Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to submit a grant application to the NatureWorks grant program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for consideration for grant funding. This grant program requires a 25% local match. The total amount of the project is $75,000.00. The grant amount is $56,250.00. The grant, should it be awarded, will provide funding for the Hoover Boardwalk Parking Area Development Project (in Delaware County). This project will provide safer public access to the already existing Hoover Boardwalk and lessen the impact of stormwater runoff into one of the City's raw water sources.
The Hoover Boardwalk parking area consists of a large gravel and dirt parking area from which the stormwater runoff flows directly into the Hoover Reservoir - the City's largest raw water source. The existing parking lot has no clear flow of traffic, no designated parking spaces and no ADA parking spaces - even though the Hoover Boardwalk itself is ADA accessible. This project will install a paved parking area with pervious-paver parking spaces which will allow for proper traffic flow, improved public safety, and will also establish ADA compliant and regular parking spaces. The inclusion of the pervious pavers will allow stormwater to percolate into the ground instead of running off directly into the drinking water reservoir while carrying pollution from the parking lot. This will lessen the stormwater impacts to the water quality of our raw water source. The removal and natural restoration of the existing gravel parking will provide a better buffer for the reservoir.
A subsequent ordinance to accept this grant, should it be awarded, is required before the City will obligate its funds.
It is requested that this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner as the grant requires this authorization to submit the grant application be passed prior to the application deadline date of February 1, 2011.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Public Utilities to submit a grant application to the NatureWorks Grant Program for a grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Hoover Boardwalk Parking Area Development Project, and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for grant funding from the NatureWorks Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities desires to submit a grant application to the NatureWorks Grant Program for a grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and
WHEREAS, said grant is for is for improvements to the Hoover Boardwalk Parking Area to install a paved parking area with pervious-paver parking spaces which will allow for proper traffic flow, improved public safety, but will also establish ADA compliant and regular parking spaces while lessening the stormwater runoff impacts to one of the City's largest raw water souces.
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities that is immediately necessary to apply for said grant for the preservation of public health, peace, property, and safety; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized and directed to submit a grant application to the NatureWorks Grant Program for a grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the funding of the Hoover Boardwalk Parking Area Development Project. This project will install a paved parking area with pervious-paver parking spaces which will allow for proper traffic flow, improved public safety, and will also establish ADA compliant and regular parking spaces. The removal and natural restoration of the existing gravel parking will provide a better buffer protecting the water quality of the reservoir.
Section 2. That this ordinance authorizes an application be submitted and is not a commitment to expend City funds. A second ordinance to authorize the acceptance of the grant is required before the City will obligate its funds.
Section 3. 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.