Expanding IT platform for building permits on Toledo City Council agenda

​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, Toledo City Council is expected to give first reading to Ordinance 367-20 which would approve $400,000 for expanding the Cityworks PLL electronic platform for use by the Division of Building Inspection. The platform is currently used by other city departments involved in approving permits. According to the city, expanding use to the Division will allow for a more efficient review process and facilitate planned upgrades to eventually allow for electronic submission of plans. The process to implement expansion of the platform will take between 12 and 18 months, and the city intends to move forward with adopting electronic submissions within that timeframe.

Also at the meeting, Council is expected to vote on the following:

• Ordinance 85-20 which would update building materials and colors permitted for multi-family, commercial, mixed-use, institutional, and large-scale retail developments citywide. The changes would provide regulations where there is an absence in the current building code. 
• Ordinance 353-20 which would confirm Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s nomination of Emory Whittington for appointment to an unexpired term on the Toledo Plan Commission.

 
Council is expected to give first reading to the following:

• Ordinance 356-20 which would require all members of city council to sign a pledge of ethical conduct at its first regular meeting every year. The ordinance is aimed at assuring that minimum core ethical standards are adhered to in day-to-day practices of council members. 
• Resolution 358-20 which would demonstrate city council’s opposition to proposed widening of east/west I-475 between US 23 and Douglas Road. According to a feasibility study conducted for ODOT, options include providing for three lanes in each direction at an estimated cost of up to $154 million, or providing a smart lane in each direction at an estimated cost of up to $175 million. 
• Ordinance 360-20 which would approve $207,500 to Drewes Farms Partnership to settle its attorney fees as the prevailing party in its lawsuit in federal court against the city over the constitutionality of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. The ordinance also would approve $35,000 to Spengler Nathanson P.L.L. for attorney fees for representing the city and costs to conclude litigation.

 
Also expected to receive first reading are three ordinances related to water system improvements:

• Ordinance 363-20 which would approve $100 million in revenue bonds to purchase and install new water meters and for improvements to the Department of Public Utilities financial system. According to the city, the debt will be repaid by additional revenue that is generated and will not result in increased customer rates. 
• Ordinance 364-20 which would authorize $3,788,468 annually for 20 years to Johnson Controls, Inc. for a contract for implementation of an automated water meter reading system, and $10,000,000 for improvements to the Department’s financial system to support the project. 
• Ordinance 366-20 which would approve $10,440,000 to renew a contract with URS Corporation for construction management services for the remaining four years of Ohio EPA mandated improvements at the Collins Parks Water Treatment Facility.

 
Council is expected to hold until its September 22 meeting Ordinance 294-20 which would establish the right of a tenant to avoid eviction by paying all past due rent and late fees prior to an eviction action being filed by their landlord. It would also establish the right of a tenant to avoid eviction by paying all past due rent, late fees and court costs following an eviction action but prior to a judgement being issued. In addition, it would require a landlord to provide the tenant with a signed receipt for security deposits and rent payment not made by personal check.
 
The public may watch the Council meeting online by visiting https://toledo.legistar.com and scrolling down to the September 8 city council meeting and clicking on “in progress”.

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​​Tim Schneider
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​As Manager for Local Government Advocacy, Tim Schneider advocates for local policies and laws that safeguard and foster a pro-business environment in the Toledo Region. Tim has more than 10 years of legislative and public policy experience with the local, state and federal levels of government.