Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an annual cooperative agreement with Columbus Public Health for the Division of Water. This ordinance is to provide funding for the Healthy Homes Program.
In 1991, the EPA enacted the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The LCR requires tap water testing. For many years, the Columbus Division of Water and Columbus Public Health were partners in a national pilot program dealing with lead in homes. That program expired in 2015. The Columbus Division of Water desires to continue to partner with Columbus Public Health to protect public health. Details of the services to be provided by Columbus Public Health to the Columbus Division of Water are contained in an agreement (memorandum of understanding) dated November 24, 2015. These services will provide information to the Division of Water as to the effectiveness of its corrosion control program while continuing to assist Columbus Public Health with its Healthy Homes initiative. The Columbus Division of Water, with City Council and City Auditor approval, has contributed $300,000.00 per year since 2001. Revisions to the agreement were evaluated in 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT: This is an annual expenditure and the Division of Water has allocated $300,000.00 for this project in the 2023 operating budget.
$300,000.00 was spent for this project in 2022.
$300,000.00 was spent for this project in 2021.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement, or MOU, with Columbus Public Health for participation in the Healthy Homes Program, for the Division of Water; and to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 within the Water Operating Fund. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Water has partnered with Columbus Public Health in the Healthy Homes Program for over twenty years; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Water desires to continue to partner with Columbus Public Health to protect public health; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Water desires to enter into a cooperative agreement (memorandum of understanding) with Columbus Public Health for participation in the Healthy Homes Program; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much there of as may be needed is authorized within the Water Operating Fund for this agreement; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Division Water, Department of Public Utilities, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement (memorandum of understanding) with Columbus Public Health, for participation in the Healthy Homes Program without interruption, for the preservation of 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 a cooperative agreement (memorandum of understanding) with Columbus Public Health on behalf of the Division of Water for participation in the Healthy Homes Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $300,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Water Operating Fund 6000 in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.