| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 7, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
council to vote on 2011 Capital improvements budget: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee will introduce the 2011 Capital Improvements Budget (CIB) for Council’s consideration this evening. The adoption of the proposal, as submitted in ordinance 0266-2011, will provide investments to enhance our neighborhoods, improve citizen safety and stimulate economic development and job creation. Council President Andrew J. Ginther helped oversee the capital budget process to ensure that budget priorities were included to strengthen City Council’s commitment to safety, neighborhood improvements and creating a strong economic development environment that will lead to greater job creation in Columbus.
PALEY HELPING PROVIDE 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 ordinance 0159-2011 which authorizes the expenditure of $1,722,501.55 for a construction contract with Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio for the Canyon Drive Area Water Main Improvements and Lenappe Drive/Canyon Drive Stormwater System Improvements Project. The project is a combined effort between the Division of Power and Water, Division of Sewerage and Drainage; and the Division of Design and Construction to habilitate and construct new water mains, install new storm new storm sewers, and resurface various streets in the Canyon Drive/Lenappe Drive area.
CRAIG HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS (SIDS): Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Minority, Business & Workforce Development Committee, will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the proposal of the reauthorization of the Short North and the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement Districts. Both districts were created in 1999 by property owners for additional improvements and services provided by the districts. The meeting will be broadcast live on the city government television channel CTV.
GENERATING CITY FUNDING THROUGH EMS BILLING: In 2002, the City of Columbus began billing insurance companies and federal health care programs for Emergency Medical Service runs through a healthcare management medical billing company. Councilmember Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 0093-2011 which will authorize the expenditure of $1.4 million to modify an existing contract with MED3000, Inc. for EMS billing, collection and reporting services. The services have generated a multitude of patient care information used by the Fire Division to better prepare EMS response protocols and respond to citizens in a more effective manner. The division also generates reports for various fire organizations that are catalogued nationwide. Since the program’s inception, approximately $75.8 million has been generated in new revenue for essential city services.
PROMOTING COLUMBUS: The Columbus Hotel/Motel Excise Tax is used to support various community organizations designed to strengthen and enrich the lives of area residents. Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring two ordinances to help increase tourism and convention business and sustain the arts and cultural services in our community. Ordinance 0213-2011, will authorize the expenditure of $4,050,000.00 for Experience Columbus, the city’s convention and visitors bureau for selling, marketing and promoting Columbus as a destination for trade shows, conventions, business meetings and group and leisure tourism. The Greater Columbus Arts Council will also receive $4,050,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund for with the passage of ordinance 0214-2011 for the purpose of fostering arts and cultural services to enhance Columbus.
IRISH Proclamation Day: The annual Proclamation Day ceremony at City Hall is one of the highlights of the year for the Irish-American community in Columbus. Council President Andrew J. Ginther invites all Columbus residents to attend the event celebrating Irish-American heritage and the significant contributions the community has made throughout our city's history. The 2011 Proclamation Day ceremony will take place Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers.
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