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| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: November 8, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
Keeping Columbus’ streets and highways safe: The Columbus Division of Police will receive assistance with help from a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) in covering the cost of overtime when officers work during high traffic periods. The OTSO works to reduce traffic-related crashes to save lives and reduce injuries and economic loss. Ordinance 1536-2010, sponsored by Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther, allows the City to spend $100,326.31 for the High Visibility Enforcement Overtime 2011 project. This project will target reducing fatal crashes by strict enforcement on speed, aggressive driving behaviors, OVI, seatbelt violations and driver inattention within the Interstate system within the City of Columbus and major arterial streets during specific holiday and national mobilization periods.
WORKING TO PREVENT BASEMENT BACKUPS: The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is working to prevent the backup of sanitary sewer systems into Columbus homes. Ordinance 1422-2010, sponsored by Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, will authorize the contract modification in the amount of $700,000 for the Clintonville Private Source Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Project. Construction includes the installation of approximately 120 private sewer laterals as well as the installation of cleanout, point repairs, and lateral tap lining which will help prevent water backup and overflow in homes. The contract modification is necessary to expand the project to accommodate the participation of more homeowners than were initially part of the project.
PROVIDING EFFICIENT TRASH COLLECTION FOR COLUMBUS RESIDENTS: The Division of Refuse Collection is responsible for trash collection throughout the city of Columbus. The Division utilizes 96 gallon containers in its mechanized collection system. These containers are distributed to new residents and are also used for replacement parts. Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1497-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $310,759 for the purchase of mechanized containers and container parts. The city collects trash from more than 320,000 households each week. The mechanized system makes trash collection safer for collectors, faster for residents and more cost effective for the city.
FIGHTING TRUANCY: Recognizing that truancy is often times a gateway activity to more serious criminal behavior, the Columbus Division of Police continues to work with various agencies to combat the problem. Health and Human Development Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is co-sponsoring, along with Councilmember Ginther, ordinance 1568-2010 to authorize the Director of the Development Department to amend the Truancy Intervention Program contract with the YMCA of Central Ohio by extending the termination date to December 31, 2010. The modification is a procedural step and has no fiscal impact. The YMCA works with the Columbus Public Schools to reduce truancy. Columbus Police officers who catch students skipping school transport the minors to designated Truancy Centers.
MILLER HOLDING PUBLIC BRIEFING TO DISCUSS HEALTH INSURANCE BID PROCESS: Columbus City Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, will hold a public briefing on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to explain the health insurance bid process used by the City of Columbus before contracting with a service provider. The meeting will be broadcast live on city government television channel C-TV.
FUNDING the MUSIC IN THE AIR program: For the past 38 years, Columbus families have enjoyed free outdoor concerts and dance in city parks through the Recreation and Parks Department’s Music in the Air program. The program features the finest local, national and international artists in music and dance. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1535-2010 to appropriate $233,000 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund to pay for various staffing costs associated with the operation of Music in the Air program during the 2010 season. Funding for the program is provided through grants and donations each year.
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