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 $50,000.00.
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund and to authorize the total expenditure of $70,000.00 from the Health Operating Fund ($20,000.00) and the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund ($50,000.00) for the payment of $70,000.00 to The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Columbus Public Health for the management of the 2024 Community Gardening Project.
The City’s Community Garden Initiative supports the City’s effort to build a fair and sustainable food system. As part of the Local Food Action Plan, community gardens improve access and education for healthy, affordable, and local food. But beyond improving food access, community gardens provide the space for powerful neighborhood-level social change. Since 2010, Columbus City Council has supported over 300 gardens with funding over $340,000.
The Foundation 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. Ordinance No. 1904-2021, authorized the modification of the endowment fund name from the Foundation for Active Living to the Foundation for Columbus Public Health.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $70,000.00 has been designated for this project. Funding for this ordinance is available in the amount of $20,000.00 in the Health Special Revenue Fund and $50,000.00 in City Council’s Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $50,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund and $50,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to pay The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Columbus Public Health, for the management of the 2024 Community Gardening Projects. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to encourage healthy and active living to address the increase in diseases associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle; and,
WHEREAS, community gardens are a great way to promote healthy foods and to offer local youth a way to learn something new about food and gardening; and,
WHEREAS, $20,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund and $50,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund will be expended to The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Columbus Public Health for the management of the 2024 Community Gardening Project; and,
WHEREAS, the Foundation for Columbus Public Health, a donor-advised fund established at The Columbus Foundation by the Columbus Board of Health under the authority of Ordinance No. 1210-2008 and modified by Ordinance No. 0493-2011 and Ordinance No. 1904-2021, is qualified and able to direct the funds for the management of the community gardens in Central Ohio; 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 1000, Subfund No. 100018, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the period ending December 31, 2024, the sum of $50,000.00 is hereby appropriated within fund 1000 as specified in the ordinance attachment.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250 and the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, Fund No. 1000, Subfund No. 100018 is hereby authorized to pay The Columbus Foundation, Foundation for Columbus Public Health, for the management of the 2024 Community Gardening Project, as specified in the ordinance attachment.
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 this ordinance will take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.