City of Columbus - File #: 1018-2006

• File #: 1018-2006
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 5/25/2006
• In control: Jobs and Economic Development Committee
• On agenda: 6/5/2006
• Final action: 6/8/2006
• Title: To authorize and direct the appropriation of $37,500.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and $37,500.00 within the Jobs Growth Fund; to authorize and direct the Director of Development to enter into an agreement with the Mount Vernon Avenue District Improvement Association, Inc. to support the Near Eastside Community Resource Center; to authorize the expenditure of $75,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/8/2006	1	ACTING CITY CLERK	Attest
6/7/2006	1	MAYOR	Signed
6/5/2006	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
6/5/2006	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
5/31/2006	1	Council Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
5/30/2006	1	City Clerk's Office	Sent back for Clarification/Correction
5/25/2006	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
5/25/2006	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
5/25/2006	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
5/25/2006	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
5/25/2006	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
5/25/2006	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
5/25/2006	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT (approver)	Reviewed and Approved
5/25/2006	1	Council Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council

Explanation

City Council amended the 2006 City budget to set aside funds to address specific neighborhood initiatives designed to grow jobs and improve community safety through collaborations. This legislation provides $75,000 to the Division of Neighborhood Services to enter into an agreement with the Mount Vernon Avenue District Improvement Association, Inc. to support its Resource Center activities. The mission of the Resource Center is to build capacity in the community through strategic partnerships, share resources, provide assistance and activities that contribute to the growth, development and maintenance of the area. Activities include programs designed to facilitate community coalition building and development of shared responsibility for community enhancement. Resource Center programs include implementation of a community re-entry program to assist ex-offenders, creation of a volunteer bank, mentoring employment opportunities for youth, programs to engage seniors, promotion of blockwatches, workshops to disseminate community information, and advisory services for neighborhood residents and businesses.

Council members understand the importance of giving youth opportunities for productive activities and acquiring critical job skills that prepare them for their future endeavors, and are working with Franklin County and the administration to find 2,000 jobs for young people in 2006. Council amended the City budget to add $500,000 for the effort. A key to Columbus' survival in today's competitive environment is its ability to maintain and grow its job base. One way to do this is to keep home-grown talent and nurture the community's creative class. The Mount Vernon program represents another effort to improve employment prospects for youth.

The Mount Vernon area suffers from many of the challenges of similarly situated urban transitional neighborhoods. Negative perceptions regarding safety issues have discouraged business development and prospe...