Council President Praises Casino Announcement

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL   For Immediate Release: January 19, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

 

COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAILS CASINO ANNOUNCEMENT

Mentel Praises Penn National’s New Proposal

 

COLUMBUS—After nearly two months of discussions, Penn National’s decision to work with neighborhood and area business leaders on an alternative casino location is being called a responsible compromise.

"I would like to commend Penn National for listening to our concerns and working with our community to consider more viable alternatives for the casino location," said Council President Michael C. Mentel.  "While our region overwhelmingly opposed Issue 3 last year, the fact remained that this was a statewide constitutional amendment that passed.”

 

“Penn’s decision to consider other sites, and ultimately choosing the former GM Delphi plant, showed their willingness to seek support from residents and business leaders who would welcome the economic redevelopment opportunities brought about by a casino in their area.  I will continue to encourage Penn National and other casino supporters to work with key members of the legislature such as State Senator Jim Hughes and State Representatives Ted Celeste and Cheryl Grossman on gaining bipartisan support for a new constitutional amendment.”

 

 

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2010 Columbus City Council Communications

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

As the meeting calendar for the Columbus City Council begins for 2010, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of the many ways you and your organization can stay connected with the legislative branch of city government. 

Each week, the Office of Communications issues various community alerts and press releases.  As a member of Council Outreach, many of you automatically receive the City Council Highlights, a weekly summary of the major ordinances and resolutions before Council.  City Council Highlights are circulated on Monday afternoons and serve as a quick reference guide to the substantial agenda items City Councilmembers are considering. 

In mid-2009, under the leadership of Council President Michael C. Mentel, City Council began utilizing the social networking sites to publish press releases, agenda highlights and podcasts of our weekly radio program.  Please take a moment to visit City Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.  I think you will find them to be additional resources that will help keep you and your community members informed of the legislative actions of City Council.  Becoming a “friend” or “follower” is easy with links to our pages and website found at the top of this release. 

And as always, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or telephone if you have questions regarding an agenda, event or issue dealing with the Columbus City Council.

Thank you for your time, support and service to the citizens of this great city!

 

John 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Highlights 1-11-2010

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: January 11, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:  The Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), part of the federal stimulus bill, provides funding for pollution mitigation projects.  Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is introducing ordinance 1722-2009 to appropriate $85,339.66 from the WPCLF for the modification of a construction contract for the Reservoir Pollution Reduction Project.  The modification is necessary to receive additional stimulus funding.  The project will provide water quality enhancement of storm water before it enters the drinking water supply at the Griggs, Hoover and the O’Shaughnessy Reservoirs.

RECOGNIZING A COMMUNITY LEADER:  City Councilmembers Charleta B. Tavares and Priscilla R. Tyson are co-sponsoring resolution 0003x-2010, recognizing Michelle M. Mills for receiving the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Columbus Education Association.  Ms. Mills will be presented the award during the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner on January 14^th at the Hyatt Regency.   Ms. Mills is President and CEO of the St. Stephen’s Community House and co-chair of the Linden Area Education Design Team.  In 2007 she received the Empowered Woman Award from the Columbus Post and was recognized by Business First as one of Columbus’ “40 Under 40” emerging leaders.

MAINTAINING CITY STREETS AND ROADWAYS:  As the new year begins, city staff members are preparing for dozens of projects that will help build and maintain our streets and roadways.  Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0013-2010 to appropriate $3,298,750 from the Municipal Motor Vehicle License Tax Fund for road construction projects, salt purchases, improvements to traffic signs and signals, as well as other priorities.  Per state law, Columbus residents pay into the fund when they register a motor vehicle.

ENCOURAGING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT IN COLUMBUS:  Brownfield revitalization, which transforms vacant and abandoned properties into job-creating projects, continues to be a top priority for City Council’s economic development strategy.  Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 0031-2010 to authorize an application for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant of up to $3 million through the Ohio Department of Development.  The legislation also authorizes the city to receive and administer the grant in order to clean and redevelop the former Kimball Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd.  Wagenbrenner Development Company is scheduled to invest $9 million to redevelop the site.

REDUCING CITY COMMUNICATION COSTS:  In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, the city of Columbus continues a large scale overhaul of its communications system.  Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1535-2010 to establish purchase orders for equipment and professional services associated with Metronet's telephone services voice over internet protocol (VOIP) project.  The equipment will be used at various city facilities around Columbus and will allow for the replacement and conversion of approximately 489 Centrex phones with VOIP phones.  This conversion is expected to significantly reduce monthly phone costs for the city.

 

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UTILITIES COMMITTEE BUDGET BRIEFING RESCHEDULED

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: January 8, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

UTILITIES COMMITTEE BUDGET BRIEFING IS RESCHEDULED

 

(Columbus)—Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Utilities Committee, will hold a Utilities Committee Budget briefing Tuesday, January 12, 5:00 PM in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 90 West Broad Street.  This meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 7, but was cancelled due to the weather emergency. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Cancellation

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: January 7, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

(Columbus)—Due to weather conditions, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley has cancelled tonight’s Utilities Committee Budget briefing.  When a new date and time is selected, the media and community will be notified. 

 

 

 

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Columbus City Council 2010 Reorganization Release

 

For Immediate Release                                   

January 4, 2010

 

Contact:

Kelly McGuire

645-8623

 

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL HOLDS REORGANIZATION MEETING

Mentel, Craig Re-elected to Leadership Roles

 

(COLUMBUS)—Council President Michael C. Mentel and President Pro Tem Hearcel F. Craig were both re-elected to their leadership positions during Columbus City Council’s reorganization meeting held Monday night. 

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to continue serving the residents of Columbus as Council President,” said Mentel.  “I am looking forward to another term of working with Mayor Coleman and my colleagues as we continue meeting the challenges posed by the lingering effects of the national economic downturn.”

 

Mentel is entering his 12^th year on City Council.  During his tenure he has chaired the Public Safety, Zoning, and Finance committees.  Since first being named President of Council in 2007, Mentel has worked to increase business growth and economic development opportunities in Columbus.  He was also instrumental in creating the Office of Homeless & Social Service Advocacy, which coordinates efforts in the public and private sectors to transition individuals and families from the streets to permanent housing.

 

President Pro Tem Craig joined City Council in April 2007.  Craig chairs the Public Service and Minority & Business Development committees.

 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as President Pro Tem of City Council,” said Craig.  “My focus is to ensure we use the resources entrusted to us by the public in a fiscally responsible way.  I will continue working with Council and the administration to ensure the 2010 budget meets the needs of tomorrow.”

 

Section 10 of the Columbus City Charter requires Council to elect a president and president pro tempore at the first meeting in January following a regular municipal election.

 

 

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Council Highlights 12-14-09

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: December 14, 2009   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

PURCHASING NEW CAMERA-EQUIPPED cruisers for columbus police: Columbus police officers will soon be patrolling the city in new squad cars equipped with digital cameras.  Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1687-2009 to authorize the expenditure of $2,315,142 from the General Permanent Improvement Fund for the purchase of 62 Crown Victoria police vehicles and optional equipment such as computers, docking systems, digital video systems, and sirens from Statewide Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc. and Germain Ford LLC.  The new cruisers will permanently replace current vehicles that have accrued high mileage.  The new cruisers are expected to be patrolling city streets by the summer of 2010.  

PALEY HELPING PROTECT VICTIMS:  In 1988, the City Attorney’s Office created the Stalking Unit within the Domestic Violence Unit to investigate stalking complaints and support victims.  Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring two ordinances to help combat this crime.  Ordinance 1677-2009 authorizes the acceptance of a grant from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Office of Homeland Security, in the amount of $43,543 for the Stalking Investigation program.  The ordinance also authorizes the transfer and appropriation of $14,515 in city matching funds required by the acceptance of the grant.  Ordinance 1683-2009 authorizes the expenditure of not more than $54,040 from those funds for the City Attorney to hire a stalking investigator.  This position will assist in the investigation of stalking cases, assist victims, and serve as a liaison with area police departments to share information and maintain data.  Stalking occurs when a person engages in a pattern of conduct that knowingly causes the victim to believe the offender will cause physical harm or mental distress to them.  Menacing by stalking is a crime under Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.211 and a first degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or $1,000 fine.  A fifth degree felony may be filed if there is a previous stalking conviction.

SUPPORTING BIKEWAY DEVELOPMENT AND THE ALUM CREEK TRAIL:  The City of Columbus is committed to providing residents with alternative means of transportation through cycling and walking.  Priscilla R. Tyson, Chair of the Recreation and Parks committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1635-2009 which will authorize the acceptance and appropriation of a $3,000,000.00 grant from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the Alum Creek Trail Sunbury Road to Innis Park Project.  The ordinance also authorizes the expenditure of $3,716,531.33, which includes a contingency of $162,650.00 from the Voted 1999/2004 Park and Recreation Bond Fund and Recreation and Parks grant funds for continued construction of the project.  The 2.2 mile trail will link parks, schools and neighborhoods along the stream corridor and has been recognized as a key component of the greenway network by many organizations.

REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH THE HOME AGAIN PROGRAM:  The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and preserving quality affordable housing for families in need. The organization participates in the Home Again program to address blight through the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant houses, which will increase the supply of safe, affordable housing and enhance neighborhood revitalization efforts. Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1668-2009, which authorizes the expenditure of $168,880.64 from the Land Management Fund for the program.  The city is working with the Housing Trust in addressing vacant homes in Franklinton and other designated model zone areas.

SUPPORTING URBAN PAVEMENT PROGRAM: The Ohio Department of Transportation and the city of Columbus are working together to improve local roadways.  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 05105-2009 to authorize $573,082 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for the West Broad Street (U.S. 40) Urban Paving project.  The project will resurface approximately 1.93 miles of West Broad Street from Hague Avenue to Central Avenue and the Broad Street west and east bound ramps to I-70.  The project will also include the addition or reconstruction of 78 handicap ramps on the north and south side of West Broad Street. 

MILLER SUPPORTING DIGITAL VISUALIZATION LABORATORY AT COSI:  Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller joined community partners today at COSI for a demonstration in the Digital Visualization Laboratory.  The proposed laboratory would function as a 60-foot dome theatre with fulldome high-resolution projections within COSI’s existing planetarium space and serve as a working laboratory for scientists, business analysts, artists, and educators to make data come alive.  The demonstration included viewing existing scientific, business and entertainment imagery in the immersive dome environment.  The laboratory has the potential to revolutionize the way information is processed, analyzed and shared.

MENTEL DELIVERING WINTER COMMENCEMENT address AT ohio dominican UNIVERSITY: City Council President Michael C. Mentel will serve as keynote speaker during the winter commencement ceremony at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall gymnasium (1216 Sunbury Road).  ODU Interim President Ron Seiffert will bestow President Mentel with a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa for his outstanding service to the community.  Ohio Dominican University is a private institution founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican tradition.  The university has more than 3,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

 

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