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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: June 28, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
INCENTIVE AGREEMENT HELPING BRING JOBS TO DOWNTOWN: Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, is sponsoring legislation that will help bring 500 new jobs in downtown Columbus. Ordinance 0906-2010 will authorize the city to enter into a Jobs Growth Incentive Agreement with Huntington National Bank. The agreement for the 500 full-time permanent jobs includes 35% of the amount of personal income tax withheld on new employees for a term of seven years. This incentive package is part of Huntington Bank’s $7 million investment in leasehold improvements and personal property and a 20-year lease agreement to expand its workforce at its corporate headquarters in downtown Columbus. Huntington National Bank originated in downtown Columbus in 1866. Today, the bank provides retail and commercial financial services in more than 600 branches in six states.
COLUMBUS’ RECREATION AND PARKS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS: The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has enriched the lives of Columbus residents for the last 100 years by providing accessible and fun recreational opportunities, programs and facilities for all ages to enjoy. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, is sponsoring resolution 0099X-2010, to honor the Recreation and Parks Department as they celebrate their 100th anniversary and to recognize July as National Recreation and Parks Month in the city of Columbus. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has grown from six to 215 developed parks on 10,000 acres and established 30 community centers, seven golf courses, and over 50 miles of trails in the city.
IMPROVING LOCAL ROADWAYS: Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0932-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $965,901.00 from the Street & Highways GO Bonds Fund for the Universal Road/Fairwood Avenue to Progress Avenue Improvement project. The project involves the reconstruction of Universal Road between Fairwood Avenue and Progress Avenue, the addition or reconstruction of 4400 feet of sidewalks and seven ADA wheelchair ramps. The project will also include curb and gutter construction and storm sewer improvements, which will provide multi-modal transportation facilities and improve drainage.
REVITALIZING THE LIVINGSTON AND JAMES AREA: The goal of a Community Reinvestment Area is neighborhood revitalization and stabilization. Ordinance 0935-2010, sponsored by Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares, will create the Livingston and James Community Reinvestment Area and authorize real property tax exemptions for residentially-zoned and used parcels within the area. The ordinance will provide for exemption from an increase in real property tax for construction of new, owner-occupied and rental, single family homes built on vacant lots, construction of new owner-occupied and rental multi-family housing, on the increase in valuation of building conversions from commercial use to residential use; and on the increase in property taxes due to the renovation of existing single and multi-family housing units, within the established boundaries. The boundaries include property lines bordering on the east side of James Road on the west, Langfield Drive to Quigley Road to Scottwood Road connecting to Livmoor Drive on the south, the west side of Courtright Road to Livingston Avenue connecting to Brookway Road and Olney Drive on the east and property lines bordering on the north side of Astor Avenue to Towers Court and reconnecting with Astor Avenue on the north. The duration of the Livingston and James CRA will be a maximum of 15 years and no funding is required.
ENSURING ACCESS TO FIRE PROTECTION CODE INFORMATION: The Department of Building and Zoning Services has been utilizing electronic fire code information from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) for information on fire prevention and fire protection for the last 10 years. Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0881-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $27,500.00 from the Department of Technology's Information Services Fund for license upgrades, access, maintenance and support with the NFPA electronic fire codes. The upgraded license will provide access to accurate, timely, up-to-date fire protection code information to the Department of Building and Zoning Services’ user base of building inspectors and plans examiners. The software agreement will provide services to the Department of Building and Zoning Services through June 27, 2011.
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