5/10/2012 - West Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County Council members learned May 7 that the state is allocating $26 million this year to fund summer jobs for youths, and the county is among 70 that are taking part in the program.

Summit County will receive about $1.2 million this year for the popular program that pays for youths 14-24 to work for local businesses and nonprofits. In 2010, the last year the program was offered, the county received nearly $2.3 million for the program, which allowed 1,461 youths to have summer jobs. This year, about 650 will get that chance, said Steve Zimmerman, of the department of Job and Family Services (DJFS).

Zimmerman briefed the Health and Human Services Committee about this year’s program, for which legislation will be introduced to Council for first-reading passage at the May 14 meeting. He said the county can start publicizing the program May 15, but DJFS staff already have begun to target potential youths for the program.

He also provided details on which districts in the county have the most youths eligible for the program. The districts of Council members Tamela Lee (D-District 5) and Frank Comunale (D-District 4), both in West Akron, are where most eligible youths live, with 919 in Lee’s and 307 in Comunale’s.

To be eligible for the program, youths must be in families that are Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) eligible. Those currently receiving cash assistance will be offered jobs first. There also are plans to offer the program to youths whose families are TANF-eligible but do not currently receive cash assistance, Zimmerman said.

The Summer Youth Employment program will run from June 11 to Aug. 31.

The county is also seeking businesses to participate in the program. The county reimburses the businesses for the wages paid in addition to payroll costs, according to DJFS officials. Anyone with an interest or questions can call 330-630-6068.

Also Monday, the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommended Council authorize an updated version of the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Job Creation and Retention and Tax Revenue Sharing.

Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry, said 21 communities in the county have signed on to the MOU, which aims to prevent unfair attempts by communities to lure businesses away from other communities in the county.

Dodson added that the new version of the MOU addresses local Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs).

In the West Side Leader coverage area, Dodson said the communities of Norton and Boston Township have not signed the MOU. He added that of the communities that have not signed on, Norton is the most likely community that could join in the future.

Councilwoman Gloria Rodgers (R-District 3) asked how the MOU could help in a situation such as the disagreement between Copley and Fairlawn over the proposed new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Copley. Dodson said the addition of the JEDDs to the MOU could make a difference in that case.

Also Monday, the committee recommended Council adopt a resolution that amends the lease agreement with the Akron Area Arts Alliance (AAAA) for the county-owned building it uses on East Market Street. The revision will allow the AAAA to continue paying 20 percent of the cost of utilities rather than an increasing cost each year of the lease. Also, the revision will allow the use of the building’s basement for storage, Dodson said.

In other business, the Public Works Committee recommended Council adopt a resolution allowing the county to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for bridge load ratings of the 48 bridges that have not been evaluated.

Heidi Swindell, of the Engineer’s Office, said Federal Highway Administration funds pay for most of the inspection cost. All bridges are required to be inspected by next year, and the county has done several dozen a year for the past few years so that all 176 of its bridges will have been inspected before the deadline, Swindell said.

As a result of the inspections, some bridges have had load limits posted, and two bridges were found to have some issues that needed attention, she added.

Also, the committee recommended Council adopt a resolution allowing a contract with Liberta Construction for the regional concrete pavement repair program. Bath and Copley are among those that worked with the county to get a quote for projects.

County Council will meet May 14 at 5 p.m. for caucus and 5:05 p.m. for the regular meeting in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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