Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the purpose of providing funding and continued support for the 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program. The 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program will include funding for the Sustaining Scioto Plan, Residential Water Efficiency, Virtual Riverfest, and the Summit on Sustainability. The MORPC Water Resources Programs support regional water resources protection by promoting regional collaboration among water and wastewater utilities, watershed and other environmental groups and agricultural and rural communities.
Funding for the 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program will primarily support implementation of the Sustaining Scioto Plan, a regional adaptive management plan intended to make the Columbus community and regional partners more resilient as rising temperatures and high variability in precipitation increases the vulnerability of water resources, public health, and the economy. The plan develops and implements strategies to reduce the risks associated with these changes through infrastructure planning, water quality monitoring, and education and outreach, among other strategies. Funding also supports ongoing water resource related sustainability efforts including promotion of the Columbus GreenSpot program through funding for residential water efficiency and the region’s virtual Riverfest.
SUPPLIER: Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (31-1009675) V#004591 Non-Profit
FISCAL IMPACT: $60,000.00 is needed and budgeted for this support.
$80,000.00 was spent in 2020
$60,000.00 was spent in 2019
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the purpose of providing funding and support for the 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program; to authorize the expenditure of $23,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund, $30,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund, and $7,000.00 from the Storm Sewer Operating Fund ($60,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has developed multi-jurisdictional plans for long-term protection and enhancement of our rivers and streams; and
WHEREAS, City funding will allow for continued program support funding for regional water resources protection by promoting regional collaboration among water and wastewater utilities, watershed and other environmental groups and agricultural and rural communities; and
WHEREAS, the results of this program will be very useful to the Department of Public Utilities by making the Columbus community and regional partners more resilient as rising temperatures and high variability in precipitation increases the vulnerability of water resources, public health, and the economy; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the program is to foster a better understanding and appreciation of waterways effect on our environment; furthermore, the program provides models, strategies and information for environmental planning process and land use decisions in the community and watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the support covers the period of April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as is needed is authorized within the Sewer Operating Fund, Water Operating Fund, and Stormwater Operating fund for this agreement; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage and Division of Water, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a support agreement for the 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; 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 enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the purposes of providing funding and continued support for the 2021 MORPC Water Resources Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100 (Sewer Operating), Fund 6000 (Water Operating), and Fund 6200 (Stormwater Operating); in Object Class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.