Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will enable the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant and enter into agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and provide for the appropriation of said funds to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. Funding has been awarded to construct the Alum Creek Trail from Innis Park to Easton. The funds will be used as part of the construction funding for the project. The target completion date for this project is December 2011.
A Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant for a .75 mile section of the Alum Creek Trail, Innis Park to Easton, was awarded to Recreation and Parks. This grant provides funds for construction to widen an existing eight-foot section to 10 feet, constructing a new path, one small bridge and one large bridge.
Financial Impact:
Total project cost estimated to be $1 million dollars. The total grant amount from ODNR is $485,000.00. The required local match will be provided from Recreation and Parks Capital Improvement Voted Bond Fund.
Emergency Justification:
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Emergency action is also necessary to have funding available for necessary expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant and enter into agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; to provide for the appropriation of said funds to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($485,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has awarded the City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks Department, a grant to assist with the improvements to the Alum Creek Bikeway; and
WHEREAS, The project will provide trail connectivity from Innis Park to Easton, and connect two major city parks and three neighborhoods to the regional trail network. The project will provide increased non-motorized transportation alternatives and health benefits related to walking and cycling; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to accept and appropriate said grant funds to comply with the terms of the grant 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 $485,000.00 and enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio, Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of improvements to the Alum Creek Bikeway.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 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, 2011, the sum of $485,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Department as follows:
Fund Type: Grant Fund; Dept No.; 51-01, Fund No.; 286; OCA Code; to be assigned by auditor; Obj Level 3; 6621; Amount; $485,000.00, Grant No.; to be assigned by auditor
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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.