Title
To support the TechCenter South application for a $5 million Ohio Job Ready Sites grant and to affirm the Department of Public Utilities has resolved that the TechCenter South site has the required utility capacity for such grant application; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Job Ready Sites (JRS) Program was created as a result of a $2 billion public works and economic development bond package on November 8, 2005.
WHEREAS, the JRS Program allows grant applications from Ohio communities for, but not limited to, infrastructure improvements, building demolition and construction, and brown field remediation; and
WHEREAS, the maximum amount that can be applied for under the JRS Program is $5 million; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, in partnership with TechCenter South Development Co., LLC desires to restore the former South Side Techneglas Plant to productive use; and
WHEREAS, the project has the potential to create approximately 850 jobs at the former Techneglas site; and
WHEREAS, the project is qualified to apply for a JRS for up to $5 million; and
WHEREAS, the JRS program requires that the legislative authority over any municipally operated utilities acknowledge that the utility capacity at the site for which JRS grant funding is sought meets the requirements established by the JRS program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities has determined that the water and sewer capacity at the Techneglas site meets the JRS requirements and has written a letter dated April 17, 2008 confirming the adequacy of the utility capacity at the site; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Columbus recognizes the Department of Public Utilities letter and supports the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to approve such a resolution to assure meeting the JRS grant application deadline of May 15, 2008, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. This project is hereby declared a project of great importance to the City and in particular a potential catalyst for redevelopment of the City's South Side neighborhoods and surrounding economy.
Section 2. The Council of the City of Columbus hereby ratifies and confirms the City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities letter resolves that the water and sewer capacities referenced in said letter are available at the TechCenter South site and will continue to be available indefinitely and for no less than the period of any JRS grant which may be awarded to TechCenter South which would be for a period of no less than eight (8) years from the date that any such JRS grant is awarded and ratified by the Controlling Board of the State of Ohio.
Section 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption and approval by the Mayor or ten days after adoption if the mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.