Columbus City Bulletin 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Andrea Blevins, City Clerk COLUMBUS, OHIO INDEX 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page Mayor’s Office 3 City Treasurer 10 City Attorney’s Office 16 City Auditor 23 Civil Service Commission 26 Community Relations Commission 32 Department of Finance and Management 39 Columbus Public Health Department 46 Recreation and Parks Department 53 Public Safety Department 60 Public Service Department 67 Department of Technology 74 Department of Development 81 Public Utilities Department 86 The Trustees of the Sinking Fund 92 Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk 98 Franklin County Municipal Court Judges 105 Building and Zoning Department 113 Equal Business Opportunity Department 116 Income Tax Department 119 Human Resources Department 122 MAYOR’S OFFICE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 3 of 128 The City of Columbus ANNUAL REPORT, 2013 2013 Mayor’s Office Report The Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman spearheaded numerous initiatives and projects toward the goal of making Columbus the best city in the nation to live, to work and to raise a family. Jobs Columbus completed economic deals to create 3,735 new jobs—almost 1,000 more than were created in 2012—while retaining 8,033 existing jobs. Major deals include Safelite Group (350 new jobs) Lululemon Athletica (170 new jobs) and Print Syndicate (150 new jobs). These deals have secured almost $774 million in private investment, an increase of $423 million from 2012, and added almost $30 million in new annual payroll. Columbus served as host to two major international sports events: the World Cup qualifier match between the United States and Mexico and the Presidents Cup (both won by the U.S. teams), generating worldwide recognition as well as thousands of visitors, revenue and jobs. Mayor Coleman also took new steps to invest additional funds in tourism, the arts and human services, proposing to permanently reallocate the city’s $1.3 million from the bed tax to Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus Arts Council and human services. In 2014, this will mean: - about $709,000 in additional revenue for Experience Columbus on top of the $2.3 million it began to receive from the bed tax in 2013; - about $300,000 in additional revenue for GCAC, on top of the $300,000 it began to receive from the bed tax in 2013; - about $300,000 for human services organizations, on top of the $300,000 they began to receive from the bed tax in 2013. Twelve ex-offenders graduated as the second class of Restoration Academy, securing new skills and new jobs. Education Mayor Coleman led a citywide conversation on education that resulted in community alignment behind a bold plan for improving educational opportunities for kids while creating a new culture of accountability from and for Columbus City Schools. The Columbus Education Commission appointed in late 2012 by Mayor Coleman and City Council President Andrew J. Ginther produced a comprehensive report containing 55 specific recommendations that would change the way Columbus children are educated. The recommendations—supported unanimously by the diverse, 25-member commission—include specific strategies for expanding early- childhood education, improving technology, increasing career readiness, recruiting quality teachers and principals, replicating successful district schools, attracting successful charter schools, streamlining district operations and refocusing district policies. The commission also recommended a new level of leadership and accountability, including creation of a public-private partnership for education and creation of a director of educational improvement reporting to the mayor. At the mayor’s request, the Education Commission recommendations were officially endorsed the Columbus Board of Education, which hired an interim superintendent, Dan Good, committed to implementing them. In a span of just a few months, Dr. Good set a new tone of academic and administrative accountability and began the process of creating a more efficient, more responsive and better performing Columbus City Schools district. 4 of 128 The City of Columbus ANNUAL REPORT, 2013 Mayor Coleman’s budget proposal included an unprecedented direct investment in education: $7.5 million for areas of greatest academic impact for children in line with the Education Commission recommendations. Fiscal Responsibility The mayor’s 2014 budget proposal would deposit an additional $10.6 million in the city reserve account, bringing the total to $64 million by the end of 2014. That would be $14 million more than the promise of $50 million that was made to voters following the approval of the income tax increase in 2009. The city again received AAA credit ratings from Standard & Poors, Moody’s and Fitch Group, making Columbus the largest American city with both a positive financial outlook and an AAA credit rating from the three major rating agencies. Since 2009, Columbus has taken steps that will save more than $223 million through 2019 due to changes in employee pension and insurance programs, savings and efficiencies. That’s more than twice the savings originally promised by the city. Safety Recreation and Parks expanded APPS intervention staff, which played key roles in mitigating incidents of violence at various community events such as the Ohio State Fair, Red, White and Boom, Jazz and Ribs and Festival Latina. Placed approximately 40 youth in case management with an 80 percent job placement rate. Expanded Cap City Night Festivals, including movie nights, produce markets and more corporate sponsorships. The city opened the new police property room and broke ground on a new crime laboratory and as well as Fire Station 2, both of which will be completed in 2014. The city passed legislation to regulate pedicabs and increase standards for taxicab owners and drivers Public Safety installed an additional 75 neighborhood safety cameras, including 33 in existing neighborhoods and 42 Downtown. The Coalition for a nonviolent Columbus issued 38 neighborhood seed grants totaling $35,034. Public Safety received a grant for about $100,000 to implement the TAPS program to reduce the social distance that exists between police and youth and encourage positive decision making and seek alternative ways to deal with negative situations. Neighborhoods On Nov. 5 the City of Columbus received overwhelming voter support for Issues 1, 2, 3 and 4, an $842 million bond package, allowing the city to maximize capital neighborhood investments. Columbus approved a combined $65 million for resurfacing over the next two years: a record $32 million this year plus $33 million in 2014. The unprecedented investment in resurfacing will improve more than 145 lane miles of roadways and more than 30 miles of alleys, bringing the total resurfacing investment 5 of 128 The City of Columbus ANNUAL REPORT, 2013 since 2010 to more than $110 million. The budget also included more than $5 million for pedestrian safety improvements that include nearly 8 miles of sidewalks. 300 structures have been demolished under the VAP program, and 88 additional structures are in the demolition process. Another 508 parcels have been requested for expedited foreclosure through the County Prosecutor. The mow-to-own program granted 10 vacant lots to neighboring residents who agreed to care for them. Columbus authorized $125,000 from the West Side Community Fund to support the Hilltop YMCA. Coupled with a matching $125,000 from Hollywood Casino, the $250,000 grant enabled the Hilltop YMCA to reach its fundraising goal of $1.9 million. This marked the first neighborhood investment from the West Side Community Fund, which was created as part of the 2010 settlement agreement between the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming that preceded the construction of Penn’s Hollywood Casino. Mayor Coleman announced an intensified, refocused approach to code enforcement by adding two new teams of four code enforcement officers each. These eight new positions will constitute a new unit that will be proactive in addressing and targeting areas experiencing the greatest challenges. Code enforcement will be proactive and systematic in its approach toward property owners who are breaking the law by failing to keep their properties safe. The mayor also announced the city will invest in technology and other resources to closely track the properties of our offenders. Mayor Coleman asked City Council to increase city penalties for code violations from a third-degree misdemeanor, which translates to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, to a first-degree misdemeanor, which means 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. At the request of the Clintonville Area Commission, Public Service successfully intalled an eastbound left-hand turn lane on East North Broadway at the High Street intersection. The first phase of the Joyce Avenue improvement project and the Karl Road improvement project were completed. Columbus renovated the Milo-Grogan Recreation Center, expanding it from 9,500 square feet to 16,000 square feet. In partnership with the Columbus Neighborhood Health Center the construction of the 21,500 square foot John R. Maloney Family Health and Wellness Center was completed. Services will include Family Practice, OB/Gyn, and Internal Medicine. Columbus introduced Mobile City Hall, a simple way for residents and visitors to access City services and community resources at festivals and events throughout the city. Visitors are able to access applications for city employment, pay parking tickets and water bills, register for library or voter registration cards, and more. Columbus Public Health launched the Ryan White HIV Care program, which has served about 700 clients, and launched a coalition to address health disparities of the LGBT community. Getting Green 6 of 128 The City of Columbus ANNUAL REPORT, 2013 Since June 2012, residents have diverted more than 36,178 tons of materials from the landfill and saved taxpayers over $2,005,116 in landfill fees by participating in the residential recycling program. A house participation count showed that 74 percent of eligible homes participated in the program.