Explanation
BACKGROUND: On November 11, 2016 Columbus City Council approved resolution 0275X-2016 to formally accept the Local Food Action Plan (LFAP), which is a joint City/County plan sponsored by then President Pro Tem Priscilla Tyson and Commissioner John O’Grady. The plan took two years to develop and includes 4 goals and 27 recommendations.
The goals of the LFAP include: enhancing coordination & communication among existing food resources among agencies, improving access to and education about healthy food, affordable food, and local food, increasing the role of food in economic development, and preventing food related waste. The recommendations contained within the plan explore strategies to address food insecurity as well as innovative approaches to improve the local food system.
The plan was developed with the understanding that increasing residents’ access to healthy food is a key element to maintaining a high quality of life, and it is one of the building blocks for a stronger community. Further, the data shows that a number of residents are dealing with obesity, diet-related diseases, food insecurity, and access to local food.
The funding being provided will help facilitate the implementation of the LFAP priorities. The Local Food Action Board will be working to implement actions included in the LFAP. Columbus Public Health intends to use funding for priority initiatives implemented by the Local Food Advisory Board through December 31, 2019.
This one-time funding will support the transition year for creating and implementing a single application and process for the City of Columbus, Franklin County and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation community garden grant programs. Creating a common platform and timeline will reduce the administrative burden on applicants and allow the funders to more effectively leverage resources to support the approximately 100 gardens that these grants support each year.
This funding will also support Columbus City Schools (CCS) efforts to integrate Ohio Days and Farm to School into the classroom curriculum. Through the purchase of food, nutrition and gardening related books the CCS Food Service Nutrition and Farm to School Coordinator will create a library of print and video resources available to teachers in leveraging the District’s 49 school gardens as outdoor learning labs. Additionally, funds will be used to support the Local Food System Strategies Team at Columbus Public Health in sharing the outcomes and successes of the Local Food Action Plan with local, regional and national partners through awards, conferences and presentations.
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate $17,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to support the Local Food Action Plan.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow this appropriation as soon as possible for the development of Local Food Action Plan initiatives.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this ordinance shall be appropriated in the amount of $17,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $17,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to Columbus Public Health to support initiatives for the Local Food Action Plan; and to declare an emergency. ($17,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will continue efforts to strengthen the Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan in accordance with Resolution 0275X-2016; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is committed to working with public, private, and local community stakeholders to ensure a stronger, more resilient food system; and,
WHEREAS, $17,000.00 will be appropriated in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to support initiatives for the Local Food Action Plan; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to allow the appropriation of City monies as soon as possible to support Local Food Action Plan initiatives and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, Fund No. 1000, Subfund No. 100018, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the twelve month period ending December 31, 2019, the sum of $17,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.