Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a reimbursement agreement with and accept funds from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) relative to the recycling rebate program administered by the Department of Public Service. It also allows for repayment to SWACO of any funds received but unused at the end of the agreement after final accounting is performed, and authorizes the Director of Public Service to extend the agreement beyond the initial end date of October 1, 2017, if SWACO agrees to do so to use all of the available funding. Additional legislation wil be submitted for Council consideration if the dollar amount of the reimbursement agreement is increased.
Residents have been able to purchase additional recycling carts from the Division of Refuse Collection since the beginning of the City's recycling program. Residents currently pay $47.30 per cart. Under this agreement with SWACO, residents will initially be able to purchase additional recycling carts at a discount of 50%, with the discounted amount being reimbursed to the Division of Refuse Collection through the SWACO agreement. The Division of Refuse Collection reserves the right to adjust this discount if determined to be necessary to do so at a future date. The reimbursement agreement with SWACO will apply to approximately the first 100 containers purchased from July 21, 2017 through October 1, 2017, unless the agreement is extended.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The Department of Public Service is requesting this ordinance be considered as an emergency measure in order to allow for immediate execution of the requisite agreement to promote recycling and local sustainability initiatives.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
SWACO has agreed to contribute up to $2,500.00 to promote recycling and sustainability initiatives locally. There is no additional funding required by the City of Columbus.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) to reduce the cost to residents to purchase an additional recycling cart; to accept funds from SWACO for that purpose; to allow repayment to SWACO of any unused funds after final accounting; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to its amended Solid Waste Management Plan, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) implement programs to increase solid waste recycling, reduction, and reuse within the SWACO District and grants monies to various entities to implement similar programs locally; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service recently initiated a recycling rebate program under which residents affected by the removal of drop-off recycling containers in the SWACO District can purchase an additional curbside recycling container at a discounted rate; and
WHEREAS, SWACO has agreed to reimburse the Department of Public Service for a portion of the discounted rate provided to residents requesting additional curbside recycling containers during the specified rebate period, from July 21, 2017 to October 1, 2017; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a reimbursement agreement with SWACO, to accept funds from SWACO relative to the recycling rebate program; and to return any unused SWACO funds after final accounting has been performed; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a reimbursement agreement with SWACO in order to promote recycling and local sustainability initiatives, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) relative to the recycling rebate program administered by the Department of Public Service and to accept funds from SWACO for that purpose.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
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. At the end of the agreement period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by SWACO is hereby authorized.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which 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.