Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to apply for an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion Grant, to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Ohio EPA, and accept the grant funds on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
This grant will partially fund the purchase of compressed natural gas up-fitting parts and services for sixteen (16) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuse collection vehicles that will be purchased later in 2018. The full purchase price of these vehicles is anticipated to be approximately $5,601,168.00. These vehicles will be funded from Department of Public Service Bond Funds and will be the subject of future legislation, processed by the Department of Public Service.
The grant award will reimburse fifty percent (50%) of the CNG up fitting cost of each vehicle, which is approximately $23,224.00 each, for a total grant reimbursement of $371,584.00. The remaining cost of the vehicles and associated up-fitting will be paid from Department of Public Service Bond Funds.
The refuse trucks to be purchased and up-fit will be Automated Side Loaders (ASLs) and will be servicing residential routes in Columbus to be utilized on both 90 gallon (front/street pick-up) and 300 gallon (alley collections) container routes. The Department of Public Service anticipates these trucks being ordered by the end of 2018 and put into service during the last quarter of 2019. Submittal of final invoices for reimbursement must be made within eighteen months from the date the AFV grant agreement is executed with the Ohio EPA, unless a six-month extension has been requested and approved.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of $371,584.00 in Ohio EPA grant monies.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director, on behalf of the Department of Public Service, to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $371,584.00 for up-fitting parts and services for CNG refuse collection vehicles; and to authorize the appropriation of $371,584.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grants Fund No. 2220 ($371,584.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a grant solicitation through the new Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion Grant program that will award $5 million in grants to reimburse Ohio owners of large diesel or gasoline vehicles for a portion of the cost of replacing or converting the vehicle to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) or propane autogas (LPG); and
WHEREAS, $371,584.00 in grant funds have been made available through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, funding through the AFV grant would help fund Columbus’ alternative fueled vehicles and advance our commitment to Compressed Natural Gas; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to apply for, accept, and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director, on behalf of the Department of Public Service, is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement and accept a grant award totaling $371,584.00 with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion program.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grants Fund No. 2220, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $371,584.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Public Service, according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Service and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies, if applicable, may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originate in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.