Council Highlights 2-8-2010

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

 

CRIME PATROL HELPS KEEP NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE:  For over 18 years, the Community Crime Patrol (CCP) has assisted Columbus Police in monitoring our neighborhoods and watching for signs of potential criminal activity.  Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther continues the City’s annual support of CCP by sponsoring ordinance 0167-2010 to enter into a $278,000 contract for trained staff to patrol the Hilltop, Franklinton, Merion Southwood, and Ohio State University areas, as well as several multi-use trails around the city.  The contract extends through February 28, 2011 and includes $78,000 in additional funding provided by City Council through the budget amendment process.

SUPPORTING LOCAL URBAN PAVEMENT PROJECTS: The Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Columbus continue to work together to improve local roadways.  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0135-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $966,107.00 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for the West Broad Street (U.S. 40) Urban Paving project, the East Broad Urban Paving project and the Polaris Parkway Urban Paving project.  The West Broad Street project will repair and resurface approximately 12.4 miles of West Broad Street from the US 42 interchange to east of Galloway Road.  The East Broad Street project will repair and resurface approximately 1.03 miles of East Broad Street (SR-16) from the West Columbus Corporation Line at Gould Road to the East Columbus Corporation Line east of Napolean Avenue as well as the addition or reconstruction of 98 handicap ramps.  The Polaris Parkway project will repair and resurface roadway from South Old State Road to Lyra Drive and the addition or reconstruction of 43 handicap ramps.   

Tavares ENCOURAGING hiv/aIDS awareness:  Preventing and reducing the risk of HIV/AIDS continues to be a high priority in Columbus.  Health and Human Development Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 0194-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $75,000 from a grant from the Ohio Department of Health for health education and risk reduction services related to HIV/AIDS.   The program will provide HIV/AIDS counseling, testing/referral as well as partner counseling and education.  According to the Ohio Department of Health, there are approximately 3,023 men, women and children in Central Ohio living with HIV. Councilmember Tavares will also recognize National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with resolution 0011X-2010.

recreation & parks and development COMMITTEE Public Hearing: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation & Parks and Development Committees, will convene a public hearing on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the systematic reopening of specific recreation centers, and various neighborhood and commercial corridor planning efforts.  Those who wish to address City Council are welcome to submit a speaker slip at City Hall on the day of the meeting.

PROVIDING RESIDENTS SAFE DRINKING WATER:  Columbus provides more than one million people with clean, safe drinking water.  Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 1377-2009 to authorize the expenditure of $300,000 from the Water Systems Operating Fund for the City’s participation in the Lead-Safe Columbus Program.  This program is part of an effort to work with the EPA on strategies to protect the environment and public health.  In 1991, the EPA enacted the Lead and Copper Rule, which requires tap water testing and the replacement of lead service lines at residences that exceed the action level, under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Council Highlights 2-1-10

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: February 1, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

HELPING POLICE FIGHT GANGS IN COLUMBUS:  The Columbus Division of Police continues to aggressively fight gangs in Columbus and will receive additional help through a grant from the Department of Justice 2009 Anti-Gang Initiative.  The initiative is supporting a renewal of the on-going anti-gang prevention and enforcement projects.  Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 0120-2010 to accept $48,103.75 in grant funding.  The money will be used in a multi-faceted collaborative effort to identify, investigate and prosecute both the individual gang members and the infrastructure of their gangs.

Council Promoting Small Business Development:  The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) has been instrumental in stimulating the Columbus economy by providing small loans to start-up, newly established, and growing small businesses.  Minority and Business Development Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0142-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $150,000 for the administration of the ECDI’s Microenterprise Revolving Loan program.  ECDI has become a leader in the field of micro lending, providing microenterprise training to underserved populations including minorities, immigrants and low-income recipients.  Since 2005, ECDI has provided over 110 loans to Columbus-based businesses.

HELPING RENEW GREATER LINDEN: The Greater Linden Development Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing long-term planning and economic development to the Greater Linden Area.  The organization impacts the community through activities and programs that provide adequate housing and a robust retail and commercial environment within a safer and more secure Greater Linden area.  Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 0160-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $28,753.00 from the 2010 Community Development Block Grant Fund for revitalization efforts in the Greater Linden area. 

PALEY HELPING REDUCE costs:  In 2009, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Judiciary and Court Administration Committee, worked with the Franklin County Municipal Court to expand their specialty docket into two programs:  the Changing Actions to Change Habits Program (CATCH) and the Addiction Program Specialty Docket (APSD).  The CATCH Program is designed for those with multiple solicitation arrests and the APSD addresses individuals with alcohol and/or chemical dependencies.  Both programs were modeled after the highly successful Mental Health Specialty Docket which helps ensure that adequate treatment is available for non-violent offenders.  Councilmember Paley’s sponsorship of ordinance 0121-2010 authorizes the appropriation of $691,481.00 from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Specialty Docket fund for the programs.  The programs save city tax dollars by providing an alternative to incarceration through an intensive, court-supervised environment that addresses criminal activity and helps offenders become productive members of society. 

 

REVITALIZING COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS:  The Neighborhood Design Center has provided exterior design services and planning activities to commercial property owners and tenants in the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) Districts since 1982.  Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0161-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $123,161 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund to improve the physical appearance and boost the economic vitality of these central city neighborhoods.  The Design Center has assisted hundreds of businesses, property owners and community groups develop neighborhood improvement plans, parks, storefront designs, parking facilities and streetscape improvements.

Honoring 2010 rose bowl champion buckeyes:  Columbus City Council members will honor and recognize Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel and team members for their outstanding season and winning the 2010 Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 1, 2010. Coach Tressel and team captains will be presented resolution 0010X-2010 during tonight’s Council meeting.  The Buckeyes defeated Oregon 26-17. 

 

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