| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS For Immediate Release: March 19, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
OPERATION SAFEWALKS: The city of Columbus continues to promote active living for residents by improving mobility in area neighborhoods. Public Service & Transportation Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, is sponsoring ordinance 0407-2012, to authorize the expenditure of $7,084,848.13 for the Operation Safewalks – Joyce Avenue Phase 1 Project. The project includes the reconstruction of East Hudson Street east of Cleveland Avenue to east of Joyce Avenue and Joyce Avenue north of East Hudson Street to north of Kenmore Avenue. Improvements will also include the reconstruction or addition of water and sewer lines, a shared use path, new sidewalk and curbing as well as 42 ADA ramps. There are three bus transit routes within the project and a number of destinations residents can walk to including the Hudson Market, the Duxberry School of Arts and various small businesses along East Hudson Street and industries along Joyce Avenue.
OPENING ADDITIONAL CITY POOLS: The city of Columbus has several outdoor swimming pools that can be utilized by hundreds of area residents each summer. Due to budget cuts, the city opened only four pools (Dodge, Marion Franklin, Tuttle and Windsor) for the outdoor swim season for the past three years. The same four pools are scheduled to open for the season on June 10, 2012. Last summer, City Council provided funding for the opening and operation of the Glenwood and Maryland pools for a portion of the outdoor swim season. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Zachary M. Klein is sponsoring legislation that will again fund the opening of three additional pools this summer. Ordinance 0557-2012 will authorize the appropriation of $461,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund for expenditures related to the opening and operation of the Glenwood, Maryland and Lincoln pools for the 2012 summer season. Funding will provide part-time lifeguards, building maintenance staff, special duty police, uniforms, supplies and equipment needed to repair, open and maintain the pools. The city will have seven outdoor pools located throughout the city open for 2012 outdoor swim season.
NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY CAMERA HEARING: Columbus City Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety & Judiciary Committee, will hold a public hearing to discuss the impact of the City’s pilot Neighborhood Safety Camera program on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Since mid-2011, cameras have been installed in five Columbus neighborhoods, including Weinland Park, the Hilltop, Mount Vernon Avenue, South Linden and Livingston Avenue areas. The meeting will highlight how police officers have utilized the cameras as part of a comprehensive crime prevention program. Speaker slips will be available on the day of the hearing beginning at 8 am at City Hall. General rules of speaking before Council will apply. Speaker slips will be accepted until 5:00 pm. The meeting will be televised live on CTV, Columbus’ public access station on local cable systems
IMPROVEMENTS COMING FOR LYNN AND PEARL ALLEYS: Councilmember, A. Troy Miller, chair of the Small & Minority Business Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0482-2012 to enter into a design reimbursement agreement in the amount of $102,927.65 with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District for the design of public infrastructure improvements for Lynn and Pearl Alleys. Improvements will include the removal of existing vehicle barriers, concrete planters, and broken light fixtures, four architectural gateways featuring lighting and custom metalwork at each entrance to the alleys, a centerpiece suspended from the four buildings at the intersection of Lynn and Pearl Alleys, minor pavement repairs, free standing planters and site furnishings. The Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District was created in 1999 by property owners in the downtown area to help make downtown the cleanest, safest, and best place to live, work and play in central Ohio.
2012 COMMUNITY GARDENING PROJECT: In an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and decrease disease associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, Columbus Public Health sponsors the Community Gardening Project through the Columbus Foundation-Foundation for Active Living. The program provides grant funding to non-profit organizations for community gardening projects. Health & Human Services Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0495-2012, to authorize the expenditure of $40,000 from the Health Special Revenue Fund for the management of the 2012 community garden projects. Community gardening improves people’s quality of life by providing a catalyst for neighborhood and community development. It encourages engagement among residents of all ages, produces nutritious food and reduces family food budgets, creates opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education and increases the overall pride in a neighborhood.
CELEBRATING THE COLUMBUS CREW: In 1996, Major League Soccer chose Columbus, Ohio as the home for the Columbus Crew, one of only 10 original teams. Council President Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring resolution 0061X-2012 to honor and recognize the team for their 17th season in Columbus. The Columbus Crew will host the Montreal Impact on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at Crew Stadium, the first major-league stadium built specifically for soccer in the United States. The team and stadium have generated more than $384 million in direct spending both within and outside of the iconic stadium, produced $6.5 million in tax revenue for the City of Columbus and supported 490 jobs in 2011. All this week, the new LED lights at City Hall will shine black and gold in honor of our hometown Columbus Crew and their 17th season.
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