Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) for the GreenSpot Backyards program for the Fiscal Year 2016.
In 2011, a pilot rain barrel program was expanded through a partnership established by Mayor Michael B. Coleman with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, local watershed groups, and EarthMinded (a subsidiary of Greif, Inc.). The program has been a success ever since and the message of water conservation and storm water management continues to be well received by the community. The Office of the Mayor wishes to join with the Department of Public Utilities in a collaborative effort to provide the funding necessary to support the program again in 2016.
The goal of the GreenSpot Backyards program is to engage residents on the topic of water conservation and storm water management practices and offer tools to help implement these practices. These tools include a rebate on rain barrels, native plants and trees, compost bins, and rain garden assistance and education.
In order to obtain any of these tools, residents will be required to attend one (1) of six (6) in-person, free workshops or view an online course and pass the quiz with at least a 70% score.
In 2016, the program will continue to focus on providing rain barrels, conservation and storm water education, outreach and marketing, working with watershed groups such as Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) and Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT), and the promotion of other City of Columbus initiatives including GreenSpot and Branch Out Columbus. Furthermore, 50 rain barrels were made available at no charge to recipients of the City's Low Income Discount Program, reflected in 2013 & 2014 budgets as 50 Subsidized Barrels. At the conclusion of the 2015 Rain Barrel program 15 low income barrels remain. Project partners continue t...
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