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 Cooke Woods Preservation Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of the grant and matching funds. The grant amount is $841,665.00 and the local match amount is $360,715.00. There is a total of $1,202,380.00 available for this project being authorized by this ordinance.
Ordinance 0922-2024 authorized the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program to acquire various sites in Columbus, including three parcels located at 1873 East Cooke Road. In November of 2024, the Recreation and Parks Department received notice that the grant will be awarded. This project will acquire 6.14 acres of mature forested parcels in the North Linden Neighborhood. Data shows that these three tracts are the final part of preserving the largest remaining woodland in North Linden. The border of the property on the west will combine with two parcels, totaling 3.6 acres, that were acquired by the Recreation and Parks Department in December 2022. This new acquisition would complete protection of the entire woodland area that is a total of approximately 10 acres.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Public Works Commission
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Linda Bailiff, Director, (614) 752-6829
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested in order to meet the January 27, 2024 City Council approval deadline stipulated in the purchase contract.
Benefits to the Public: Preservation of high quality forest canopy, particularly in densely developed lower canopy areas of the City, provides important long term benefits to air quality. It also reduced urban heat stresses, improves public health, and preserves natural areas for wildlife.
Community Input/Issues: The North Linden community, nearby schools, and the North Linden Area Commission have expressed a strong priority for more protected urban forestland.
Area(s) Affected: North Linden (40)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by protecting tree canopy, as well as, providing quality recreational parks, trails, and connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $841,665.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. This ordinance will also authorize a grant match of $360,715.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. $360,715.00 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 $1,202,380.00 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 Cooke Woods Preservation Project and accept a grant in the amount of $841,665.00 with a local match of $360,715.00; to authorize the appropriation of $841,665.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to authorize the transfer of $360,715.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($1,202,380.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0922-2024 authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for funding through the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program and OPWC has awarded the City of Columbus a grant for the Cooke Woods Preservation Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $841,665.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for the Cooke Woods Preservation Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $841,665.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize that the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 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 $360,715.00 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 meet the January 27, 2024 City Council approval deadline stipulated in the purchase contract, 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 Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the Cooke Woods Preservation Project. The amount of the grant is $841,665.00 and requires $360,715.00 in City matching funds. There is a total of $1,202,380.00 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 $841,665.00 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 $360,715.00 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 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 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 / P511031-100000 / Gym Dividers Improvements 2020-2021 (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $2,364 / $2,364 / $2,364 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P510036-100000 / King Arts Complex Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $105,773 / $105,773 / ($59,604) / $46,169 / $46,169
Fund 7702 / P511031-100000 / Gym Dividers Improvements 2020-2021 (Voted Carryover) / $2,364 / $2,364 / ($2,364) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P513014-100000 / West Franklinton West Broad Greenspaces Acquisition (Voted Carryover) / $233,157 / $233,157 / ($233,157) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P514022-100000 / Champions Golf Course Stormwater and Pond Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $119,610 / $119,610 / ($65,590) / $54,020 / $54,020
Fund 7702 / P510933-513000 / OPWC - Cooke Woods Preservation Grant Match / (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $360,715 / $360,715 / $360,715
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.