Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Development has a Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program which provides grants to improve access to clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Grants of up to $5 million for construction projects are available to Ohio communities. All political subdivisions with the authority to own and operate public water and sewer systems and non-profit, non-community public water systems may submit an application. Eligible construction projects can receive a maximum grant amount of $5 million. The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit an application.
This legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to formally apply for a funding under this program. It also authorizes the execution of agreements with Ohio Department of Development or others in connection with the application for the grant, 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.
The Department of Public Utilities has identified a project (Blueprint Hilltop - Eureka/Fremont) that is part of City of Columbus’ Consent Order program Blueprint Columbus, which will reduce storm water inflow and infiltration to the sanitary sewer system to prevent overflows and water in basement events. This project will construct nine large regional bio-retention basins, four rain gardens, up to 3,000 feet of water line replacement and up to 2,600 feet of new storm sewer in the Hilltop neighborhood. The construction is anticipated to start in mid 2024 and complete in May 2026.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to appropriate and expend grant funds received from Ohio Department of Development. Matching funds will be provided from the City’s Ohio EPA WPCLF Loan.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to apply for a Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant for the Blueprint Hilltop - Eureka/Fremont Wastewater Project from the Ohio Department of Development; to authorize the execution of grant and other requisite agreements with the Ohio Department of Development and other entities providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant award on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) has funding available from the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program which is a grant program that includes funds to be awarded on a competitive basis; and
WHEREAS, ODOD is offering an opportunity for funding; and
WHEREAS, the City requests funding for construction funds for the Blueprint Hilltop - Eureka/Fremont Wastewater Project; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval is needed to apply for and accept the grant funding; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to submit an application for a grant for the ODOD Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program; to accept said grant, if awarded; and to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said application, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to execute any agreement or other documents necessary to effectuate applying for and receiving ODOD program grant funding.
SECTION 3. That the Department of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to expend any awarded grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grant.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.