​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 413-18 which would approve $7.7 million in water bond proceeds to renew an existing contract with URS Corporation for professional construction management and program support services for ongoing capital improvements to the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant. The city is in the process of making $500 million in needed improvements to facilities to ensure uninterrupted supply of water and to meet requirements of the Ohio EPA. The contact with URS Corporation would be for an additional two years.
 
Other legislation expected to be voted on include the following:

​The 18th edition of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s public service leadership program is set to begin in January. Every year, the program graduates individuals representing a cross-section of the area who go on to improve the region and advance their own professional goals. The program is the longest running of its kind in the state. More than 300 leaders from around the Toledo Region have graduated from the program.
 
The Institute for Leadership & Advocacy is a 10-week course designed to prepare emerging leaders to effectively serve their communities and work with public officials. Participants engage in discussions about the issues, requirements and expectations associated with public service. Sessions are taught by highly experienced professionals comprised of public officials and other regional leaders. The Institute includes year-long engagement in activities and events.

By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 385-18 which would transfer the city’s ownership of the 52-unit Uptown Arts Apartments complex at 336 14th Street to developer Uptown Place, LLC at a cost of $175,000. Adams Street Limited Partnership, LLC, the current lease owner, owns improvements that it had made on the property due to an existing development agreement with the city. Adams Street Limited Partnership also intends to sell its ownership interests to Uptown Place. Rent restrictions are included in the sale agreement in consideration of current rent affordability requirements attached to funding previously used to develop the property.
 
Other legislation expected to be voted on include the following:

By: Tim Schneider

​At its regular session at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 361-18 which would repeal the prohibition on A-frame signs, commonly referred to as sandwich board signs, and allow them in various commercial districts in the city. The signs must be limited to one per occupant, not exceed 42 inches in height nor three feet in width, and be constructed of material that presents a professional appearance. The signs would be required to be placed within five feet of the establishment, not be secured or attached to public objects or obstruct pedestrian access, and be displayed only during business hours. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce advocated for amendments to the ordinance including allowing the signs downtown.
 
Other legislation expected to be voted on include the following:

By: Emily Dammeyer, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​Over the course of three days during our membership event, we welcomed 324 new members to the Chamber. It was a marathon event, with short shift sprints scattered throughout each day. This type of event wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated and energetic commitment of our volunteers. More than 300 community leaders came together to share our message and mission.
Our theme for the event was “All In”, inspired by the DC Marvel comic strip The Justice League. Dressed in capes, staff greeted all four shifts with a cheer and a high five. You can see on Facebook and Twitter how our volunteers embraced the energy and had a lot of fun with the event. It was their passion and excitement that gave us so many introductions to new members.

Why did 300+ businesses become members in two days? For two reasons – first, because of our awesome volunteers, and second, because they believe in the work that we do. As a Chamber, with more than 2,000 businesses, we recognize the importance of economic development to moving the region forward. We are committed to lobbying for business, creating opportunities for jobs and workforce development, and recruiting a talented workforce to the area. ​Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make this event a success.

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on two ordinances authorizing funding for previously planned projects under the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Ordinance 362-18 would authorize $750,000 from the CIP fund for the District Improvement Program which would allot $125,000 for capital projects in each of the six council districts. Applications for the funding from community-based groups and organizations would be reviewed by a to-be-formed three member committee. Council is also expected to vote on Ordinance 368-18 which would authorize $500,000 from the CIP fund for phase 1 of improvements to Levis Square including walks, stairs, landscaping, drainage structures and conduits, utility connections, and other updates.
 
Other legislation expected to be voted on include the following:

​Contacts: 
Jessica McClellan, Practice Growth Manager                                              
mcclellan@wvco.com
419.891.1040                                                 
 
(August 27, 2018) – Locally recognized accounting and advisory firm William Vaughan Company is pleased to announce being named one of INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) Best of the Best Firms for the fourth consecutive year in a row.
 
“We are extremely honored to be named an IPA Best of the Best firm for another year,” said Aaron Swiggum, Managing Partner. “Our firm is growing strategically across all industry sectors to respond to the needs of our clients. I think this honor speaks to the level of skill, talent and hard work of our professionals, as well as the legacy of the firm.”
 
IPA’s annual Best of the Best recognition honors CPA firms across the country for their superior financial and operational performance based on more than 70 criteria. The selections were based on responses from more than 550 firms that participated in this year’s IPA Survey and Analysis of Firms.

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 337-18 which would accept a supplemental $2,560,810 loan from the Ohio EPA for the International Park Storage Basin Project. The ordinance also appropriates $20,000 for loan application fees and other non-loan funded project costs. Factors increasing costs include site conditions discovered during tunneling operations, inclusion of pavement reconstruction on a portion of Richard W. Boers Drive, and postponement of installing an 84 inch diameter pipe across Main Street to lessen impact on local businesses. The storage basin project is part of the overall Toledo Waterways Initiative and includes construction of the basin, dewatering pump station, outfall, diversion structures and conveyance piping to meet requirements of a consent decree with the U.S. EPA.

​At a special meeting just prior to its agenda review session at 2:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on two ordinances on which action was delayed at last week’s voting session.

Resolution 289-18 would place on the November 6 ballot Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s proposed changes to the City Charter for creation of a Regional Water Commission. The Commission would consist of representatives from Toledo and its contract communities and make recommendations concerning water rates and capital improvements. Under the plan, Toledo City Council would consider and have the ability to reject Commission recommendations. Recent amendments to the plan include requiring that the president or secretary of the Commission be a representative of Toledo, and expanding the allowed timeframe for Council to consider commission recommendations.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for a regionally-developed solution such as the Toledo Area Water Authority, or TAWA. The TAWA plan would create a regional water district governed by a board of representatives from Toledo and its current customer communities with no one single community having the ability to dictate policy for the entire system.

This week, 30 Chamber members had the opportunity to hear from key officials from Governor John Kasich’s administration and discuss the issues impacting their businesses. Members met with Commissioner Joe Testa, Ohio Department of Taxation, Director David Goodman, Development Services Agency, and Kevin Abrams, Chief Operating Officer of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Topics included the Ohio Business Gateway and Modernized eFile, the state’s small business development centers, export assistance for businesses looking to expand into global markets, opportunity zones, and BWC’s 2018 Billion Back and its impact on future rates.
​
After the conversation, Brian Dicken, vice president of advocacy & public policy, accepted a ceremonial check from Mr. Abrams representing the $50.5 million made out to the Toledo Region employers for the “More Than A Billion Back Again” campaign. This spring, Governor Kasich and BWC Administrator Sarah Morrison announced a $1.5 billion premium rebate. Since 2011, BWC has returned over $8 billion in worker’s compensation savings back to Ohio’s economy.