Explanation
This resolution supports the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant application with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) which will be used to build the final segment of the Olentangy Trail, from Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park. MORPC administers grant funding for the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Background: The Olentangy Trail is Central Ohio’s most used greenway trail. Recent trail count data shows over 4 million trail miles per year are traveled on this path. The central 0.6 mile segment of the trail between Northmoor Park and Clinton Como Park was never completed. Currently, users must leave the trail and use a 1 mile signed on-street route which travels on 5 different streets. This route is widely recognized as difficult to navigate, congested, narrow, and unsafe. This route also includes constricted sections where combined two-way car and trail traffic is on 11’-13’ wide pavement. It also includes a narrow crossing of North Broadway at Milton Avenue, documented as one of the region’s most dangerous intersections for bicycle/vehicular crashes.
This project will alleviate the need to use the on-street segment and will complete this final trail gap by constructing a crossing of the Olentangy River at Northmoor Park and travel along the west bank. At North Broadway the trail will use a new, fully functional bike/ped crosswalk and signal being constructed as part of the North Broadway/315 interchange improvements for the new Ohio Health campus. The trail then continues south and cross the river to Clinton Como Park, where it rejoins an existing trail. To accommodate the increase of overall Olentangy Trail use, the new pavement will be 12’-14’ wide.
This resolution of support authorizes an application for grant funds only, and is not a commitment to expend City funds. Future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation, and expenditure of City funds.
As part of this resolution of support, MORPC requires that the City’s resolution agrees to obligate the funds at a later date which will satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the grant.
The grant package was submitted to MORPC on August 13, 2018. The resolution is required to be submitted to MORPC by September 28, 2018.
Principal Parties:
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
111 Liberty Street
Columbus, OH 43215
William Murdock, Director, (614) 228-2663
Contract Compliance Number: n/a
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: n/a
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to obtain approval to apply for said grant as it is required by September 28, 2018.
Fiscal Impact: This resolution of support authorizes an application for grant funds only, and is not a commitment to expend City funds. Future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation, and expenditure of City funds.
Area(s) Affected: Areas 9 & 13, All Columbus trail users, Clintonville community.
Benefits to the Public: Cycling, walking, running, and active trail uses provide highly recognized year-round benefits to urban lifestyles. Access to trails and to key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by residents. Over 30,000 residents, 100 businesses, 6 parks, and 15 schools are within the trailshed of this project.
Community Input/Issues: The department received letters of support from the community, the Clintonville Area Commission, the Ohio Health, private developers, and trail users.
Number of residents will be served by this legislation: Over 400,000 uses per year travel through this section of trail
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. Provide safe east/west connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Title
To issue a resolution of support for the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter a grant application to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) which will be used to build the final segment of the Olentangy Trail, from Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is currently accepting applications for funding; and
WHEREAS, a Resolution of Support from City Council, included in the grant applications, is required by the grantor in order for the application to be complete; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for a grant which will be used to build the final segment of the Olentangy Trail, from Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to obtain approval to apply for said grant as it is required to be submitted by September 28, 2018; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED 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 a grant with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) which will be used to build the final segment of the Olentangy Trail, from Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park.
SECTION 2. That this resolution of support 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 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution 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.