Explanation
Background
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to execute a contribution agreement to provide matching funds related to the award of a grant under the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The grant funds will be used to eliminate future risk of damage to properties located in the area of Whims Ditch.
Whims Ditch is a petitioned county ditch that was constructed to provide drainage to the surrounding area. However, due to changes in land use and the general development of the surrounding area in conjunction with the area's generally flat topography, residents in the area of Whims Ditch have experienced repeated flooding of their homes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers performed a study of the area and determined that, while it would be possible to make some improvements to the ditch, the improvements would be costly and would not entirely alleviate the recurring flooding. This flooding has resulted in litigation by the affected homeowners against the City, Franklin County, and several private landowners C.O.C. Landfill and Inland Products. Although there has been no determination of liability, and the lawsuit has been dismissed, the City and other parties , C.O.C. Landfill and Inland Products have supported Franklin County's application for grant funds to remediate the effects of flooding in the area of Whims Ditch.
Franklin County has applied to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for the award of federal HMGP funds for the purpose of alleviating the existing threat of flooding in the Whims Ditch area. The grant application requested funding in the amount of $3,081,600. If awarded, the grant funds will be used for the acquisition and demolition of the existing homes, assistance in the relocation of the affected residents, and maintenance of the area by Franklin County in perpetuity. This grant requires a minimum twenty-five percent contribution of local matching funds. The City, Franklin...
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