Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter a grant application with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trails Fund which will be used to build the Alum Creek Trail / Mock Park-Hudson Street Connector.
Background: ODNR administers statewide grant funding for the construction of trails, and a resolution from the city is required for the grant submittal and agreeing to provide the necessary match funds. If awarded funding, a separate piece of legislation will be submitted at a later date to enter into a grant agreement and allocate the local funds.
The Alum Creek Trail/Mock Park-Hudson Street Connector will become a direct 1.2 mile connection for the Northeast community to the city’s regional trail system. The connector will be a 10’ paved path from the Alum Creek Trail at Sunbury Road and Mock Road and will extend into the city’s new Hudson Street path from I-70 ending near Parkwood Avenue. By linking these two east/west projects, over 6,000 residents and employees of the Arlington Park, Woodland Holt, Brittany Hills, Argyle Park, and East Linden neighborhoods will be within 10 minutes of walking and biking connectivity to parks, churches, schools, retail, and jobs.
This ordinance shows support for the 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.
ODNR requires that the City’s authority 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 resolution is required to be submitted to ODNR by March 1, 2020.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, E-2
Columbus, OH 43229
Marlin Holloway, (614) 265-6471
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in order to obtain approval to apply for said grant as it is required by March 1, 2020.
Benefits to the Public: The near Northeast area of Columbus lacks safe, significant open spaces and parks. The timing of constructing a greenway trail along Mock Road and Parkwood Avenue ties directly to the city’s goal of providing a lift to inner city neighborhoods cut off from safe, easy access to greenways and outdoor experiences. The scale of construction costs estimated in this applications relies heavily upon outside funding assistance such as the Clean Ohio Trails Fund to achieve these goals.
Community Input/Issues: The department has been engaging with the key stakeholders of the neighborhoods, and will continue seeking support and input throughout the project.
Area(s) Affected:
Northeast community (41)
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 connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for a grant application with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trails Fund for the Alum Creek Trail / Mock Park-Hudson Street Connector; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Clean Ohio Trails Fund (COTF) are currently accepting applications for funding; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for grant funding for the projects listed above; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance shows the City's support required by the state for all application submittals; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to apply for the grant and have this ordinance showing support so the grant may be submitted by March 1, 2020, for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Clean Ohio Trails Fund (COTF) for the Alum Creek Trail / Mock Park-Hudson Street Connector. This Council hereby supports this action.
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 Department of Natural Resources, Clean Ohio Trails Fund (COTF).
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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.