Explanation
Background: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, represents a Presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies available - energy efficiency and conservation - across the country.
The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act is modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to:
· Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
· Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
· Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
· Create and retain jobs.
Through formula and competitive grants, the Program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation's long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change. The City of Columbus has received $7,403,500 from this allocation, as described by Ordinance No. 0868-2009, passed June 22, 2009, the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District was identified as a sub-recipient of up to $490,000 of these monies to make downtown bike infrastructure improvements.
Capital Crossroads in coordination with the Recreation and Parks Department crafted a plan for bike infrastructure improvements to increase critical bike parking options within the downtown core of Columbus. Improving the usability, visibility, and security of bike parking options will likely increase ridership for daily commuting, increase biking into and throughout downtown for shorter trips, and reduce traffic congestion.
Specifically, Capital Crossroads will make bike infrastructure improvements in public parking garages; adding partial weather protected bike shelters into the streetscape; installation of a stand-alone secure bike shelter; and several groups of secure bike lockers in strategic downtown locations.
Capital Crossroads will provide project management services to implement this project and will provide ongoing maintenance for all improvements at no additional cost to the City. Therefore, this ordinance also authorizes the Finance and Management Director to contract with Capital Crossroads for long term maintenance of these improvements.
Capital Crossroads - 34-1939884, expires 04/21/2010
Fiscal Impact: The Federal grant does not require any local match. There are no other City monies budgeted or planned for this project.
Emergency action is requested so that the improvements to be undertaken can begin as soon as possible. Under Federal regulation, these monies must be allocated within eighteen months of the United States Department of Energy formal acceptance and must be fully spent within thirty-six months of award notice. Otherwise, funding must be returned.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contracts for downtown bikeway infrastructure improvements and maintenance with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District; to authorize the expenditure of $490,000.00 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and to declare an emergency. ($490,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been allocated funding from the American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009 (ARRA), and has received a formula allocation of up to $7,403,500 from the United States Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and
WHEREAS, as a sub-recipient, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District will make infrastructure improvements in public parking garages; adding partial weather protected bike shelters into the streetscape; installation of a stand-alone secure bike shelter; and several groups of secure bike lockers in strategic downtown locations; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District for Downtown Bike Infrastructure Improvements and to do so as quickly as possible in order to meet the provisions of the Federal ARRA funds and to realize the benefits of improved Downtown Bike Infrastructure; thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into contracts for downtown bikeway infrastructure improvements and its maintenance with the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, 23 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $490,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Finance and Management, Department 45-50, Fund 220, Grant number 459106, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 459108.
Section 3. 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 day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.