Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and to provide the necessary matching funds for land acquisition. If Recreation and Parks is awarded funding, a separate piece of legislation will be submitted to enter into a grant agreement and allocate the local funds.
Background: These applications will propose to acquire fee simple and/or conservation easements along 3 of the city’s waterway corridors: Big Run (Southwest), Big Walnut (Northland), and Alum Creek (Central City).
Big Run
Two sites will preserve over 2,200 lineal feet of stream corridor, including 18.5 acres of protection. The result will be the city’s first greenways corridor project along this important stream. The sites expand the existing parkland along the stream and will expand future access opportunities to the greenway for thousands of residents in the southwest side of the city.
Big Walnut
The project will acquire a 5.35 acre site along Stygler Road. The site is adjacent to a Recreation and Parks natural area (Virginia Terrace) and across the stream from Gahanna city parklands. The acquisition includes 500 feet of stream corridor.
Alum Creek
This project will acquire a conservation easement along the central section of Alum Creek. The acquisition includes 952 lineal feet of stream corridor and approximately 4.5 acres of floodplain. The site includes 2 acres of forested area along I-670. This project would complete a preservation of both sides of Alum Creek along a 2 mile segment.
This grant will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenway corridors, improving the environmental health of Columbus’ waterways, improve recreation access to streams and provide long-term protection corridors for water quality and trail development.
The conservation of stream corridor lands serve several high priority initiative values: increased preservation of riparian corridors, increased access for the public to the city’s stream corridors, protection of forested floodplains and natural areas, and providing greenway corridors in underserved neighborhoods of concern.
Principal Parties:
Clean Ohio Conservation Fund
Ohio Public Works Commission
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to receive said resolution as it is a requirement of the grant application that is due on March 21, 2016.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is requested. A separate ordinance would be prepared to accept the grants if the projects are funded.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for grant funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund; to provide the necessary matching funds for land acquisition; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is currently accepting applications for funding; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for grant funding for the projects listed above; and
WHEREAS, the application is a Resolution of Support required by the state for all application submittals; 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 apply for the grant as it is a requirement of the grant application that is due on March 21, 2016 and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply for grant funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and will provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance authorizes an application for the grant funds only, and is not a commitment to expend City funds.
SECTION 3. That future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation and expenditure of funds.
SECTION 4. That the City of Columbus does agree to obligate the funds required to satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
SECTION 5. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.