Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to accept $485,000.00 in grant funds (with minimum local match of $190,000.00) from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail fund for construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard and Confluence Park.
Background: On March 21, 2016, City Council authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks (0666-2016) to apply for a grant from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund to construct a bridge over the Olentangy River at Nationwide Blvd in Confluence Village, a major new development in Downtown Columbus. In 2016 Recreation and Parks was awarded the grant funding which required a minimum local match of $190,000.00.
This ordinance requires the acceptance of $485,000 from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund. By accepting these funds, there is $190,000.00 that constitutes a required local match. These funds will be part of a future expenditure towards the construction contract for the bridge, which is scheduled to advertise in June 2020. The estimated cost of the construction of the bridge is estimated to be just over $2M.
The bridge will be a direct connection from the regional trail for thousands of residents and workers in the Arena District. The project also coincides with other significant projects at the west end of Nationwide Boulevard, including a new stadium, a series of mixed-use developments, and a public park development along the East bank of the Olentangy River. This bridge also provides a significant active transportation access to a heavily congested downtown area.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Clean Ohio Trails Fund
2045 Morse Road, E-2
Columbus, OH 43229
D’Juan Hammonds, 614-265-6417
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in that it is immediately necessary to accept the grant funds, appropriate the matching funds, and apply towards the project which will be advertised for construction in June of 2020. It is critical for the Department to have these funds to apply towards the construction contract.
Benefits to the Public: The bridge will provide direct connectivity for thousands of residents, visitors, special events, and employees to the Confluence Village and the Arena District, one of the City’s major destinations. The project will coincide with construction of significant regional projects underway, including the new Crew Stadium, Confluence Park, and surrounding mixed use developments. The connector bridge provides links to over 130 miles of regional trail. Over 2 million people visit the Arena District each year.
Community Input/Issues: During the past 4 years, the project has received support and approval by downtown residents, large employers within the Arena District, the development community, local cycling advocacy, Central Ohio Greenways, and comments from the public at large.
Area(s) Affected: Downtown (55)
Master Plan Relation: Trails and connectivity are a significant component of the city’s health and wellness, diversity, social equity and conservation initiatives.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation of $485,000.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. This ordinance will also authorize a grant match of $190,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. $190,000.0 is budgeted and available from and within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of the grant match. There is a total of $675,000.00 available for this project. Future legislation will be needed to expend these funds once construction is ready to move forward.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement and accept $485,000.00 in grant funds, with minimum local match of $190,000.00, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail fund for construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard and Confluence Park; to authorize the transfer of $190,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $485,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance Number 0666-2016 authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trails Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement and accept $485,000.00 in grant funds, with minimum local match of $190,000.00, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail fund for construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard and Confluence Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $190,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate $485,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to accept the grant funds, appropriate the, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; 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 enter into a grant agreement and accept and appropriate $485,000.00 in grant funds, with minimum local match of $190,000.00, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail fund for construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard and Confluence Park.
SECTION 2. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, the sum of $485,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 7. That the transfer of $190,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
Fund 7702; P510306-100003; Olentangy Trail - Arena District Connector Bridge (SIT Supported) / $2,000,000 / ($190,000) / $1,810,000
Fund 7702; P510916-512000; Arena District Connector Bridge Grant Match (SIT Supported) / $0 / $190,000 / $190,000
SECTION 9. 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.