Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus in support of their Urban Tree Nursery initiative and Earth Day 2023.
The founders of Green Columbus started Earth Day Columbus (EDC) while dreaming of a world where resources for “green” projects are accessible to all. Instead of hosting events in already-strong communities, Green Columbus wants to empower new communities to develop green infrastructure. During April, Green Columbus works to provide 100+ community worksites with tools, supplies, soil & mulch, trees, pollinator plants, prairie seed mix, volunteer rewards, volunteers, and small corporate sponsorships to cover costs. The beautification of the city results in a strong sense of community pride, self-sufficiency, and resiliency among residents.
Green Columbus worksites include many cleanups, plantings, and workdays at community-run gardens. In a time of rising inflation and occurrence of food deserts, this is the only source of fresh produce for numerous families. Many of these groups have come to depend on EDC for their annual garden preparation.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide Green Columbus with the resources necessary to execute Earth Day 2023 activities.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Green Columbus in support of their Urban Tree Nursery initiative and Earth Day 2023; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the founders of Green Columbus started Earth Day Columbus while dreaming of a world where resources for “green” projects are accessible to all; and
WHEREAS, during April, Green Columbus works to provide 100+ community worksites with tools, supplies, soil & mulch, trees, pollinator plants, prairie seed mix, volunteer rewards, volunteers, and small corporate sponsorships to cover cost; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with Green Columbus in order to provide the resources necessary to execute Earth Day 2023 activities; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement in support of their Urban Tree Nursery initiative and Earth Day 2023.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $40,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That with regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $40,000.00 is hereby authorized per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 for 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.