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Lobbying leads to funding for Summit County projects - SSNL

11/19/2009 - South Side Leader
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By Kathleen Folkerth

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County’s use of a lobbyist helped it net a total of $600,000 in federal funds this past year.

County Council received an update on lobbyist Mary Anne Walsh’s progress this year from Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry, during Council’s Nov. 16 regular meeting. Dodson said two projects were funded in this year’s House-passed appropriations bills. The county received $100,000 for a bomb squad vehicle and $500,000 for a high-technology forensics lab.

Still outstanding, however, are requests submitted for the 2010 Highway Bill, which authorizes spending for transportation projects and is reauthorized every six years. The previous act expired Sept. 30 of this year, and Congress did not pass a reauthorization bill before it expired. The House and Senate both passed a one-month extension to continue the previous bill.

“Typically by this time [the Highway Bill] would have passed, but the administration has told Congress they want a window of time between stimulus spending and the bill,” Dodson said.

He added that Walsh reported the House is pushing to get the bill passed before the end of this year, but it’s more likely a compromise would result in passage in the spring.

Summit County-area House members submitted several projects to be considered for the new Highway Bill.

U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-District 13) submitted four projects, including one to develop and construct a trailhead for hikers and bicyclists and the development of a lock connecting the Ohio & Erie Canal with the Portage Lakes at Long Lake at a cost of $2 million. Sutton also submitted an $800,000 project for improvements to Portage Lakes Drive and a $4 million project for the design, planning, acquiring right of way and construction of South Main Street from Lakota Street to Althea Avenue in Coventry. The latter project would connect the central business district in Green with the south side of Akron.

U.S. Rep Tim Ryan (D-District 17) also submitted three projects, including a $6.4 million project to improve Canton Road from state Route 224 to Sanitarium Road.

Dodson said county officials are heading to Washington this week and will try to determine what the status of the bill is. He added he would update Council further on Walsh’s progress by the end of the year.

Walsh was originally hired by the county in 2007 and rehired earlier this year to continue to secure funding on the federal level.

Council also heard from Connie Krauss, director of the Department of Development, who briefed them on the success of the Ohio Fuel Fund grant. Krauss said 958 households were assisted and received an average amount of $228 to help restore power in their homes or help them avoid shutoff of electricity.

“The response was incredible,” Krauss said. “We filled a great need.”

Dodson and Krauss also gave an overview of how nearly $2.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars were to be used for energy-efficiency projects in the county. Dodson said $1.7 million would be used to improve infrastructure of Summit County government buildings.

“This is free money from the federal government,” Dodson said. “The projects will benefit us because they will reduce our energy costs.”

The remaining $1 million was split between a grants program for local communities and a revolving loan fund for private businesses, Dodson said.

Also during the meeting, Council adopted on first reading a resolution opposing the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NORSD) in its attempt to manage storm water in Summit County communities.

According to the legislation, NORSD was founded in Cuyahoga County in 1972, and over the years several Summit County communities have joined it to receive wastewater services. NORSD has never conducted any storm water management for local communities, according to the legislation, but its officials claim it has jurisdiction to manage storm water within all service areas. Local communities could also be taxed or assessed for the management.

The legislation states that any fees proposed by NORSD would be spent more efficiently if storm water determinations were made by local communities and with Summit County providing regional coordination.

Council unanimously adopted the legislation.

“This will send a strong message to Cuyahoga County,” said Council President Nick Kostandaras (D-District 1).

Council also adopted all legislation unanimously agreed to by committee, including a resolution that would allow a contract with Akron Auditing Group for an independent audit of the county’s phone lines.

Kostandaras asked for clarification on the agreement, and Dodson said the company only receives payment from the county if the audit finds ways to save.

“If they find no savings, they get paid zero,” Dodson said.

The contract calls for the company to receive 33 percent of any savings determined.

Summit County Council will next meet for committee meetings Nov. 23 at 4:30 p.m. in Council chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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