Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the Alum Creek Trail - Sunbury and Mock Road Preservation Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of the grant and matching funds. The grant amount is $431,640.00 and the local match amount is $167,860.00. There is a total of $599,500.00 available for this project being authorized by this ordinance.
This grant is intended to support the purchase of a one acre property that lies in a key position along Alum Creek, at the intersection of Sunbury Road and Mock Road. It includes over 300 feet of Alum Creek Corridor and the Alum Creek Trail passes by the frontage of the property. The property plays an important role in the water quality of Alum Creek. It can provide a high quality and easy access location along the central reach of the river for kayaking and a future trail head.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Public Works Commission
77 South High Street, Suite 1845
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Jennifer Hufford, (614) 752-8118
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested in order to allow the City of Columbus to prepare and submit purchase contracts for the properties, allowing the acquisition to occur within the grant deadline of December 31, 2026.
Benefits to the Public: This acquisition will provide park space within the inner city of Columbus. These sites are within rapidly urbanizing or built out areas of the city. Preservation of key parkland space is one of the main missions of the Recreation and Parks Department.
Community Input/Issues: The Northeast Community has been involved in support of the preparation of the grant, including the Area Commission, residents, and local businesses. These entities will continue to be engaged during the park planning phase of this site.
Area(s) Affected: Northeast (41), North Central (49)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan by providing quality parks and trails while adding easy connectivity for Columbus residents of all ages.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $431,640.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. This ordinance will also authorize a grant match of $167,860.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. $167,860.00 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 $599,500.00 available for this project. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once acquisition is ready to move forward.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the Alum Creek Trail - Sunbury and Mock Road Preservation Project and accept a grant in the amount of $431,640.00 with a local match of $167,860.00; to authorize the appropriation of $431,640.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to authorize the transfer of $167,860.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($599,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $431,640.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for the Alum Creek Trail - Sunbury and Mock Road Preservation Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $431,640.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize that the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1970-2025 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 $167,860.00 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 Public Works Commission in order to allow the City of Columbus to prepare and submit purchase contracts for the properties, allowing the acquisition to occur within the grant deadline of December 31, 2026, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to accept a grant and enter into a contract with the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the Alum Creek Trail - Sunbury and Mock Road Preservation Project. The amount of the grant is $431,640.00 and requires $167,860.00 in City matching funds. There is a total of $599,500.00 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, 2026, the sum of $431,640.00 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 $167,860.00 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 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1970-2025 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 / P513000-100000 / Acquisition - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $1,290,396 / $1,290,396 / ($167,860) / $1,122,536 / $1,122,536
Fund 7702 / P510935-513000 / OPWC - Alum Creek Trail - Sunbury and Mock Road Preservation Grant Match / (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $167,860 / $167,860 / $167,860
SECTION 9. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.