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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 8, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
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 15th 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.
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