Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation and expenditure of the grant. The grant amount is $778,900.00.
The U.S. Department of Energy accepted the Department of Public Utilities application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The City of Columbus received $778,900.00 and will use these funds to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County to administer a commercial energy audit and technical assistance program for nonprofit organizations providing health and human services to residents.
The goals of the program are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate energy and cost-saving measures for non-profit organizations serving the city's low-income and disadvantaged communities. The energy audits and technical assistance will help building owners develop a plan to reduce energy use, and set up participants to take advantage of local, state, federal and philanthropic funding opportunities for implementation of energy-saving improvements.
Principal Parties:
Human Services Chamber of Franklin County
966 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 429-4238
Contract Compliance Number: 028003
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: Pending Update
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $778,900.00 in grant funds in the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund 6316.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Department of Energy for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program and accept a grant in the amount of $778,900.00; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program; to authorize the appropriation of $778,900.00 in the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $778,900.00 from the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund. ($778,900.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1490-2024 authorized the Director of Public Utilities to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Public Utilities to accept a grant in the amount of $778,900.00 and enter into a grant agreement with Department of Energy for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $778,900.00 to the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program, all for the 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 is authorized and directed to accept a grant and enter into a grant agreement with with Department of Energy for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program. The amount of the grant is $778,900.00.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities for the commercial energy audit and technical assistance program.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $778,900.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund 6316 in object class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose, the sum of $778,900.00 is appropriated to the Public Utilities Electricity Grant Fund 6316 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 5. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the Grantor is hereby authorized and may be transferred back in accordance with all applicable grant requirements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.