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Committee advances multiple parks grants and donations including biochar equipment and Mount Adams land disclosure
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee advanced several park-related measures: a revised sale disclosure for Mount Adams property, an Ohio History Fund grant for historic park signs, an OEPA grant for a biochar facility, in-kind bike infrastructure from a foundation, and donations to restore the Black Brigade Monument.
The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 11 advanced a package of park-related funding and donation items, including a revised disclosure for a Mount Adams property sale and grants and in-kind donations to support signage, a biochar facility and monument restoration.
The items moved in committee included a B-version ordinance that discloses a bargain-sale component for a property sale in Mount Adams; the difference was estimated in the ordinance as a $35,000 in-kind donation to the city. The committee also advanced an application for up to $14,051 from the Ohio History Fund to restore and install historic park signs, an OEPA-funded grant of up to $97,085 to purchase equipment for a parks biochar facility, acceptance of 10 bike repair stands and 10 outdoor pumps valued at about $25,000 from the DeVu Good Foundation, and in-kind donations for plants and restoration services to benefit the Black Brigade Monument valued at $77,845.75.
Why it matters: the package bundles several small-to-midsize capital and operational items for parks in a single committee action, including a disclosure about a discounted sale that the ordinance treats as an in-kind contribution. City staff said existing funds or external grants would cover the items where applicable.
Committee discussion and context: a staff member introduced the B-version of the Mount Adams ordinance and said the difference from the bargain sale—$35,000—“needs to be treated as an in kind donation to the city.” Vice Mayor Ernie praised the biochar work and recalled a parks demonstration by Jason Barron, identified in the meeting as the parks director: “Remember when Jason, Barron, our parks director came in and did that wonderful demonstration showing how biochar really, soaks up the water and prevents flooding and building. So let's go for biochar. I love it.” Council Member Parks commented on the monument restoration: “This is just wonderful. In order to improve our, the the Black Brigade Monument. And I'm I'm just really looking forward to seeing the improvement.”
Actions taken: the committee placed the B-version Mount Adams ordinance on for passage and likewise put the Ohio History Fund application, the OEPA biochar grant ordinance, the in-kind bike infrastructure donation, and the listed donations for the Black Brigade Monument on for passage.
Implementation notes and next steps: the staff presentation said the $35,000 bargain-sale difference is disclosed in the B-version ordinance as an in-kind donation. For the OEPA grant, staff said the funds would be used to purchase equipment to convert wood waste into biochar. The Ohio History Fund application authorizes the city manager to apply for, accept and appropriate the grant if awarded. The committee did not take separate votes on each item in the transcript beyond placing them on for passage; final enactment will depend on subsequent legislative steps.
