Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Special Assistance Grants are available on a competitive basis from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) for 2025. The purpose of these awards is to support recycling, recycling market development and litter prevention activities. The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit an application.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to accept the grant award and execute agreements with OEPA or others in connection with the award of the grant, the expenditure of grant funds, and the return of unused grant funds if any should remain at the end of the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to appropriate and expend grant awards received from the OEPA. A local 25% match will be provided by the Department of Public Service, which will be satisfied by the annual expenses associated with OEPA to support recycling, recycling market development and litter prevention activities. Additional funds are not required for the match.
Title
To authorize the Auditor's Office to appropriate funds relative to the 2025 Community and Litter Special Assistance Recycle Ohio Grant with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to accept a grant award and execute a grant and other requisite agreements with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Special Assistance Grants are awarded on a competitive basis by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the support of recycling, recycling market development, and litter prevention activities; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the FY 2024 funding round through December 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service is authorized accept the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Grant in accordance with the conditions of the grant award; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service is authorized to execute a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service can utilize grant funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to fund litter control and recycling initiatives; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate the grant funds so they can be expended on these important programs; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to accept a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 2025 Community and Litter Recycle Ohio Grant Funds.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Service be authorized to appropriate grant funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Grant programs to fund litter control and community improvements. Appropriations of awarded amounts up to $200,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 are authorized upon receipt of the executed grant agreement.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from the earliest period allowed by law.