Explanation
BACKGROUND: Prairie Township is applying for a Clean Ohio Fund greenspace conservation funds (“Fund”) to purchase and permanently protect two parcels (010-259859 and 010-259860) for the Hellbranch Run Preserve. As part of the application, the Fund requires a resolution of support from any municipality affected by the land purchase. The parcels are currently within the corporate limits of the City of Columbus.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the timely filing of Prairie Township’s application to meet timelines established by the Clean Ohio Fund.
Fiscal Impact: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To support Prairie Township’s application to secure Clean Ohio Fund greenspace conservation funding to purchase and permanently protect the Hellbranch Run Preserve property in the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, through the Ohio Public Works Commission, administers financial assistance for the acquisition of greenspace in perpetuity through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Township desires financial assistance under the Clean Ohio Program to purchase and protect in perpetuity two properties of approximately 56.8 total acres near the Hellbranch Run Preserve (parcels 010-259859 and 010-259860) (“Hellbranch Run Reserve Property”) located within the Big Darby Creek Watersheds and the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code 164.23 requires that an application for a conservation grant for land acquisition include a resolution supporting the project from the legislative authority of any municipality within which the property is located; and
WHEREAS, preservation of the Hellbranch Run Preserve Property protects 450 linear feet of Hellbranch Run in the Big Darby Creek Watersheds; and
WHEREAS, fee-simple acquisition and permanent conservation protection of the Hellbranch Run Preserve Property will fulfill Clean Ohio’s objective of preservation of greenspace; and
WHEREAS, the permanent preservation of the Hellbranch Run Preserve Property as a public park for passive recreation will provide a tremendous natural and recreational amenity for the Central Ohio region, including residents of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to provide a resolution of support to allow for the timely filing of Prairie Township’s application with the Clean Ohio Fund for parcels within the city and to meet timelines established by the Clean Ohio Fund, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council hereby supports Prairie Township’s Clean Ohio Conservation Fund application to acquire and protect as conservation land in perpetuity the approximately 56.8-acre Hellbranch Run Preserve Property (parcels 010-259859 and 010-259860) located within the Big Darby Creek Watersheds and the City of Columbus.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.