Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure correction in the amount of $437,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to be applied towards the costs of tree plantings.
In 2024, the Recreation and Parks Department applied for and was awarded funding through the Urban Forestry Grant Program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Upon award of this grant, the Recreation and Parks Department entered into contract with Ironsite, Inc. for the Street Trees - Fall 2024 Project, per Ordinance 1913-2024. The contract was originally funded by the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 with funds awarded by the ODNR Urban Forestry Grant Program. When this project was nearing completion, a technicality was found in the planting specifications. The planting specifications used in the contract language included wire baskets to cover the root ball when planted. ODNR does not approve the use of wire baskets, so they did not approve of this expense coming from the grant funding, requiring the grant funds be diverted to a future project. Since the grant agreement and related funding does not expire until April of 2028, the Recreation and Parks Department still plans to utilize the ODNR grant funding on future tree planting projects. Forestry staff are working with ODNR to submit a grant revision that will lead to new procurement of tree planting services. Ultimately, these grant funds will be used for future tree planting contracts in 2026 and 2027.
An expenditure correction to move the existing project’s expenses to an alternate funding source is being requested in this ordinance. Once completed, the grant funding will be made available for the future tree planting contracts. Invoice amounts paid from existing PO465612, in the amount of $437,700.00, will be expenditure corrected and the remaining balance of this purchase order will be cancelled.
Principal Parties:
Ironsite, Inc.
PO Box 304
Sunbury, Ohio 43074
Peter Isbell, (740) 965-4616
Contract Compliance Number: 005926
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: August 26, 2027
Benefits to the Public: Planting street trees increases the Urban Tree Canopy and this project replaces trees lost due to varying causes of tree mortality. Trees help to reduce storm water runoff, utility costs, air pollution, and heat-island effects in urban areas.
Community Input Issues: The majority of the trees being planted as part of this contract have been requested by the property owners.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by planting trees to enhance the city’s overall environmental health.
Fiscal Impact: $437,700.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure correction. This ordinance is contingent on the deposit of bond sale proceeds from the 2025 General Obligation Bond Sale for the City of Columbus.
Title
To authorize an expenditure correction of $437,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund to be applied towards the costs of tree plantings; and to authorize the expenditure of $437,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. ($437,700.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to execute an expenditure correction of $437,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to be applied towards the costs of tree plantings; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent on the deposit of the bond sale proceeds from the 2025 General Obligation Bond Sale for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $437,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize this expenditure correction; NOW, THEREFORE; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. The expenditure of $437,700.00 is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to be applied toward capital eligible costs of tree plantings from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 with an expenditure correction.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. This ordinance is contingent on the deposit of the bond sale proceeds from the 2025 General Obligation Bond Sale for the City of Columbus.
SECTION 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $437,700.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.