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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 29, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
PARTNERSHIP THROUGH SPONSORSHIP: Each summer, Columbus hosts some of the most family-friendly outdoor festivals in Ohio. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0407-2010 to appropriate and transfer $61,100 from the existing Hotel/Motel tax allocation to the Recreation and Parks Department for the Partnership through Sponsorship program. The program supports various annual cultural and arts programming for the enrichment of the community. Events typically supported by these funds include regional festivals such as Festival Latino, Jazz & Rib Fest, the Fall Harvest Jamboree and other community-building activities.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES: The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at Columbus State Community College, provides entrepreneurial development assistance and high-end business consulting to start-up and emerging business owners free of charge. Minority and Business Development Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0486-2010 to provide $60,000 for the center to increase outreach and training for small businesses in Columbus. Specifically, $30,000 will be used to support core SBDC services and $30,000 will be used to promote specialized service efforts to businesses in the Latino community. This ordinance fulfills a commitment Councilmember Craig made earlier this year to help fund the SBDC when City Council amended the general fund budget.
MAKING HOMES SAFER: Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring two ordinances intended to help improve the safety and quality of homes in Columbus neighborhoods. Ordinance 0392-2010 authorizes the City to enter into contracts with various non-profit organizations to support the operation of the Chores Program, which provides minor home maintenance and repair services to low/moderate-income elderly and disabled homeowners and occupants. The total amount of these contracts is $150,000 and is funded through the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. Examples of program services include replacement or repair of leaking faucets, faulty light fixtures and switches, loose or missing sections of porch decking or steps, as well as the installation of handrails, smoke detectors and deadbolt locks. A second ordinance, 0395-2010, allows the City to use $175,000 from the General Government Grant Fund for lead removal in Columbus homes. Lead Safe Columbus provides grants to qualified property owners, allowing them to remove lead-based hazards.
PARTNERING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY: The ability for the Columbus Division of Police to communicate and share information with other law enforcement agencies in Ohio is an important element in fighting crime. Ordinance 0381-2010, sponsored by Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther, will allow the City of Columbus to enter into a $150,000 contract with the office of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to participate in the development and implementation of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway system. This web based, state-wide communication system will be used by law enforcement to build an online community of officers to share information. Attorney General Cordray will appear in Council Chambers to provide remarks on this new initiative.
SUPPORTING HIGH-TECH JOBS: Since its inception in 2002, the Ohio Third Frontier program has received national acclaim for supporting technology-based research and development throughout the state. City Council President Michael C. Mentel and Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will be introducing resolution 0038X-2010 to express support for State Issue 1 on the May 4, 2010 ballot. The passage of Issue 1 will allow for the continuation of the Ohio Third Frontier investment initiative, which has widespread bipartisan support and was created to preserve and create jobs, enhance educational opportunities, and expand Ohio's research capabilities for product innovation, development, and commercialization. Ohio Third Frontier is credited with creating more than 48,000 jobs and has resulted in $6.6 billion in economic activity.
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