Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus health statistics show an increase in disease associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. To encourage healthy and active living, Columbus Public Health has budgeted $20,000.00 in the Health Special Revenue Fund for making grants to non-profit organizations for community gardening projects. City Council wishes to support this project and has made available in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund an additional $10,000.00.
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate funds in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, authorize the expenditure from the Health Special Revenue Operating Fund and Neighborhood Initiatives Fund and to authorize the payment of $30,000.00 to The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Active Living for the management of the 2018 Community Gardening Project.
The Community Garden Initiative supports the city’s effort to build a fair and sustainable food system. As one part of the Local Food Action Plan, gardens also improve access and education related to healthy, affordable, local food. Since 2010, Columbus City Council has supported 222 gardens with funding of $141,280. In 2017, a record 36 gardens including 8 new ones were supported by more than 700 volunteers. In addition, 17 of the gardens were able to secure additional funding from other sources as a result of having received this grant.
The Foundation for Active Living is a donor-advised fund that was established by the Columbus Board of Health with The Columbus Foundation in 2008 under the authority of Ordinance No. 1210-2008, approved by City Council on July 14, 2008. Ordinance No. 0493-2011, approved by City Council on April 4, 2011, amended the agreement with The Columbus Foundation by authorizing The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Active Living to accept funds from the city.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow this appropriation and the expenditure to be received by The Columbus Foundation, Foundat...
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