Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, and if awarded, accept and enter into a 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Grant Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG) for up to $58,480.00. The 2019 Columbus 3DEP Acquisition Project is an effort being pursued to complete the acquisition of QL0 LiDAR that will deliver benefits and provide preliminary engineering data necessary for Columbus to more efficiently manage their resources and support development throughout the City.
The purpose of the 3D Elevation Program for the USGS is to gather information and respond to the need for high-quality topographic data by gathering information from existing programs in a collaborative manner to complete a national collection of 3D elevation data. Accurate elevation data, for the Department of Public Utilities, will assist in assessing the impact and mitigation of runoff issues, including non-point source pollution of lakes, rivers, wetlands. The LiDAR will also support topographic analysis, contouring, preliminary engineering, extraction of planimetric features including impervious surfaces, landcover, hydrology, and building outlines.
This ordinance also transfers the City’s contribution for the 3DEP Acquisition Project from the Power, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Operating Funds to the General Government Grant Fund for use. A total of $247,758.00 was budgeted for this service. Should the Department of Public Utilities be awarded a portion of the grant, that cost would be reduced to $189,278.00 with the remaining portion of $58,480.00 being covered by the grant.
Finally, this ordinance appropriates the sum of $247,758.00 to the General Government Grant Fund, which represents the City’s share of $189,278.00 and USGS’s share of $58,480.00.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The aforementioned grant funds will be awarded in accordance with the terms of t...
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