Label
2024 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OHEPA) Section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Program Grant -Swayne Field Green Infrastructure
Department of Housing and Community Development
Director Rosalyn Clemens (419-936-3647)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a grant agreement and to accept, deposit, appropriate and expend the 2024 Section 319(h)Nonpoint Source Program Grant in the amount of $315,000 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OHEPA) to install Swayne Field Green Infrastructure; authorizing the Mayor to enter into or amend existing project agreements; waiving the competitive bidding provisions of Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 187; and declaring an emergency.
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SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development has applied for and been awarded a 2024 $315,000 Section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Program Grant to install Swayne Field Green Infrastructure improvements. The Swayne Field Shopping Center site is currently 99% impervious, with a single small lawn area surrounding a McDonald’s restaurant sign at the shopping center entrance from N. Detroit Avenue. The Swayne Field Green Infrastructure project presents an opportunity to: reduce stormwater runoff from the site; improve local water quality; reduce nutrient and suspended solid loads transmitted to the Ottawa River; and incorporate greenspace and natural plantings as softening elements into the site design to
improve aesthetics. It will also be a highly visible example of the use of green infrastructure to manage stormwater in urban spaces. The larger Swayne Field Revitalization project will transform the parking lot and current shopping area into a sustainable urban gathering space that enhances the quality of life for residents while preserving the environment.
By implementing water quality management strategies like bioretention features and planters, and adding more pervious greenspaces, the site re-design will reduce pollutants entering downstream waterbodies. Biodiversity enhancement efforts will create habitats for local flora and fauna, promoting ecological balance. Planting trees and incorporating green spaces improves environmental health significantly. Long term maintenance and monitoring will guarantee the sustained success of the project, ensuring its positive impact in both residents and environment.
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The Swayne Field Green Infrastructure project team will include the Toledo Department of Housing and Community and The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc., consultants for the grant application and Swayne Field Infrastructure project design. The team will work in partnership with Miller Diversified Construction, Construction Manager for the Swayne Field revitalization project.
The financial impact of this Ordinance is the receipt of $315,000 from the OHEPA 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Program for Swayne Field Green Infrastructure improvements.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into a grant agreement and to accept an OHEPA Section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source grant in the amount of $315,000 and deposit the funds received from OHEPA into Account Code 2016-16100-5GA0526STDSTD.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $315,000 is authorized from the unappropriated grant proceeds in the Operation Grants Fund to Account Code 2016-16100-5GA0526STDSTD and the expenditure of same is authorized for Swayne Field Green Infrastructure improvements.
SECTION 3. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into and/or amend necessary agreements with the project developer and/or project contractors to implement Swayne Field Green Infrastructure improvements upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Director of Law.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds and determines it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 187 for the reason that the project developers and project contractors have been previously identified through competitive bidding processes.
SECTION 5. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw their warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $315,000 in payment of all obligations authorized above upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency is the fact that this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to allow the City of Toledo to implement Swayne Field Green Infrastructure improvements.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 11, nays 0.
Passed: March 25, 2025, as an emergency measure: yeas 11, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons Carrie Hartman
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: March 26, 2025
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor