Explanation
Background: This seventh modification to the lease of the Solid Waste Reduction Facility and transfer stations by the City to the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is necessary to reflect an agreement between the City and SWACO to create and fund a new Environmental Stewardship Office (ESO) which will, initially, be a part of SWACO. For the first two years of its operation (or longer if thereafter mutually agreed), SWACO and the City will each fund 50% of all costs not to exceed $200,000 per year, or $100,000 per party. The City's share will take the form of a credit against lease payments due from SWACO to the City. Thus, the lease documents need to be amended to reflect this agreement.
The creation of this ESO reflects the shared goal of SWACO and the City to promote good environmental policy within the City, consistent with the City's "Get Green Columbus" initiative, in order to conserve landfill space by the promotion of recycling and other waste management activities, the development of "green" businesses, and the initiation of community outreach efforts to engage regional residents in good environmental practices. The intention is to move the ESO to a newly created non-profit or community improvement corporation at some point in time in the future.
Fiscal Impact: The City's share of up to $100,000 per year for the cost of operation of the ESO will take the form of credits against the lease payments due from SWACO to the City. Since these are being largely deferred pending retirement of the SWACO bonds sold last year to reduce SWACO's outstanding debt to the City, there will be no immediate fiscal impact on revenue to the City.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, or safety by allowing the expeditious creation of the ESO so as to allow immediate commencement of its important environmental initiatives.
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To authori...
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