| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: April 2, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
PROVIDING CURBSIDE RECYCLING FOR COLUMBUS RESIDENTS: The city of Columbus will begin implementing the first phase of RecyColumbus, a citywide residential recycling program later this month. More than 50,000 homes on the west, southwest and parts of the northwest sides will be receiving 64 gallon blue recycling carts between April 16 and May 19, with collection service to begin June 4. Public Service Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 0619-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $5.3 million for the purchase and delivery of 64 gallon recycling containers and container parts for the Division of Refuse. Recycling will be collected on a bi-weekly schedule with yard waste to be collected on the alternate week. RecyColumbus will provide curbside recycling to more than 227,000 households by the time the program is fully implemented in February 2013.
Supporting HI-tech COMPANIES: City Council is scheduled to continue supporting one of Columbus’ best assets in TechColumbus, an internationally acclaimed small business incubator. Created as a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of high tech firms, TechColumbus helps provide the infrastructure and other support services businesses need in their incipient stages. Ordinance 0641-2012, sponsored by Small & Minority Business Development Committee Chair A. Troy Miller, will authorize the expenditure of $500,000 from the General Fund for the Entrepreneurial Signature Program, a key component in TechColumbus' business development effort to attract and grow new high-technology businesses. This allocation represents City Council’s continued financial commitment to help TechColumbus secure $15 million in state grants.
CITY COLLECTION COSTS: The Columbus City Attorney’s Claims Division contracts with two outside firms with experience in governmental accounts receivables to help collect outstanding debt owed to the City. Public Safety & Judiciary Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 0642-2012 to authorize the City Attorney to renew a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP and Capital Recovery Systems, Inc. for the collection of delinquent accounts, court costs and reimbursement of over payments. The legislation will also authorize the appropriation of $760,000.00 from the Collection Fees fund. This fund is generated by fees collected by collection agents and used to pay the associated collection costs due. Since 2009, a 30% fee is now added to the total debt collected to all accounts without payment plans in place. This allows the City to recover 100% of the debts collected and the debtor pays the additional 30% collection fee to the collection agency. The contract will run through March 31, 2013.
CONTINUING TO ATTRACT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO THE COLUMBUS WORKFORCE: In 2006, the City of Columbus and the Columbus Chamber developed the Young Professionals Initiative, an economic development strategy designed to attract and retain young professionals to our area. Project research was completed and an action plan was approved. Implementation of the successful program is ongoing. Ordinance 0636-2012, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, authorizes the expenditure of $70,000 from the General Fund to continue support the Young Professional Initiative. The money will be used to continue employment of a manager who is responsible for the attraction and retention initiative.
ENSURING CITY BUILDINGS ARE SAFE: City facilities are utilized by Columbus residents, business professionals and employees every day. Each year, buildings are inspected to ensure fire safety. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0555-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $170,000 for a contract renewal with S.A. Comunale Company, Inc. for annual smoke and fire alarm testing, inspection and repair, fire pump testing, and fire suppression inspection for all City-owned facilities.
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