Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus for Earth Day Columbus and the Linden Tree Nursery and to authorize the payment of expenses starting January 1, 2025. Earth Day Columbus is a month-long service campaign with over 100 community worksites. Volunteers will plant over 13,000 seedlings trees, 14 acres of prairie seed, and 3,000 native plant plugs. Community gardens will receive free soil and mulch to start their beds for the season. The Linden Tree Nursery grows and provides 3,000 native shade trees for free to Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested to ensure that funds are provided to Green Columbus to effectively carry out Earth Day Columbus and support the Linder Tree Nursery.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus for Earth Day Columbus and the Linden Tree Nursery; to authorize the payment of expenses prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting January 1, 2025; to authorize the expenditure of $40,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiative subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about environmental issues; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental protection and sustainability; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) is the first citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees; and
WHEREAS, trees and other plant life help to reduce urban stressors; cleaning our air, providing shade, intercepting stormwater and more; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will authorize reimbursement of expenses starting January 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists that Earth Day is rapidly approaching and these funds are necessary to ensure that Green Columbus can effectively carry out Earth Day Columbus and support the Linder Tree Nursery; for the immediate preservation of the public health and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus for Earth Day Columbus and the Linden Tree Nursery and to authorize expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order starting January 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as is necessary, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.