Label
DPU081721CommunityGardens2%Funds
Utilities Administration
Cindy Geronimo (x2363)
Revised
Title
Approving the use of the Water Distribution Infrastructure Development Fund (2% Water Fund) to pay the cost of installing such items as a new water tap, water service line, curb stop, meter pit and lawn hydrant for up to ten (10) community gardens at various locations inside the City of Toledo upon the recommendation of the Director of Public Utilities; appropriating and expending $40,000 from the unappropriated balance of the Water Distribution Infrastructure Development Fund; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Toledo Municipal Code ?933.11 established the Water Distribution Infrastructure Development Fund (aka the 2% Water Fund) for the purposes stated therein which includes job creation and retention. Various not-for-profit community gardening outreach program sponsors have approached the Department of Public Utilities ("DPU") for financial assistance from the 2% Water Fund to establish community-based gardens at up to ten (10) locations inside Toledo. In particular, these not-for-profit sponsors have asked DPU to use its 2% Water Funds to cover the costs of tapping the water mains to facilitate the construction of water lines into these community gardens and the installation of meter pits, backflow preventers and lawn hydrants in the public rights of way or adjacent approved City of Toledo easements. The cost for this work includes labor, materials and equipment and is estimated to be $4,000 per location. These not-for-profit sponsors will then be able to promote economic development through job training and education and to support entrepreneurs engaged in urban agriculture who will now have the opportunity to grow vegetables and fruits for education, re-sale, fundraisers, etc. especially in areas of our city that have been labeled as food deserts. Food Deserts are defined as an area that has limited access to affordable ...
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