Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Hoover Reservoir Walnut Street Boat Launch Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of the grant funds. The grant amount is up to $1,500,000.00 and the local match amount is up to $500,000.00.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department entered into contract with Smoot Construction Company of Ohio for the Hoover Amenities Project in April of 2024 per Ordinance 0722-2024. The Hoover Amenities project is located at three locations around Hoover Reservoir. The fishing pier and boat launch ramp project aspects can be found near the intersection of Sunbury Road and Walnut Street at 7940 South Sunbury Road. The mudflats boardwalk is located at the north end of the reservoir and is located off of Front Street near Galena, Ohio. At both of these locations there are existing facilities that will require demolition and removal. The fishing pier will be a newly installed infrastructure.
In working through the design phase of the project, learning site conditions and costs associated with the overall project, the budget amount for the project exceeded the amount originally expected. As a result of this information, the Recreation and Parks Department met with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who utilizes the Walnut Street Boat Launch site for research purposes, to discuss if any grant opportunities were available. ODNR identified the critical need for this amenity at this location from due to their operational needs and the priority of providing the community access to recreational boating opportunities in the area. As a result, ODNR was able to provide grant funding of up to $1,500,000.00. This grant funding requires the City of Columbus to provide matching funds of 25% of the total costs for the Walnut Street Boat Launch. The Recreation and Parks Department will provide up to $500,000.000 in match funding for this boat launch. The grant funding will focus on the launch ramp’s concrete surface, the docking system, and the attachments of the docking system to the ramp. The required grant match of up to 25% of the Walnut Street Boat Launch total is already encumbered as part of the existing Hoover Amenities Project contract mentioned above and authorized by Ordinance 0722-2024.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Chris French, (614) 265-6721
Benefits to the Public: Hoover Reservoir provides countless recreational opportunities to Columbus residents,
including birding, hiking, boating, fishing, and more. Entering into this agreement with ODNR, to
accept the grant, will provide the funding to get this community asset completed.
Community Input/Issues: The Walnut Street Boat Launch is in need of large scale structural improvements in order to continue to serve the public for Hoover Reservoir boating access. The community has shared that the launch area is in need of repairs to better serve the area at public meetings, through the 311 process, and through direct contact with departmental staff.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by providing needed upgrades to infrastructure and providing access to natural areas.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Hoover Reservoir Walnut Street Boat Launch Project and accept a grant in the amount of up to $1,500,000.00; and to authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. ($1,500,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of up to $1,500,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Hoover Reservoir Walnut Street Boat Launch Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Hoover Reservoir Walnut Street Boat Launch Project and accept a grant in the amount of up to $1,500,000.00, 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 and enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the Hoover Reservoir Walnut Street Boat Launch Project. The amount of the grant is up to $1,500,000.00, or 75% of the costs of the Walnut Street Boat Launch. The grant requires the City to provide up to $500,000.00 in matching funds, or 25% of the costs of the Walnut Street Boat Launch. The matching funds are part of an existing contract for Hoover Reservoir Amenities Project authorized by Ordinance 0722-2024. There is a total of up to $1,500,000.00 available for the Walnut Street Boat Launch.
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, 2025, the sum of $1,500,000.00 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 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.