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COLUMBIANA -- Columbiana City Council tabled two resolutions regarding Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreements with two businesses, during its regular council meeting last week.
The ordinances were introduced during the April 2 meeting to enter into CRA agreements with APL Properties and A-Plus Power Coaters. Columbiana Municipal Attorney Mark Hutson explained that state law requires a 45-day notice be provided to the school district before passage of legislation to enter into CRA agreements.
"Notice was sent but I don't believe we have passed the 45-day mark," Hutson said.
The school is yet to vote on the CRAs, and council chose to pass a resolution to table both CRA agreements until the full 45 days have lapsed.
The CRA with APL comes after an agreed plan between the company, Columbiana Schools and the city that satisfies the district's concerns that the CRA tax abatements would result in a financial burden for the district, allows the city to continue utilizing the CRA as an economic development tool and clears the way for APL to develop the former LakeFront Golf Course property.
The city first implemented the state-sanctioned CRA program about five years ago and has since entered into several agreements with residential, commercial and industrial property owners, offering up to 100 percent tax abatements over a period of 15 years for new construction projects. The district relies heavily on property tax revenue and maintained that 15 years is too long to go without receiving revenue from the CRA projects.
City council also tabled legislation intended to "enhance registration requirements for contractors working within city limits by enacting Chapter 1441" of the city's codified code. " Huston said that if council wants to focus on people "who are building things, remodeling things," then he would have to "tweak the language just a little bit" to reflect that. As written, the chapter requires registration and yearly fee of $50 for contractors and subcontractors so the city is aware who is working within the city and to confirm those contractors are licensed and insured. Hutson said it would extend to "handy men" and that may open the city up to criticism. The chapter states that a contractor is exempt only if his gross annual receipts are less than $5,000, meaning total receipts in and outside of Columbiana. Council asked the wording be changed to clarify receipts of business conducted within Columbiana.
After some discussion, it was decided to put that legislation on hold to give council additional time to better word the ordinance and iron out details -- such as who would be in charge of registration and when the ordinance would become effective.
Council also considered a waiting-period for any legislation that may be passed permitting the "very limited circumstances" to discharge firearms. That legislation is currently being drafted. Council is looking into amending a zoning law to allow for the operation of an indoor gun range on Industrial Drive. Jake Kellner, owner of Kellner Range and Supply, wants to open a 10-lane range at his property. The waiting period would give the community time to utilize the election-process referendum if strongly opposed to permitting the discharging of firearms within city limits. The waiting-period was discussed but no action was taken.
In other new business, council introduced an ordinance authorizing the city's participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation's cooperative purchasing program for rock salt.
In old business, Council held second readings of legislation to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease agreement for rights for real property now owned by the municipality regarding a property near the industrial park and set the rental rates for Firestone Pool and VP lounge area.
selverd@mojonews.com