage overflow, and
WHEREAS, the subscription period is through December 31, 2013, and
WHEREAS, the Water Environment Federation Research Foundation currently conducts research applicable to the City of Columbus, Division of Sewerage and Drainage operations including sewage sludge incineration, bio-solids reuse/recycling, whole effluent toxicity, combined sewer overflows (CSO). The collaborative research provided by the Water Environment Federation Research Foundation is a cost-effective means to fill a void within the wastewater industry. This subscription enables the City to participate in developing future topics and have full access to research in progress, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage in that it is immediately necessary to renew the subscription to allow for the direct and timely access of the provided information; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION l. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to pay for subscription fees to the Water Environment Research Foundation, for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage for Fiscal Year 2013.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $66,400.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, Fund No. 650 to pay for the cost thereof, as follows:
OCA: 605006
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3332
SECTION 3. 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.