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