Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for construction of the Big Walnut Trail - Helsel Park to Refugee Road Project. This ordinance will also authorize the acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds. The grant amount available for this project being authorized by this ordinance is $4,082,250.00.
In 2025, the Recreation and Parks Department successfully applied for grant funds towards the construction of the Big Walnut Trail, from Helsel Park to Refugee Road at Nafzger Park. This project is located in the Mid East Area of the City. The project will construct a 1.25 mile segment of the regional trail. It will include trail underpasses beneath Hamilton Road and Refugee Road. The project will also include a pedestrian bridge over Big Walnut Creek and trailhead access at both parks. This grant funding will provide funds towards construction in 2026. A second grant agreement, authorized with a separate ordinance, is anticipated to be awarded to the Recreation and Parks Department in 2027 for construction of the next segment of the trail, from Helsel Park to Winchester Pike.
Principal Parties:
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
33 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Garth Weithman, (614) 275-5935
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so design of the project can begin by June 2026 to meet the project's schedule mandated by the COTA grant funding.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide access to transit, parks, jobs, the Eastland Community, and the regional trail network.
Community Input/Issues: The community has provided input to the project during the past 6 years, including public open houses, sessions with the Area Commission, and outreach through the Recreation and Parks Department's social media.
Area(s) Affected: Mid East (57), South East (65)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by nurturing an active and healthy community.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $4,082,250.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project is ready to move forward.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the Big Walnut Trail - Helsel Park to Refugee Road Project and accept a grant in the amount of $4,082,250.00; to authorize the appropriation of $4,082,250.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($4,082,250.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $4,082,250.00 and enter into an agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the Big Walnut Trail - Helsel Park to Refugee Road Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $4,082,250.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to accept the grant funds so design of the project can begin by June 2026 to meet the project's schedule mandated by the COTA grant funding, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to accept a grant and enter into a contract with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the Big Walnut Trail - Helsel Park to Refugee Road Project. The amount of the grant is $4,082,250.00. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project is ready to move forward.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $4,082,250.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 3. That at the end of the grant period, 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.