Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the continuation of the Green Columbus Fund Program, with some modifications and expansions. The program was originally established by Ordinance 1462-2010. The Green Columbus Fund Program provides grants for projects that promote sustainable economic development by reimbursing environmental assessment costs to facilitate safe redevelopment of Brownfield sites, and for the provision of grants that promote sustainable economic development by reimbursing LEED Certification costs and providing incentives for qualifying green buildings. It will now also include participation in the Energy Star Homes Program for inner city multifamily dwellings under specified conditions.
The Green Columbus Fund represents the City's commitment to promote economic development and job creation. In addition the Green Columbus Fund represents the City's commitment to become greener and more sustainable. Emergency action is necessary to allow the expansion and modification of the program to take effect promptly.
For these reasons the City included in its July 2010 Bond Sale Ordinance an appropriation of $1,000,000 and included an appropriation of another $1,000,000 in its 2012 Bond Sale.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation. Expenditures will be subject to future authorization by City Council. Funding will be provided from the Green Columbus Fund - 2012 Capital Improvements Budget, Northland and Other Acquisition Fund and will not exceed $1,000,000, unless and until further funding is appropriated by City Council.
Title
To authorize the continuation, expansion and modification of the Green Columbus Fund Program in the Department of Development for the purpose of making grants for Brownfield redevelopment and creation of green buildings; to repeal Ordinance 1462-2010; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to continue to administer the Green Columbus Fund Program using bond proceeds; and
WHEREAS, these monies will be used to provide grants to facilitate Brownfield redevelopment and creation of green buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Green Columbus Fund represents the City's commitment to become greener and more sustainable; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow prompt expansion and modification of the program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expansion and modification of the Green Columbus Fund Program thereby preserving 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 Department of Development is hereby authorized to prepare and circulate program guidance and information that includes but is not limited to program descriptions and application forms, to modify these as appropriate, and to take other appropriate steps to provide for the fair and effective administration of the Green Columbus Fund Program by the Department of Development.
Section 2. That the Director of Development shall prepare and bring before the City Council for authorization Brownfield redevelopment agreements providing for reimbursement grants up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. These Brownfield redevelopment agreements may apply to costs for Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessments and Physical Phase II Environmental Assessments, as indicated in program guidance provided by the Department of Development
Section 3. That the Director of Development shall prepare and bring before the City Council for authorization green building development agreements setting forth the terms under which the City will reimburse the owner of a qualifying building for its LEED certification costs, and may provide further incentives up to triple that cost if additional valued criteria are achieved. The City will also participate in the ENERGY STAR© New Homes Incentive Program, though only with respect to multifamily dwellings in the inner city and as further defined in guidance documents to be provided by the Department of Development.
Section 4. That ordinances prepared by the Development Department for consideration by City Council pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 herein will be to authorize the Director to enter into the Brownfield redevelopment agreement or green building development agreement, and to authorize expenditure of up to a set dollar maximum pursuant to that agreement.
Section 5. That Ordinance 1462-2010 is hereby repealed and replaced as provided herein.
Section 6. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.