| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: May 21, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
CONNECTING broadband access STATEWIDE: Technology Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 0932-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $37,200 to modify a contract for fiber network and broadband access and related services with The Ohio State University and the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) to enhance the speed of the city's internet access. The OSC is a local non-profit educational institute and the provider of the State of Ohio's OSCnet (OARnet). OSCnet provides advanced technology by linking communities, universities, and colleges through a network. The system provides internet information transmission to support education, research, health care and economic development programs throughout the state. The agreement allows Ohio State and the city of Columbus to work together to connect OSCnet's (OARnet) statewide network to the city's community fiber network.
PARTNERING TO DEMOLISH A NEIGHBORHOOD HAZARD: The City of Columbus and Coca‑Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. (Coca‑Cola) are working together to clean up a neighborhood hazard. The former Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel located at 2124 and 2145 Hamilton Road is adjacent to the Coca Cola plant. The current owners of the hotel have failed to comply with an order of the Franklin County Municipal Court which declared the property a public nuisance. The property is subject to foreclosure action by the lender and the purchaser of tax liens that totaled more than $555,000. Coca Cola has an agreement with the company that bought the tax liens to acquire an option to complete the foreclosure and gain the property title. The property was offered for sale by the Franklin County Sheriff on four separate occasions and failed to sell. Development Committee Chair, Zack M. Klein is sponsoring ordinance 1016-2012 to authorize the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Coca-Cola to contribute the expenditure of $716,650 of the estimated $1.1 million for the demolition of the former hotel. The agreement will require Coca‑Cola to gain ownership of the property and perform an asbestos remediation and demolition of the hotel structure.
providing security for CITY Fleet services: In 2011, the city's Fleet Division was ranked 3rd by "100 Best Fleets in North America" and received the 2011 Government Green Fleet Award. The Division provides state-of-the-art total fleet management and general maintenance repairs for city vehicles and vehicles belonging to neighboring jurisdictions. Finance Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0904-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $63,200 to renew a contract for security services at the Fleet Maintenance building located at 4211 Groves Road. Earlier this year, the city entered into an intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various neighboring jurisdictions for the purpose of in-sourcing fleet management services. Under the contact, any participating entity may to provide or receive fleet management services for minor or major repairs, preventive maintenance and related services. The agreement allows the City of Columbus to generate additional revenue for services performed on non-city vehicles.
reducing costs by promoting WORKPLACE safety: It is the responsibility of the City of Columbus to provide a safe work environment for all employees and visitors. The Capital Area Safety Council (CASC) was formed in 2004 to help Central Ohio employers promote and improve worker safety that results in reducing workers' comp costs. Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Administration Committee, has invited Chet Christie, Director of Human Resources, to provide a special presentation on workplace safety and discuss how the city has been able to save $3,759,244.75 by participating in the Capital Area Safety Council to qualify the city for a BWC premium rebate.
RECOGNIZING A WINNER IN THE OHIO YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM: The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year program was designed to recognize Club members for their outstanding achievements. Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 18, attend high school and exhibit academic excellence, good character and citizenship, excellent club leadership and perseverance in the face of adversity. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring resolution 0100X-2012 to honor and recognize RaGene Bygrave for placing second in the 2012 Ohio Youth of the Year Program. Miss Bygrave will graduate this year from Centennial High School and has received many academic awards including Student of the Year in Social Studies. She currently works at the Waffle House to help contribute to her family and volunteers with the Capital Kids Program in addition to the Boys & Girls Club. Miss Bygrave was awarded a $2,000 scholarship for her second place win and will be attending Ohio Dominican University in the fall. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus was founded in 1948. The organization's mission is to inspire and empower Columbus' youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
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