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 the grant. A grant match amount of up to $189,278.00 for the project will be paid by the Department of Public Utilities should the Department be awarded and accept the grant. This match amount would be paid to the USGS from the Power, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Operating Funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, and should it be awarded, accept, appropriate, and enter into a 3D Elevation Program Grant Agreement with the United States Geological Survey through the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants in the amount of $247,758.00; to authorize the transfer and appropriation of $11,545.96 from the Electricity Operating Fund, $73,439.86 from the Water Operating Fund, $82,335.93 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, and $21,956.25 from the Stormwater Operating Fund to the General Government Grant Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $189,278.00 from the General Government Grant Fund. ($247,758.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has solicited applications for a grant in accordance with the 3D Elevation Program Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to apply for and, if awarded, accept said grant, and authorize the appropriation and expenditure of funds; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Utilities is required to be authorized by Council to apply for and enter into the grant agreement; to accept the grant money; and expend the funds necessary to meet the terms of the grant; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has budgeted funds for this service; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the acceptance of the aforementioned grant from USGS in the amount of $58,480.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the transfer of $11,545.96 from the Electricity Operating Fund, $73,439.86 from the Water Operating Fund, $82,335.93 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, and $21,956.25 from the Stormwater Operating Fund, totaling $189,278.00, to the General Government Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance appropriates the sum of $247,758.00 to the General Government Grant Fund for use in an effort 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.these amounts; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes payment be made to the United States Geological Survey from the General Government Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director to apply for, and should it be awarded, accept, appropriate, and enter into a 3D Elevation Program Grant Agreement with the United States Geological Survey through the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities, be and hereby is, authorized to apply for, and should it be approved, accept, and enter into a grant agreement with the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Grant Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG) and appropriate funds; in an amount of up to $247,758.00 from the 3D Elevation Program Grant.
SECTION 2. That $11,545.96 from the Electricity Operating Fund, $73,439.86 from the Water Operating Fund, $82,335.93 from the Sewerage System Operating Fund, and $21,956.25 from the Stormwater Operating Fund, totaling $189,278.00, transfer of appropriations from Object Class 03 to Object Class 10 and the appropriation of funds to the General Government Grant Fund or so much thereof as may be needed, upon receipt of the executed grant agreement, is hereby authorized and that these funds are deemed appropriated per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $247,758.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2220, General Government Grant Fund, in Object Class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Department of Public Utilities has committed to administer the grant through grant coordination, grant reporting, grant fund requests, and contract administration services.
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 at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused city contributed moneys may be transferred back and reappropriated to the city fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 7. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.