Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
To authorize the Director of Public Service to execute agreements with and to accept grant funding from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, through the Community Waste Reduction Grant program, to be facilitated by the Division of Refuse Collection, and Keep Columbus Beautiful.
The City of Columbus is requesting $35,000.00 from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, to help fund a pilot program, in support of the Columbus Climate Action Plan. Diverting food waste from the landfill through an alternative waste stream solution is a key section of the City of Columbus Climate Action Plan. By 2050, the city has an aggressive goal of a 90% reduction in organic waste resulting in nearly 134,000 metric tons of greenhouse emissions.
The City estimates the pilot will cost $43,750, of which it is seeking $35,000 from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, and a 25% match from the City of Columbus will cover the remainder of the cost ($10,937.50).
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to accept grant funds from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, to execute those documents necessary to accept the grant, to administer the grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of that award, and to refund any unused funds to either grantor after the grant period ends if final accounting determines a refund is owed. Separate legislation will be submitted to Council to expend awarded grant funds and to encumber and expend necessary matching City funds.
2. EXPECTED PROJECT
Grant funding will be allocated to support partial funding of the pilot program for food waste drop-off locations located throughout the City of Columbus, at the discretion of the Division of Refuse Collection and Keep Columbus Beautiful.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the grants, the Department of Public Service will be responsible for covering a 25% match required by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio grants funds. The local match will be provided funds from the 2022 Division of Refuse Collections General Fund operating budget.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow for the execution of necessary grant documents and the acceptance and receipt of Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio grant funding in accordance with the conditions of that award as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to execute agreements with, and to accept grant funding from, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, through the Community Waste Reduction Grant program, in the amount of up to $35,000.00; to authorize the repayment of any unused grant funds at the end of the grant period, as may be necessary; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is offering $35,000.00 in grant funding to assist in covering costs associated with the food waste drop-off pilot program; and
WHEREAS, the City anticipates providing as 25% match in the amount of $10,937.50; and
WHEREAS, that grant award will be used by the Department of Public Service to support the Family Complex Recycling pilot program; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to execute documents with, and to accept awarded grant funding from, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, for the stated purpose; 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 execute necessary grant documents and the acceptance and receipt of grant funding from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio in accordance with the conditions of that award 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 execute documents necessary to execute grant agreements with, and to and accept awarded grant funding from, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, through the Community Waste Reduction Grant program, and for the stated purpose.
SECTION 2. That at the end of the grant period, 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 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.