Council Highlights 12-14-09

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: December 14, 2009   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

PURCHASING NEW CAMERA-EQUIPPED cruisers for columbus police: Columbus police officers will soon be patrolling the city in new squad cars equipped with digital cameras.  Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1687-2009 to authorize the expenditure of $2,315,142 from the General Permanent Improvement Fund for the purchase of 62 Crown Victoria police vehicles and optional equipment such as computers, docking systems, digital video systems, and sirens from Statewide Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc. and Germain Ford LLC.  The new cruisers will permanently replace current vehicles that have accrued high mileage.  The new cruisers are expected to be patrolling city streets by the summer of 2010.  

PALEY HELPING PROTECT VICTIMS:  In 1988, the City Attorney’s Office created the Stalking Unit within the Domestic Violence Unit to investigate stalking complaints and support victims.  Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring two ordinances to help combat this crime.  Ordinance 1677-2009 authorizes the acceptance of a grant from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Office of Homeland Security, in the amount of $43,543 for the Stalking Investigation program.  The ordinance also authorizes the transfer and appropriation of $14,515 in city matching funds required by the acceptance of the grant.  Ordinance 1683-2009 authorizes the expenditure of not more than $54,040 from those funds for the City Attorney to hire a stalking investigator.  This position will assist in the investigation of stalking cases, assist victims, and serve as a liaison with area police departments to share information and maintain data.  Stalking occurs when a person engages in a pattern of conduct that knowingly causes the victim to believe the offender will cause physical harm or mental distress to them.  Menacing by stalking is a crime under Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.211 and a first degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or $1,000 fine.  A fifth degree felony may be filed if there is a previous stalking conviction.

SUPPORTING BIKEWAY DEVELOPMENT AND THE ALUM CREEK TRAIL:  The City of Columbus is committed to providing residents with alternative means of transportation through cycling and walking.  Priscilla R. Tyson, Chair of the Recreation and Parks committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1635-2009 which will authorize the acceptance and appropriation of a $3,000,000.00 grant from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the Alum Creek Trail Sunbury Road to Innis Park Project.  The ordinance also authorizes the expenditure of $3,716,531.33, which includes a contingency of $162,650.00 from the Voted 1999/2004 Park and Recreation Bond Fund and Recreation and Parks grant funds for continued construction of the project.  The 2.2 mile trail will link parks, schools and neighborhoods along the stream corridor and has been recognized as a key component of the greenway network by many organizations.

REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH THE HOME AGAIN PROGRAM:  The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and preserving quality affordable housing for families in need. The organization participates in the Home Again program to address blight through the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant houses, which will increase the supply of safe, affordable housing and enhance neighborhood revitalization efforts. Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1668-2009, which authorizes the expenditure of $168,880.64 from the Land Management Fund for the program.  The city is working with the Housing Trust in addressing vacant homes in Franklinton and other designated model zone areas.

SUPPORTING URBAN PAVEMENT PROGRAM: The Ohio Department of Transportation and the city of Columbus are working together to improve local roadways.  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 05105-2009 to authorize $573,082 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for the West Broad Street (U.S. 40) Urban Paving project.  The project will resurface approximately 1.93 miles of West Broad Street from Hague Avenue to Central Avenue and the Broad Street west and east bound ramps to I-70.  The project will also include the addition or reconstruction of 78 handicap ramps on the north and south side of West Broad Street. 

MILLER SUPPORTING DIGITAL VISUALIZATION LABORATORY AT COSI:  Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller joined community partners today at COSI for a demonstration in the Digital Visualization Laboratory.  The proposed laboratory would function as a 60-foot dome theatre with fulldome high-resolution projections within COSI’s existing planetarium space and serve as a working laboratory for scientists, business analysts, artists, and educators to make data come alive.  The demonstration included viewing existing scientific, business and entertainment imagery in the immersive dome environment.  The laboratory has the potential to revolutionize the way information is processed, analyzed and shared.

MENTEL DELIVERING WINTER COMMENCEMENT address AT ohio dominican UNIVERSITY: City Council President Michael C. Mentel will serve as keynote speaker during the winter commencement ceremony at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall gymnasium (1216 Sunbury Road).  ODU Interim President Ron Seiffert will bestow President Mentel with a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa for his outstanding service to the community.  Ohio Dominican University is a private institution founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican tradition.  The university has more than 3,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

 

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MORPC Survey

Take the Shape the Future of Central Ohio survey! Shaping our Future is a plan the Mid Ohio Regional Planning is spearheading for 12 counties in central Ohio. Expected to be completed in 2012,  Shaping Our Future will integrate elements that impact the region including the transportation system, land use patterns, air quality, energy security, water quality, food production, and economic development.  The mission is to have a regionally accepted plan that ensures major public infrastructure expenditures and public development decisions are made with a focus on sustainability to secure a competitive advantage for central Ohio.

 

The survey takes 10 minutes. There are questions about energy, environment, transportation, the economy and your neighborhood. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for you to say what you like about central Ohio and what you think would make it better. It’s anonymous, it’s fast, and it’s important. Get involved in Shaping Our Future!  Use this link: http://regionalplan.questionpro.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated Budget Hearing Schedule

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: December 8, 2009   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

UPDATED BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE

 

(Please Note: Time change for Recreation and Parks Committee Budget Hearing on Thursday, December 17, 2009 from 5:30 to 5:00 pm)

 

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Development Committee and Public Safety Committee Budget Briefings

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Public Serve & Transportation Committee and the Minority & Small Business Development Committee Budget Briefing

 

Thursday, December 10, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Budget Hearing – Public Comment*

(speaker slips will be accepted until 6:30 p.m. and meeting will last until all speakers have testified)

 

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Health, Housing & Human Services Committee and Workforce Development Committee Budget Briefing (Session 1)

 

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Health, Housing & Human Services Committee and Workforce Development Committee Budget Briefing (Session 2)

 

Thursday, December 17, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Recreation & Parks Committee Budget Briefing

 

Tuesday, January 5, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Administration Committee Budget Briefing (Human Resources, Department of Technology, Civil Service Commission, and Community Relations Commission)

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Judiciary & Court Administration Committee Budget Briefing

 

Thursday, January 7, 2009 – 5:00 PM

Utilities Committee Budget Briefing

 

Thursday, January 21, 2010 – 5:00 PM (Tentative)

Budget Amendment Public Hearing*

 

 

 

All dates are subject to change

 

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Council Highlights 12-7-09

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: December 7, 2009   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

PROMOTING LEAD SAFE HOMES IN COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS:  Lead-based hazards can still be found in many Columbus homes.  Through local and grant funding, the Lead Safe Columbus program offers resources to remove hazardous lead-based materials for eligible property owners.  Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1522-2009, which authorizes the expenditure of $83,000 from the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant fund for media campaigns to inform qualified Columbus residents about the program and promote educational activities about healthy housing principles and neighborhood revitalization efforts.  The program demonstrates the city’s commitment to generating lead-safe affordable housing and the prevention of lead poisoning in children and adults.

MILLER SUPPORTING COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK:  Councilmember A. Troy Miller will join other elected officials and representatives from TECH CORPS to celebrate Computer Science Education Week and recognize TECHie Club on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. at Clinton Elementary School (10 Clinton Heights Avenue).  TECHie Club is an after-school program designed to introduce grade school students to the world of technology and all its possibilities.  Each week, volunteers from the technology industry work with students and offer interactive activities related to computer programming, robotics, informatics, and digital media.  The goal of the program is to stress the importance of computer science education and introduce students to the concepts and skills that are necessary for success in today’s classroom and tomorrow’s workplace.   The program was developed by TECH CORPS and sponsored by the American Electric Power Foundation.

HELPING ONE OF THE CITY’S TRUE LANDMARKS:  The Franklin Park Conservatory is one of the city’s most treasured destinations for visitors of all ages.  It is a premier horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and a signature collection of work by glass artist Dale Chihuly. Ordinance 1542-2009, sponsored by Recreation and Park Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, authorizes the expenditure of $200,000 from the Voted 1999/2004 Recreation and Parks Bond Fund for the Franklin Park Master Plan.  Built in 1895, the Conservatory is set within the 88 acres of Franklin Park.  It houses 400 species of plants from a variety of global climate zones and features a Victorian Palm House with more than 40 species of palms. It is surrounded by botanical gardens and floral displays.

council to consider Liquor Permit Objections:  City Council will consider resolutions objecting to the renewal of certain liquor permits by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control.   Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther will introduce resolutions 0185X-2009 through 0197X-2009 as part of the city’s annual liquor objection process.  At the end of each year, City Council, the City Attorney, Division of Police, Department of Health, and Department of Development work with community leaders to help advance public safety by presenting the resolutions of objection.  The resolutions address liquor permit holders and establishments that have a documented record of liquor, code and health violations, criminal activity, excessive police runs and a shown disregard for neighborhood safety.  While state law does not grant cities the authority to revoke or deny the renewal of liquor permits, each year City Council exercises its right to submit formal objections to the Division of Liquor Control for consideration during their annual review of liquor permit applications.  The Division has the sole authority to grant a renewal or uphold the city’s objection.

ENCOURAGING AREA BUSINESSES TO BE ENERGY EFFICIENT:  The City of Columbus has been allocated $1,100,000 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funds (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy.   Minority and Small Business Development Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1605-2009 to authorize the city to enter into a contract with the Community Capital Development Corporation for the administration of the loan program.  Area businesses can apply for a loan of up to $200,000 for energy efficient equipment, construction or renovations to commercial facilities. 

PALEY ASSISTING CITY ATTORNEY INITIATIVE:  In 2007, the City Attorney established the Culture of Prostitution Initiative to address street prostitution in the city of Columbus.  As part of the initiative, the Prostitution Diversion Program was created to address individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses.  The goal of the program is to encourage participants to discontinue their detrimental activities by connecting them with area resource providers and organizations that can assist them with housing, employment, drug addiction and sexual and physical health information and testing.  Ordinance 1315-2009, sponsored by Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, authorizes the City Attorney to impose, collect and remit administrative fees in connection with the Culture of Prostitution Initiative Fund.  Funds will be used for the program’s administrative costs and to provide testing for sexually transmitted diseases for individuals charged with prostitution related offenses.  

COUNCIL COMMITTED TO SAVING FOR THE FUTURE:  The Economic Stabilization Fund, more commonly known as the “Rainy Day Fund,” was established by the city of Columbus in 1988 to provide for the continuation of basic services during times of economic recession or unexpected revenue loss.  Due to the recent economic crisis, the city was forced to utilize these funds, leaving the balance less than optimal.  Council President Michael C. Mentel is introducing resolution 0178X-2009 to reaffirm the role of the Economic Stabilization Fund and plan responsibly for the possibility of future fiscal challenges.  The resolution also formally expresses the city’s intent to set the goal of achieving a $50 million balance in the fund by the end of 2014.

 

 

City Expands Stolen Property Recover System

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY   For Immediate Release: December 4, 2009   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

 

(Columbus)—Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Safety Committee, will introduce legislation that will expand an already successful electronic on-line reporting tool being used by police to track stolen goods taken to scrap metal yards to include pawn shops and other second hand stores. 

 

“This voluntary program is giving our police officers the information they need to find stolen items and arrest those responsible,” said Ginther.  “We appreciate business owners who are solid members of the community and have said they want to do the right thing and help fight crime in Columbus.”   

 

Under Ohio Revised Code, pawn shops and similar operations are required to collect certain information on every transaction; such as date and time, name of the individual, amount of the pawn or buy.  The proposed ordinance will expand a contract with Leads Online, LLC. enabling  pawn shops to electronically report the same information, allowing police to more easily find stolen items if they are sold to a participating business.

 

“The Leads Online software has greatly increased the efficiency of police officers who track stolen goods and materials,” said Detective Jack Addington of the Columbus Division of Police.  “We have moved from scouring thousands of pieces of paper a week to being able to use the program to flag items that we are looking for in a matter of seconds.”

 

Businesses voluntarily taking part in the expanded reporting program are:

 

1. Lev’s Pawnshop/11 shops
2. Central Point Pawnshop
3. Cashland/3 shops
4. Capital Pawnshop
5. Buy Here Sell Here
6. Executive Jewelry
7. EZ Cash Pawn shop
8. Boris Pawn Shop
9. Uncle Sam’s Pawnshop

 

In addition to the businesses listed above, 14 Gamestop locations in Columbus also electronically report transactions to the Leads Online system.  Lev’s Pawn Shops have been participating in a pilot electronic reporting program since May, helping police to recover more than $40,000 worth of stolen property.  Money to expand the voluntary electronic reporting program will come the Law Enforcement Drug Seizure Fund and not the City’s operating fund.

 

“We at Lev’s Pawn Shop always strive to be a responsible member of the community,” said John Kinney of Lev’s Pawn Shop.  “As a business, we have no interest in buying stolen property and see this program as an opportunity for Lev’s to be a part of a solution, not part of a problem.”

 

Detective Addington urges all residents to report stolen items to police as quickly as possible.  He also urges residents to mark big ticket items, such as TVs and appliances, with an ultra violet pen.  Markings can include initials or numbers and will help make it easier for police to identify the stolen items.   

 

 

 

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