UAC Community Bits: Highlights January 14, 2013

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

For Immediate Release:

January 14, 2013

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

IMPROVING PARK SPACES: Parks and recreation centers provide Columbus residents and visitors endless options for exercise and entertainment. The City of Columbus is constantly working to upgrade these facilities to ensure the public’s safety. Ordinance 2805-2012, sponsored by Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, spends $124,000 for concrete, landscaping, asphalt, and other enhancements at numerous City facilities including:

Beatty Park Marion Franklin Park

Blackburn Park Northgate Park

Cooke Park Sullivant Gardens Park

Cultural Arts Center Whetstone Park

Deaf School Topiary Park Windsor Park

Golden Hobby Shop

SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY: Columbus City Council is set to invest $3 million in the Economic Stabilization Fund, better known as the Rainy Day Fund. Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson announced last week that the money will act as a down payment on a plan to increase the fund from its current balance of about $50 million to $75 million in the next 5 years. Resolution 0013x-2013 will formally affirm Council’s intent to continue to grow the fund that is designed to allow the City to better weather economic downturns and save money when it comes to borrowing money to pay for capital projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Many areas of the City of Columbus are not served by a sanitary sewer system but instead septic tanks or other on-lot septic treatment systems. Septic tanks often fail and when they do can lead to pollution in storm sewers and streams. The City’s stormwater permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requires Columbus to proactively identify failing septic systems and connect them to central sewers if possible. Ordinance 2714-2012, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, would allow the Department of Public Utilities to pay for sanitary sewer improvements on these properties by using Capital Improvement dollars and defray the cost to homeowners until the time of the sale of the property. This program is expected to be more affordable for the community and protect the environment as well.

HONORING THE FALLEN: Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, a U. S. Army veteran and chair of City Council’s Veterans Affairs Committee will attend a street sign ceremony honoring U. S. Army SSG Chris Brown, an Ohio State University graduate who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan. The ceremony will take place Wednesday, January 16, 2 pm at the corner of High Street and 5^th Avenue.

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JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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