Explanation
BACKGROUND: Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (DCSWCD) has partnered with Knox, Licking, and Morrow Soil & Water Conservation Districts, with promotional assistance from the Upper Big Walnut Creek Water Quality Partnership, to apply for a grant through the USDA for funding to improve water quality and soil quality in the Scioto River watershed. The Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, has been offered an opportunity to participate in this grant-funded project through the contribution of a total of $187,000.00. The contribution includes $20,000 per year for five (5) years in the form of cash and $87,000 worth of research, analysis and other expertise through the Division of Water, Watershed Masterplan development.
The Department of Public Utilities is requesting Council's approval to enter into this partnership agreement once the grant is awarded (contingent upon affirmative award from USDA). The cost break-down is as follows: $20,000.00 (cash) per year for 5 years and $87,000.00 in in-kind match will be provided through the Watershed Master Plan process.
The five annual $20,000.00 payments will be on a year-to-year basis contingent on budget approval each year by Columbus City Council. Because the amount is $20,000, legislation is not required for the annual payments and will be paid through a purchase order and invoice. The Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District will invoice the Division of Water annually in the amount of $20,000. The results of this project/study will help the Department of Public Utilities assess the effectiveness of new technology being developed to address water quality challenges presented by nutrient run-off into the source waters of Hoover and O'Shaughnessy reservoirs. The project will also facilitate implementation of conservation practices to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff.
This project will include the installation of two enriched bioreactors, one upstream of O'Shaughnessy Reservoir and one upstream of Hoover Reservoir. Monitoring and lab analysis of the two bioreactors will be conducted throughout the five year project. The use of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) practices that promote best management practices for phosphorus use and management in the Upper Big Walnut Creek watershed (Delaware, Knox, Licking, and Morrow counties) are the third component of the project.
This project is to address Ohio's State Level Priority Resource Concerns of water quality and soil quality, specifically phosphorus levels in Delaware County. The City of Columbus is concerned that phosphorus input into its reservoirs will continue to adversely affect water quality of the city's supply. O'Shaughnessy and Hoover reservoirs also contribute to the quality of life for local citizens through their scenic landscapes and myriad opportunities for recreation and wellness, all of which are dependent upon the caliber of the water.
FISCAL IMPACT: Starting in January 2015, the Department of Public Utilities will provide $20,000.00 annually in cash from the Water Operating Fund for 5 years (totaling $100,000.00) and $87,000.00 in in-kind contributions through the Watershed Master Plan process and other work by Division of Water employees. The division will monitor and track the cost of the in-kind contribution. This request is two-fold, to request the approval of Columbus City Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into the partnership with DCSWCD and to fund the first year cash payment in the amount of $20,000.00. Because the future payments will be $20,000 each, legislation is not required for the annual payments and will be paid through a purchase order and invoice.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to participate as a grant match provider for a USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Grant being applied for and administered by the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District to research and "Promote Best Management Practices for Phosphorus" within the Central Ohio watershed; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 for year one from the Water Operating Fund ($20,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District has applied for a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Grant and has invited the Department of Public Utilities to participate in the project by providing $20,000.00 a year for five (5) years in cash match and $87,000.00 in in-kind contributions to assist with research in the source water watershed for Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the research done through this grant will provide the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, with five years of data to help evaluate options to address phosphorus run-off from agricultural activity which directly impacts the watershed which provides source water to the Central Ohio area; and
WHEREAS, because the annual payments will be $20,000, no additional legislation will be required and payments will be made through a purchase order and invoice, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to expend these funds to the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District for the purpose of participating in the Promoting Best Management Practices for Phosphorus project; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into an agreement to provide matching funds for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grant obtained by the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, to provide project funds in the amount of $20,000.00 per year for the next five years contingent on the approval of appropriations by Columbus City Council and $87,000.00 in in-kind contributions to the project.
SECTION 2. That the amount of $20,000.00 be payable to the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District located at 557 A. Sunbury Rd. Delaware, OH 43050-8656, for the Promoting Best Management Practices for Phosphorus project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same hereby is authorized as follows:
Dept./Div.: 60-09
Fund: 600
OCA: 601849
Object Level One: 03
Object Level: 3337
Amount: $20,000.00
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.