Highlights

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: March 29, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

PARTNERSHIP THROUGH SPONSORSHIP:  Each summer, Columbus hosts some of the most family-friendly outdoor festivals in Ohio.  Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0407-2010 to appropriate and transfer $61,100 from the existing Hotel/Motel tax allocation to the Recreation and Parks Department for the Partnership through Sponsorship program.  The program supports various annual cultural and arts programming for the enrichment of the community.  Events typically supported by these funds include regional festivals such as Festival Latino, Jazz & Rib Fest, the Fall Harvest Jamboree and other community-building activities.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES:  The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at Columbus State Community College, provides entrepreneurial development assistance and high-end business consulting to start-up and emerging business owners free of charge.  Minority and Business Development Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0486-2010 to provide $60,000 for the center to increase outreach and training for small businesses in Columbus.  Specifically, $30,000 will be used to support core SBDC services and $30,000 will be used to promote specialized service efforts to businesses in the Latino community.  This ordinance fulfills a commitment Councilmember Craig made earlier this year to help fund the SBDC when City Council amended the general fund budget.

MAKING HOMES SAFER:  Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring two ordinances intended to help improve the safety and quality of homes in Columbus neighborhoods.  Ordinance 0392-2010 authorizes the City to enter into contracts with various non-profit organizations to support the operation of the Chores Program, which provides minor home maintenance and repair services to low/moderate-income elderly and disabled homeowners and occupants.  The total amount of these contracts is $150,000 and is funded through the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund.  Examples of program services include replacement or repair of leaking faucets, faulty light fixtures and switches, loose or missing sections of porch decking or steps, as well as the installation of handrails, smoke detectors and deadbolt locks.  A second ordinance, 0395-2010, allows the City to use $175,000 from the General Government Grant Fund for lead removal in Columbus homes.  Lead Safe Columbus provides grants to qualified property owners, allowing them to remove lead-based hazards.

PARTNERING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY:  The ability for the Columbus Division of Police to communicate and share information with other law enforcement agencies in Ohio is an important element in fighting crime.  Ordinance 0381-2010, sponsored by Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther, will allow the City of Columbus to enter into a $150,000 contract with the office of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to participate in the development and implementation of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway system.  This web based, state-wide communication system will be used by law enforcement to build an online community of officers to share information.  Attorney General Cordray will appear in Council Chambers to provide remarks on this new initiative.

SUPPORTING HIGH-TECH JOBS:  Since its inception in 2002, the Ohio Third Frontier program has received national acclaim for supporting technology-based research and development throughout the state.  City Council President Michael C. Mentel and Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will be introducing resolution 0038X-2010 to express support for State Issue 1 on the May 4, 2010 ballot.  The passage of Issue 1 will allow for the continuation of the Ohio Third Frontier investment initiative, which has widespread bipartisan support and was created to preserve and create jobs, enhance educational opportunities, and expand Ohio's research capabilities for product innovation, development, and commercialization.  Ohio Third Frontier is credited with creating more than 48,000 jobs and has resulted in $6.6 billion in economic activity.

 

 

 

-30-

 

Second Hearing on Texting While Driving Ban

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY   For Immediate Release: MARCH 24, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD SECOND HEARING ON

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN

 

 

(Columbus) -- Citing national studies that detail the dangers of distracted driving, Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Public Safety Committee, is proposing legislation that will improve roadway safety by prohibiting the use of mobile devices to compose, send, receive, or read text messages while driving.

 

"All forms of distracted driving are dangerous, but texting while driving is especially dangerous because it takes drivers' hands, eyes and mind off the road, said Ginther.   “When a driver’s attention is not completely on controlling their vehicle, it puts the driver, their passengers, other motorists and pedestrians in danger.”

 

Councilmember Ginther will hold the second of two public hearings on the proposed texting while driving ban Tuesday, March 30 at City Hall.  The hearing begins at 5 pm in Council Chambers and public input is welcomed. 

 

A National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Study conducted by Virginia Tech found 80% of all crashes and 65% of near crashes involve some form of distraction.  Councilmember Ginther’s proposed legislation closely mirrors legislation already in place in 19 states, the District of Columbia and under consideration in many central Ohio communities.  Cleveland, Toledo and Bexley have all passed laws banning texting while driving.

 

“I know that leaders in the statehouse are crafting a texting while driving ban and I look forward to a uniform standard for Ohio.  But, we do not know when or if they will complete their work and Columbus residents cannot wait for a finished product.  That is why it is critical to move forward on the local level to improve safety on Columbus roads,” said Ginther. 

 

A violation of the texting while driving ban will be a primary offense and will result in a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $150.00 fine.   Public Safety leaders in Columbus hope that having a law on the books will help changes people’s perception of the problem of texting while driving; and eventually their attitude towards this behavior.

 

“This is a real and genuine concern for law enforcement,” said Seth Walker, Deputy Public Safety Director.  “A ban on texting while driving will not only make our roads safer, but will also highlight the seriousness of this behavior.”

 

Walker cites the successful “Click It or Ticket” campaign for raising the profile of seatbelt usage to its current all-time high national usage rate ever of 83%.  Both Ginther and Walker believe a similar public education campaign can curtail the incidents of texting while driving.

 

 

 

 

-30-

 

 

 

Public Hearing

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL   For Immediate Release:  March 16, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

Council to Discuss the Importance and Impact of the Arts In Columbus

 

WHO:

  Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson

Various Arts Agencies and Representatives from the Department of Development

 

WHEN:

Thursday, March 18, 2010, 5:30 PM

 

WHERE:

City Council Chambers, City Hall

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Development and Recreation & Parks Committees, and boardmember of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, will hold the first of two public hearings on the importance and impact of the arts in Columbus on Thursday, March 18.  The meetings will include discussions on the current levels of public and private financial support for arts and culture organizations and programming. A second meeting will be held on March 25^th also at 5:30 pm. 

 

Representatives from the Department of Development will also be in attendance at the March 18^th meeting to discuss details of the proposed restructuring of the department and the proposed creation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services.

 

Free parking is available in the Gay Street parking lot on the north side of City Hall after 5:00 pm.

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

 

Council Highlights 3-8-10

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

 

KEEPING COLUMBUS DRINKING WATER CLEAN AND SAFE: The City of Columbus has three water treatment facilities that serve a 500 square mile service area including Columbus and numerous surrounding suburban communities.  At each plant, drinking water goes through an eight-stage, 24-hour treatment process that includes screening, coagulation & settling, softening, PH adjustment, filtration, taste and odor control, chlorination, fluoridation, and corrosion control.  Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is introducing ordinance 0348-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $1,309,850.38 from the Water Systems Operating Fund for the purchase of water treatment chemicals for 2010. The Columbus Division of Power and Water delivers over 140 million gallons of water a day to an estimated service area population of over 1,083,100.   

 

WEATHERIZING HOMES TO REDUCE ASTHMA AND OTHER HEALTH HAZARDS: The Columbus Healthy Homes Project (CHHP) was funded through grant monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.  The project works with IMPACT Community Action to provide physical intervention and weatherization services in Columbus homes most at risk for asthma triggers and injury hazards.  Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 0321-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $110,000 from the Health Department Grant Fund for the continued partnership with IMPACT Community Action for the period of April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011.  The program works with families to eliminate certain triggers that cause asthma attacks by providing free supplies, in-home education and support, minor home repairs, home insulation services, furnace maintenance and repair, and professional pest management.

 

City WORKING to keep Columbus beautiful:  Public Service & Transportation Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0354-2010 to apply on behalf of Keep Columbus Beautiful for a Coca Cola Recycling Bin Grant, which would provide 75 bins to promote the recycling of beverage containers at special events and various locations around the city.  The City of Columbus and Keep Columbus Beautiful also are gearing up for the annual Kick Butt Columbus Highway Ramp Cleanup Event on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Dodge Park, 667 Sullivant Avenue.  The Put It In the Can…Not On the Land program is a City of Columbus community improvement partnership created to remove litter from our highway exit and entrance ramps.  In addition to giving roadsides a blighted look, litter pollutes waterways when swept into rivers and streams.  Litter also can wash into storm sewers, blocking catch basins and pipes, which leads to flooding during heavy rains.

 

GINTHER HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN:  Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Safety Committee, will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss proposed amendments to the Columbus City Code that will address the issue of distracted driving, specifically texting while driving. The ordinance would prohibit texting while driving in an effort to improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians and all other road users. The proposed ordinance aims to prevent crashes related to texting while driving, and to reduce the associated fatalities, injuries, and property damage that all too often result.

 

MILLER TO JUDGE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS YOUTH OF THE YEAR COMPETITION:  Councilmember A. Troy Miller will serve as a judge for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus’ First Annual Youth of the Year Competition on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. at the Westside Boys & Girls Club, 115 South Gift Street.  The Youth of the Year program is designed to recognize Club members for their outstanding achievements.   Nominees will present a three minute speech and participate in an interview with competition judges.  Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 18, attend high school and exhibit academic excellence, good character and citizenship, excellent club leadership and perseverance in the face of adversity. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus was founded in 1948.  The organization’s mission is to inspire and empower Columbus' youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

 

CELEBRATING THE COLUMBUS CREW:  In 1996, Major League Soccer chose Columbus, Ohio as the home for the Columbus Crew, one of only 10 original teams. Last year, the Crew won the Supporters’ Shield for the best record in MLS. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring resolution 0021X-2010 to honor and recognize the team on the beginning of their 15^th season in Columbus.  The Columbus Crew begin the 2010 regular season on March 27, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. against Toronto FC at Crew Stadium, the first major-league stadium built specifically for soccer in the United States. 

COUNCIL PRESIDENT WELCOMES CHINESE EDUCATION DELEGATION: City Council President Michael C. Mentel will welcome a delegation of education officials from Columbus’ sister city in China, Hefei (the capital of Anhui Province) to Council Chambers this evening.  Members of the delegation are led by Mr. Wang Yi, Deputy Director General of the Anhui Provincial Education Department, and are visiting to better understand the American education system and exchange ideas and experiences.  They will discuss potential cooperation and partnership among our governments and related institutions.  During their two-week stay, the delegation will visit local high schools and the Ohio State University, where they will observe the world class university facilities and learn about OSU’s sports, arts and education programs as well as student life programs and practices.  The visit is sponsored by Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc.

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

City Council to hold public hearing on Texting While Driving Ban

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: MARCH 4, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

 

WHO:

  Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther

Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr.

Columbus Department of Public Safety

 

WHEN:

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

5:00 PM

 

WHERE:

City Council Chambers

City Hall

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, will conduct a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to the Columbus City Code that will address the issue of distracted driving, specifically texting while driving. Councilmember Ginther intends to introduce a city ordinance to prohibit texting while driving in an effort to improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians and all other road users. The proposed ordinance aims to prevent crashes related to texting while driving, and to reduce the associated fatalities, injuries, and property damage that all too often result.

 

Public testimony will be accepted. Those wishing to testify should fill out a speaker slip on the day of the hearing between the hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in the lobby entrance located on the Front Street side of City Hall. Free parking is available in the Gay Street parking lot on the north side of City Hall after 5:00 pm.

 

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Reminder

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: MARCH 3, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

MEETING REMINDER

CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD HEARING ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

IN CENTRAL OHIO

 

WHO:

  Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares

Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

5:30 PM

 

WHERE:

City Council Chambers

City Hall

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, chair of the Health & Human Development Committee, will hold a hearing to discuss and raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking and its impact on Columbus residents. Also at the hearing will be representatives of the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, a group established under the guidance of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist victims of human trafficking. 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Highlights 3-1-10

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

 

IMPROVING CITY STREETS: Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0273-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $3,523,144.98 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for Resurfacing 2010 – Project 1 resurfacing project.  The project involves the reconstruction and resurfacing of 16 city streets and the construction of 152 wheelchair ramps.  The work consists of milling the existing pavement, overlaying with new asphalt concrete, the replacement of curb and sidewalks associated with the installation of ADA wheelchair ramps and partial depth pavement repair where warranted. 

 

HELPING FIGHT CRIME IN CENTRAL OHIO:  Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization working to fight crime in Columbus neighborhoods. Crime Stoppers operates 24-hours a day and enables citizens to report information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous.  Judiciary & Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is co-sponsoring ordinance 0271-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $25,397.00 from the General Fund to support the organization. City Council amended the 2010 budget to provide this funding.  In 2009, Crime Stoppers received 2,229 tips, resulting in 132 arrests and 254 criminal charges.  

 

PLANNING THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS: City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, will attend the first Downtown Strategic Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Columbus State Conference Center, 315 Cleveland Avenue.  Representatives from the City of Columbus, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and the planning team from MSI Design will conduct the first of three town hall meetings to gather citizen input on a long-term strategic plan for downtown’s next 10 years of development. The 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan provides the opportunity to transform the city as a whole, creating a more successful region that is both nationally and internationally competitive.  

 

MILLER SUPPORTING ELECTRONIC JOB APPLICATION SERVICES:  Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0127-2010 to renew an existing agreement for maintenance, support and software license from Governmentjobs.com for the Civil Service Commission’s applicant management database system.  The management database system provides applicant tracking information for test administration, exam grades, certifications, and notifications.  It allows 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.

 

TAVARES HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS HUMAN TRAFFICKING:  Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, chair of the Health & Human Development Committee, will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss and raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking and its impact on Columbus residents.  Representatives from the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition will also be in attendance.  The coalition was established under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist victims of human trafficking. 

-30-