Explanation
BACKGROUND: A regional project, Sustaining Scioto, is a collaborative effort of The City of Columbus, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), and DelCo Water to assess and develop water management strategies to mitigate impacts of climate change in the central Ohio area. MORPC has contracted with Brown and Caldwell to develop and coordinate this regional endeavor.
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has made up to $100,000.00 available as matching funds for participation in a regional Tailored Collaboration (TC) project. As a subscriber to the Water Research Foundation (WRF), the Columbus Division of Water has the opportunity to enter into a Multi-Funded Research Agreement with the WRF to leverage a $100,000.00 contribution to the project which, if selected for the matching funds, WRF will match 1:1 doubling the amount of monies contributed to this research. Additional benefits of participation in this program also include project enhancement through WRF's independent review (Project Advisory Committee) process, professional project management and technology transfer.
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is a centralized, nonprofit research organization for the water community whose mission is to advance the science of water to improve the quality of life. This mission is accomplished through the timely identification and funding of needed research, and communication of research findings, which ultimately allows utilities to meet current and future drinking water needs.
The purpose of the Tailored Collaboration (TC) program is to provide an opportunity for subscribing utilities to partner with WRF in regional research projects or projects that address issues of interest to a significant subgroup of Foundation subscribers.
The proposed research project, Water Utility Planning Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change in Central Ohio, will focus on the development of water management strategies to mitigate quantity impacts and treatment strategies to mitigate water quality impacts of climate change in Central Ohio and the eastern portions of the mid-west. The Water Research Foundation (WRF) will contribute $100,000.00 in matching funds to Columbus' contribution of $100,000.00 to the project. This proposed research project will expand upon and enhance the Sustaining Scioto Project.
Columbus' contribution will be paid directly to the Water Research Foundation (WRF) upon an effective date once the project proposal is approved by WRF. Brown and Caldwell will be disbursed funds directly from the Water Research Foundation (WRF).
This legislation is required to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to apply for and enter into a Multi-Funded Research Agreement with the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and provide $100,000.00 cash funding plus $6,000.00 in-kind contribution to the project.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $100,000.00 contribution by the Department of Public Utilities will be split 50/50 between the Sewerage System Operating Fund and the Water Operating Fund.
EMERGENCY:
The Department of Public Utilities is requesting City Council to deem this legislation an emergency measure to allow the Director to fund the City's portion of this research as soon as possible so that the regional research project is not delayed.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a Multi-Funded Research Agreement with the Water Research Foundation for the "Water Utility Planning Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change in Central Ohio" project; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from Sewerage System Operating Fund and $50,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Water Research Foundation has made available to its subscribers project matching funds in the amount of up to $100,000.00 for approved Tailored Collaboration projects to assist with regional research; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Division of Water is a Water Research Foundation subscriber and participating in a regional collaborative effort called Water Utility Planning Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change in Central Ohio to assess and develop a strategy for the mitigation of impacts of climate change on Central Ohio water resources; and
WHEREAS, this effort will expand upon and enhance the Sustaining Ohio project, a collaborative effort of the City of Columbus, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the Ohio Water Development Authority, and DelCo Water; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is requesting the authority to apply for and enter into a Multi-Funded Research Agreement with the Water Research Foundation to provide the matching funds of $100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to expend these funds to the Water Research Foundation for the purpose of participating in the Water Utility Planning Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change in Central Ohio project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and enter into the Multi-Funded Research Agreement, in an emergency manner in order to meet the submission deadlines and expedite the facilitation of the project so the terms and conditions of the Agreement are accomplished for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; 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 apply for and enter into a Multi-Funded Research Agreement with the Water Research Foundation, to provide project funds in the amount of $100,000.00 to the Water Research Foundation, located at 6666 W. Quincy Ave. Denver, CO 80235, for the Water Utility Planning Strategies to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change in Central Ohio project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00 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: $50,000.00
Dept./Div.: 60-05
Fund: 650
OCA: 605006
Object Level One: 03
Object Level: 3337
Amount: $50,000.00
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 approved nor vetoes the same.