Explanation
BACKGROUND AND FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a partner agreement with Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO) on behalf of the Fleet Management Division to have CFO provide various alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to the City of Columbus for demonstration and test drive purposes. CFO has been awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Energy to implement an alternative fuel vehicle demonstration program in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana titled the “Midwest DRIVES Initiative”. This funding allows CFO to provide AFVs for use by public and private fleets in the Midwest. Columbus Fleet Management anticipates receiving approximately four vehicles (two all-electric and two compressed natural gas) to test drive. The demonstration period for the various vehicles is anticipated to take approximately 12 months. The City’s obligation will be to provide CFO, on a monthly basis, with qualitative demo vehicle use information such as driver experience and general information about vehicle handling and performance. CFO will also be collecting vehicle data through data logging equipment attached to each vehicle. This project will provide the City valuable information regarding various types of AFVs that can help in future decisions pursuant to the purchase of such vehicles.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City to demo the AFVs in the project.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a partner agreement with Clean Fuels Ohio to provide various alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to the City of Columbus for demonstration purposes for the period of approximately 12 months. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO) has been awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Energy to implement an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) demonstration program in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana titled the “Midwest DRIVES Initiative”; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management on behalf of the Fleet Management Division has the opportunity to enter into a partner agreement with CFO to participate in the vehicle demonstration program; and
WHEREAS, the use of these vehicles will provide CFO with data regarding vehicle performance and efficiency and will also provide Columbus with valuable data that will help in decisions pursuant to purchasing alternative fuel vehicles; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the City to authorize the Director of Finance to enter into a partner agreement with Clean Fuels Ohio for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the Finance and Management Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into a partner agreement with Clean Fuels Ohio to provide alternative fuel vehicles for use by the City of Columbus for the period of approximately 12 months through the Midwest DRIVES Initiative.
Section 2. That this ordinance authorizes an agreement only and is not a commitment to expend City funds.
Section 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.