Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the appropriation of grant and matching fund from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund - Alum Creek Trail--Shepard Connector. The Department was awarded grant funding construct the connection.
In May of 2017 the Department received notice that the project was funded.
Grant Funding to be accepted: $248,462.00
Local Match Funding: $152,984.00
The Shepard Connector to the Alum Creek Trail will build a 0.5 mile direct connection to the regional trail from Leonard Avenue. The project would be built along an abandoned rail corridor owned by Recreation and Parks between Leonard Avenue and the Alum Creek Trail at Hayden Park.
The North Central area of Columbus has been seriously underserved in the development of trails and greenways. In October of 2015, the 22 mile Alum Creek Trail was completed, and has become popular with families, fitness walkers, and cyclists. Although this regional trail passes directly by the Shepard and St. Mary’s neighborhoods in the central city, there are no hard connections yet. This project provides local residents with two direct connections to the trail and the expanding regional trail network.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Real Estate
2045 Morse Road E-2, Columbus, OH 43229
D’Juan Hammonds 614-265-6417
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract so that Recreation and Parks can meet the deadline of the project grant funding as required by the State of Ohio.
Benefits to the Public: The Shepard community and near north east side of the city has been engaged in developing the grant application and project outcomes. Cycling, walking, running, and active trail uses provide highly recognized year-round benefits to urban lifestyles. Access to trails and to key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by residents. This project addresses a consistent public request that direct neighborhood connections be built to provide safe, easy connectivity to cycling and walking opportunities.
Community Input Issues: Several community stakeholder meetings were held. (Shepard Community Association, YWCA, Northeast Area Commission, Columbus Public Library, etc)
Area(s) Affected:
Shepard and St. Mary’s neighborhoods
Planning Area: 14
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. Provide safe east/west connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $248,462.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. This ordinance will also authorize a grant match of $152,984.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. $152,984.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of the grant match. There is a total of $401,446.00 available for this project.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant and enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the appropriation of grant and matching funds from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund-Alum Creek Trail---Shepard Connector; to authorize the appropriation of $248,462.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $152,984.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to amend the 2017 Capital Improvement Budget; and to declare an emergency. ($401,446.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant and enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the appropriation of grant and matching fund from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund - Alum Creek Trail--Shepard Connector; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $248,462.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $152,984.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2017 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract so that Recreation and Parks can meet the deadline of the project grant funding as required by the State of Ohio; 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 in the amount of $248,462.00 and enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Alum Creek Trail Shepard Connector.
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, 2017, the sum of $248,462.00 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 the transfer of $152,984.00 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 4. That the 2017 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1124-2017 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this legislation and future projects.
CURRENT:
Fund 7702; P510316-201602; Greenways - Trail Safety; $230,000 (Voted Carryover)
Fund 7702; P510316-201604; Greenways - Bike Skills Track; $10,645 (Voted Carryover)
Fund 7702; P510904-100000; Alum Creek Trail - Shepard Connector - Grant Match; $0 (Voted Carryover)
AMENDED TO:
Fund 7702; P510316-201602; Greenways - Trail Safety; $87,661 (Voted Carryover)
Fund 7702; P510316-201604; Greenways - Bike Skills Track; $0 (Voted Carryover)
Fund 7702; P510904-100000; Alum Creek Trail - Shepard Connector - Grant Match; $152,984 (Voted Carryover)
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.