| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: April 25, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
COMMUNICATION UPGRADES HELPING KEEP COLUMBUS SAFE: Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring legislation that will provide Columbus’ safety forces the tools they need to communicate effectively during times of crises. Ordinance 0552-2011 will authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000.00 from the Public Safety Capital Improvement Fund to purchase new and replacement portable and mobile radios and accessories. These new digital radios are upgrades to current older models and will allow first responders to communicate within the Metropolitan Area, enhancing their safety and ability to respond to emergency situations.
CONGRATULATING HOCKEY CHAMPIONS: Councilmember Zachary M. Klein will be joined by Derek Dorsett of the Columbus Blue Jackets this evening to present resolution 0058X-2011 to members of the Northeast Storm High School Hockey Team for winning the Ohio State High School Hockey Championship and for being the first team in Ohio history to reach the Quarterfinals of the USA Hockey National High School Tournament. The championship was held in Chicago, Illinois, March 23 – 27, 2011.
RESURFACING CITY STREETS: Columbus residents will soon see improvements to city streets. Public Service Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 0609-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $3,927,870.49 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for Resurfacing 2011 – Zone 4 street resurfacing project. The project involves the reconstruction and resurfacing of 17 city streets and the construction of 386 wheelchair ramps. The work consists of milling the existing pavement, overlaying with new asphalt concrete, the replacement of curb and sidewalks associated with the installation of ADA wheelchair ramps and partial depth pavement repair where warranted. Click here for a complete list of streets included in the project.
MILLER HOLDING TECHNOLOGY & TRADE COLLEGE DAY: Careers in the field of technology remain one of the fastest growing employment opportunities in Columbus. In an effort to raise awareness about those career opportunities, Councilmember A. Troy Miller is hosting a Technology & Trade College Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. The event will be held at Barack Recreation Center, 580 Woodrow Avenue and feature representatives from local technology schools, trade schools, and the military branches for students and adults to learn about job and internship opportunities. For more information regarding the event click here.
REPLACING CITY VEHICLES: City vehicles are used every day to provide essential city services to area residents. Many of these vehicles are beyond their useful service lives and are in need of replacement. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0533-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $1,596,386.00 for the purchase of 85 light duty vehicles that will be used by eight of the City’s departments with many being assigned to the Division of Fire and the Recreation and Parks Department. To be eligible for replacement, the vehicle must be over 10 years old, have over 100,000 miles or the maintenance cost to date exceeds the acquisition cost. The City of Columbus currently has 2,748 vehicles that are used for city business.
EDUCATING STUDENTS ON BIKE SAFETY: Through grant monies awarded through the Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program, City Council is continuing efforts to educate elementary and middle school students on bike and pedestrian safety as they walk to and from school each day. Ordinances 0608-2011, sponsored by Health, Housing & Human Services Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig, will authorize the expenditure of $52,665.00 for Consider Biking, Inc. to provide community education and the coordination of bike safety activities to students in the Hilltop and Franklinton Neighborhoods. Activities will include education, bike inspections and the encouragement for young students to bike to and from school. Consider Biking, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency and strives to get more people to bike in Central Ohio. For more information on Consider Biking, Inc., residents can visit their website at www.considerbiking.org.
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