Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project. This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $2,315.00 in the Recreation and Parks grant fund. The grant includes a match of in-kind funds in the amount of $8,736.00. Required match expenditures will be spent from existing appropriation in the Recreation and Parks Waterways Nature Preservation special purpose subfund.
Through this grant project, passive and hands-on education on secondary cavity nesting birds at Hoover Nature Preserve will be made more accessible to park users. We will be able to have better education materials for hands-on learning for our education program on nest changes and counting and measuring the young purple martins to age them. The installation of educational signage on Purple Martin birds will be a passive education opportunity as well as having seating at the park to create a more accessible environment for those with mobility challenges to watch cavity nesting birds.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
50 W. Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Dennis Clement, 614-644-3020, Office of Environmental Education
Benefits to the Public:
Hoover Nature Preserve is a popular birding location in central Ohio. A previous project from our Nature Preserve Advisory Council, funded the installation of a new gourd rack system which provides nesting habitat for cavity nesting birds at Hoover Nature Preserve. Many birders come to view birds flying in, out and around the gourds. With acceptance of this grant, Columbus Recreation and Parks would be able to provide passive education for interested park goers by installing an educational sign and would create a more accessible and comfortable viewing experience for birders through the installation of a concrete pad for a park bench to sit on. Lastly, with the funds from this grant, our Outdoor Education and Recreation summer camp program would benefit from educational handouts and tools for learning about cavity nesting birds.
Community Input/Issues:
Currently, there is a lack of seating for park goers in this area which would be solved through the installation of a concrete pad for a park bench.
Area(s) Affected:
Hoover Nature Preserve
Master Plan Relation:
Bringing nature into focus; fostering community stewardship and environmental education. This project will provide education on cavity nesting birds in hopes to create future environmental stewards.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $2,315.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project and accept a grant in the amount of $2,315.00 with a minimum local match of $8,736.00; to authorize the appropriation of $2,315.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. ($2,315.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the City of Columbus a grant for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $2,315.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $2,315.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund;
NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the City of Columbus a grant for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to accept a grant and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Introduction to Cavity Nesting Birds Project. The amount of the grant is $2,315.00 and requires a minimum of $8,736.00 in-kind matching funds.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies 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, 2026, the sum of $2,315.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 4. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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 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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.