Agenda Item # 7

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

05/13/2014

Agenda Report # 118


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Grant

INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation Department

Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept funds from Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) for our “Hands in” Inclusive Therapeutic gardening for Adults with Autism.

Background: The “Hands in” is an innovative opportunity for adults diagnosed with Autism from ages 18 to 30 to have meaningful interactions through gardening with adults without disabilities within their age group. Providing an opportunity for inclusion eliminates a barrier that adults with autism typically face. Gardening is a therapeutic recreation tool that uses nature to improve functions and achieve independence.

Analysis: Parks and Recreation is requesting to receive grant funds from its state organization, Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA)

Financial Considerations: The grant amount requested is $1,000 for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the city of Columbus. The city’s match required is $434 for gardening supplies such as shovels, soil scoops, rakes, potting mix, vegetable seeds, fruit seeds, mobile hoses etc. These funds will come from the Therapeutic FY14 Budget.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None

Legal Considerations: Council must approve this request

Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize to submit an application, and if approved, accept a grant from Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) to fund the “Hands in” inclusive Therapeutic gardening for Adults with Autism.

A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, AND IF APPROVED, ACCEPT A GRANT FROM GEORGIA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION (GRPA) TO FUND THE “HANDS IN” INCLUSIVE THERAPEUTIC GARDENING FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

WHEREAS, The Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) recently announced a new grant program for its agency members; and,

WHEREAS, The Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) New Initiative Grant program is intended to spur innovation in parks and recreation services at a local or regional level; and,

WHEREAS, grant funding is available for agencies submitting the grant application, with the future applicability for other agencies at a local, regional or statewide level; and,

WHEREAS, initiatives can be defined as programs, services or events; and,

WHEREAS, five $1,000 grants are being made available for agencies initiating new programs in their communities; and,

WHEREAS, grant funds must be expended within the agency’s current or upcoming fiscal year in which it is awarded; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to submit an application and if approved, accept funds from Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) to fund “Hands in” Inclusive Therapeutic gardening for Adults with Autism.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________, 2014 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting .
Councilor Baker voting .
Councilor Barnes voting .
Councilor Davis voting .
Councilor Henderson voting .
Councilor Huff voting .
Councilor McDaniel voting .
Councilor Thomas voting .
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting .
Councilor Woodson voting .

_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor