Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in support of the RAPID 5 initiative.
The RAPID 5 visioning initiative will bring together governments, businesses, and residents to create a vision for an open space system that spans the region. This greenspace system will extend beyond individual jurisdictions and neighborhoods and expand green corridors around Franklin County’s five major waterways: Big Darby, Scioto, Olentangy, Alum Creek, and Big Walnut. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many park systems, including Metro Parks, have seen significant increases (upwards to 30% or more) in visits since March 2020, demonstrating how park and trail networks are a much-needed amenity and infrastructure to support mental and physical well-being, but also a vital transportation connection. The RAPID 5 Project will support and complement the implementation of the Regional Trail Vision to create a connected trail network.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiative subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide the resources necessary to initiate regional planning.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in support of the RAPID 5 initiative; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of $50,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00) (AMENDED BY ORD. 0277-2022; PASSED 1/31/2022)
Body
WHEREAS, the RAPID 5 visioning initiative will bring together governments, businesses, and residents to create a vision for an open space system that spans the region; and
WHEREAS, this greenspace system will extend beyond individual jurisdictions and neighborhoods and expand green corridors around Franklin County’s five major waterways: Big Darby, Scioto, Olentangy, Alum Creek, and Big Walnut; and
WHEREAS, park and trail networks are a much-needed amenity and infrastructure to support mental and physical well-being, but also a vital transportation connection; and
WHEREAS, the RAPID 5 Project will support and complement the implementation of the Regional Trail Vision to create a connected trail network; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operating of the City Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in order to immediately provide the resources necessary to initiate regional planning thereby preserving 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Foundation in support of the RAPID 5 initiative.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the account codes in the attachment to 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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to revise the funding source for all contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance to ensure that this purchase is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial records.
SECTION 6. 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 the earliest period allowed by law passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor does not approve the same.