Community Benefits Agreement Advisory Committee

Community Benefits Agreement Advisory Committee meets bi-monthly on the first Friday of the month at 3 p.m. Meetings are open to the public, and are held in the Hearing Room on the 2nd floor of the Coleman Building.

Legislation and duties(PDF, 244KB)
Bylaws(PDF, 169KB)
CBA Handbook(PDF, 154KB)

Project CBA Review Request Form

Any construction projects that are being advertised and have an estimate of over $5,000,000 must be submitted to the CBA Review Board to determine if a Community Benefit Agreement is necessary. Please fill out the form at this link.

Meeting Speaker Slip Form

If you would like to speak at an upcoming meeting, please fill out the form at this link.

2025 Calendar (Dates subject to change)

  • July 11, 2025
  • September 5, 2025
  • November 7, 2025

Meeting Documents

What is a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)?

A Community Benefits Agreement is a contract between the community and a developer which defines the benefits the community will receive from this project. Benefits included in a CBA are often hiring a minimum number of local community members for the project, improvement of facilities surrounding the development such as parks or community facilities, and other boosts to the community. CBAs can ensure equitable development and allow community members to benefit from the creation and development of the project.

What does a Community Benefits Agreement Advisory Committee do?

This Committee reviews plans for large construction, alteration, and renovation projects for City-owned buildings or structures to determine whether a Community Benefits Agreement would improve the project and its purposes.

Meeting every other month, Committee members offer recommendations on the necessity of a Community Benefits Agreement for each plan. Such an agreement might include stipulations regarding the labor force, the use of the structure, or the mitigation of the effects of construction on the community or environment.

What is the CBA Handbook?

Public sector community benefits agreements (CBAs) are an essential component of the city’s successful public-private partnership strategy. The CBA Handbook(PDF, 154KB) 1) describes standard provisions of CBAs; 2) the role of the CBA Advisory Committee; 3) the benefits of using CBAs on publicly funded development and infrastructure projects for the city, contractors and workers; and 4) how CBAs advance the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion and economic justice for all.

How can I get in contact?

For questions or to get more information, contact Committee Coordinators: KBMcCain@columbus.gov  and ABMcDonald@columbus.gov.

 

Committee Members

Co-Chair
Rob Dorans
City Council President Pro Tempore

 

Co-Chair
Nana Watson
President of Columbus NAACP

 

Jeff Hunley
Sheet Metal Workers Local 24

 

Christopher Long
Columbus Department of Finance

 

Emerald Hernandez-Parra
Columbus Department of Development 

 

Barry Pickett
Mayor Andrew Ginther’s Labor Liaison

 

John Lacey
International Field Coordinator AFSCME

 

John Mandl
Field Representative for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)

 

Director Jason Jenkins
Columbus Department of Diversity and Inclusion

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