Council moves to help those being evicted
Columbus City Council’s $3.3 million in general-fund budget amendments that were announced Monday includes money for an eviction mitigation fund to help prevent people from being forced out of their rental homes.
Franklin County leads all Ohio counties in eviction cases filed — more than 18,000 a year. And while a specific amount for the fund won’t be established for another week, Councilwoman Shayla Favor said the money could be used to help people pay their rent or for legal costs to fight eviction.
“We want to be part of that, in a period of the city’s history when we can make an impact,” Favor said. City officials announced their intention to create such a fund in October, saying they will partner with the Columbus Apartment Association.
The fund is part of the $914.1 million budget for 2019 that the City Council will vote on next Monday. City officials already have talked about what will be in the budget, including a paid cadet program to recruit candidates for police and firefighter jobs, and expansion of its bike patrol in high-crime areas.
City officials had crafted a $912 million budget, but the city collected more
income-tax revenue than expected. That, coupled with keeping an eye on spending, left the city with another $2.2 million to spend this year.
On Monday morning, during a news briefing at City Hall, City Council members listed a number of amendments that address poverty and support stronger neighborhoods.
Councilman Emmanuel Remy said $50,000 will be added to pay for a citywide litter cleanup that will pay for “roving refuse vehicles” around areas of the city.
“This community, this city deserves better,” Remy said.
The council also added another $50,000 for an initiative to help refugees and other immigrants as they establish themselves in the city.
It also includes an increase from $10,000 to $18,000 to fund more community gardens.
In other business, the council approved close to $12.6 million to improve North High Street from West Starr Avenue in the Short North to East 9th Avenue in a developing area of the University District.
The contract with Shelly and Sands includes replacing the sidewalks and curbs along both sides of the street and installing planter beds, street trees and mast arms for traffic signals. Also, street and pedestrian lights will be replaced, new storm sewers will be installed and overhead utilities will be put underground.
The City Council also established a new Far West Area Commission that covers an area of almost 12 square miles and more than 15,000 housing units south of Hilliard and west of Interstate 270. It’s the city’s 20th area commission.
Debi Hampton, who lives in the Cross Creek subdivision off Hilliard-rome Road, said she and other residents and community leaders wanted a commission to balance growth with environmental protections.
Area commissioners review commercial and residential developments and make zoning recommendations to the city. Hampton said forming a commission gives the community a connection with the city so that community leaders learn about projects earlier rather than by happenstance.
The council also passed legislation to establish a framework to tax short-term rentals, such as through Airbnb. The council wanted to pass it quickly so that it could take effect by March 1.