City Council Meeting Highlights

			COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 30, 2012   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

WAR ON GRAFFITI:   Columbus City Council’s concentrated battle on graffiti is being taken to the next level.   In April, Councilmembers created the Graffiti Assistance Program to help residents and business owners remove graffiti from occupied structures at the City’s expense.   Tonight, Councilmembers will consider ordinance 1672-2012, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, which will create the Graffiti Neighborhood Clean-Up Grant.  Councilmember Klein is making $200,000 available for this competitive grant program that provides funding for not-for-profit neighborhood organizations to purchase the tools they need to fight graffiti in their community.

 

NEW MALONEY CENTER:   Access to affordable health care for all is crucial in building healthier and safer neighborhoods.   Ordinance 1724-2012, sponsored by Health and Human Services Committee Chair Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, will allow the City to enter into a contract with the Daimler Group for the construction of the new John Maloney Health and Wellness Center located at 1905 Parsons Avenue.   The 21,000 square foot single story building will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certified building and will be home to a number of health care providers and their services including Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc., The Ohio State University Medical Center, a Moms 2 Be program, Columbus Public Health’s Women, Infants & Children Program, and North Community Counseling Centers for Behavior Health care needs.

 

HELPING HAND FOR VETERANS:  A 2012 Capital Budget priority for Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig is to begin a program to help veterans maintain their homes in an efficient and cost effective manner.  That is why Craig, a Viet Nam era Army Veteran, is sponsoring ordinance 1727-2012 to invest $250,000 in the Better Municipal Care for Veterans-Home Program.  The program will partner with Community Development for All People (CD4AP) Corporation, the non-profit based group that is leading the charge to build and renovate housing stock on the south side in the South Side Renaissance Home Repair Program.   The program will help homeowners who are veterans or have a veteran living with them permanently.  Veterans must be other than dishonorably discharged to take advantage of the program.  Councilmember Craig believes a targeted approach and the partnership with DC4AP will allow this pilot program to have the greatest impact on neighborhood improvement efforts.

 

 

BUILDING THE DIVERSITY BRIDGE:  The Diversity Bridge Initiative is an economic development program launched by the Columbus Chamber to help accelerate the growth of minority and women-owned businesses in Columbus.   Through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber looks to leverage resources, minimize duplication of effort, and connect minority businesses with opportunities, resources, and peers. Ordinance 1639-3012, sponsored by Small and Minority Business Development Committee Chair A. Troy Miller, authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund to pay administrative costs associated with the services referenced above.

 

CREATING A GREENER COLUMBUS:  The City of Columbus is constantly searching for unique and environmentally friendly ways to do business.   Ordinance 1269-2012, on for first reading this evening and sponsored by Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, allows the City to enter into a contract with Ohio Mulch, Inc. for the purposes of instituting a biosolids beneficial reuse program.   This contract will help the City reduce landfill costs by diverting the biosolids created at Columbus wastewater treatment facilities.   The biosolids collected, up to 30,000 tons annually, will be used as a nitrogen source to grow hybrid poplar trees which will later be harvested for mulch.

 

 

SAFETY CAMERA PROGRAM:  One year ago, Columbus’ neighborhood safety camera program began in five neighborhoods, Hilltop, Livingston Avenue, Mt Vernon, Weinland Park and Linden area.    More than 100 cameras give police real time information on criminal activity and help protect residents and property.   Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1500-2012 to modify a contract with SimplexGrinnell for $475,000 to expand the neighborhood safety camera system in these neighborhoods as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing and fighting crime in the City.  

 

 

COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION REPORT:   City Council President Andrew J. Ginther continues to invite leaders of various area commissions to City Council so the entire community can have a better understanding of the issues and opportunities that impact Columbus neighborhoods.   Tonight, Jim Griffin of the Columbus South Side Area Commission will be at City Council to update Councilmembers and staff on activities in his neighborhood. 

 

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JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

Columbus City Council Highlights July 23, 2012

			COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 23, 2012   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

IMPROVING HEALTH IN PUBLIC PLACES:  In 2004, the Columbus City Council passed the Columbus Smokefree Indoor Air Act, which banned, except in narrow circumstances, smoking in enclosed workplaces as a measure to improve and protect the health, safety and welfare of Columbus residents and visitors.  In May 2012, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld a statewide indoor workplace smoking ban passed by voters in 2006.   Ordinance 1447-2012, sponsored by Health & Human Service Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, will allow the Columbus Public Health Department to enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Health to accept a grant not to exceed $72,250.00.   The money will be used to support future investigations and complaints.

 

PROMOTING JOB GROWTH:   During the formation of the 2012 General Fund Budget, City Council created the Jobs Growth Fund to for the purpose of actively seeking key job investment opportunities  tied to the City’s municipal workforce.    Ordinance 1464-2012, sponsored by Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig will move $70,000 from the fund to the Department of Human Resources to allow for the hiring of an employee in the Compensation Management program to focus on workforce planning, strategic recruitment and retention citywide. It will assist departments with creating, updating and reviewing their strategic plans, determining the resources and competencies necessary to implement the strategic plan, reviewing current resources and determining where there are gaps, designing a recruitment strategy to close the gaps, and ensuring that compensation is aligned with the departments short and long term strategic vision. This is a strategic investment that will ultimately aid in retaining talented and qualified workers to best serve our citizenry.

 

REC CENTER IMPROVEMENTS:  The Willis Athletic Complex is named in honor of one the greatest athletes ever from Columbus, Bill Willis.   Willis was a high school star at East High School who went on to play college football at The Ohio State University.   He played professionally for the Cleveland Browns and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.   Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1520-2012 authorize the expenditure of $1,464,000 from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund to pay for major renovations at the Mock Road facility.  Upgrades include a new wood gymnasium flooring, HVAC system and structural improvements.

 

KICKSTART TO SUCCESS:  The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a local non-profit that provides a wide range of business programs including microenterprise development training and capitalization programs to help grow the Columbus economy.  Ordinance 1696-2012, sponsored by Small & Minority Business Development Committee Chair A. Troy Miller, will provide $7,000 from City Council’s Jobs Growth Fund for ECDI’s Kickstart contest.   Kickstart is a business plan competition that will award up to three winners various prizes related to business development including free sponsor provided lease space.

 

LIGHTING THE WAY:  The Residential Street Lighting Assessment program gives neighbors an opportunity to improve the safety and attractiveness of their properties through the installation of new street lights.   Resolution 0135X-2012, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, declares the necessity of installing a high pressure sodium street lighting system under the assessment procedure for homes in the Broad Meadows - Highfield Drive area on the north side of Columbus.  

 

 

SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES:  According to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.   That is why Safety and Judiciary Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 1483-2012 to authorize the Columbus Fire Chief to accept a grant award of $5,000.00 from State Farm Insurance under its Good Neighbor Citizenship grant program. The funds will be used to purchase smoke detectors for the smoke detector distribution program.  Since 2009, The Columbus Division of Fire has installed nearly 2,000 free smoke detectors in Columbus homes.

 

 

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JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

Development Committee Considers Two Code Changes

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 20, 2012   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

Development Committee Considers

Two Code Changes

 

WHO:

Councilmember Zach M. Klein

 

 

WHEN:

Thursday, July 26, 2012
5:00 pm

 

WHERE:

Columbus City Council Chambers

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, will hold a hearing to discuss a pair of code changes City Council will soon consider.

The first deals with the creation of a domestic partner registry in Columbus. Councilmember Klein, along with Council President Ginther and Mayor Coleman, announced plans to establish the registry during a news conference in early June.  A registry for unmarried couples would remove the administrative burden on businesses and public institutions to define and certify the existence of a relationship. Verification is needed for matters such as health insurance, hospital visitation rights and authorization to pick up children after school.

 

A second code update Council will soon consider will better define the responsibilities of homeowners when it comes to the clearing of the right-of-way and give code enforcement officers the tools they need promote stronger and safer neighborhoods.

 

 

The meeting will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ government television channel 3 on local cable systems.   Speaker slips will be accepted on the day of hearing till 5:30pm and the general rules of speaking before Council will apply.

 

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JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

Rec Sports Member Update - Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday, July 20, 2012

 

1.       FreeMotion® Circuit Classes are Back

2.       Jesse Owens West Tennis Center Semester Draw

3.       Participate in a Tennis Doubles Program

4.       New Turf Fields Allow Greater Flexibility

5.       Let’s Play Sports Open House

 

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please send an email to recsportsmembers-unsubscribe@lists.studentaffairs.ohio-state.edu from the email account to which you are subscribed for this listserv.

                                  

FreeMotion® Circuit Classes are Back

FreeMotion® circuit classes are back! Participants will work with a certified personal trainer through a 14-station circuit, and learn more than 36 different exercises during the semester. These free, half-hour classes meets three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning August 27. Registration begins August 3. Attendance is limited to 12 members per class. View the available times and learn more.

Jesse Owens West Tennis Center Semester Draw
Reserve space for this fall at the Jesse Owens West Tennis Center (JOWTC)! The reservation draw for autumn semester 2012 will be held Tuesday, August 21 at 6:05 p.m. at JOWTC. This is on a first-come, first-serve, basis. Second opportunities for reserving space will be held Thursday, August 23, and Friday, August 24. You must read the policies and procedures and fill out a contract to participate in the draw.

 

Participate in a Tennis Doubles Program

At Jesse Owens West Tennis Center, faculty and staff have a doubles program where pairings are made for late afternoon play. Persons interested in participating next semester contact Professor Bruce Weide.

 

New Turf Fields Allow Greater Flexibility
Drizzly Ohio days won't slow down sport club practices, intramural sports, marching band practice, or open recreation at Lincoln Tower Park this upcoming school year. In August, the park will have two new infill turf fields, allowing fewer cancellations when inclement weather strikes, and greater flexibility when scheduling various programs. Learn more.

 

Let’s Play Sports Open House

Have your child try a new sport at the Let’s Play Sports open house on Wednesday, August 15, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the RPAC! You and your child can drop in and sample the sports classes offered throughout the academic year such as soccer, basketball, kick, catch, and throw, yoga, football, and tennis.

 

SPONSORS

Summer Whitewater Vacations

Visit River Expeditions, West Virginia’s best adventure outfitter in the New River Gorge, for rafting, cabins, zip lines, ATV tours, climbing, hiking, biking, and more! Summer rafting packages start at just $130 per person. Check out our Events & Specials or ‘Like Us’ on Facebook.

*************** IMPORTANT CONTACTS ****************

RPAC Welcome Center – 292-7671

ARC Front Desk – 247-8686

Comments to the Director – Don Stenta, stenta.1@osu.edu, 688-4738

Adapted Recreational Sports – Lindsay Bond, bond.217@osu.edu, 688-3693

Adventure Recreation Center & Jesse Owens Centers – Kurt Schooley, schooley.13@osu.edu, 247-8430

Aquatic Center – Zach Skinner, skinner.199@osu.edu, 688-3587

Community Programs – Lindsay Bond, bond.217@osu.edu, 688-3693

Facility/Meeting Room Scheduling – Andrea Hall, hall.794@osu.edu, 292-6481

Group Fitness Classes and Massage – Scott Holmes, holmes.508@osu.edu, 292-8755

Intramural Sports – Bonnie Mitchell, mitchell.934@osu.edu, 247-6191

Lockers, Sport Shop, and Welcome Center Operations – Rob Jech, jech.2@osu.edu, 688-8788

Marketing – Emily Howard, howard.778@osu.edu, 688-4185

Membership – Kris Myers, myers.785@osu.edu, 688-8461

Ohio State Diving Club – Justin Sochor, sochor.7@osu.edu, 688-8341

Ohio State Swim Club – Kyle Goodrich, goodrich.89@osu.edu, 292-1303

Outdoor Adventure Center – Steve Hawkins, hawkins.264@osu.edu, 247-8063

Personal Training – John Katsares, katsares.1@osu.edu, 292-5153

Racquetball and Squash Reservations – 292-8590

RPAC Operations – Abigail Whaley, whaley.109@osu.edu, 247-1911

Sponsorship – Kristin Smith, smith.1424@osu.edu, 688-4619

Sport & Wellness Scholars – Brendan Greisberger, greisberger.5@osu.edu, 688-3297

Sport Clubs – Charles Anderson, anderson.1859@osu.edu, 688-3879

Web Site – Katie Thomas, thomas.2407@osu.edu, 292-5287

***************************************************

 

 

A Message From City Council President Andrew J. Ginther

 

 

 

                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 17, 2012

 

Dear Columbus Resident:

 

I’m writing to you today to share important information about the recently proposed charter amendment which would increase the size of Columbus City Council and eliminate your existing right to vote for all members of city council.

 

In my view, the proposed charter amendment, initiated by a group of five petitioners, would limit the power of our citizens, disenfranchise our diverse community, and create a dysfunctional form of local government while pitting neighborhood against neighborhood.  If enacted, it simply would devastate our collective ability as a community to keep Columbus moving forward.

 

Columbus has been recognized among the 20 strongest economies coming out of the recession, the best city in the Midwest for job growth, and the largest city with the lowest unemployment rate in the state.  City Council is working hard to maintain that momentum, and to grow the economy through an unprecedented investment in economic development and a renewed focus on small, local businesses.

 

Columbus continues to provide great quality of life for residents of all ages and all walks of life. We are a top destination for young adults, a great place to raise children, and an affordable place to retire.  This is a tribute to our safe, healthy and strong neighborhoods supported by City Council’s continued investment in neighborhood infrastructure projects, community-based safety initiatives, and important city services like curbside recycling, graffiti removal, our recreation centers and swimming pools.

 

All of this – and so much more – has been possible because of the effective partnership between City Council, Mayor Coleman, Auditor Dorrian, City Attorney Pfeiffer, and the hundreds of Columbus residents who volunteer their time, energy and talent on our area commissions and in our civic and business associations. Columbus works because we work together.

 

I’ve included a link to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to provide you with detailed facts about the citizen-initiated petition process over the past several months and Council’s role as defined by city charter. In short, the petition failed to meet the minimum requirements for a charter amendment to be placed on the ballot, which is 19,164 valid signatures, representing 10 percent of the electors in the last preceding municipal election. Upon review, the Franklin County Board of Elections determined the petitions contained only 8,471 valid signatures. Therefore, City Council concluded the process by voting unanimously not to place the proposed charter amendment on the November ballot.  

 

Now that the petition process is over, my Council colleagues and I will continue our focus on creating jobs and building healthy, safe and strong neighborhoods working side by side with citizens. That’s what we’ve been elected to do, knowing that we are accountable to every citizen, neighborhood, and area of our city.

 

Sincerely,

 

Andrew J. Ginther, President

Columbus City Council

 

 

 

City Council Highlights July 16, 2012

			COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 16, 2012   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS:  Maintaining a strong infrastructure in Columbus neighborhoods adds to the quality of life in our community.   Public Utilities Committee Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 1320-2012 to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Allard Excavation for storm water improvements with the Maryland Avenue/Denver Avenue Storm water System Improvements Project.  The $3,983,399.00 project will help mitigate poor drainage along Maryland and Denver Avenues in a neighborhood just east of Nelson Road.

 

JOB CREATION FOR COLUMBUS:  The Columbus City Council supports a variety of job creation efforts in Columbus that have a positive impact for residents and businesses in our community and the region of central Ohio.   Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Small & Minority Business Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1687-2012 to spend $7,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund to support the WSYX ABC-6 July and October 2012 Job Boot Camps.   These events bring those in the job market, either unemployed or looking to advance their careers, together with area businesses that are looking to hire workers.  The next Job Boot Camp will take place July 25 at the Aladdin Shrine Center from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The camps are free to all residents and offer an excellent way to network and get help with resume writing and interviewing skills. 

 

SAFETY SCREENINGS:  Men and women who want to become members of the Columbus Division of Police or Division of Fire must first pass a physical fitness test before being accepted into an academy.   Ordinance 1470-2012, sponsored by Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig, allows the Columbus Civil Service Commission to modify and increase the contract with Ohio State University in order to continue scheduling public safety recruits in preparation for upcoming academy classes.   The $47,000 requested in this ordinance is already in the 2012 General Fund Budget.

 

AIR SUPPORT FOR COLUMBUS POLICE:  For 40 years, The Columbus Division of Police Helicopter Unit has been provided critical law enforcement support for officers on the ground.   Earlier this year, the unit received national recognition for their professionalism and high standards from The Airborne Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.   Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1478-2012 to authorize the Finance and Management Director to issue a purchase order to Arrow Energy worth $208,000 to purchase jet fuel for the Police Division helicopters based on the current universal term contract.  Helicopters fly an average of 500 hours per month and burn on average approximately 25 gallons of fuel per hour.

 

SOUTHERN GATEWAY INITIATIVE:  The City of Columbus is moving forward with an ambitious public/private partnership to rejuvenate the south side.   The Southern Gateway Initiative will move core neighborhood services, such as education, health care, day care and job training programs in to the former Reeb Elementary school.  Many of those services were once offered in the now closed South Side Settlement House.  Development Committee Chair Zach M. Klein is sponsoring Ordinance 1423-2012 to allow the City enter into a contract with Columbus City Schools to take control of the Reeb Elementary.  In exchange, the district will receive 52 acres of property that once was once the site of the Woodland Meadows Apartment complex.  The school district plans to build a school on the James Road site.

 

HONORING WOMEN OF ACHIEVMENT:  Council President Andrew J. Ginther will be delivering welcoming remarks at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) 2012 Visionary Awards.   Every year the group honors one Central Ohio woman business owner who has achieved success with her business while making notable contributions to her community, her industry, and to initiatives for other women in business.  NAWBO Columbus hosts this coveted award as a prestigious way to recognize and showcase the amazing women who not only own and operate businesses that are vital to Ohio’s economy, but also find time and resources to identify needs and drive social change.  The event will take place Thursday, July 19 at 11 am at the Renaissance Downtown.

 

 

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JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov