Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) annually accepts applications for its Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) program. The CWRG is a competitive grant program that provides funding for projects in Central Ohio that support waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, food donation, and diversion education efforts that reduce the amount of recoverable materials currently being sent to the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill for disposal. Grant awards range from $500 to $50,000 and require a 20% local match.
The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit a CWRG application to SWACO. The Department of Public Service (DPS) is proposing to use CWRG funding to expand its Food Scraps Drop-Off Sites program. DPS has already identified four possible sites at city community centers: Whetstone Community Center, Schiller Community Center, Barnett Community Center, and Tuttle Community Center. The total project cost is approximately $60,000. DPS would request $50,000 in grant funding from SWACO and provide a $10,000 local match.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to formally apply for a CWRG grant from SWACO. It also authorizes the execution of agreements with SWACO 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
No financial participation is required at this time. If funds are awarded, City funds will be required for the project’s local match and be approved in the form of contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for a Community Waste Reduction Grant; to authorize the execution of grant and other requisite agreements with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant award on behalf of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service; and to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) has announced it is seeking applications for its Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) program, which is a grant program to be awarded on a competitive basis; and
WHEREAS, SWACO was accepting applications until August 7, 2026; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval is needed to apply for and accept the grant funding; 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 applications to SWACO seeking grant funding from the Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) program to expand its Food Scraps Drop-Off Sites program; to accept said grant, if awarded; and to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said applications, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.