City seeks $315,000 Ohio EPA grant for Swainfield green stormwater improvements; administration requests waiver of competitive bidding

Housing and Community Development staff told council on March 18 they had won a $315,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 nonpoint source program to install green stormwater infrastructure in the Swainfield revitalization project.

“Item 19 would authorize the mayor to enter into a grant agreement and to accept, deposit and appropriate a 2024 Section 319 nonpoint source program grant in the amount of $315,000 from the Ohio EPA, to install Swainfield green infrastructure,” said Simon Nee, senior government-affairs commissioner, with Deputy Director Kaleena Ali joining him.

Staff described proposed improvements as bioretention features, trees, planters and more pervious surfaces designed to reduce nutrient loading to waterways while creating green community gathering spaces as part of the broader redevelopment. They asked council to waive competitive bidding and to award the work to the consultant and the construction manager that had developed the grant application and are managing the larger redevelopment, arguing continuity would reduce complexity.

Council members sought timing and budget detail. Councilmember Williams asked whether this is the first phase and was told the green-infrastructure work is additional to already-planned phases and that agreements are being finalized with the legal department. Councilmember Gaddis asked about implementation timing; staff said the original grant schedule aimed for summer completion but that passage and contracting timing may move work into fall; staff said they would revisit the schedule and report back.

When asked about the budget line for engineering, staff stated the grant proposal budgets $25,000 for engineering and design out of the $315,000 award. Staff requested suspension of rules (SEP) so the grant and contracts can be advanced.