| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: November 21, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
KEEPING DOWNTOWN SAFE FROM HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety & Judiciary Committee is sponsoring ordinance 1864-2011 to amend Sections 2551.06 and 2551.08 of the Columbus City Codes, to provide the Columbus Division of Police with enforcement powers to require trucks carrying hazardous materials to travel Interstate 270 and to clarify the list of prohibited routes and the western boundary of the downtown area for the purpose of hazardous material transportation. The amendment will also increase fines for drivers who are disobeying hazardous materials transportation law and require a mandatory court appearance for those putting the public at risk.
MAKING GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT: In an ongoing effort to make City government more efficient, save taxpayer dollars and help protect the environment, Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 2049-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $20,136.00 from the General Permanent Improvement Fund for the purchase of tablet computers, accessories and software as part of the City’s eCouncil initiative. Each week, the City Clerk’s Office produces over 4,000 pages of printed materials for Councilmembers to review legislation. The purchase of these technology components will allow Council to significantly reduce the costs and dependence on resources associated with production of printed materials associated with the legislative process, improve office efficiency and maximize taxpayer dollars by paying for itself within 1 ½ years.
HONORING THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY: The Columbus Metropolitan Library has been serving residents of central Ohio for more than 125 years. The library lends over seventeen million items and assists over eight million visitors each year. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will be introducing resolution 0311X-2011 to honor the Columbus Metropolitan Library for receiving the 2011 National Medal for Community Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library was specifically recognized and honored for its Homework Help Centers, Ready to Read Corps and Job Help Centers. The award is considered the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries and follows numerous past honors including the Library of the Year Award in 2010, a #1 Hennen Ranking and Library Journal’s Five-Star Rating in 2009 and 2010. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is the only library in the nation to receive all of these top awards.
IMPROVING CITY BUILDINGS: Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1885-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $20,750.00 for the replacement of chilled water coils in the west side air handler at the Jerry Hammond Center, 1111 East Broad Street. The work will include the disconnection of the insulation and piping coils, proper removal and disposal of coils, installation of three water coils and re-attached piping andre-insulate coils. The facility houses the city’s Recreation and Parks and Technology Departments as well as the Community Relations Commission and the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC).
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HEALTH MONTH: Preventive health care and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent many avoidable illnesses and diseases. The Ohio State University Medical Center is dedicated to the adoption of health care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4 Medicine). Health, Housing & Human Services Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring resolution 0320X-2011 to recognize the month of November 2011 as National Health Month and The Ohio State University for its leadership in promoting healthy lifestyle choices and preventive health care. P4 Medicine strives to adopt strategies that will transform health care so that it costs less, provides higher quality outcomes and yields better patient satisfaction. Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, MD, Chief Executive Officer for The Ohio State University Medical Center will be attending to accept the resolution.
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