Columbus City Council Meeting July 15, 2024

Columbus City Council Meeting July 15, 2024
Meeting Highlights:
Investing in Professional Development for Small Businesses
President Pro Tem Rob Dorans and Councilmember Nick Bankston are sponsoring Ordinance 1765-2024 to authorize the appropriation of $10,000 within the Job Growth subfund for the Small Business Training Services Program. The funds will be used to provide local small businesses with less than 50 employees free access to professional development training offered by Citywide Training and Development. This initiative aims to equip small business owners and their teams with essential skills to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape. Course topics include Microsoft Office, supervision and leadership, DEI, communication, time management, team building, and customer service. Training classes are offered Monday - Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm.
 
Tracking Vacant and Foreclosed Properties in Columbus
President Pro Tem Rob Dorans and Councilmember Shayla Favor are sponsoring ordinances 1995-2024 and 1997-2024 to create a Vacant Building Registry and Foreclosed Property Registry. These registries will serve as a mechanism to help protect Columbus neighborhoods from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance of properties that are vacant or in foreclosure and encourage property owners and lenders to make those parcels productive.
 
Holding Problem Property Owners Accountable
Councilmember Shayla Favor is sponsoring Ordinance 1987-2024 to amend sections of Title 45, the Housing Code, and Title 7, the Health, Sanitation, and Safety Code for the creation of the Relocation Assistance Code. This change would hold property owners responsible for relocation and housing costs if tenants are forced to leave their homes due to a vacate order. For the past two years, the City has worked to relocate more than 150 residents from Latitude Five25 and more than 1,300 residents from Colonial Village due to unsafe living conditions, costing the city about $9 million.
 
Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Councilmember Christopher Wyche is sponsoring ordinance 1627-2024 to enact Chapter 1119 of the Columbus City Codes to establish the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. While Columbus stopped using lead as an approved material in service lines in 1963, lines on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. Once created this program will allow the Department of Public Utilities to replace lead and galvanized steel water service lines on publicly and privately owned property. This will program will assist home owners and the community by reducing the risk of potential lead exposure. This systematic plan is expected to cost approximately $1.2 billion over the next 13 years.
 
Celebrating Gift Of Music Month
Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla is sponsoring Resolution 0191x-2024 to recognize August as The Gift of Music Month. Music Columbus offers educational programs and opportunities for Columbus youth and musicians. The Gift of Music instrument drive hosted by Music Columbus also provides gently used instruments to thousands of children, Columbus schools, nonprofits, and after-school programs. Music Columbus has facilitated the donation and restoration of over 3,000 instruments valued at $406,000 to area children.
 
Supporting CSCC Students Selected to Study Abroad
Councilmembers Christopher Wyche and Emmanuel Remy are sponsoring ordinance 1969-2024 to authorize the city clerk to enter into a $6,000 grant agreement with the Columbus State Community College (CSCC) Development Foundation, Inc. Six students from CSCC were selected by the French Embassy to participate in a prestigious 14-day study abroad program. This program allows students to attend boot camps in France and the French Caribbean focused on sustainability. This unique opportunity will increase students' cultural awareness, social awareness, job marketability, scientific literacy, and sustainability knowledge. The funds from City Council cover scholarships and expenses like airfare, travel insurance, and passport fees.