Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a yearly agreement with the National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) at Heidelberg University to provide funding for the continued operation of the Tributary Loading Station on the Scioto River at Chillicothe in 2014 and to calculate the separate contributions of point-source and nonpoint-source loads of phosphorus in the Scioto watershed upstream of Chillicothe.
The NCWQR, founded in 1969 by Dr. David B. Baker, is a research organization within the science division of Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. The Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program (HTLP) began in 1975, and the Scioto River at Chillicothe has been included in the HTLP since 1996. Presently there are 16 stations in the HTLP in Ohio and Michigan and in both the Ohio River and Lake Erie basins. The HTLP is funded by a combination of state and federal agencies, foundations and industries, and all of the resulting data, including those for the Scioto, are publicly available at the tributary download website.
Measurement of pollutant export from watersheds are used to compare the amounts of pollutants derived from diffuse nonpoint sources, such as agricultural and urban storm runoff, with contributions from point sources, such as sewage treatment plants. Detailed knowledge of concentrations and loads of nutrients and sediments exported through these river systems has added greatly to the understanding of the impacts of rural, largely agricultural land management practices on stream water quality and ultimately the quality of both the Ohio River and Lake Erie.
At the request of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, the NCWQR will, in addition to their usual data analysis, obtain the best available data on point source loads to the Scioto River upstream of the monitoring station at Chillicothe and will compute the proportional contributions of point-source and non-point source loads of total phosphorous and other nutrients of interest to the Division. The information will then be included in the interpretive summary. In addition, the NCWQR will analyze a subset of samples collected at the Chillicothe station during the 2014 calendar year for total dissolved solids, alkalinity and hardness.
The work for the first phase will be performed during calendar years 2014 through 2016. It will continue as an annual ongoing contract. The cost estimate of the contract is $40,000 for calendar year 2014 as a lump sum payment. The cost estimate for years 2015 and 2016 will not exceed $50,000 annually. Funding requests for 2015, 2016 and any future years will be based upon budgeted funds and approval by City Council.
SUPPLIER: Heidelberg University (34-4428219), Expires June 12, 2016.
Heidelberg University is a Publicly Held company and does not hold MBE/FBE status.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: $40,000.00 is budgeted and needed for this purchase. The funds will be paid on a 50/50 split with the Division of Sewerage and Drainage and the Division of Water each paying $20,000.00 of the total costs for the fiscal year 2014.
$0.00 was spent in 2013
$0.00 was spent in 2012
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency because, without emergency action, no less than thirty-seven days will be added to this procurement cycle and the efficient delivery of valuable public services will be slowed.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Heidelberg University for the purpose of providing funding and continued support to the National Center for Water Quality Research, for the continued operation of the Tributary Loading Station on the Scioto River and Computation of Point-Source and Nonpoint-Source Loads for 2014, to authorize the expenditures of $20,000.00 from the Sewer System Operating Fund, and $20,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need to enter into a support agreement with Heidelberg University for the purpose of providing funding and continued support to the National Center for Water Quality Research, for the continued operation of the Tributary Loading Station on the Scioto River at Chillicothe in 2014 and to calculate the separate contributions of point-source and nonpoint-source loads of phosphorus in the Scioto watershed upstream of Chillicothe, and
WHEREAS, the NCWQR, is a research organization within the science division of Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, and
WHEREAS, the Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program (HTLP) began in 1975, and the Scioto River at Chillicothe has been included in the HTLP since 1996. Presently there are 16 stations in the HTLP in Ohio and Michigan and in both the Ohio River and Lake Erie basins. The HTLP is funded by a combination of state and federal agencies, foundations and industries, and all of the resulting data, including those for the Scioto, are publicly available at the tributary download website, and
WHEREAS, measurement of pollutant export from watershed are used to compare the amounts of pollutants derived from diffuse nonpoint sources, such as agricultural and urban storm runoff, with contributions from point sources, such as sewage treatment plants. Detailed knowledge of concentrations and loads of nutrients and sediments exported through these river systems has added greatly to the understanding of the impacts of rural, largely agricultural land management practices on stream water quality and ultimately the quality of both the Ohio River and Lake Erie, and
WHEREAS, at the request of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, the NCWQR will, in addition to their usual data analysis, obtain the best available data on point source loads to the Scioto River upstream of the monitoring station at Chillicothe and will compute the proportional contributions of point-source and non-point source loads of total phosphorous and other nutrients of interest to the Division. The information will then be included in the interpretive summary. In addition, the NCWQR will analyze a subset of samples collected at the Chillicothe station during the 2014 calendar year for total dissolved solids, alkalinity and hardness, and
WHEREAS, the work for the years 2014 through 2016 is considered as the first phase. It will continue as an annual ongoing contract, and
WHEREAS, this funding request is for the year 2014. Funding requests for 2015, 2016 and any future years will be based upon budgeted funds and approval by City Council, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage in that, without emergency action, no less than thirty-seven days will be added to this procurement cycle and the efficient delivery of valuable public services will be slowed, and it is immediately necessary to enter into an agreement to provide the necessary funding for this project, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a support agreement with Heidelberg University, 310 East Market Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883-2462, for the purpose of providing funding and continued support to the National Center for Water Quality Research, for the continued operation of the Tributary Loading Station on the Scioto River and Computation of Point-Source and Nonpoint-Source Loads for 2014.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same hereby is authorized from the Sewer System Operating Fund, Fund 650, Department/Division 60-05, to pay the cost of this contract as follows:
OCA: 605006
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 03: 3336
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same hereby is authorized from the Water Operating Fund, Fund 600, Department/Division 60-09, to pay the cost of this contract as follows:
OCA: 601849
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 03: 3336
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, where 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.