Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. and other participating member municipalities (the “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, members experiencing an emergency in the provision of electricity to customers of the municipal electric system can request assistance from other participating member municipalities, both intrastate and interstate, to assist in expediting repairs to their electric system in order to restore electric service as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: At the present time, there is not an immediate need for expenditures to be budgeted for this. However, should the need arise, a Mayor’s Emergency would be enacted, pursuant to Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc., and other participating member municipalities, to allow for assistance in expediting repairs to the City's electric system or a participating member muncipality's electrical system in the event of an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio law provides authority for the City of Columbus (the "Municipality") to execute an agreement with other in-state and out-of-state municipalities for the joint provision of aid during times of emergencies; and
WHEREAS, American Municipal Power, Inc. (herein “AMP”) organizes and manages a Mutual Aid Program among its member municipalities wherein members experiencing an emergency in the provision of electricity to customers of the municipal electric system can request assistance from other participating member municipalities, both intrastate and interstate, to assist participating municipalities in expediting repairs to their electric systems in order to restore electric service as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a member of AMP and operates a municipal electric system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus deems it prudent to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with AMP and other participating member municipalities to participate in the AMP Mutual Aid Program so that it can provide and receive aid and assistance from other municipalities in times of an emergency; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) for the preservation of the public peace, health, property, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement with AMP and other participating member municipalities to participate in the AMP Mutual Aid Program.
SECTION 2. That the City of Columbus agrees to reimburse any Signatory to the Mutual Aid Agreement all eligible costs for services provided to the Municipality in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Mutual Aid agreement in response to a request for aid from the Municipality.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.