| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: May 7, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
PROTECTING RESIDENTS WITH NEW FIRE HYDRANTS: The City of Columbus has over 24,000 fire hydrants that are utilized by Columbus firefighters in times of emergency. Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 0765-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $617,320 from the Water Works Enlargement Voted Bonds Fund, the Water Build America Bonds Fund and the Water Super Build America Bonds Fund for the Fire Hydrant Replacements – 2012 Project. The project consists of replacing fire hydrants in the City of Columbus that have been damaged by vehicular accidents and older, inoperable hydrants that are no longer repairable.
HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS STAY INDEPENDENT: The Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today (PASSPORT) and Assisted Living Medicaid programs provide home care services as an alternative to nursing home admission for Medicaid-eligible clients. Ordinance 0865-2012, sponsored by Recreation & Parks Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, will authorize the appropriation of $38 million in grant funds from the Ohio Department of Aging to continue operation of the PASSPORT program. Services include case management, adult day care, homemaker visits, meals, personal care, respite, transportation, and emergency response. Approximately 4,200 clients are currently being served by the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging under the PASSPORT and Assisted Living programs.
PURCHASING NEW CAMERA-EQUIPPED cruisers for columbus police: Columbus police officers will soon be patrolling the city in new squad cars equipped with digital cameras. Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 0925-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $2,250,876 from the Special Income Tax Fund for the purchase of 75 in-stock Crown Victoria police vehicles from Wondries Fleet Group, and 75 digital video cameras from Insight Public Sector. The 2011 Crown Victoria model is no longer being manufactured and these vehicles will cost approximately the same as the units purchased in 2010. All current production of cruisers for 2012/2013 models has been delayed throughout the country. The new cruisers will permanently replace current vehicles that have accrued high mileage and high maintenance. The new cruisers are expected to be patrolling city streets by this fall.
HELPING EX-OFFENDERS THROUGH THE RESTORATION ACADEMY: Each year more than 2,000 ex-offenders in state prisons return to Franklin County after paying their debts to society. In an effort to help ex-offenders restore their lives and contribute to our community, the City of Columbus, COWIC, and other nonprofit organizations created the Restoration Academy, a six month work experience program. Workforce Development Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0814-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $180,000 for the Restoration Academy 2012 Project. The goal of the academy is to provide fifteen restored citizens in Franklin County with various work experience programs which will result in successful employment with the city. This internship will provide the participants the option to receive specialized skills training and job certification, wrap around services, and supportive services, all provided by the partnering agencies.
MONTHLY COMMISSION REPORT: City Council President Andrew J. Ginther continues to focus on area neighborhoods by providing a monthly forum for area commissioners to update Councilmembers on issues in their communities. Tonight, Mindi Hardglow, Chair of the Far South Columbus Area Commission, will discuss some of the latest neighborhood developments and activities in an area bounded by S.R. 104 on the North, Alum Creek on the East, City Limits on the South, and the Scioto River on the West. City Council established area Commissions in the early 1970s to act as a liaison between neighborhood groups, property owners, residents, developers and city officials.
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