Explanation
Background:
Since 2003, millions of ash trees have been killed by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a devastating invasive insect, which claims the life of otherwise healthy, mature ash trees in as little as one year. These funds will aid in response and recovery of the urban forests from the EAB infestation. Removing hazardous and soon-to-be hazardous trees from public streets and restoring lost tree canopy cover are the primary objectives of this grant program. Ordinance 1692-2010 authorized the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry grant to assist communities in Franklin County with the removal and replacement of infected and hazardous trees.
Emergency action is requested to enter into contract with ODNR and accept grant funds as soon as possible to address the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
Fiscal Impact:
Contingent on July 10 Bond Sale.
The Department of Recreation and Parks, has determined that the funding necessary for this project will come from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund and the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry for $12,500.00 to address the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; to authorize the city grant match of $12,500.00 to be transferred and appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry; to appropriate $12,500.00 from the Department of the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has awarded the City of Columbus grant funding to address the Emerald Ash Borer infestation in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary for the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry to accept grant funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to address the Emerald Ash Borer infestation and accept said grant funds for the preservation of 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 Recreation and Parks be and he is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant in the amount of $12,500.00 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry for the Emerald Ash Borer Program.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized to enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund No. 286, 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, 2012, the sum of $25,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Department, Department No. 51-01, as follows:
Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement
GRANT TITLE: 2012 Ash Removal and Restoration; GRANT NUMBER: to be assigned by City Auditor's office; OCA CODE: to be assigned by City Auditor's office; OBJECT LEVEL 3: 6621; AMOUNT: $25,000.00
SECTION 4. That the appropriation of $12,500 city match be transferred as follow:
From:
$12,500.00 Project 510039-100002 (EAB) , OCA#723902, Obj Level 3# 6621
To:
$12,500.00 Project 510039-100002 (EAB) , OCA#723902, Obj Level 3# 5501
SECTION 5. That the amount of $12,500.00 be transferred as follow:
From:
$12,500.00 Project 510039-100002 (EAB) , OCA#723902, Obj Level 3# 5501
To:
$12,500.00 Grant Number: to be assigned by the City Auditor's office, OCA#: to be assigned by the City Auditor's office, Obj Level 3 #0886
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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.