Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to modify and renew a service agreement with City Solutions Central Ohio LLC (formerly City Solutions, Inc.) and Capital South Community Urban Development Corporation relative to the placement, operation, and maintenance of modular newsracks within the public rights-of-way in downtown Columbus.
Pursuant to Ordinance 0075-02, the Director of Public Service executed an exclusive agreement with City Solutions, Inc., permitting the installation, operation, and maintenance of modular newsracks with ancillary advertising within the area defined as the Voluntary Newsrack District. The Voluntary Newsrack District generally means the downtown area of the City, and more specifically the area bounded as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of Interstate 70 and the western flank of the Scioto River; thence northeasterly along the Scioto River to the first railroad right-of-way; thence northerly along said railroad right-of-way to the intersecting railroad right-of-way; thence westerly along said railroad right-of-way to the intersection of State Route 315; thence northerly along State Route 315 to the intersection of Interstate 670; thence easterly along interstate 670 to the intersection of Interstate 71; thence southerly along Interstate 71 to the intersection of Interstate 70; thence westerly along Interstate 70 to the place of beginning.
Ordinance 0075-02 also waived certain provisions of Columbus City Code prohibiting the placement of obstructions, including but not limited to, containers, vending equipment, merchandise, signs, or advertising of any kind, within the public rights-of-way.
The parties executed the original contract in February 2002, with Capital South Community Urban Development Corporation agreeing to assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the modular newsracks in the event City Solutions is unable to execute it...
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