Explanation
Background: The Public Service Department is responsible for the operation, use, and maintenance of public rights-of-way within the City of Columbus. Recent growth in the number of requests for use of these rights-of-way has required the City to establish guidelines regulating such use including, but not limited to, the appearance and the placement of structures and facilities within said rights-of-way. Columbus City Code Chapter 902 restricts the placement of obstructions, including but not limited to, containers, vending equipment, merchandise, signs or advertising of any kind, within the City rights-of-way without prior approval of the Transportation Administrator. Pursuant to a 910 General Right-of-Way Permit, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is currently permitted to install bus shelters within the public right-of-way to fulfill its statutory duties. COTA has requested permission from the City of Columbus to place illuminated advertising on their bus shelters. The following legislation authorizes the Public Service Director to execute agreements between the City of Columbus and COTA for the installation of aesthetically pleasing advertising on bus shelters within public right-of-way.
Fiscal Impact: Beginning on the third anniversary of the effective date of the proposed agreement COTA agrees to pay the City a fee equal to 5% of the net advertising sales as compensation for the installation of advertising within the City's rights-of-way. The Public Service Department will use these funds for sidewalk maintenance and repair purposes.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to execute those documents necessary to enter into agreements with Central Ohio Transit Authority to permit the installation of illuminated advertising on bus shelters located within City rights-of-way; and to waive those sections of Columbus City Code that prohibit placement of advertising within City rights-of-way to the extent that they may be a...
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