Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with, and to accept grant awards from, the Columbus Foundation relative to the UIRF - Milo Grogan Second Avenue Improvements project, and to, as necessary, return any unexpended grant funds to the Columbus Foundation after the project and final accounting are complete or after the Division of Design and Construction certifies that any funds remaining on deposit are no longer needed for the project and can be refunded.
The aforementioned project will culminate in the design and construction of various improvements on East Second Avenue between North 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue in the Milo Grogan community area. The Columbus Foundation awarded the City grant funding of up to $166,000.00, payable over two years, from the Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund to support the installation of street trees within the project limits, consistent with recommendations outlined in the Greening America’s Capitals report published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to prevent delays in the current project completion schedule.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
The Columbus Foundation elected to award the City up to $166,000.00 to support the installation of green infrastructure as part of UIRF - Milo Grogan Second Avenue Improvements project. There is no City match required for the grant funding. Separate legislation will be submitted to expend these funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to accept grant funds from the Columbus Foundation relative to UIRF - Milo Grogan Second Avenue Improvements project, and to, as necessary, return any unexpended grant funds to the Columbus Foundation; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is administering UIRF - Milo Grogan Second Avenue Improvements project, which will culminate in various improvements to East Second Avenue between North 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned project will incorporate some of the elements of green infrastructure outlined in the Greening America’s Capitals report published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Foundation awarded the City grant funding of up to $166,000.00, payable over two years, from the Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund to support the installation of street trees within the project limits to support the completion of the work performed within its boundaries; 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 execution of requisite agreements with the Columbus Foundation to facilitate the acceptance and expenditure of grant funding as soon as reasonably practicable so as to prevent delays in the project schedule, 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 agreements with and to accept grant awards from the Columbus Foundation to support the installation of green infrastructure in conjunction with the UIRF - Milo Grogan Second Avenue Improvements project.
SECTION 2. At the end of the grant period, or at any time after the Division of Design and Construction certifies that remaining grant funds are no longer needed for the project, 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 they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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.