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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: November 23, 2009 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
PROVIDING COMPUTERS FOR COLUMBUS POLICE CRUISERS: Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther continues City Council’s support for Columbus’ safety forces through his sponsorship of ordinance 1485-2009. This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $1,315,435.04 from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant funds to purchase additional Panasonic Toughbook computers for Columbus police cruisers. The Division currently has 109 of these computers installed in their current fleet. The computers provide officers with vital information needed while responding in emergency situations.
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN MOTOR VEHICLES: Children riding unrestrained in a motor vehicle are at great risk for death and injury should an accident occur. Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1481-2009, which authorizes the acceptance of a $68,667 grant from the Ohio Department of Health for the Occupant Protection program. The program provides child safety seats to low-income families in 13 counties in Central Ohio. Ohio law requires all children under the age of four and under 40 pounds be restrained in a child safety seat.
MILLER ENCOURAGING ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SERVICES FOR POTENTIAL CITY EMPLOYEES: Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1508-2009 to purchase new software from Governmentjobs.com (also known as NeoGov) for the Civil Service Commission’s applicant management database system. The upgraded software will provide applicant tracking information for test administration, exam grades, certifications, and notifications. It will allow potential candidates to apply on-line for employment vacancies, submit their resume, update their applicant employment profile and job interest information. The software is currently used by the Division of Police to recruit and track potential police officer candidates.
HELPING FAMILIES SAVE ON ELECTRICITY COSTS: The City of Columbus continues work with federal and regional partners like the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to increase energy efficiency in area homes. Ordinance 1549-2009, sponsored by Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, accepts an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant of $50,000 from the federal government for the Low Income Electric Partnership Program. The program will allow MORPC to use the stimulus dollars to retrofit 60 homes served by the Columbus Electricity Division. Retrofit measures will include the installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, metering and possible replacement of inefficient refrigeration appliances with Energy Star refrigerators or freezers. On average, the program should save the customer 12% on electric bills. MORPC also will be providing additional services through the federally funded weatherization assistance program to address the total energy usage of the household.
SUPPORTING “HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE” DIVERSITY PROGRAM: Thanksgiving weekend is synonymous with shopping, eating turkey and watching football, but this year Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson will help drop the puck for a growing tradition in Columbus, the 3rd annual Columbus Coliseum Challenge. Tyson, the chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, will be on hand as a dozen teams from Columbus, central Ohio and the Detroit area compete during this two day tournament that begins Friday, November 27 at the Columbus Expo Center. The teams are part of a National Hockey League diversity program called Hockey Is For Everyone that looks to expose the game of hockey to children of all backgrounds. Councilmember Tyson will take part in a ceremony recognizing the players, coaches, parents and fans Friday afternoon at 5 pm. For more information on the Columbus Coliseum Challenge go to their website.
CRAIG ENCOURAGING COLUMBUS TO SHARE THE ROAD: In the latest of many steps to make Columbus safer for bicyclists, the Department of Public Service is currently installing 54 Share the Road signs along North High Street. These signs remind motorists and cyclists that they are equally responsible for obeying the laws of the roadway. During tonight’s meeting, Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee, will highlight the Share the Road program and discuss plans to continue reminding motorists that cyclists have the same right to the roadway as cars and motorcycles.
CUTTING COSTS THROUGH ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the City of Columbus was awarded $7,403,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant initiative. Council President Michael C. Mentel is sponsoring ordinance 1511-2009 to appropriate these funds for several energy efficiency and conservation projects within the city. COSI Columbus has been identified as one of the recipients the funding. Ordinance 1524-2009 authorizes the expenditure of $144,000 for energy-saving investments for weatherization improvements to the 300,000+ square foot facility. The City of Columbus also will be making several bicycle infrastructure improvements. Ordinance 1525-2009 authorizes the expenditure of $490,000 for the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to upgrade downtown parking garages with bike parking facilities, additional bike shelters, and bike lockers in downtown locations. The projects are designed to help reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the city’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and create and retain jobs. The following are additional projects the city is planning to implement:
- Incentivizing business expansion through an energy efficiency revolving loan program
- Retrofitting up to 26 fire stations with energy efficient lighting
- Energy efficient retrofit for the Central Safety building
- Retrofitting 100% of the city’s pedestrian signal heads with energy efficient LED technology
- Helping retrofit low-income households with energy efficient lighting and appliances
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