| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: July 18, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS: The city of Columbus continues to improve neighborhoods and protect area residents from flooding. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Utilities Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0992-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $76,919,700.00 from the Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) for Phase 2 of the Olentangy Scioto Interceptor Sewer (OSIS) Augmentation & Relief Sewer (OARS) Project. The project, known as OARS, is a sewer tunnel that will intercept wet weather overflows that currently empty into the Scioto River and carry the flows to the city’s Jackson Pike and Southerly wastewater treatment plants. Phase 1 construction began in September 2010 and involved the construction of a 23,300 foot sewer tunnel. Phase 2 of the project consists of the construction of access shafts, hydraulic drop structures, relief structures, overflow connector sewers, a pump station, the pump electrical building, a river outfall structure, and flow diversion structures. The total cost of the project is over $200 million and is necessary to reduce the environmental impact of Combined Sewer Overflows.
SELECTING THE TOP CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY’S SAFETY FORCES: The city of Columbus is committed to providing residents with outstanding safety services. Recruitment and applicant screening is critical in ensuring the City is hiring the best men and women to protect Columbus citizens. Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 1059-2011, which will authorize the expenditure of $55,650.00 for psychological screenings of public safety applicants. The screenings are only part of the employment hiring process. Police and fire recruits are also required to undergo pre-employment physicals and cardiovascular stress testing before entering the Police and Fire academies.
IMPROVING SAFETY AT CITY PARK FACILITIES: Hundreds of families and area residents utilize city park facilities during each day. Currently, park facilities are closed from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, with the exception of those wishing to fish in city owned ponds. Councilmember Zachary M. Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee is sponsoring legislation to close all city parks to public, regardless of activity, during the same hours, unless written permission is granted from the parks director. Ordinance 1065-2011 will amend the city code to limit offshore and shorebound fishing and associated trailering activities between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am to reservoirs, creeks, and rivers. The legislation will also prohibit the use of nets, buckets, or methods other than pole fishing to harvest fish from ponds. The changes are in response to the increasing problem of large scale fishing for commercial purposes at city owned ponds which leads to a depleted fish stock, an unbalanced ecosystem, and loss of a recreational activity for residents of all ages.
councilmember Mills HELPING kick-off National Night Out: National Night Out is a community-based initiative that brings citizens together in an effort to fight crime in their neighborhoods. Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills will participate in the National Night Out Kick-off on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Far East Recreation Center, 1826 Lattimer Drive. This year’s theme will be Disaster and Emergency preparedness to make residents aware that if a natural or manmade disaster would hit the City of Columbus is prepared to react and assist. The 28th Annual National Night Out will take place Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION DOLLARS HELPING THE SOUTH LINDEN NEIGHBORHOOD: Thirty-five single family homes will soon be built in the South Linden neighborhood. Health, Housing and Human Services Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1139-2011 to authorize the transfer of thirteen parcels from the Land Bank to Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) for the Duxberry Landing project. CHP will partner with the Greater Linden Development Corporation to develop 35 new single-family homes within the South Linden neighborhood. As a member of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP 2) consortium, Columbus Housing Partnership will invest NSP funds from both the NSP 2 Consortium and the State of Ohio. The Land Bank properties were acquired under both the Land Reutilization Program (Tax Foreclosures) and under the NSP. The City will receive $6,965 for the properties initially acquired under the Land Reutilization Program.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Public Hearing: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee, will host a public hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers regarding the city’s award winning Fleet Division. Finance Director Paul Rakosky and Fleet Administrator Kelly Reagan will present an overview of the division and discuss its commitment to efficiency and innovation. The Fleet Division is ranked 3rd for the “100 Best” Fleets in the nation. Those who wish to address City Council are welcome to submit a speaker slip at City Hall on the day of the meeting.
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