Monday, September 13, 2010

Meeting Highlights 9-13-10

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
 
For Immediate Release: September 13, 2010
 
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
 
IMPROVING ADDITIONAL CITY STREETS:  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring two pieces of legislation to modify contracts to resurface additional streets in the city of Columbus. Ordinance 01225-2010 authorizes the expenditure of $1,280,254.47 for the Resurfacing 2010-Project 2 and ordinance 1228-2010 authorizes the expenditure of $1,738,844.80 for the Resurfacing 2010-Project 5.  The modification of Project 2 will repair and resurface an additional seven city streets and construct 111 ADA curb ramps.  The modification of Project 5 will repair and resurface 11 additional city streets and construct 134 ADA curb ramps.  The work for both projects consist of milling the existing pavement, overlaying with new asphalt concrete, and replacing curbs and sidewalks associated with the installation of the ADA wheelchair ramps during the construction season. Click Here for a complete list of additional city streets included in both projects.
HELPING REPAIR EMERGENCY SHELTERS:  Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring legislation to help repair six emergency shelter facilities in Columbus.  Ordinance 1217-2010 will authorize the expenditure of $250,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund for the Emergency Shelter Repair program.  The Emergency Shelter Repair program provides funding to emergency shelter facilities in need of repair in order to improve services to homeless individuals and families.  Repair projects will focus on health and safety issues and include roof replacement, bathroom and kitchen renovations and improved security systems. Each agency will provide matching resources including both cash and/or in-kind contributions.  The agencies receiving funding include ADAMH, Huckleberry House, Lutheran Social Services, Southeast Mental Health, Volunteers of America and the YWCA.      
INCREASING GRASS & LITTER control SERVICES:  The foreclosure crisis that has impacted thousands of Columbus families continues to impose health and safety concerns for Columbus neighborhoods.  Ordinance 1181-2010, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, authorizes additional funding in the amount of $100,000.00 to augment agreements with various contractors for grass mowing and litter control services during the 2010-2011 season.   These abatement services are needed to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Columbus.  Due to the increase of foreclosures in Columbus, and the increase of recalcitrant property owners, more properties are being abated and the additional funding will allow the program to continue. 
HELPING FIREFIGHTERS SAVE LIVES:  properly installed smoke detectors play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1191-2010 which authorizes the acceptance of a $2,500 grant from State Farm Insurance to purchase smoke detectors for the Fire Division’s smoke detector distribution program. The ordinance also authorizes the Fire Division to accept $1,000 in grant funding from Fire Team USA for the Division to conduct a sprinkler workshop to demonstrate the effectiveness of sprinkler use to control fire in the early and survivable stage of fire development. 
PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION:   The Columbus City Council continues to support innovative ways for our local court system to rehabilitate non-violent offenders.  Ordinance 1201-2010, sponsored by Judiciary & Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a $141,872.00 contract with Alvis House for a work release program as an alternative for incarceration.   Alvis House is a non-profit human services agency that provides re-entry and transitional assistance to individuals and families who have been affected by incarceration.  The organization provides education, treatment, life skills, and other research-based programs that help clients rebuild their lives, strengthen their families and become contributing members of the community.
MILLER CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE:  City Council remains committed to supporting City employees who have been called to active military duty in defense of our nation.  Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee is sponsoring ordinance 1195-2010 to authorize the continuation of military leave with pay and benefits for up to one year to City employees who have or will be called to active military duty.  The initiative was created after 9/11, and since then Council has ensured the extension of these benefits to support our troops and their families.
HONORING AN OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT:  Council President Michael C. Mentel welcomes friends and family members of former City Council President Jerry Hammond to Council Chambers this evening.  President Mentel will honor the life of Jerry Hammond during a special tribute presentation.  Mr. Hammond joined Columbus City Council in 1974 and became the first African American Council President in 1984.  He served in this capacity until he resigned in 1990.  During that time, he had many accomplishments including the creation of the Council’s Legislative Research Office, the Neighborhood Commissions, the Cable Television Task Force, the Metropolitan Human Service Commission, and the Community Shelter Board.   
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Media Alert

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA ALERT
 
For Immediate Release:  September 13, 2010
 
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
 
 
CITY COUNCIL HOSTS SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF CENTRAL OHIO (SWACO) BRIEFING ON PROPOSED RATE ADJUSTMENTS
 
WHO:
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig
 
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
2:00 PM
 
WHERE:
City Council Chambers
City Hall
90 West Broad Street
 
WHAT:
Columbus City Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee, will host a community briefing to allow Ron Mills, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) to discuss proposed rates for landfill tipping fees.  The meeting will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ government television.
 
 
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Friday, September 10, 2010

Public Meetings start Tuesday on Westshore Corridor Transportation Project

NOTE THAT THESE START THIS COMING TUESDAY!!

September 7, 2010

Three Public Meetings Hosted to Discuss the Westshore Corridor Transportation Project

GREATER CLEVELAND – Lorain County, Lorain County Transit (LCT) and the Westshore Commuter Rail Task Force (WCRTF), in cooperation with communities in Lorain County, Erie County and Cuyahoga County, will hold three public meetings to introduce people to the Westshore Corridor Transportation Project (WCTP) and solicit valuable feedback on potentially developing a public transit-based solution for the transportation needs of the Westshore corridor—one of the most heavily used and traveled corridors in Ohio.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Meeting details are listed below:


Cuyahoga County—September 14, 2010
St. John Medical Center
(29000 Center Ridge Road)
Building Two, First Floor, Auditorium B
29101 Health Campus Drive
Westlake, OH 44145
6-8 pm
 
Lorain County—September 15, 2010
Black River Landing
421 Black River Lane
Lorain, OH 44052
6-8 pm


Erie County—September 16, 2010
Erie County Administration Building
3rd Floor Commissioner's Chambers
2900 Columbus Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
6-8 pm

WCTP seeks to address the lack of public transportation options for travel in this popular metropolitan region. The need for improvements is based on several factors including limited public transit options for inter-county travel, highway traffic congestion, the need to increase economic and sustainable development along the corridor and the need to enhance and preserve the natural environment with all the potential enhancements along the anticipated public transit corridor.

Public comments will be accepted through (September 24, 2010) at (WestshoreAA@pbworld.com).
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

All Aboard Ohio Cincinnati local meeting

All Aboard Ohio - Cincinnati Chapter September Meeting
Wednesday, September 15 630-8pm
  
LOCATION:
Sibcy Cline Realtors,  2650 Erie Ave, Cinti, OH 45208
Hyde Park Square, Corner of Erie and Edwards
 -Park in Rear, 5/3 Lot or on street
 -Use entrance on Erie Avenue.
 -Meeting on 2nd Floor
 
Be ready to discuss strategy to get Kasich and others on Board for 3C! Petitions? Polls? Letters of Support? Sponsors? Corporate Resolutions?  Bring ideas!

RSVP not necessary, but please do so if you plan to attend. RSVP to:
 
BeauTuke, All Aboard Ohio Southwest Director
 
beautuke@yahoo.com
  Phone: 513-721-0776
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

What other states are doing with 3C-like projects

This route started with an average speed of 43 mph and 185,000 riders, and now is 53 mph with ridership growing to 740,000 last year. The following article details the same approach ODOT/ORDC are taking with NS & CSX regarding the 3C project, something newspapers like the Dispatch don't understand because they haven't sought a national context for it, let alone interviewed the freight railroads or the FRA to understand outcomes such as this.....


Agreement expected to lead to improved Amtrak Cascades service
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and BNSF signed an agreement that ultimately will result in more frequent and more reliable Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland.

The "Memorandum of Agreement" between WSDOT and BNSF clears the way for the state to begin initial work this fall using some of the $590 million in federal grants awarded to Washington in January. This money is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) high-speed rail grants, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The agreement sets the framework for the two organizations to deliver rail-improvement projects that achieve reliability and on-time performance goals for both passenger and freight rail service. This is important on rail lines shared by these two types of rail services.
 
READ MORE AT:
http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/agreement-expected-to-lead-to-improved-amtrak-cascades-service.html
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Upcoming All Aboard Ohio local meetings

Upcoming All Aboard Ohio local meetings are:

Youngstown - Noon, Sept. 9 (Brown-bag lunch mtg), Regional Chamber 17th Floor, 11 Central Square, Downtown, RSVP to Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext. 31.

Columbus - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson for details at 614-459-0359.

Cleveland - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

Toledo - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924.

Cincinnati - TBD pending input & CUT renovations
 
Also, mark your calendars!!

FALL MEETING: All Aboard Ohio Fall Meeting will be held in Toledo, 9:30 a.m. Oct.
23, at the Spaghetti Warehouse, 42 South Superior St, just south of downtown
by the baseball park. There will be an All Aboard Ohio board election and Derrick
James of Amtrak will discuss Amtrak service changes and initiatives. Details will
be in the next newsletter!
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

 

Monday, September 6, 2010

Obama proposes $50 billion for road, rail, airways

Factbox: Obama proposes $50 billion for road, rail, airways
MILWAUKEE | Mon Sep 6, 2010 7:01pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - President Barack Obama would spend $50 billion on revamping highways, rails and airport runways to create jobs in the near term and improve the long-term U.S. transportation network.


WHERE THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT

The White House said it would:

-- Rebuild 150,000 miles of roads and bridges while expanding capacity on some of them.

-- Construct and maintain 4,000 miles of rail lines, both high-speed rail and commuter lines. The plan also would "invest in a long-overdue overhaul of the Amtrak passenger fleet."

-- Rehabilitate or reconstruct 150 miles of airport runways and put in place a NextGen air-traffic control system. Among improvements would be use of a satellite-based surveillance system, which would be more accurate than ground-based radar.

READ MORE AT:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6853DB20100906
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org