Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc. (MBI) for water quality assessment and watershed monitoring services for Central Ohio watersheds.
Assessing the biological and water quality of Central Ohio watersheds will support the City’s continued compliance with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Ordinance 0237-2023 authorized the development of a multi-year plan for these assessments.
The plan mirrors existing MBI programs with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati and one across Northeastern Illinois on behalf of five independent watershed groups. These two programs utilize an integrated prioritization system (IPA) model supported by regularly scheduled watershed monitoring following a rotating basin approach. The plan will work in tandem with some monitoring by the Ohio EPA to provide information about the health of area waterways and to measure water quality improvements resulting from the City’s ongoing operations and capital improvement program (CIP) projects under Blueprint Columbus and at the City’s WWTPs.
The assessment will occur at multiple sites from 2024 through 2032. This ordinance authorizes assessment and monitoring through December 31, 2025. It is estimated that the first three priority mainstem or watersheds, consisting of 53 sites, will be surveyed during this time frame.
This ordinance is submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code for not-for-profit service contracts. These services cannot be provided by City employees because they require very specialized biological sampling methods, for which we do not have the expertise.
SUPPLIER:
Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc. | D365 Vendor #005569 | Federal EIN on file | Expires 1/30/2026.
MBI is a Non-Profit Organization and does not hold MBE/WBE status.
The Institute is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$70,000.00 was budgeted within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund for this purchase.
This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2024 Operating Budget, Ordinance 3012-2023.
$39,445.00 has been spent in 2024
$22,130.40 was spent in 2023 - This and 2024 expenses were encumbered through a separate contract but were for development of this assessment plan.
$0.00 was spent in 2022
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a not for profit services contract for water quality assessment and watershed monitoring services for Central Ohio watersheds with the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc., and to authorize the expenditure of $70,000.00 from the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need to assess the biological and water quality of Central Ohio watersheds to support the City’s continued compliance with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits; and
WHEREAS, the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc. (MBI) is a scientific research and education non-profit organization dedicated to the development and application of scientific methods and techniques to evaluate, protect, and restore the environment; and
WHEREAS, MBI previously developed a watershed monitoring and bioassessment plan for Central Ohio watersheds, authorized by Ordinance 0237-2023; and
WHEREAS, the assessment will occur at multiple sites from 2024 through 2032; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes assessment and monitoring through December 31, 2025. It is estimated that the first three priority mainstem or watersheds, consisting of 53 sites, will be surveyed during this time frame; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code regarding not-for-profit service contracts; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $70,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for water quality assessment and watershed monitoring services for Central Ohio watersheds with the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc.; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a not for profit services contract with the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Inc., 4673 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, for the development of a monitoring and bioassessment plan for Central Ohio watersheds, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code regarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $70,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.