Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to apply to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) Safety Intervention Grant Program and to, as necessary, execute agreements with and to accept grant funds from BWC for the purposes of improving workplace conditions and worker safety.
BWC regularly accepts applications for funding from its Safety Intervention Grant Program. The purpose of the Safety Intervention Grant Program is to gather information about the effectiveness of safety interventions so BWC may share the results with Ohio employers. The program is available to any Ohio state-fund or public employer who wishes to purchase equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses associated with a particular task or operation. The program is designed to work and partner with Ohio employers to establish safety intervention best-practices for accident and injury prevention.
With the safety intervention grant, private and public employers are eligible for a 3-to-1 matching grant, up to a maximum of $40,000 for each eligibility cycle. In return, employers will submit to BWC quarterly data reports for two years, as well as a case study one year after the date of the intervention. BWC will use this information to determine the effectiveness of the intervention and share successes with other employers.
The Department of Public Service intends to apply for the BWC Safety Intervention Grant monies to replace and upgrade the air filtration system at its testing lab at 1800 E. 17th Avenue. The necessary equipment and related installation is estimated to cost approximately $51,000.00. This equipment will make the testing lab safer and more efficient by decreasing and/or eliminating the potential for injuries, illnesses, and property damage claims related to silica dust.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Safety Intervention Grant Program grant recipients are required to match one-third of awarded grant funds; however, funding is not needed for that purpose at this time. If necessary, the encumbrance and expenditure of matching funds will be authorized under a separate ordinance.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to facilitate the preparation, submission, and receipt of the aforesaid grant application by the deadline for this round of grant funding.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit an application to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Safety Intervention Grant Program and to execute agreements with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation providing for the acceptance, expenditure, and administration of any resultant grant award; to authorize the refund of any unused grant funds, if necessary; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) is accepting applications for its Safety Intervention Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service intends to apply for BWC Safety Intervention Grant monies to replace and upgrade the air filtration system at its testing lab at 1800 E. 17th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to apply for grant monies from and to execute agreements with BWC to allow the Department of Public Service to accept and expend any proffered award, and to, if necessary, refund any unexpended portion thereof after the aforementioned improvements have been completed or upon request of BWC; 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 submit and execute the requisite documents as soon as reasonably practicable so the application is received before the application deadline, 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 is hereby authorized to submit an application to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Safety Intervention Grant Program, to accept grant monies, if awarded, and to execute grant agreements and any other documents necessary to effectuate said application, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
Section 2. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which those funds originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 3. 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.