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 Resources (ODNR) for the Linden Green Line Project. This ordinance will also authorize the acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds. The grant amount available for this project being authorized by this ordinance is $392,000.00.
The Linden and Northland Communities are two of the region’s most underserved areas for parks, open spaces, and natural areas. These grant funds will be used towards design of the Linden Green Line, which is a seven-mile-long linear park spanning from Windsor Place to Cooper Road in the Linden and Northland Communities. A design contract for the project will be executed in fall of 2025 and the grant will provide necessary funding towards the contract. The project design is integral to receiving future appropriations of $15,000,000.00 in LinkUS funding in 2026 and 2027 to construct the project.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Real Estate & Land Management
2045 Morse Road, Building E-2
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Teresa Goodridge; (614) 265-6396
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow Recreation and Parks to accept the grant funds, use the funds towards a design contract for the project in fall of 2025, and complete the design needed for receiving future appropriations of $15,000,000.00 in LinkUS funding to construct the project.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide park spaces and active transportation opportunities for three of the City's most underserved communities. Over 132,000 residents, 3,000 employers, and 42,000 workers live near the Linden Green Line Corridor.
Community Input/Issues: The South Linden, North Linden, and Northland Communities, as well as, nearby schools, employers, and community leaders have expressed a strong interest for the project.
Area(s) Affected: Northland (35), North Linden (40)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by protecting and expanding tree canopy. It will also provide quality recreational parks, trails, and improved connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $392,000.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project 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 Linden Green Line Project and accept a grant in the amount of $392,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $392,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($392,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $392,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Linden Green Line Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $392,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant 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 accept the grant funds, use the funds towards a design contract for the project in fall of 2025, and complete the design needed for receiving future appropriations of $15,000,000.00 in LinkUS funding to construct the project, all for the 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 Linden Green Line Project. The amount of the grant is $392,000.00. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project 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, 2025, the sum of $392,000.00 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 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.