Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to submit a grant application to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for a grant administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission. The grant program requires a 25% local match. The total amount of the project is $460,283.00. The grant amount is $340,607.00
The Grant for the acquisition of property in the Big Walnut Creek corridor to preserve hight quality habitat, vernal pools, and preserve the Natural buffer in thefloodplain to aide in flood abatement. This parcel is adjacent to parkland and a continuation of the Big Walnut Creek Corridor located on the Mason Run tributary and the main stem of Big Walnut near Lockbourne.
The floodplain is maintained for no loss of flood storage function, habitat, particularly forested vernal pools are preserved, and the wooded buffer/trees are preserved to assist in air filtration and flooding. The Corridor acquisition supports trail development, which had the highest rating of recreational activity in the CRPD 2003 survey. The Clean Ohio grant program preserves valuable greenspace in communities and aids sustainability.
A subsequent ordinance to authorize the grant is required before the City will obligate its funds.
Emergency Justification
The Resolution of Support is required to be submitted with the grant application. The Deadline for the application is October 30, 2009.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to submit a grant application to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for a grant administered by the Ohio Public Works; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission, District 3, is accepting applications for grant funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation and Parks desires to submit a grant application to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for a grant administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission; and
WHEREAS, sid grant is for the acquisition of property in the Big Walnut Creek corridor to preserve high quality habitat, vernal pools, and preserve the Natural buffer in the floodplain to aide in flood abatement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that is immediately necessary to apply for said 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 is hereby authorized and directed to submit a grant application to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for a grant for the acquisition of property in the Big Walnut Creek corridor to preserve high quality habitat, vernal pools, and preserve the Natural buffer in the floodplain to aide in flood abatement.
Section 2. That this ordinance authorized an application only and is not a commitment to expend City funds. A second ordinance to authorize the grant is required before the City will obligate its funds.
Section 3. 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.