To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Scrap Tire Management Program Local Government \n \n Enforcement and Education Grant

Initiator

Department of Public Services/Special Enforcement Division

Recommendation

Authorize the application and acceptance, if awarded, of an EPD - Scrap Tire \n \n Management Programs Local Government Enforcement and Education Grant to be \n \n administered by Keep Columbus Beautiful Agency. This grant will allow us to \n \n create and implement an aggressive educational program to be used during \n \n community forums, in the school system by directing these efforts towards \n \n preschool, grade school, middle school, and high school students, as well as \n \n promotional material for city wide events and civic venues. This grant will \n \n give us the ability to build an extensive library of brochures, booklets and \n \n other written paraphernalia to educate the public, businesses, new residents \n \n and violators of the law regarding environmental issues.

Approval

Approved

Background

We currently have an established Enforcement Division that concentrates heavily

on scrap tire management, illegal dumping, litter control, junk vehicles,

accumulation of solid waste as well as other issues pertaining to our

environment. However, this section is crippled by not having any form of

outreach or educational programs to educate the public on what is considered a

violation under any environmental law. To date, 80% of the Keep Georgia

Beautiful affiliates educational programs are funded through this grant. Ours

is not, therefore we often fall short. The Enforcement Division relies heavily

on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission to advertise and educate the public

on some environmental concerns. Their main focus, however, is on litter

control and or pollution. Acquiring an aggressive educational program that

focuses solely on environmental issues facing Columbus today, will lead the way

for our community to implement good habits or best practices for a cleaner

tomorrow.

Analysis

The impact on this communities quality of life by implementing a strong

educational program, focusing solely on environmental problems facing this

area, would build a continuum of "best practices" regarding environmental

welfare in Columbus GA. With the implementation of the Columbus Business

District Center (Enterprise Zone) and the continued efforts to have and support

"Community Clean Up Projects", being awarded this grant is our opportunity to

direct funding solely to educational programs developed for environmental

health.

Financial Considerations

The proposed resolution will authorize the application and the acceptance of

this grant. Acceptance of this grant will require a local match of twenty

percent (20%) of the State funds awarded. This twenty percent match is

budgeted in the Integrated Waste Fund for the FY'04 Budget Year. The total

amount of the grant requested is $51,740.00; twenty percent local match will be

$10,348.00. Accepting this grant will not have an impact on the General

Fund.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

Columbus Council authorizes the application for and the acceptance of such

grants.

Recommendations/ Actions

Authorize the forwarding of the application to apply for the EPD- Scrap Tire

Management Programs Local Government Enforcement and Education Grant. Once

notified of it being awarded the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission will

administer and begin the process of creating an even stronger educational

program.

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