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