| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: July 22, 2013 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
IMPROVED COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS: Columbus City Council is always searching for new and innovative ways to communicate policies and programs with the community. Ordinance 1907-2013, sponsored by Technology Committee Chair A. Troy Miller, allows the City Council to enter into an $8,000 contract with GovDelivery for a pilot constituent communication system. GovDelivery is an industry leader in public communications used by more than 550 federal, state and local governmental agencies. Residents will notice an easier-to-read format for Council communications with more options for customizing the communications they receive.
SUPPORTING CHILD CARE PROGRAMS: Each year in Franklin County, nearly 150 babies do not reach their first birthday and African American babies die at twice the rate of other babies. Health and Human Services Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring legislation to help address perinatal health and infant mortality. Ordinance 1588-2013 would accept a $100,000 grant to support the Child and Family Health Services Perinatal Program with The Ohio State University Research Foundation. The Foundation provides perinatal care services to high-risk and uninsured patients under the program. Ordinance 1603-2013 authorizes a contract with CityMatCH, a national organization of urban maternal and child health leaders that will assist with the Ohio Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes, a new three-year project to promote health equity and help babies reach their first birthday. Columbus Public Health will be a partner in the Ohio Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes and will focus its initial efforts on the South Side. A kickoff event for the Institute will be held at the Lincoln Theatre on July 23rd.
IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS: Since joining Columbus City Council in 2009, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley has made one of her top priorities the construction of ADA curb ramps to ensure that all residents and visitors can more easily move around Columbus. Councilmember Paley is sponsoring two ordinances this evening to improve mobility options in Columbus. Ordinance 1764-2013 authorizes the Director of Public Service to spend up to $1,000,000 for the construction of the ADA Curb Ramps - Citywide Curb Ramps 2013 Project 1 and to provide payment for construction administration and inspection services. The ADA Curb Ramps - Citywide Curb Ramps 2013 Project 1 consists of building ADA curb ramps at various locations throughout the city. A second ordinance, 1749-2013, authorizes the director of Public Service to enter into an $876,084 contract with G & G Cement Contractors, LLC, for the construction of the Curb Replacement - Citywide Curb Rehabilitation - 2013 Project 1 and to provide payment for construction administration and inspection services. The Curb Replacement - Citywide Curb Rehabilitation - 2013 Project 1 consists of the removal and replacement, at potentially twenty locations, of the curb and/or curb and gutter, and the construction of ADA curb ramps along those streets when warranted. The works consists of removing curb, replacing in kind, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the bid submittal documents.
EAST FRANKLINTON DISTRICT PLAN: The East Franklinton neighborhood is experiencing a tremendous amount of growth and targeted economic development. Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1508-2013 to create the East Franklinton District as a new tool to implement the adopted East Franklinton Creative Community District Plan (2012). The East Franklinton District is an urban, mixed-use zoning classification that provides flexibility for development consistent with the adopted plan. It creates the East Franklinton Review Board, which issues certificates of approval to ensure that new development, expansion of existing development, site improvements and graphics are consistent with the adopted plan. The companion rezoning ordinance (ordinance 1569-2013, Z13-043) reclassifies 551 parcels to the East Franklinton District. The rezoning proposal is endorsed by the Franklinton Area Commission, and the Columbus Development Commission has recommended its adoption.
RECRUIT TESTING: One of the first steps to becoming a member of the Columbus Division of Police or the Columbus Division of Fire is to complete a pre-employment physical and cardiovascular stress test. Ordinance 1691-2013, sponsored by Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig, allows the Civil Service Commission to spend $10,000 to cover the testing costs associated with the June 2013 police and fire recruit classes. The testing was administered by The Ohio State University.
IMPROVING SAFETY FACILITIES: Public Safety and Judiciary Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 1775-2013, to protect the city’s investment in the safety vehicles that deliver critical services to our residents when they need them most. The ordinance contracts for the restoration of the parking lots and driveways at various Division of Fire facilities. The restoration will help extend the life of the facilities and protect the public’s investment in the fire apparatus that travel to and from them. Councilmember Mills identified this need as a priority when she crafted her amendments to the 2012 Capital Improvements Budget.
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JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
_____________________________________________________
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
