| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: November 22, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES: The Columbus Health Department, through grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health, operates clinics for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program. WIC provides various healthcare programs to income-eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants and children up to five years of age who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition. The WIC budget provides money for the lease of real property to be used as clinic space for the program. The program shares three locations with the Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers (CNHC). Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, chair of the Health and Human Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1639-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $27,300 for shared occupancy expenses at these three WIC offices through September 30, 2011.
CELEBRATING THE COLUMBUS CLIPPERS: Since its establishment in 1977, the Columbus Clippers franchise has been a treasured member of our community. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring resolution 0154X-2010 to honor and recognize the team for their 2010 International League Governors’ Cup Championship and for winning their first Triple-A National Championship. The team was also named the 2010 Triple-A Team of the Year by Baseball America. The Clippers General Manager Ken Schnacke will be in attendance to accept the resolution.
PREPARING FOR WINTER POTHOLES: The City of Columbus is preparing for potholes on city streets and roadways this winter. Public Service & Transportation Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1620-2010 to purchase up to $100,000 of winter asphalt from Apple Smith Corporation. Winter asphalt is used by personnel in the Department of Public Service to repair streets and roadways during the cold weather months.
MODERNIZING POLICE EQUIPMENT TO HELP PROSECUTE CRIMES: In an effort to solve crimes, members of the Columbus Division Police interrogate thousands of suspects each year. Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1530-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $69,962.00 from the Law Enforcement Drug Seizure Fund for the purchase and installation of a new digital audio/video recording system for interrogation of suspects. The new system will replace the current obsolete system and utilize digital, non-proprietary windows based video compression technology that is compatible with the city’s existing computer network. The new recording system will also provide improved information recording, retention, and retrieval of suspect information which is vital to successful criminal prosecutions.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN COLUMBUS: City Council continues to work with the community to strengthen Columbus’ creative economy. Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 1664-2010 to provide a $300,000 matching grant to the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium (CCLC) to sustain arts and cultural services that enrich the Columbus community. Formed in 2006, CCLC brings organization and voice to Columbus’ major cultural and artistic "anchor" institutions, with a focus on policy and strategy. Among its desired outcomes is the promotion of culture and arts to form a significant differentiator for Columbus to contribute to the city's overall economic development.
MAINTAINING MUNICIPAL COURT SOFTWARE: Each day, thousands of Columbus residents access the Municipal Court information they need due to easy-to-use software on the Municipal Clerk of Court’s website. CourtView Version 2.34 is the court’s case management software, allowing deputy clerks and the public to locate the history of a case by entering the defendant’s name, ticket number or case number. Ordinance 1510-2010, sponsored by Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, authorizes the expenditure of $80,000 for the renewal of a contract for two consecutive years with NashWest, LLC for support services.
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