| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 18, 2013 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
RACE PERMIT CODE CHANGE: The popularity of road races and charity running events has exploded in the last few years in Columbus. Many of the courses take participants through some of the most popular neighborhoods and business districts. Responding to residents and businesses disproportionally impacted by these events, ordinance 0574-2013, sponsored by Rules and Reference Committee Chair President Andrew J. Ginther, allows for improved rules and processes that will streamline the permitting process, diversify running routes, and increase communication to impacted community members.
ARTS FUNDING: The arts community in Columbus creates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic spending and supports thousands of jobs in our area. That is why the City of Columbus’ investment in the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) is so important to continue leveraging this economic engine. Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, the Finance Committee Chair and one of City Council’s two representatives on the GCAC board, is sponsoring ordinance 0600-2013 to move $5,111,900 from the Columbus Hotel/Motel Excise Tax, or bed tax, to GCAC to continue their programming and foster arts and cultural services in our community.
SUPPORTING HIGH TECH START-UPS: TechColumbus is a business incubator located near the Ohio State University campus and is a regional, state, national, and international leader in assisting technology firms become successful businesses. Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Technology Committee and a small business owner himself who specializes in technology consulting, is sponsoring ordinance 0569-2013 to provide TechColumbus a $500,000 grant that will be used to leverage a matching state grant as part of the State of Ohio’s Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP). ESP provides early stage capital to meet the needs for pre-seed capital of Ohio start-up technologies companies.
COWIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: With summer fast approaching, the Columbus City Council is again supporting the Successful Opportunities to Achieve and Reconnect (SOAR) program that provides paid work experiences for area youth and young adults during summer break. Ordinance 0299-2013, sponsored by Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, provides $440,000 to the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC), the agency that runs the SOAR program, to continue their mission of preparing the most skilled and work ready community possible.
SANITARY SEWER UPGRADE: Sanitary sewer systems are as important to the health and safety of Columbus as well maintained sidewalks and roads. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Utilities Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0485-2013 to allow the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Underground Utilities, Inc. for construction services for the Skyline Drive Sewer Improvements project. This project will help lessen the overflow from the Olentangy River watershed and also eliminate standing water in the front and back yards of residents living in the project area.
IMPROVING WORKPLACE SAFETY: In an effort to create the safest workplace environment possible, the City is again contracting with a female-owned local business to provide industrial hygiene services. Ordinance 0268-2013, sponsored by Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig, allows the Human Resources department to enter into a $100,000 contract with Safex Inc. to help the City reduce workplace injury claims and hours lost as a result of those claims.
COMMUNITY MEETING REMINDER: Columbus City Councilmembers will be holding their second community meeting of 2013, Tuesday, March 19, 5:30-7:00 pm at the Barnett Recreation Center, 1184 Barnett Road. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
_____________________________________________________
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
