| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 14, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
CITY CONTINUES TO SAVE ON HEALTH-CARE AND PENSION COSTS: The City of Columbus continues to keep its promise to voters to reform government after the passage of the city income tax in 2009. Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 0438-2011 to ratify a three-year labor contract negotiated by the administration and AFSCME Local 1632. The contract covers approximately 2,500 city workers and would increase salaries by 2 percent in the first two years and 2.5 percent in the third year, but also require workers to pay a greater percentage of their pension and health care costs.
Give the Gift of Life: Over 700 men, women, and children are currently awaiting a life-saving organ transplant in Central Ohio. Health, Housing & Human Services Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring resolution 0032X-2011 to recognize the month of April 2011 as National Donate Life Month and help raise awareness about the need for organ donors. A single donor can potentially save the lives of eight people through organ donation and enhance the lives of more than 50 others through tissue donations. Central Ohioans can declare their wish to become a donor by indicating when renewing their driver license or State ID at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or by registering on-line at www.lifelineofohio.org.
ENCOURAGING NEIGHBORHOODS TO HELP FIGHT CRIME: The Coalition for a Nonviolent Columbus was established to engage and encourage residents to become involved in their neighborhoods by developing community-based initiatives to help fight crime. Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 0322-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $45,000.00 for the Department of Public Safety to enter into an agreement with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization, for the distribution of grant funds to community groups and organizations in support of the Coalition for Nonviolent Columbus Initiative. Crime Stoppers will be responsible for distributing city grant funds, up to a total of $1,000 each to area commissions, civic associations, neighborhood block watch groups, faith-based organizations, and non-profits etc. These grants are intended to provide financial support for one time costs for neighborhood-led initiatives that address crime and safety within Columbus neighborhoods.
HELPING PROVIDE WATER FOR THE FUTURE: The Columbus Division of Power and Water delivers over 140 million gallons of water to more than 1 million customers each day. While local facilities provide enough water to meet current demand, more must be done to ensure there is an adequate supply for the future. Public Utilities Chair Eileen Y. Paley is introducing ordinance 0249-2011 which authorizes the expenditure of $84,284,378.64 from the Water Build America Bonds Fund for the Columbus Upground Reservoirs – Reservoir Site No. 2 Project. The project is a result of the Water Beyond 2000 Feasibility Study and will construct one of three reservoirs in northwest Delaware County. The reservoir is needed to meet the long range water supply needs of the communities served by the Columbus Division of Power and Water and Del-Co Water Company. Construction will include a Class I dam embankment and a composite compacted clay liner bottom; inlet structure, outlet structure, overflow structure, associated piping, equipment, and site work.
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