Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is accepting applications for funding to develop and restore public outdoor recreation and educational areas. If awarded, the funding will be used to restore the Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk.
ODNR is accepting grant applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act Program. The grant is expected to be $500,000.00. The grant offers assistance to governmental agencies in developing public outdoor recreation and educational areas. Grant applications are due November 15, 2023 with a 30-day allowance to submit the resolution. The notification of the grant acceptance will be awarded in the spring of 2024.
ODNR requires a resolution, ordinance, or other written documentation that obligates funds for the project as part of the application. Therefore, this ordinance is a commitment to provide the necessary match funds to satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the grant. If the grant funding is awarded, future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation, and expenditure of City funds from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. The Recreation and Parks Department has already met the required match, with the $540,000 City funds from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund for the design of the project.
Columbus Recreation and Parks is requesting support to apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund the Hoover Mudflats boardwalk replacement. The project site is located in the Hoover Nature Preserve, located near the Village of Galena. The current boardwalk has been closed and inaccessible, due to its poor condition, since 2020. Similarly, given the illegal access, vandalism, and safety concerns, the parking lot to the Hoover Mudflats Nature Preserve has also been closed. The Hoover boardwalk will increase accessibility and usage of the Hoover Nature Preserve. The opportunity to apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant will augment costs for the construction of the Hoover boardwalk that is currently 50% through the design phase.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Land and Water Conservation Fund
2045 Morse Road, Building E-2
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Dee Burlison, (614) 265-6834
Contract Compliance Number: 005089
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: N/A (State of Ohio Agency)
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested to meet the application deadline of November 15, 2023 and the resolution of authorization of December 15, 2023.
Benefits to the Public: The boardwalk will increase access for the community to the park and the Hoover Nature Preserve.
Community Input/Issues: There have been public meetings regarding the Hoover boardwalk, where stakeholders have provided questions, comments, and input. Additional public meetings will be held in the near future.
Area(s) Affected:
Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by conserving, protecting, and enhancing the City’s natural resources and overall environmental health for current and future generations. It will also provide unique recreational amenities.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is required at this time. Future legislation will accept, appropriate, and encumber funding for this project as needed if the grant is awarded.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) which will be used to develop public outdoor recreation and educational areas as part of the Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk Project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Land and Water Conservation Fund Program which will be used to restore the Hoover boardwalk; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance shows the City of Columbus's support for all application requirements; 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 this grant funding to meet the resolution of authorization deadline of December 15, 2023, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Land and Water Conservation Fund Program which will be used to restore the Hoover boardwalk. This Council hereby supports this action.
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 accept, appropriate, and encumber funding for this project as needed if the grant is awarded.
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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Land and Water Conservation Fund Program.
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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.