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), Office of Real Estate and Land Management for the Whetstone Park of Roses Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of the grant funds. The grant amount available for this project being authorized by this ordinance is $227,360.00. The grant funds will be used towards installing field lighting at two baseball and softball diamonds in Whetstone Park.
Funds from the Community Recreation/Conservation Project Pass-Through Agreement have been made available through House Bill #2 by the 135th General Assembly of the State of Ohio. An application for Community Recreation/Conservation Project Pass-Through funding was originally submitted to the State of Ohio by the North Columbus Intramural League (NCIL), a local youth baseball and softball organization which serves 750 players annually. NCIL utilizes the permitted ball diamonds at Whetstone Park for many of their games and Columbus Recreation and Parks Department was supportive of their grant request.
Upon notice of intent to award, it was necessary for Columbus Recreation and Parks to become the grantee. This is because the Recreation and Parks Department will be responsible for executing the design and construction contracts necessary to complete the improvements. The Recreation and Parks Department will be providing additional funds to cover the full project cost once bidding is completed.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Real Estate & Land Management
2045 Morse Road, Building E-2
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Teresa Goodridge, teresa.goodridge@dnr.ohio.gov
Benefits to the Public: Improvements to lighting at baseball and softball diamonds in Whetstone Park will allow for extended daily play, as well as, additional play during the colder seasons.
Community Input/Issues: The need for the project was brought to the department’s attention through the North Columbus Intramural League (NCIL). NCIL is a locally based youth baseball and softball organization that has served the community for more than 50 years and is a recurring permitted user of the Whetstone Park ball diamonds.
Area(s) Affected: Clintonville (39)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by updating sports-related parks and improving five parks each year.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $227,360.00 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), Office of Real Estate and Land Management for the Whetstone Park of Roses Project and accept a grant in the amount of $227,360.00; and to authorize the appropriation of $227,360.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. ($227,360.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $227,360.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Office of Real Estate and Land Management for the Whetstone Park of Roses Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $227,360.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Office of Real Estate and Land Management for the Whetstone Park of Roses Project, 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), Office of Real Estate and Land Management for the Whetstone Park of Roses Project. The amount of the grant is $227,360.00. 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 $227,360.00 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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.