Council Highlights
November 5, 2007
EXPANDING MINORITY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: City Council and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce are working together to provide an internet portal that will support small business owners. As highlighted during a recent news conference featuring Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, the initiative will assist business owners by promoting job opportunities and increasing networking capabilities in the minority business community. Ordinance 1717-2007, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Maryellen O'Shaughnessy and co-sponsored by Councilmember Craig, will appropriate $68,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund to continue the design and marketing of the portal.
TYSON CONTINUES LOCAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS: The playgrounds, picnic areas, woods and wildlife at Big Run Park are enjoyed by thousands of residents each year. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1689-2007 to authorize a $48,688 grant to install two new walking paths in the park. The new walking paths will connect the park's shelter house with the large playground and the Derby Hill area. This project continues Councilmember Tyson's commitment to promote healthier lifestyles and provide better park access for Columbus residents.
COUNCIL SUPPORTS PAYDAY LENDING REFORM: The unscrupulous lending practices within Ohio's payday loan industry must be addressed. Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring resolution 0178X-2007 to urge the Ohio General Assembly to adopt legislation that would establish a lower cap on interest rates for small loans and provide other measures to help break the cycle of chronic borrowing that payday lending often creates. Additionally, Councilmember Tavares is sponsoring resolution 0183X-2007 which urges federal lawmakers and The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to address the national foreclosure crisis.
PRIORITIZING FIREFIGHER AND CITIZEN SAFETY: Thermal imaging cameras assist fire fighters in a variety of ways, including the ability to find unconscious victims in smoke-filled rooms, pinpoint the sources of fires, and detect structural dangers. In March, Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther championed legislation to purchase 28 thermal cameras for the Division of Fire. Tonight, Councilmember Ginther will sponsor ordinance 1686-2007 to appropriate an additional $160,000 to outfit the remaining frontline engine companies with these life-saving devices.
CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE CREATIVE ECONOMY: The City of Columbus is taking the next step in an effort to provide live/work space for local artists. Development Committee Chair Maryellen O'Shaughnessy will sponsor ordinance 1743-2007 to appropriate $31,000 from City Council's Jobs Growth Fund for a market survey to determine the number of artists interested in such a site. The study will be conducted by Artspace, a non-profit group widely regarded as the nation's premier developer of creative spaces for artists. During a site analysis this summer, Artspace identified the Trautman Building along South High Street as a viable candidate for a live/work project. The market analysis is expected to take four to six months to complete. The overall cost of the artist market survey is $35,000. The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation is contributing $4,000 to the project.
BOND SALES TRIGGER ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS: City Council is prepared to approve more than $228 million in bond sales to raise resources for a series of capital improvement projects currently initiated by the City. Under the leadership of President Pro Tem Kevin L. Boyce, who chairs the Finance Committee, City Council will authorize the sale of $157,365,000 in unlimited bonds and $71,015,000 in limited bonds. Some of the projects funded by the bonds include the Parsons Avenue and River South development projects, renovation of the Lincoln Theater, and numerous infrastructural improvements. The bond sales are covered by a series of ordinances (1759-2007 to 1778-2007), copies of which are available upon request.
PRESIDENT MENTEL TAKES ADVOCACY FOR THE HOMELESS TO WASHINGTON: Council President Michael C. Mentel will join community leaders and elected officials from across the country at the 2007 Supportive Housing Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. Participants will discuss a wide variety of issues relating to the challenges of homelessness, including the transition of individuals and families from the streets into permanent housing and the role government serves in making the transition a successful one. President Mentel will participate in a discussion Friday afternoon entitled Collaborating Across Jurisdictional Lines. President Mentel is working with Mayor Michael B. Coleman to create a position for Homeless Advocacy within the administration. The position will allow the City to better respond to the needs of homeless, as well as private and nonprofit groups that help serve the homeless population.