​As we honor and celebrate the achievements and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans this week, did you know that the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce has a military affairs committee?

​​​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Registration is now open for the 19th edition of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s public service leadership program which begins in January. The Institute for Leadership & Advocacy provides individuals with the tools needed for addressing regional issues and achieving an understanding of the operations of government. To date, more than 350 leaders from the Toledo Region have graduated from the program.

At its regular meeting at 4 p.m. on Nov. 12, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 381-19, which would repeal the city’s current lead-safe housing law and enact a new one. The ordinance would designate the Department of Neighborhoods & Business Development, instead of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, as the enforcing entity. It would also expand residential rental properties included in enforcement to those with one or more units, instead of only those with up to four units. An amendment is expected to be offered that would create a Division of Rental Registration and Lead Safety within the department, and require registration of rental properties with the Lucas County Auditor’s office, among other provisions.

On November 6, the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) approved funding for the widening of I-475 and the construction of a new interchange at U.S. 20A. TRAC approved $79M towards the nearly $100M construction project. The remaining funding is being provided by local project partners including TMACOG and local governments. This was the largest of the 20 projects TRAC approved for funding. A complete list of the funded projects can be found here.

By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 29, Toledo City Council is expected to refer to the plan commission Ordinance 506-19 which would establish a permit process to allow for up to five off-premise poster panel signs on buildings downtown. The proposal is aimed at improving the visual appearance of building exteriors in the business and entertainment areas of the city center. Such signs would generally occupy a minimum of 80 percent of a building wall surface and could be an electronic static or moving image, but could not be located within a 750-foot radius of another poster panel sign.

​​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 15, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 468-19 which would establish a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for portions of downtown. The TIF area would generally be within the boundaries of the Maumee River and Swan Creek to the east, 21st Street to the west, Jackson Street to the north, and Washington Street and the Anthony Wayne Trail to the south. Payments in lieu of property taxes on improvements to parcels would be made into a fund designated for infrastructure upgrades within the territory for a period of 30 years. Also, payments from the fund would be made in lieu of taxes to Toledo Public Schools as part of an agreement with the school district.

By: ​Tim Schneider

At its regular meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on October 1, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on two measures related to designating additional state fuel tax revenue to the city for maintenance and repair of streets. Resolution 410-19 would declare Council’s support for designating 80 percent of increased revenue for residential streets and 20 percent for commercial neighborhood streets beginning in 2020. Ordinance 411-19 would authorize issuance of $25 million in bonds for work on the streets with debt repayment to be made over five years using the fuel tax revenue.

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on August 20, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 395-19 which would authorize sale of more than 50 acres in the Triad Business Park located in the Maumee-Monclova-Toledo Joint Economic Development Zone. Midland Agency of Northwest Ohio, Inc. would purchase the site for $1,050,000 on behalf of an anonymous Michigan-based company considering relocation of its headquarters, fulfillment, and manufacturing operations. The prospective company could invest $28 million to construct an up to 225,000 square foot facility and employ as many as 200 individuals should the site ultimately be selected.

​Toledo Regional Chamber members are extensively engaged in and understand the importance of our collective linchpin efforts to boost the economic vitality of the region. The Chamber maintains robust advocacy efforts to work with our elected officials at the state and local level. An additional tool available as part of those efforts is the Chamber’s political action committee, The Leadership Fund. The purpose of The Leadership Fund is to support candidates who understand the needs of the business community and are willing to work with us to address those issues.

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on July 23, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on enforcement of street parking at The University of Toledo and regulations for parking lots located downtown. Ordinance 336-19 would add metered parking and a two-hour time limit along Bancroft Street at the university’s main campus. Meters would likely be installed by the beginning of the 2019 fall semester, and enforcement would occur from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Ordinance 355-19 was recently recommended by the Toledo Plan Commission and would create an advisory committee and standards for the parking lots including fencing and other design elements.