ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-498

An Ordinance amending Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code to establish a Community Garden Grant Program.

WHEREAS, Substitute Ordinance No. BL2013-431, the operating budget ordinance for fiscal year 2013-2014, included a $25,000 appropriation for a Community Garden Grant Program to be administered by the Agricultural Extension Service; and

WHEREAS, this $25,000 appropriation is conditioned upon the development of the grant program by the Metropolitan Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Chapter 2.224:

Chapter 2.224 – COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANT PROGRAM

2.224.010 Program established – purpose.
There is established the metropolitan government community garden grant program (hereinafter “the program”) for the purpose of making matching grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that develop, operate, and/or maintain gardens within the area of the metropolitan government for the use and benefit of the community and/or schools.

2.224.020 Administration.
The program shall be administered under the supervision of the agricultural extension service.

2.224.030 Eligibility – Use of funds.
A. Only such nonprofit organizations as satisfy the criteria adopted in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-3-314, as the same may hereafter be amended, shall be eligible to receive grants through the program.
B. Grant funds awarded under the program must be used at school or community gardens for the benefit of children and/or senior citizens with an emphasis on contributing to healthy lifestyles/eating, addressing childhood obesity, eliminating food deserts, and/or promoting sustainable food sources.
C. Grant funds may be used for programming or supplies for the school/community garden.

2.224.040 Procedure for making grants.
A. Eligible nonprofit organizations shall complete an application on a form developed by the agricultural extension service setting forth the proposed use of funds. Such application form shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
1. The name of the garden supervisor/coordinator, and whether the person serves in a paid or volunteer capacity;
2. The names of committee members if the garden(s) is/are to be operated by a committee;
3. A garden development and implementation schedule, including the items to be grown and a timeline for harvesting;
4. A plan for the ongoing maintenance of the garden and its long term stability;
5. A plan for the distribution of items harvested; and
6. A letter of support from community beneficiaries of the garden. If the garden is to be located on school property, this letter of support shall be from the school principal.
B. The agricultural extension service county director or his designee shall review all applications and shall make recommendations to the Council regarding grant recipients.
C. Grants may be awarded to individual nonprofit organizations as a dollar-for-dollar match in an amount not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). Grant recipients shall be required to provide proof of the required matching funds before the Metropolitan Government grant funds are disbursed to the recipient.
D. All grants to nonprofit organizations under the program must be approved by the Council by resolution in accordance with Section 5.04.070 of the Metropolitan Code.
E. All grant funds awarded to a nonprofit organization in a given fiscal year shall be expended by the organization not later than April 30.

2.24.050 Agricultural extension service – Powers and responsibilities.
A. The agricultural extension service shall have the authority to adopt and implement rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the chapter, which will effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
B. The agricultural extension service shall submit a report to the Director of Finance and Metropolitan Council not later than June 1 regarding the expenditure of grant funds in the current fiscal year .

Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard, Sandra Moore, Burkley Allen

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	July 2, 2013
Passed First Reading:	July 2, 2013
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee Education Committee
Passed Second Reading:	July 16, 2013
Passed Third Reading:	August 6, 2013
Approved:	August 8, 2013
By: