Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a NatureWorks grant and enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the development and construction of a parkland/access point for the Lower Olentangy Water Trail at the corner of King Avenue and Olentangy River Road. As part of this ordinance, the grant acceptance will also place the property in use to be operated and maintained solely for public recreation or natural resource purposes throughout the Term of the Bond, for 15 yrs. This will be the fifth access point on the 8.5 mile Olentangy Water Trail. The grant amount is $142,500, with the City of Columbus being responsible for a match amount of $145,000, for a total project cost of $287,500. This project includes the development of a parking lot, planting of vegetation and construction of a limestone slab canoe/kayak access. These improvements will serve both users of the Olentangy Water Trail and users of the community and would allow the Recreation and Parks Department to add greenspace and Olentangy Water Trail to use by the general public. The Recreation and Parks Department has worked with the Fifth by Northwest Community, Friends of the Lower Olentangy and OSU students/staff, and other members of the local community to obtain input on a plan for the parkland/access that will guide the design and layout of these improvements.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, E-2, Columbus, OH 43229
Mary Fitch 614-265-6477
CC# 31-6402047
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that the grant needs accepted as soon as possible so that final plans can be underway and construction has the ability to be performed while the water is low.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is requested.
Title
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a NatureWorks grant and enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the development and construction of a parkland/access point for the Lower Olentangy Water Trail at the corner of King Avenue and Olentangy River Road; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a NatureWorks grant and enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the development and construction of a parkland/access point for the Lower Olentangy Water Trail at the corner of King Avenue and Olentangy River Road; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to accept a NatureWorks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources so that needed improvements are not delayed, projects can proceed in a timely manner, and commitments made to the local community can be kept; and, 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 NatureWorks grant in the amount of $142,500.00 and enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the development and construction of a parkland/access point for the Lower Olentangy Water Trail at the corner of King Avenue and Olentangy River Road.
SECTION 2. That the City of Columbus does agree to obligate the funds required to satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The obligation of said funds is subject to the approval of City Council and the City Auditor.
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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.