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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: May 3, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
PROMOTING Arson Awareness Week: Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring resolution 0057X-2010 to recognize Arson Awareness Week in Columbus. Arson of vacant and abandoned homes and businesses continues to be problematic in central Ohio, resulting in multiple injuries to firefighters and civilians. In 2006, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated there were 316,600 intentional fires reported in the United States, causing ten firefighter deaths and 7,825 firefighter and civilian injuries. Each year, an estimated $1.1 billion in direct property damage is caused by arson. Councilmember Ginther has invited Columbus Fire Lieutenant David Sawyer to present ways citizens can assist the Division of Fire in fighting arson in Columbus.
HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS STAY INDEPENDENT: The Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today (PASSPORT) program provides home care services as an alternative to nursing home admission for Medicaid-eligible clients. Ordinance 0606-2010, sponsored by Recreation & Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, will authorize the appropriation of $75 million in grant funds from the Ohio Department of Aging to continue operation of the PASSPORT program. Services include case management, adult day care, homemaker visits, meals, personal care, respite, transportation, and emergency response. Approximately 4,100 clients are currently being served by the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging under the PASSPORT program.
PROVIDING SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES: Each year, the city of Columbus receives funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create affordable housing for low and moderate income families under the HOME Investment Partnerships Act. Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 0623-2010, which will authorize the appropriation of $5,006,538.00 from the 2010 HOME Fund to the Department of Development. The funds will assist first-time homebuyers, for-profit and non-profit organizations with grants and no or low interest loans for projects designed to increase and preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low and moderate income families.
PALEY ATTENDING THE 2010 CENTRAL OHIO CHILDREN’S WATER FESTIVAL: Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley will join 400 fifth grade students from Columbus, Upper Arlington and Westerville Schools for the 3rd Annual Central Ohio Children’s Water Festival on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held on the grounds of the City of Columbus Public Utilities Complex, 910 Dublin Road. The annual event is designed to promote environmental awareness about our valuable water resources to elementary students through interactive displays and hands-on activities. Activities will focus on four main topics: ground water, surface water, drinking water, and water quality.
CRAIG ENCOURAGING RESIDENT PARTICIPATION IN RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE SURVEY: Mayor Michael B. Coleman has proposed starting a new recycling and modified yard waste curbside collection program by the year 2012. Program details have yet to be finalized and residential input is needed. Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is encouraging all residents to participate in the Recycling and Yard Waste Community Survey online at www.RecycleColumbus.org. The eight question survey will allow residents to indicate their preference of recycling container size and the frequency of pick-up. The online survey will be available through July 31st. In addition, 1,200 randomly selected homes will receive a hard copy of the survey and are asked to respond by June 30th. The new program would provide recycling and yard waste curbside collection for all single family homes at no direct charge to area residents.
KEEPING COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH RUNNING EFFICIENTLY: Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0513-2010 which authorizes the expenditure of $144,864.00 from the Department of Technology's Internal Services Fund for the annual renewal of billing and information services software provided by Mount Carmel Health Systems for Columbus Public Health. The system, NextGen, enables Columbus Public Health the ability to operate five major clinical operations, which provides an extensive array of services, such as patient registration, appointment scheduling, monitoring and tracking of patient test results, processing of medical records, and generation of reports to help manage clinic operations. The NextGen software agreement will provide services to Columbus Public Health through April 1, 2011.
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