Explanation
Ordinance 0448-2007 provided for the grant acceptance and appropriation of funds to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund to purchase future parkland known as "Big Walnut Creek South Corridor Protection" grant ($596,100) from the State of Ohio, Ohio Public Works Commission, Project CCDAA. This amendment is to adjust the contract amount from $596,100 to $670,100. The City of Columbus' share went from $210,000 to $235,440. The total contract amount is changed from $806,100 to $905,540. The increase in the grant amount is necessary to acquire parkland for the Clean Ohio program.
The increase in the grant amount will provide additional funding to complete acquisition of property in the Big Walnut Creek corridor to preserve high quality habitat and vernal pools, to preserve the natural buffer in the floodplain, and to aid in flood abatement. This grant will also help complete the Big Walnut Creek Greenway.
From a functionality standpoint, maintenance of the floodplain is important to prevent no loss of flood storage function or habitat, to insure forested vernal pools are preserved, and so the wooded buffer/trees are protected so as to assist in air filtration and flooding. In addition, corridor acquisition supports trail development, which has the highest rating recreational activity in the CRPD 2003 survey. Clean Ohio grant programs preserve valuable greenspace in communities and aids sustainability.
Stream corridor preservation is also a core function of the department and has been a main concern since the 1974 Waterways Corridor study. Recreation and Park is part of the Central Ohio Greenways program and preserving river corridor is a priority for this group. The parcel that will be acquired relative to this amendment is identified for preservation in the Big Walnut Creek Watershed Action Plan submitted to the OEPA. The Natural Resource Assistance Council for the Clean Ohio program in Franklin County has approved the increase in the dollar amount of the grant.
Financial Impact :
This ordinance will enable the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept grants and enter into agreements with the State of Ohio - Ohio Public Works Commission, and provide for the appropriation of said funds to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. Funding has been awarded to purchase future parkland known as "Big Walnut Creek South Corridor Protection."
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept amended grant in the amount of $74,000.00 and enter into agreements with the State of Ohio - Ohio Public Works Commission, for land acquisition along Big Walnut Creek . To authorize the City Attorney to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests, contract for professional services, and to expend the combined total of $99,440.00 with certain percentages coming from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund and the Voted 1999/2004 Voted Bond Fund for costs in connection with the Big Walnut Creek Corridor Preservation Project from Three Creeks Park to Nafzger Park; and to declare an emergency. ($99,440.00).
Body
Whereas, the Director of Recreation and Parks be and he is hereby authorized and directed to accept grants in the amount of $74,000.00 and enter into agreements with the State of Ohio - Ohio Public Works Commission for land acquisition along Big Walnut Creek; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to accept this grant and appropriate funds for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, prosperity 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 amended grant in the amount of $74,000.00 and enter into agreements with the State of Ohio - Ohio Public Works Commission, for land acquisition along Big Walnut Creek.
Section 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund No. 764, 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, 2010, the sum of $74,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Department, Department No. 51-01, as follows:
Fund Type; Grant, Dept No.; 51-01, Fund No.; 764, Grant No.; 511764, Obj Lvl 3; 6601, OCA Code; 511764, Amount; $74,000.00
Section 3. That the City Attorney be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate and to contract for the professional services necessary in connection with the Big Walnut Creek Corridor Preservation Project, Three Creeks Park to Nafzger Park.
Section 4. That the combined total expenditure of $99,440.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary be and hereby is authorized as follows:
Recreation and Parks Grant Fund NO. 764
Fund Type; Grant, Dept No.; 51-01, Fund No.; 764, Grant No.; 511764, Object Level Three; 6601, OCA Code; 511764, Amount; $74,000.00
Recreation and Parks Voted 1999/2004 Voted Bond Fund
Fund No. 702, Dept No. 51-01, Project No. 510316-100000, Object Level Three, 6601, OCA 644526, Amount $25,440.00
Section 5. That for 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.