| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: October 7, 2013 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
DIVERSITY BRIDGE: The Columbus City Council is investing more than $5 million this year to support and grow small businesses in the city. Ordinance 2303-2013, sponsored by Small & Minority Business Development Committee chair A. Troy Miller, will allow Columbus to allocate $50,000 to partner with the Columbus Chamber to support the Diversity Bridge initiative. The program was launched by the Columbus Chamber to cultivate the growth of minority- and women-owned businesses in Columbus. Diversity Bridge is a direct outgrowth of a comprehensive strategic planning process that involved more than 100 diverse stakeholders, including minority business owners, nonprofit-minority and women-owned businesses, business resource providers, local, state and federal government and the private sector. The Chamber, working with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact for the programs and activities of the Diversity Bridge initiative and is able to encourage collaboration among the organizations/agencies that serve minority businesses, thereby eliminating unnecessary redundancy and enhancing service. Through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network, and build capacity within the minority business community.
WIC FUNDING: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, is sponsoring three ordinances to support the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Ordinance 2261-2013 allows the City of Columbus to accept $5,880,237 from the Ohio Department of Health to operate the WIC program. Ordinance 2282-2013 spends $26,694 for language interpretation services at WIC clinics and ordinance 2279-2013 allows the City to contract with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the operation of a WIC clinic at their facility. The amount of that contract is $533,015.
WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS: Ordinance 2171-2013, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee chair Eileen Y. Paley, allows the City to enter into a construction contract with John Eramo & Sons, Inc., in the amount of $639,258.84, for the Old Roberts Road 20-Inch Water Line Improvements Project. This portion of the project will install a 20-inch water line in Old Roberts Road from the intersection of Wilson Road and Roberts Road to connect into a 24-inch water main at Zane Trace. This will improve the water distribution system in the northwest service area served by the Dublin Road Water Plant.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: To mark the occasion and raise awareness of fire prevention at home, work, and school, Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, is sponsoring a resolution to declare October 6-12 Fire Prevention Week in Columbus. Members of the Division of Fire will be on hand to highlight the many activities residents and visitors can take part in to prevent fires.
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JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
_____________________________________________________
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
