| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: June 11, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
HELPING POLICE FIGHT GANGS IN COLUMBUS: The Columbus Division of Police continues to aggressively fight gangs in Columbus and will receive additional help through a grant from the Department of Justice 2011 Anti-Gang Initiative. The initiative is supporting a renewal of the on-going anti-gang prevention and enforcement projects. Public Safety & Judiciary Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 1018-2012 to accept $40,325.00 in grant funding. The money will be used in a multi-faceted collaborative effort to identify, investigate and prosecute both the individual gang members and the infrastructure of their gangs.
MAINTAINING CITY COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Technology Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0930-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $128,390 from the Department of Technology’s information services fund to purchase VMWare ThinApp software from OARnet/OSU. The purchase will include software licensing, maintenance support and professional services needed to implement the application. The ThinApp application allows the Department of Technology to virtualize applications on a server and stream them to city users from a central location. This technology greatly increases the efficiency, deployment, and support of a citywide application and minimizes the need to install that application on each PC. It also enables citywide applications to be updated within minutes, minimizing the number of Helpdesk tickets, and the requirement to have staff attend onsite to resolve software installation issues.
FEDERAL DOLLARS HELPING STABILIZE COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Columbus $23.2 million in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2). The funds, included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, continue to provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, redevelopment, or demolition of foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties. Development Committee Chair Zach M. Klein is sponsoring ordinance 1137-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $373,123.38 from the General Government Grant Fund to modify and increase the NSP2 Consortium Agreement with the Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment. The city of Columbus is the Lead Applicant of the NSP2 Consortium which is an association of seven organizations and government entities formed for the purpose of applying for and implementing NSP2 funds.
PROTECTING CITIZENS: Columbus Public Health is responsible for the long-term continuing health protection and terrorism preparedness for Central Ohio residents. Health & Human Services Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1158-2012 to authorize the acceptance and appropriation of $108,126.00 of grant money from the Ohio Department of Health to fund the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program for the period of August 10, 2011 through August 9, 2012. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness program establishes the Franklin County/City of Columbus support network that would be required in the event of bioterrorism activity in the central region of the state of Ohio.
IMPROVING SOUTHSIDE STREETS: Public Service & Transportation Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 0997-2012 to authorize the expenditure of $18,788,841.89 for the Arterial Street Rehabilitation – Alum Creek Drive Phase B SR104-Williams Road project. The project includes the widening and reconstruction of just over two miles of Alum Creek Drive from SR104 to Williams Road, just under a half mile of Williams Road and approximately 850 feet of Watkins Road. Work will consist of the installation of four miles of 8-foot wide shared use path/sidewalk on both sides of Alum Creek Drive, 6-foot wide sidewalks on both sides of the street, curb and gutter additions, a closed drainage system, street lighting and ADA wheelchair ramps at appropriate locations including intersection, service drives and driveways. Pedestrian generators and destinations impacting the proposed project include older established residential neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, apartment homes, senior residential facilities, churches, schools, day care facilities, and neighborhood oriented retail shops including fast food restaurants and gas stations. The project is a combined effort between the Department of Public Service and the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water.
HONORING THE HILLTOP KIWANIS CLUB: For over 65 years, the Hilltop Kiwanis Club has served the Hilltop community through its projects and donations. The club provides scholarships, vocational guidance to high school students, community beautification events, assistance to both the youth and the aging of the community and the development of community facilities.
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring resolution 0109X-2012 to honor and recognize the 65th Anniversary of the Hilltop Kiwanis Club. Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than $368,000 in scholarships to distinguished students and awarded 315 two and four-year scholarships and 12 in special fields ranging from music to the ministry.
FOCUS ON NEIGHBORHOODS: Continuing efforts to focus attention on the important role of neighborhood organizations, Council President Andrew J. Ginther is inviting a representative from a different area commission to offer a report to City Council. Tonight, Stephanie Coe, chair of the Southwest Area Commission, will provide an update of neighborhood activities—as well as ask and answer questions before Council. Columbus currently has 17 area commissions.
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