Thrusday, January 14, 1999
Council adds $14.5M for pet projects
BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday approved $14.5 million in a spending plan to develop the riverfront's Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park and purchase a beauty school.
In a 6-2 vote, council approved the 40-point-plus spending plan, which will be added to the $1.8 billion 1999-2000 budget council is expected to approve next week.
The majority supporting the plan included Democratic council members Paul Booth, Minette Cooper and Tyrone Yates; Republicans Charles Winburn and Jeanette Cissell; and Charterite James Tarbell.
Supporters suggest dipping into the estimated $36 million budget surplus, described by city officials as a carry-over of unspent dollars from previous years, to pay for the programs. They also suggested some budget cuts.
Mayor Roxanne Qualls was in Washington, D.C., for a ceremony honoring Cincinnati and other cities for winning an “empowerment zone” desig nation that will pump federal dollars into inner-city programs. But in a phone interview, she said she was happy the city made good on its promise to move forward with
building the park named for Cincinnati's first black mayor.
“I believe this council made a commitment to do Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park,” she said.
The plan kicks in $4 million for the park. The state has given $4 million and the proposed park still needs $3 million.
Councilman Phil Heimlich, who, along with Democrat Todd Portune, opposed the plan, called it a massive spending increase.
While he said some of the projects funded in the spending plan are worthwhile, he raised concerns about dipping into the city's budget surplus.
“They're not worth mortgaging our city's future,” Mr. Heimlich said.
He suggested dumping the surplus money into a rainy day account or even giving a portion of it back to the taxpayers.
Council took two line-item votes on the 48-point plan, excusing Mr. Yates from voting on Theodore M. Berry Park and Mrs. Cooper from voting on NetWellness, a health public awareness campaign aimed at the black community.
The council members cited conflicts of interest on those matters.
Many of the projects in the spending plan were not included in City Manager John Shirey's proposed $1.8 billion 1999-2000 budget.
Several programs that emerged were pet projects of the spending plan's architects: Ms. Qualls, Mrs. Cissell, Ms. Cooper, Mr. Booth, Mr. Tarbell and Mr. Winburn.
Such projects include Mrs. Cissell's proposal for a job training program known as Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention, which will receive more than $400,000.
The plan also calls for spending close to $5 million in 1999 and 2000, allowing the relocation of businesses in the Carthage Mills industrial site.
For more than a decade, residents living around Carthage Mills have complained about damage to their property thanks to growing truck traffic congestion and narrow streets. Residents have sought to rezone and redevelop the 14-acre Carthage Mills site for residential use.
Several of the items are one-time expenditures, including a plan for the city to kick in $150,000 for the purchase of Moore University of Hair Design.
While few details were available Wednesday night, the money essentially would help a non-profit organization buy the school, Mrs. Cooper said. In turn, the school would provide a “welfare-to-work concept” program, including training in salon management and hair care.
HIGHLIGHTS
The $14.5 million spending plan council approved Wednesday includes:
• $300,000 in 1999 for a multicultural tourism project — a campaign to draw more African-Americans to the city.
• $415,000 over two years to the Urban League Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention program. The strict job training program would help difficult to employ individuals with everything from their attitudes to appearance to job applications.
• $300,000 in 1999 and 2000 for the Millcreek Restoration Greenspace project.
• $146,620 for therapeutic recreation. The city is at risk of non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing equal programming and services at some recreation facilities. The money would provide staffing to allow those with disabilities to participate in various city-sponsored activities and events.
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