Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Special Assistance Grants are available on a competitive basis from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) for 2022. The purpose of these awards is to support recycling, recycling market development and litter prevention activities.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for the OEPA 2022 Community and Litter Grant and to appropriate and expend grant funds in accordance with the conditions of the grant award. It also authorizes the execution of agreements in connection with the application for the grant, the award of the grant, the expenditure of grant funds, and the return of unused grant funds if any should remain at the end of the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to appropriate and expend grant awards received from the Ohio EPA. A local 25% match will be provided by the Department of Public Service, which will be satisfied by the annual expenses associated with Rumpke Recycling of Ohio for the Recycle on High, Pedestrian Recycling Program, and the Yardwaste and Curbside Recycling programs. Additional funds are not required for the match.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow the Department of Public Service to apply for the grant before the application deadline of February 4, 2022, and to expend the grant funds in accordance with the conditions of the awarded grant from the Ohio EPA.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for a grant with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OPEA); to authorize the execution of grant agreement and other requisite agreements related to the grant; to appropriate and expend grant funds awarded by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OPEA) and refund any unused funds; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Special Assistance Grants are awarded on a competitive basis by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the support of recycling, recycling market development, and litter prevention activities; and
WHERAS, the Director of Public Service is authorized to apply for and accept the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Grant in accordance with the conditions of the grant award; and
WHERAS, the Director of Public Service is authorized to execute a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service can utilize grant funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to fund litter control and recycling initiatives; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate the grant funds so they can be expended on these important programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists within the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for the grant before the application deadline of February 4, 2022, and to expend grant monies from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to fund litter control and recycling initiatives as soon as possible, 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 for a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 2022 Community and Litter Grants Fund and to accept said grant, if awarded.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute any agreement or other documents necessary to effectuate applying for and receiving the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency funding.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be authorized to appropriate and utilize grant funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Grant programs in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grant to fund litter control and community improvements.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, 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 5. 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.