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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: April 5, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
GINTHER INTRODUCING TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN: Driving while texting is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, putting passengers, pedestrians and others drivers at risk, as the activity takes a driver’s eyes, hands and mental focus away from the safe operation of the vehicle. Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is introducing ordinance 0237-2010 to make texting while driving a primary offense in the City of Columbus, giving police officers a powerful tool to help make our roads safer. Councilmember Ginther held two public hearings on the proposed code change and collected testimony from many residents. The ordinance also had a first reading at City Council’s meeting on Monday, March 29 and would go into effect 30 days upon passage. Currently, 19 states ban text messaging while driving, and other Ohio cities such as Cleveland and Bexley also have passed similar laws.
SUPPORTING JOBS PROGRAMS: The Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC) is a non-profit agency with a mission of providing various workforce development programs, services, and training initiatives to our region. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, is sponsoring two ordinances that will help COWIC meet their programming goals while providing needed jobs for teens and adults. Ordinance 0389-2010 authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a $440,000 contract with COWIC to provide summer youth programming through December 1, 2010. Teens will receive job readiness training and be placed in jobs around Columbus. A second ordinance, 0508-2010, will allow COWIC to hire nearly 150 people to work in various Recreation and Parks Department positions for 8 week periods. Young adults will receive on-the-job training and skills that they can then take with them as they look for permanent jobs.
PALEY HELPING PROVIDE EAST SIDE UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Just as important as providing safe roads and sidewalks, the City of Columbus also must maintain and upgrade the utility infrastructure that lies beneath our streets. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Utilities Committee, is sponsoring two ordinances that will help improve the water main running underneath Long Street on the East Side of Columbus. Ordinance 0468-2009 authorizes a construction contract with Utilicon Corporation for the Long Street Water Main Cleaning and Lining Project. This project will encompass the general rehabilitation of approximately 8,000 linear feet of the 24-inch Long Street water main. The water line will be mechanically cleaned and a cement mortar lining will be applied to the interior of the pipe. The purpose of the project is to improve flow and water quality conditions, as well as extend the useful life of the main. The project is planned on Long Street from Fourth Street to Governors Place/Champion Avenue. Ordinance 0317-2010 modifies a contact with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for construction administration and construction inspection services for the Long Street project.
MAKING GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT: Recognizing the need to help businesses and contactors meet development requirements in a more efficient and cost effective manner, the City of Columbus is establishing the Department of Building and Zoning Services. This new department is intended to improve the City’s development process by providing timely and consistent review and inspection of all private building development applications and zoning requests. Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 0459-2010 to create the authorized strength for the new department, which will be fully self-sufficient and funded by revenues generated through the issuance of building permits and licenses, not general fund money. To staff the new department, positions currently in the Department of Development are being transferred.
SUPPORTING ANTI-DUMPING IN COLUMBUS: Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0126-2010 which authorizes the expenditure of $84,382.25 from the General Government Grant Fund for the Division of Refuse Collection to collaborate with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) for the 2010 Solid Waste Inspection Anti-Dumping Enforcement Program. The Division of Refuse retains an existing solid waste inspector to handle solid waste investigations within Columbus and assist with the countywide anti-dumping/anti litter program. The city collects trash from more than 329,000 households each week.
PROTECTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS: Under the leadership of City Council President Michael C. Mentel, Columbus fire fighters will soon have new layers of protection when responding to emergency runs. Ordinance 0352-2010 authorizes the Finance and Management Director to issue a purchase order to Vance Outdoors in the amount of $269,548.00 to buy new Protective Apparel Corporation of America (PACA) body armor vests for the Division of Fire. A bid specification committee in the Division of Fire compared available vests and unanimously selected the PACA vest as being superior for comfort, wearability, ease of use, and protection. The committee also determined that the PACA vest offered the best placement of ballistic plates, which added to the ease of use. This purchase will help ensure that all members on medics and engines will be protected when responding to potentially violent calls. Approximately 300 body armor vests will be purchased with this expenditure.
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