Council President Praises Casino Announcement

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL   For Immediate Release: January 19, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

 

COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAILS CASINO ANNOUNCEMENT

Mentel Praises Penn National’s New Proposal

 

COLUMBUS—After nearly two months of discussions, Penn National’s decision to work with neighborhood and area business leaders on an alternative casino location is being called a responsible compromise.

"I would like to commend Penn National for listening to our concerns and working with our community to consider more viable alternatives for the casino location," said Council President Michael C. Mentel.  "While our region overwhelmingly opposed Issue 3 last year, the fact remained that this was a statewide constitutional amendment that passed.”

 

“Penn’s decision to consider other sites, and ultimately choosing the former GM Delphi plant, showed their willingness to seek support from residents and business leaders who would welcome the economic redevelopment opportunities brought about by a casino in their area.  I will continue to encourage Penn National and other casino supporters to work with key members of the legislature such as State Senator Jim Hughes and State Representatives Ted Celeste and Cheryl Grossman on gaining bipartisan support for a new constitutional amendment.”

 

 

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2010 Columbus City Council Communications

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

As the meeting calendar for the Columbus City Council begins for 2010, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of the many ways you and your organization can stay connected with the legislative branch of city government. 

Each week, the Office of Communications issues various community alerts and press releases.  As a member of Council Outreach, many of you automatically receive the City Council Highlights, a weekly summary of the major ordinances and resolutions before Council.  City Council Highlights are circulated on Monday afternoons and serve as a quick reference guide to the substantial agenda items City Councilmembers are considering. 

In mid-2009, under the leadership of Council President Michael C. Mentel, City Council began utilizing the social networking sites to publish press releases, agenda highlights and podcasts of our weekly radio program.  Please take a moment to visit City Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.  I think you will find them to be additional resources that will help keep you and your community members informed of the legislative actions of City Council.  Becoming a “friend” or “follower” is easy with links to our pages and website found at the top of this release. 

And as always, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or telephone if you have questions regarding an agenda, event or issue dealing with the Columbus City Council.

Thank you for your time, support and service to the citizens of this great city!

 

John 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Highlights 1-11-2010

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: January 11, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:  The Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), part of the federal stimulus bill, provides funding for pollution mitigation projects.  Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is introducing ordinance 1722-2009 to appropriate $85,339.66 from the WPCLF for the modification of a construction contract for the Reservoir Pollution Reduction Project.  The modification is necessary to receive additional stimulus funding.  The project will provide water quality enhancement of storm water before it enters the drinking water supply at the Griggs, Hoover and the O’Shaughnessy Reservoirs.

RECOGNIZING A COMMUNITY LEADER:  City Councilmembers Charleta B. Tavares and Priscilla R. Tyson are co-sponsoring resolution 0003x-2010, recognizing Michelle M. Mills for receiving the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Columbus Education Association.  Ms. Mills will be presented the award during the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner on January 14^th at the Hyatt Regency.   Ms. Mills is President and CEO of the St. Stephen’s Community House and co-chair of the Linden Area Education Design Team.  In 2007 she received the Empowered Woman Award from the Columbus Post and was recognized by Business First as one of Columbus’ “40 Under 40” emerging leaders.

MAINTAINING CITY STREETS AND ROADWAYS:  As the new year begins, city staff members are preparing for dozens of projects that will help build and maintain our streets and roadways.  Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0013-2010 to appropriate $3,298,750 from the Municipal Motor Vehicle License Tax Fund for road construction projects, salt purchases, improvements to traffic signs and signals, as well as other priorities.  Per state law, Columbus residents pay into the fund when they register a motor vehicle.

ENCOURAGING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT IN COLUMBUS:  Brownfield revitalization, which transforms vacant and abandoned properties into job-creating projects, continues to be a top priority for City Council’s economic development strategy.  Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 0031-2010 to authorize an application for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant of up to $3 million through the Ohio Department of Development.  The legislation also authorizes the city to receive and administer the grant in order to clean and redevelop the former Kimball Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd.  Wagenbrenner Development Company is scheduled to invest $9 million to redevelop the site.

REDUCING CITY COMMUNICATION COSTS:  In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, the city of Columbus continues a large scale overhaul of its communications system.  Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1535-2010 to establish purchase orders for equipment and professional services associated with Metronet's telephone services voice over internet protocol (VOIP) project.  The equipment will be used at various city facilities around Columbus and will allow for the replacement and conversion of approximately 489 Centrex phones with VOIP phones.  This conversion is expected to significantly reduce monthly phone costs for the city.

 

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UTILITIES COMMITTEE BUDGET BRIEFING RESCHEDULED

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: January 8, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

UTILITIES COMMITTEE BUDGET BRIEFING IS RESCHEDULED

 

(Columbus)—Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Utilities Committee, will hold a Utilities Committee Budget briefing Tuesday, January 12, 5:00 PM in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 90 West Broad Street.  This meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 7, but was cancelled due to the weather emergency. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Cancellation

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: January 7, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

(Columbus)—Due to weather conditions, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley has cancelled tonight’s Utilities Committee Budget briefing.  When a new date and time is selected, the media and community will be notified. 

 

 

 

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Columbus City Council 2010 Reorganization Release

 

For Immediate Release                                   

January 4, 2010

 

Contact:

Kelly McGuire

645-8623

 

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL HOLDS REORGANIZATION MEETING

Mentel, Craig Re-elected to Leadership Roles

 

(COLUMBUS)—Council President Michael C. Mentel and President Pro Tem Hearcel F. Craig were both re-elected to their leadership positions during Columbus City Council’s reorganization meeting held Monday night. 

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to continue serving the residents of Columbus as Council President,” said Mentel.  “I am looking forward to another term of working with Mayor Coleman and my colleagues as we continue meeting the challenges posed by the lingering effects of the national economic downturn.”

 

Mentel is entering his 12^th year on City Council.  During his tenure he has chaired the Public Safety, Zoning, and Finance committees.  Since first being named President of Council in 2007, Mentel has worked to increase business growth and economic development opportunities in Columbus.  He was also instrumental in creating the Office of Homeless & Social Service Advocacy, which coordinates efforts in the public and private sectors to transition individuals and families from the streets to permanent housing.

 

President Pro Tem Craig joined City Council in April 2007.  Craig chairs the Public Service and Minority & Business Development committees.

 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as President Pro Tem of City Council,” said Craig.  “My focus is to ensure we use the resources entrusted to us by the public in a fiscally responsible way.  I will continue working with Council and the administration to ensure the 2010 budget meets the needs of tomorrow.”

 

Section 10 of the Columbus City Charter requires Council to elect a president and president pro tempore at the first meeting in January following a regular municipal election.

 

 

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