Explanation
05-083-606
BACKGROUND: This on-going project provides for the acquisition of buffer zones along streams within the watersheds of the supply reservoirs to limit agricultural activities that degrade water quality. The establishment of buffer zones along tributaries to our water supplies that will minimize the amount of sediments and agrichemicals entering the reservoirs is a Best Management Practice for the agricultural industry included in the Watershed Management Plan (required by the 1996 Reauthorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act). This ordinance will provide the City Attorney with funding for real estate acquisition services for the Watershed Protection Easements (2005) project.
EMERGENCY PROVISION: Emergency legislation is being requested to allow the appraisal and acquisition of these parcels necessary for this project to proceed without delay when the opportunities are presented to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT: This project is included in the 2005-2010 CIP and $400,000 is budgeted in the 2005 C.I.B. $150,000 is included in the 2005 bond sale for this project.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests, contract for professional services, and to expend $150,000.00 from the Waterworks Enlargement Voted 1991 Bonds Fund for costs in connection with the Watershed Protection Easements (2005) project, and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City is engaged in the Watershed Protection Easements (2005) project providing for the acquisition of buffer zones along streams within the watersheds of the supply reservoirs to limit agricultural activities that degrade water quality; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Water, Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate and to contract for the professional services necessary in connection with said project to allow said acquisition to proceed without delay when the opportunities are presented to the City for the preservation of public health, peace, property and safety; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the City Attorney be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate and to contract for the professional services necessary in connection with the Watershed Protection Easements (2005) project.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary be and hereby is authorized from Waterworks Enlargement Voted 1991 Bonds Fund, Fund No. 606, Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, Dept./Division No. 60-09, Object Level Three 6601, Project No. 690421, OCA Code 606421.
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project; that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project except that no transfer shall be so made from a project account funded by monies from more than one source.
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 approves nor vetoes the same.