Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will enable the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant and enter into agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Water Act Section 319, and provide for the appropriation of said funds to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. Funding has been awarded to restore Clover Groff Ditch to a functioning natural stream, from Franks Park to Spindler Park. The target completion date for this project is December, 2010.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Emergency action is also necessary to have funding available for necessary expenditures.
A grant for stream restoration of the Clover Groff Ditch, Franks Park to Spindler Park, was received by Recreation and Parks in May of 2008. This grant is to be applied towards the restoration of 2.2 miles of stream corridor, from Franks Park to Spindler Park. The grant will provide assistance for construction funds and project management.
The project will restore an environmentally impaired segment of Clover Groff Ditch, an important tributary to Hellbranch Run and Big Darby Creek. The project will significantly increase water quality and biological habitat in the Big Darby Creek watershed.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $200,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the restoration of Clover Groff Ditch, to authorize an appropriation of $200,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water act has awarded the City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks Department, a grant to assist in the restoration of Clover Groff ditch; and
WHEREAS, the project will restore an environmentally impaired segment of Clover Groff ditch, an important tributary to Hellbranch Run and Big Darby Creek; and
WHEREAS, these paths will provide a sturdy walking surface for our users; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to accept and appropriate said grant funds to comply with the terms of the 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 Recreation and Parks be and he is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant in the amount of $200,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio, Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of improvements to Clover Groff ditch.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 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, 2009, the sum of $200,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Department, Department No. 51-01, as follows:
Fund Type: Grant Fund; Dept No.; 51-01, Fund No.; 286; OCA Code; to be assigned by auditor; Obj Level 3; 6621; Amount; $200,000.00, Grant No.; to be assigned by auditor
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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.