Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for approximately $40 million in discretionary grant funding for FY 2023 through its Solid Waste Infrastructure For Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program for Political Subdivisions of States and Territories. This is the second round of funding for this grant program. The final RFA was released on November 14, 2022 and remains open through January 16, 2023.
The SWIFR grant program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a historic investment in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities. The unprecedented funding provided by the BIL through the SWIFR grants will assist local waste management authorities by supporting improvements to local post-consumer materials management, including municipal recycling programs, and assisting local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems. The SWIFR grant program provides a critical opportunity to fund a range of high impact projects to increase recycling, reduce contamination, and promote a circular economy for sustainable materials management by making much-needed investments in solid waste management infrastructure. This RFA has the following goals: fund a range of projects that will help local governments and communities advance from “where they are” to significantly transform their post-consumer materials management infrastructure; fund projects that will result in a significant decrease in the generation of MSW and/or an increase in the diversion of MSW from landfills and incineration; and fund innovative solutions and programs that provide or increase access to prevention, reuse, mechanical recycling, anaerobic digestion, and composting. This program aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities.
The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit an application. The Department of Public Service is seeking funding for two waste and resource drop-off collection locations and additional community waste diversion projects, and the Department is requesting up to $4 million in SWIFR funding to support the construction of these locations.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for a Solid Waste Infrastructure For Recycling grant, execute agreements with USEPA or others in connection with 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
No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide the Department of Public Service with the authorization to proceed with an application prior to the application period’s end.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant with the United States Environmental Protection Agency; to authorize the execution of grant and other requisite agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a round of funding for the Solid Waste Infrastructure For Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program for Political Subdivisions of States and Territories, which is a grant program to be awarded on a competitive basis; and
WHEREAS, USEPA is accepting applications for the FY 2023 funding round through January 16, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently constructing two drop-off collection locations for waste and recyclable materials; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval is needed to apply for and accept the grant funding; 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 prepare and submit the aforesaid grant application prior to the end of the application period, for the public health, 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 seeking grant funding from USEPA’s SWIFR Grant Program for Political Subdivisions of States and Territories; to accept said grants, if awarded; and to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said applications, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
SECTION 2. That the Department of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to expend any awarded grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grant.
SECTION 3. 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 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.