Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resource (ODNR) for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of the grant and matching funds. The grant amount is $435,000.00 and the local match amount is $145,000.00. There is a total of $580,000.00 available for this project being authorized by this ordinance.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) accepted the Recreation and Parks application for the Clean Ohio program. The Clean Ohio grant is a reimbursable grant that supports projects for the construction of new trails or connector-trail development. In March of 2023, Recreation and Parks applied for Clean Ohio Trail Funds to be put towards construction funds for the project, Ordinance 0751-2023.
This project will complete this final trail gap by constructing a crossing of the Olentangy River at Northmoor Park and travel along the west bank of the river. At North Broadway, the trail will use a new, fully functional bike and pedestrian crosswalk with signal. To accommodate the increase of overall Olentangy Trail use, the new pavement will be 12 feet to 14 feet wide. This is being constructed as part of the North Broadway and 315 interchange improvements for the new Ohio Health campus. The trail then continues south and crosses the river to Clinton Como Park, where it rejoins the existing trail. The Olentangy Trail is Central Ohio’s most used greenway trail. Recent trail count data shows over 1 million users per year travel on this path.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, Building B
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Marlin Holloway, (614) 265-6471
Contract Compliance Number: 005089
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: N/A (State of Ohio Agency)
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested so that the Director of Recreation and Parks can immediately sign the grant agreement and accept the funding to meet the grant acceptance deadline.
Benefits to the Public: Cycling, walking, running, and active trail uses provide highly recognized year-round benefits to urban lifestyles. Access to trails and key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by residents. Over 30,000 residents, 100 businesses, six parks, and 15 schools are within the trailshed of this project.
Community Input/Issues: The Recreation and Parks Department has engaged extensively with the key stakeholders and neighborhoods impacted by this project. The department will continue to seek support and input throughout the project. The department has received letters of support from the Clintonville Area Commission, Ohio Health, private developers, the community, and trail users.
Area(s) Affected:
Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors while providing safe connections to the regional trail network for nearby neighborhoods.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $435,000.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. This ordinance will also authorize a grant match of $145,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. $145,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this grant match. There is a total of $580,000.00 available for this project. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once construction is ready to move forward.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park Project and accept a grant in the amount of $435,000.00 with a local match of $145,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $435,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to authorize the transfer of $145,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget; and to declare an emergency. ($580,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0751-2023 authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Program and the ODNR has awarded the City of Columbus a grant for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $435,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $435,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize that the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 be amended in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this legislation and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $145,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to immediately sign the grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to meet the grant acceptance deadline, all 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 Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to accept a grant and enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park Project. The amount of the grant is $435,000.00 and requires $145,000.00 in City matching funds. There is a total of $580,000.00 available for this project. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once acquisition is ready to move forward.
SECTION 2. 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, 2024, the sum of $435,000.00 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 3. 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 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 to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That the transfer of $145,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P512003-100000; West Case Road Park Development (Voted Carryover) / $3,675,000 / $2,300,000 / ($145,000) / $3,530,000 / $2,155,000
Fund 7702 / P510929-512000; ODNR - Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Grant Match (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $145,000 / $145,000 / $145,000
SECTION 9. 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.