Explanation
1. Background
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), a not-for-profit organization, for $40,000.00 in support of the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways (COG) Regional Program Fund per Columbus City Code Chapter 111.14. Over the last 10 years, COG programming and planning have been sustained by the founding local governments of the COG Board. The COG program has delivered meaningful value to the region, has enhanced connectivity, promoted active transportation and outdoor recreation, supported environmental stewardship, and more livable communities.
This grant to Mid-Ohio Regional Planning for the Central Ohio Greenways Regional Program Fund will allow payment for the New Program Sponsor Rate. The contribution will allow MORPC to amplify trail planning and improve regional outdoor space. The City of Columbus will be eligible for the following local community benefits: Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program-including the help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects and recognition on a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition on major regional presentation title slides, and opportunities for sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map.
2. Fiscal Impact
Funding for this expense is available in the amount of $40,000.00 within the Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund. Transfer of appropriation within the fund is necessary to align spending within the appropriate object class.
3. Emergency Designation
Emergency action is requested to ensure funds are available to support the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways program and to pay the 2026 New Program Sponsorship fee in order to provide resources at the earliest possible time so that MORPC can continue to enhance connectivity and trail planning for the traveling public and to pay the past due invoice.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into a grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in support of the 2026 New Sponsor Rate for the Central Ohio Greenways program; to authorize the transfer of appropriation within the Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund; to authorize an expenditure of $40,000.00 from the Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), a not-for-profit organization, relies on outside support for the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways (COG) Regional Program Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Greenways program has delivered meaningful value to the region over the last 10 years; and
WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Greenways program has enhanced connectivity and promoted active transportation and outdoor recreation; and
WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Greenways program supports environmental stewardship, and more livable communities; and
WHEREAS, sponsorship of the Central Ohio Greenways program will enable the City of Columbus to be eligible for local community benefits: Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program - including help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects, and a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into a grant agreement and provide advance payment in full to support of the Central Ohio Greenways program per Columbus City Code Chapter 111.14; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the transfer of appropriation within Fund 6500, the Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund to align spending with the appropriate financial dimensions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay the past due invoice, and to enter into an advance payment in full grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to provide the necessary resources for the Central Ohio Greenways sponsorship program and to ensure continued success of the program and trail connectivity, which increases the safety of the traveling public, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into an advance payment in full grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, a not-for-profit organization, in order to provide support for the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways program and to pay the 2026 New Program Sponsorship fee per Columbus City Code Chapter 111.14.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of appropriation in the amount of $40,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 6500 (Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund), Subfund 650001 (Mobility Enterprise), Dept. 59-06 (Division of Mobility and Parking Services), Object Class 03 (Services) to Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized in Fund 6500 (Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund), Subfund 650001 (Mobility Enterprise), Dept. 59-06 (Division of Mobility and Parking Services), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of the Department of Public Service, 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 5. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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.