Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation & Parks to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus, a non-profit corporation, to facilitate the ongoing operations of several programs dedicated to environmental stewardship and the revitalization of the city’s tree canopy.
Green Columbus will continue to offer programs and activities that focus on growing and distributing trees in Linden and Hilltop at the organization’s tree nurseries (with existing low tree canopy cover) and increasing small and safe volunteer activities in alignment with public health guidelines for Earth Day Columbus 2023 (including planting pollinator gardens, tens of thousands of new tree seedlings, supporting urban farms, clean-ups, and many more much-needed restoration activities).
The current Columbus Urban Forest Master Plan will call for more trees as well as outreach and expanding educational training in hard to reach neighborhoods. Green Columbus is increasing efforts to plant trees in Central Ohio. Additional benefits include reduced stormwater runoff and increased biodiversity.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide Green Columbus with the resources necessary to sustain ongoing programming and event planning, specifically for upcoming Earth Day which is April 22, 2023.
Fiscal Impact: Funding for this grant is available within the Recreation and Parks operating fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus to maintain programs dedicated to environmental stewardship and the revitalization of the city’s tree canopy; to authorize a transfer and expenditure within the Recreation and Parks operating fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the current Columbus Urban Forest Master Plan will call for more trees as well as outreach and expanding educational training in hard to reach neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Columbus has the fastest-growing heat island in the nation and is in the top 10 overall; and
WHEREAS, Green Columbus is increasing efforts to plant trees in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, this grant will allow Green Columbus to sustain programming dedicated to environmental stewardship and the revitalization of the city’s tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement in order to provide Green Columbus with the resources necessary to sustain ongoing programming and event planning, and specifically for Earth Day which is on April 22, 2023; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus to maintain programs dedicated to environmental stewardship and the revitalization of the city’s tree canopy.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the Recreation and Parks operating fund, fund 2285, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That with regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $25,000.00 is hereby authorized 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 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.