Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Ohio State University/Office of Sponsored Programs, a local non-profit educational institute, for professional services for the Blueprint Columbus - Linden Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project. Blueprint Columbus is the approach chosen by Columbus and approved by the Ohio EPA to bring the City into compliance with consent orders regarding sewer overflows. One of the benefits of this plan is that the included green infrastructure (GI) is better for the environment than traditional alternatives. While remaining within the City’s right-of-way, the GI will often be located in neighborhoods and adjacent to residential properties. It is important to understand the various impacts from the installation of GI in a dense, urban, residential environment. The data collected as part of this project will be analyzed to determine 1) to what extent property values increase or decrease as a result of the installation of GI and 2) the value of other ecosystem services that are generated by the GI projects, including habitat, water, quality, health and social benefits, and 3) how the valuation of these services varies with the different attributes of GI.
As a non-profit organization, the Ohio State University/Office of Sponsored Programs will enhance compliance with the City’s commitments to Ohio EPA by measuring the economic, social, and environmental impact of a large-scale GI project on the community in which it is installed. This information will be combined with similar efforts already under way in the Clintonville Blueprint Project Area to improve the design and planning of future projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: Work under this project began January 1, 2019, and will continue until no later than December 31, 2024. $95,000 is needed for year 2022 and is budgeted in the 2022 Stormwater Operating Budget. The year 2023 is anticipated to be construction year where funds will not be needed. In 2023 funds will be requested for use in 2024.
SUPPLIER: Ohio State University/Office of Sponsored Programs Dax Vendor #006163 F.I.D. #: 31-6025986, Expires 05/01/2022 (Non-Profit Organization)
EMERGANCY DECLARATION: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency in order to ensure there are enough funds to continue the planned project for 2022.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement for professional services with Ohio State University, Office of Sponsored Projects for the Blueprint Columbus - Linden Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Stormwater and Regulatory Management Section, to authorize the expenditure of $95,000.00 from the Stormwater Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, this ordinance will authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to contract for professional services for the Blueprint Columbus - Linden Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project, and
WHEREAS, the City's consent order requires the City to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, and
WHEREAS, the results of this project will attempt to evaluate the economic and social impacts of green infrastructure, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement for professional services, for the Blueprint Columbus - Linden Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project, without delay in order to ensure there are enough funds to continue the planned project for 2022, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Ohio State University, Office of Sponsored Projects, 1960 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1016, for Blueprint Columbus - Linden Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project for professional services in accordance with the terms and conditions on file in the office of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
SECTION 2. That future modifications, as allowed by the contract specifications, will be funded through incremental requests in the remaining five (5) years from the Stormwater Operating Budget.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $95,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund No. 6200 Stormwater Operating Fund in object class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the said entity shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Utilities and the Administrator of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
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 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.