| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: January 28, 2013 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS: Sidewalks help connect communities and increase the safety and healthy living options in Columbus neighborhoods. Ordinance 0073-2013, sponsored by Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, will allow the City to spend up to $519,423.72 to begin two sidewalk construction projects, one along Ferris Road in the north of Columbus and along Southgate Drive on the south side. Both improvements include ADA curb ramps.
SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING: Economic development and job creation are two of the major themes guiding City Council’s efforts and initiatives in 2013. President Pro Tem A. Troy Miller, chair of the Small & Minority Business Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 2791-2012 to allow the Department of Public Utilities to establish the Public Utilities Small Business Education and Training Fund. Fees collected from small, minority, and female business training events will be reinvested to produce additional sessions and materials designed to better equip these businesses for success in the marketplace.
HAZ MAT FUNDING: The Columbus Division of Fire’s Hazardous Materials Response Team is made up of highly trained fire fighters who respond to emergencies that sometimes impact entire neighborhoods and require the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0119-2013 to appropriate $16,000.00 from the Hazardous Material Incidents Reimbursement Fund to provide funds for the purchase of material, equipment, and maintenance services on equipment needed for hazardous material incidents. The type of items purchased with these funds are chemical resistant suits, gloves, eye protection and boot covers.
NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDING: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique development needs including business loans and housing improvement programs. Ordinance 2201-2012, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Councilmember Zach M. Klein, appropriates $7,491,525 within the CDBG Fund to various departments and offices to implement programs paid for with CDBG funding.
WEAR RED DAY: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women over the age of 20, killing approximately one woman every minute. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, is sponsoring resolution 0027x-2013 to declare February 1, 2013, to be Wear Red Day in Columbus. Wear Red Day is sponsored by the American Heart Association.
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JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
_____________________________________________________
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
