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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: December 10, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 | ||
ANNUAL LIQUOR OBJECTIONS: Each year, the City of Columbus has the opportunity to object to the renewal of certain liquor permits granted by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control. Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills will introduce resolutions 0216X-2012 through 0222X-2012, 0224X-2012, and 0225X-2012 as part of the city’s liquor objection process. City Council, the City Attorney, Division of Police, Department of Health, and Department of Development work with community leaders to help advance public safety by presenting the resolutions of objection. The resolutions address liquor permit holders and establishments that have a documented record of liquor, code and health violations, criminal activity, excessive police runs and a shown disregard for neighborhood safety. While state law does not grant cities the authority to revoke or deny the renewal of liquor permits, the Columbus City Council exercises its right to submit formal objections to the Division of Liquor Control for consideration during their annual review of liquor permit applications. The Division has the sole authority to grant a renewal or uphold the city’s objection. Click here to read the Liquor Permit Objection Summaries.
INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a local non-profit that provides a wide range of financial services including micro lending, microenterprise training, and financial literacy to minorities, immigrants, refugees, low-income recipients and the working poor. Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Small and Minority Business Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 2722-2012 to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to amend the Microenterprise Revolving Loan Program contract with the ECDI by extending the term of the contract to January 31, 2014, an additional year, and increasing the contract amount by $150,000. The original contract was for $150,000. Since 2005 has closed over 150 microenterprise loans to Columbus based businesses. ECDI provides a network of comprehensive support to build the economic and social capacities of individuals, families, enterprises and communities.
HELPING A COLUMBUS BUSINESS GROW: Founded 1955, Vision Service Plan (VSP) has become the largest provider of vision insurance in the United States. Ordinance 2593-2012, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, allows the Department of Development to enter into a Jobs Growth Incentive Agreement with VSP equal to 25% of the amount of personal income tax withheld on new employees for five years. VSP will create 35 new full-time permanent positions and retain 185 existing jobs in the City of Columbus and a fixed asset investment of approximately $350,000, which includes machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures. VSP is proposing to expand its current Eastern Operations Center located at 3400 Morse Crossing to meet its increased growth and consumer demand. The company has over 56 million customers and provides services ranging from eye and vision care benefits to the manufacture and distribution of eyewear, and optical lab services.
FUNDING CRITICAL HUMAN SERVICES: The Emergency Human Services Fund helps local agencies meet basic operational or capital needs when unexpected expenses arise. Ordinance 2771-2012, sponsored by Health and Human Services Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, will provide $55,177 to five agencies to maintain programming with emergency assistance. Agencies and services include:
The United Way of Central Ohio: Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition – supplies and space costs for $10,000;
Physicians CareConnection: Dental equipment for $5,100;
Buckeye Ranch Foundation: Financial support for acquiring Rosemont Center and the continuation of services for $20,000;
East Columbus Development Company: Matching funds for federal Health and Human Service grant to operate the Individual Account (IDA) housing program for $10,000;
Heritage Day Health Center: Emergency building repair at the facility at 3341 E. Livingston (chimney repair) and 1700 E. Dublin Granville Rd. (security light repair) for $10,077.
MORE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee, is pleased to announce additional intersection improvements in Columbus. Last week, Councilmember Paley sponsored legislation to reconstruct three intersections. This week, Councilmember Paley is sponsoring ordinance 2707-2012 to allow the City to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation for intersection improvements at Northwest Boulevard at Fifth Avenue and King Avenue. The total cost is $238,899 with ODOT paying for 90% of the project, leaving Columbus to pay for just $23,889 of the work. The project consists of shifting the left turn lanes along Northwest Boulevard at King Avenue and West Fifth Avenue. The lanes shift will be accomplished by narrowing the existing medians. The purpose of this project is to eliminate the sight distance issues that occur at these two intersections.
BUDGET HEARINGS THIS WEEK: Three more Council offices will be holding proposed 2013 General Fund Budget hearings this week:
· Tuesday, December 11, 5 pm
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig/Administration Committee
· Wednesday, December 12, 5pm
Councilmember Michelle M. Mills/Public Safety and Judiciary Committee
· Thursday, December 13, 5:30 pm
Councilmember A. Troy Miller/Technology, Small Business Development, Zoning
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JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
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90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
