141-97 OrdinanceRECORD OF ORDINANCES
Dayton Legal Blank Co.
Form No. 30043
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Ordinance No. -- Passed- ---- -- --- -- -- -- - --- -19-- - - -
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AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
THE COLUMBUS AND FRANKLIN COUNTY METROPOLITAN
PARK DISTRICT REGARDING THEIR INTENT TO ESTABLISH A
METROPOLITAN PARK TO SERVE NORTHWEST FRANKLIN COUNTY
WI~REAS, preservation of natural lands is important to the health, safety and welfare
of the citizens of Dublin and their quality of life, and the City of Dublin desires to protect
and preserve the natural and rural character of outlying areas by reserving parkland; and
WHEREAS, Council approved Resolution 32-97 (Amended) on September 3, 1997,
recommending that the City Manager work in cooperation with the Metro Parks and other
interested parties to locate a metropolitan park in the Dublin area to serve all residents of
northwest Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared by the Columbus and
Franklin County Metropolitan Park District in conjunction with the City of Dublin and
other interested parties defining the park concept, location, acquisition procedures,
development and operating requirements for the proposed metropolitan park.
NOW, T~IEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Council of the City of Dublin, State
of Ohio, ~,_ of the members concurring that:
r ;on 1. Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of
Understanding with the Columbus and Franklin Metropolitan Park District, attached hereto
as 13xhibit "A", regarding a metropolitan park to serve all residents of the City of Dublin
and northwest Franklin County.
This ordinance shall take effect on the earliest date permitted by law.
r
Passed this ~~ day of , 1997.
Mayor -Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
~ivi~n.G ~ l °~~
Clerk of Council
T Hereby certify that copies of this 0~'nancelReselutioawere
City of D~.r~!in in accordance with Sect=on 131.25 of the Ohio R~
~s~- CI of until, D lin, Ohio
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This memorandum, prepared by the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park
District (known as "Metro Parks") represents an expression of the intent of Metro Parks
to establish a park area serving northwest Franklin County. This memorandum defines
the park concept, location, acquisition, development and operating requirements that
must be satisfied in order for such park to occur. This memorandum contains a number
of assumptions, conditions and contingencies which must be addressed through
cooperation with existing landowners and local government jurisdictions in the
identified area.
Preliminary discussions with a number of jurisdictions and individuals in the area
indicate that there ie sufficient support and interest in this project to pursue it further.
This letter shall be presented to the City of Dublin, Jerome Township and Union
County, whose assistance and cooperation will be essential to the successful
implementation of this plan.
1. Park Location
The proposed park shall be located in Jerome Township of Union County. The general
location is along the west side of Hyland-Croy Road, approximately two (2) miles north
of Post Road. Information provided by officials from the City of Dublin indicate that
there are approximately 800-I,000 acres of undeveloped land that may be suitable for a
natural area park
'This location abuts Franklin County near the Riviera Country Club and exists largely
within the Dublin school district. See attached study area map.
2. Park Concert
The proposed park shall be designed for passive recreation, (i.e. picnicking, walking,
hiking) in an environment that promotes conservation and biodiversity. Because much
of the land in the designated area has been utilized for farming, it is anticipated that a
reforestation/habitat restoration improvement program will be undertaken to enhance
the natur~l resource base. The end result would be a "traditional Metro Park", much
like Sharon Woods Metro Park or Blacklick Woods Metro Park,
Developed facilities may include parking lots, restrooms, play equipment, a
combination of developed, accessible, and primitive trails, a maintenance facility, and a
ranger station/park office. The estimated attendance at this park is anticipated to be
500,000 to 1 million visitors per year.
3. Proiect Cost and Funding
Metro Parks will commit~$7 million for land acquisition and development through the
year 2010. The City of Dublin will commit $5 million for Iand acquisition through the
year 2010. The City of Dublin's $5 million shall be provided to Metro Parks as a
reimbursement of 5096 of all land acquisition costs, including purchase price, appraisal
costs, legal fees, relocation costs and other negotiated costs. The City of Dublin's
annual reirbursement will be Limited to $385,000 per year with any amount due over
the $385,000 carried over to subsequent years. All reimbursements will be made to
Metro Parks by the City of Dublin by December 31, 2010. Metro Parks expects to fund
the on-going operations of the park through its existing sources of revenue, including
the Metro Parks' Franklin County property tax levy. Metro Parks does not anticipate
seeking funding from Union County nor Jerome Township.
Obligations of the City of Dublin and Metro Parks are subject to the availability of
funds. Should the commitment for reimbursement be breached by the City of Dublin,
Metro Parks may abandon this project.
4. Land Acquisition
Land acquisition shall be the responsibility of Metro Parks consistent with the following
procedure.
Metro Parks shall identify desireable parcels of land generally consistent with the
attached map. Metro Parks desires to acquire land only from willing sellers. Metro
Parks will obtain two (2) fair market appraisals for desireable, available parcels. Copies
of the appraisals will be provided to the City of Dublin and a target acquisition price
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Copies of the appraisals will be provided to the City of Dublin and a target
acquisition price range will be determined jointly by Metro Parks and the City of
Dublin. The target acquisition range will be based on the appraised values of the
property and may include location, quality of land, improvements, and overall
importance to the project.
Negotiations will occur between prospective sellers and Metro Parks, with Metro
Parks providing status reports to the City of Dublin during negotiations and
.~-. scheduled quarterly meetings.
11t1e to all property acquired for the park shall be he]d by Metro Parks as the sole
`~'" owner. In the event that the project is abandoned, land purchased with joint funds
shall be sold as provided by law. Proceeds would be divided proportionately between
the City of Dublin and Metro Parks, based upon the percentage expended by both
agencies in the overall land acquisition program of the project.
5, Zo 'n n xati n d Su or Se 'ce
Metro Parks will not support annexation of the delineated area from Union County
into Franklin County nor to any village or municipal corporation.
Metro Pazks shall seek the comvnitment and cooperation of Jerome Township, the
Village of Plain City, the City of Marysville, the City of Dublin, Union County, and
Franklin County o$'icials to identify and resolve zoning and area development issues
to preclude Land speculation while not infringing on the property rights of individual
owners in the area.
Metro Parks shall seek development and service commitments for water, sewer,
utility and transportation infrastructure and for police, fire, emergency services from
the appropriate local agencies.
Metro Parks shall apply for an exempfaon from county real estate taxes for land
~"' converted to park land for public use. Land upon which farming would continue
would not be exempted until farming ceased.
6. Park De ' nd Dev 1 m t
Metro Parks shall take full responsibility for determining the manner in which the
park is designed, developed and maintained. Costs associated with development
within the park shall be paid by Metro Parks. Park maintenance costs shall also be
the responsibility of Metro Parks. Development of park facilities may not begin
unti1400 contiguous acres have been obtained
7. dark Onerations/Visitor .services
Metro Parks shall take full responsibility for detenonining the quantity, quality, and
nature of services to be offered to the public who visit this park Staffing of the
park shall be based on efficiency and public need and dedicated staff may not be
assigned unti1400 contiguous acres have been obtained and public facilities have
been developed and opened to the public.
8. Pu lic elations
Metro Parks shall be the primary source of information which is provided to the
media and the public regarding this project. It ie understood that all governmental
entities involved are subject to open meetings and public records provisions of the
law; it is requested that other agencies limit public comments to issues where they
are directly involved and have first hand knowledge and refer additional questions
to Metro Pazks. A11 parties should work together to ensure that media coverage is
positive, accurate, and not redundant.
Metro Parks shall select the name of the park, which traditionally reflects the
natural features of the park E~sting examples; Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, Slate
Run Metro park, Highbanks Metro Park.
~gnage within the Park shall recognize the collaborative efforts of other entities
that provided financial support toward the creation of the park.
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9. Park Com_pletionLOpeningfnr Public Use
A multi-year schedule may be prepared by Metro Parks as part of the master plan for
developinng the park It is anticipated that it may take several years to acquire land and
develop the area for public use.
~,,~,; Metro Parks allocates development staff and funds for a given time period among all
parks in the district. This project shall be given a high priority by Metro Parka, but not
to the exclusion of other high priority projects defined by Metro Parks.
By signing below, we agree to support and participate in the project as generally
outlined above. As necessary durung the course of this project, subsequent full
definitive agreements in writing shall be approved by the appropriate respective Board
or legislative authority.
The Columbus and Franklin County
Metropolitan Park District
s
~..
City of Dublin
Jerome Township
Signed on the day of
Union County
1997.
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~ ~ °- To Columbus °o_ Northwest Park
~ 00 Remarks ~
November 1997
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