Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for the funding and provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition.
The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is accepting applications for grant funding to conserve natural areas and greenway corridors. If awarded funding, a separate piece of legislation will be submitted to enter into a grant agreement and allocate the local funds. These applications will propose to acquire fee simple property in the East Linden area and along Big Walnut Creek.
East Linden Natural Area Protection
The East Linden neighborhood is one of the city’s most underserved areas for parks, open spaces, and natural areas. The purpose of the project is to acquire two separate sites fronting two ravine/tributary areas of Alum Creek near Agler Road. The Clean Ohio funding will be used to acquire 33.5 acres of wooded ravines and tributary corridor in the near northeast side of Columbus. The two properties are owned by a single owner and are listed for sale. Acquiring these sites provides significant long term preservation to water quality, forest preservation, and protection of natural habitat and for a disinvested community. The sites are easily accessible, within a few minutes’ walk of each other, with an estimated 11,000 people living within a 1 mile radius.
Noe Bixby Parkland and Preserve
Big Walnut Creek and its related tributaries and ravines are one of the region’s most diverse remaining water courses. The purpose of the project is to acquire a significant 20 acre stretch of natural area near Broad Street and Noe Bixby Road. The proposed property has been listed for sale as potential development land. Acquiring the land provides significant long term preservation for water quality, forest preservation, and protection of habitat. The site is easily accessible, with an estimated 2,500 people living within a 1/2 mile radius. The natural terrain of site is upland meadow, steep ravines, over 1/3 of a mile of tributary, 380 l.f. of main stem Big Walnut, and approximately 17 acres of high quality woodland. The properties are currently listed for sale for development by a realtor.
Principal Parties:
Clean Ohio Conservation Fund
District 3 Natural Resource Advisory Committee
Ohio Public Works Commission
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested for this authorization as it is required as part of the grant application which is due March 16, 2018.
Benefits to the Public: Greenways and ravines form the natural spine of Columbus. For over 25 years the city has been engaging in protecting and providing access to a comprehensive linear system of rivers, trails, paths, and wildlife and plant life protection zones. The greenways network, including the sites proposed in these applications, relies heavily upon outside funding assistance, such as the Clean Ohio Fund in achieving these goals.
Community Input Issues: The communities have expressed priority for more protected stream corridors, access to nature, increased community pride, increased healthy lifestyles offered by walking.
Area(s) Affected:
East Linden community - 11
Far East Area - 20
Master Plan Relation: Equity access to nature and outdoors for all neighborhoods. Improve access to trails and greenways corridors. Improving the environmental health of the city’s waterways; improving recreational access to streams; providing long term protection corridors for water quality and trail development.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance requires $0.00 city of Columbus funds. If awarded the grant, future legislation will accept and appropriate the grant funds, as well as identify a city match.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to acquire fee simple property in the East Linden area and along Big Walnut Creek and to provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is accepting applications; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for a grant to acquire fee simple property in the East Linden area and along Big Walnut Creek; and
WHEREAS, future legislation would accept and appropriate the grant funds as well as identify a city match; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to apply for said grant to meet application deadlines; 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 apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to acquire fee simple property in the East Linden area and along Big Walnut Creek and provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance authorizes an application for the grant funds only and is not a commitment to expend city funds.
SECTION 3. That future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation, and expenditure of funds.
SECTION 4. 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 Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
SECTION 5. 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.