Media Alert

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release:  July 19, 2011   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

Green Columbus Fund Helps Turn Brownfield into Retail Shopping Location

 

 

WHO:
Councilmember Zach M. Klein

Representatives of Hutton Company

George Walker, Jr., South Linden Area Commission

 

WHEN:
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
11:00 am

 

WHERE:
675 East Hudson Avenue

 

WHAT:

Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, will highlight the use of the Green Columbus Fund to demolish a former gas station along East Hudson Street into a new retail shopping location. Councilmember Klein will be joined by representatives of the Hutton Company, the developer of the site, and neighborhood leaders as the demolition begins.  The Green Columbus Fund was announced last year and is a reimbursement grant program meant to encourage sustainable development and redevelopment by providing financial incentives to businesses.  

 

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Meeting Highlights 7-18-11

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 18, 2011   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS: The city of Columbus continues to improve neighborhoods and protect area residents from flooding. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Utilities Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0992-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $76,919,700.00 from the Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) for Phase 2 of the Olentangy Scioto Interceptor Sewer (OSIS) Augmentation & Relief Sewer (OARS) Project.  The project, known as OARS, is a sewer tunnel that will intercept wet weather overflows that currently empty into the Scioto River and carry the flows to the city’s Jackson Pike and Southerly wastewater treatment plants.  Phase 1 construction began in September 2010 and involved the construction of a 23,300 foot sewer tunnel.  Phase 2 of the project consists of the construction of access shafts, hydraulic drop structures, relief structures, overflow connector sewers, a pump station, the pump electrical building, a river outfall structure, and flow diversion structures. The total cost of the project is over $200 million and is necessary to reduce the environmental impact of Combined Sewer Overflows.

 

SELECTING THE TOP CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY’S SAFETY FORCES: The city of Columbus is committed to providing residents with outstanding safety services.  Recruitment and applicant screening is critical in ensuring the City is hiring the best men and women to protect Columbus citizens. Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 1059-2011, which will authorize the expenditure of $55,650.00 for psychological screenings of public safety applicants.  The screenings are only part of the employment hiring process.  Police and fire recruits are also required to undergo pre-employment physicals and cardiovascular stress testing before entering the Police and Fire academies. 

 

IMPROVING SAFETY AT CITY PARK FACILITIES:  Hundreds of families and area residents utilize city park facilities during each day.  Currently, park facilities are closed from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, with the exception of those wishing to fish in city owned ponds. Councilmember Zachary M. Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee is sponsoring legislation to close all city parks to public, regardless of activity, during the same hours, unless written permission is granted from the parks director.  Ordinance 1065-2011 will amend the city code to limit offshore and shorebound fishing and associated trailering activities between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am to reservoirs, creeks, and rivers.  The legislation will also prohibit the use of nets, buckets, or methods other than pole fishing to harvest fish from ponds. The changes are in response to the increasing problem of large scale fishing for commercial purposes at city owned ponds which leads to a depleted fish stock, an unbalanced ecosystem, and loss of a recreational activity for residents of all ages. 

 

councilmember Mills HELPING kick-off National Night Out:  National Night Out is a community-based initiative that brings citizens together in an effort to fight crime in their neighborhoods.  Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills will participate in the National Night Out Kick-off on Saturday, July 23^rd, 2011 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Far East Recreation Center, 1826 Lattimer Drive. This year’s theme will be Disaster and Emergency preparedness to make residents aware that if a natural or manmade disaster would hit the City of Columbus is prepared to react and assist. The 28^th Annual National Night Out will take place Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

 

NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION DOLLARS HELPING THE SOUTH LINDEN NEIGHBORHOOD:  Thirty-five single family homes will soon be built in the South Linden neighborhood.  Health, Housing and Human Services Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1139-2011 to authorize the transfer of thirteen parcels from the Land Bank to Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) for the Duxberry Landing project.  CHP will partner with the Greater Linden Development Corporation to develop 35 new single-family homes within the South Linden neighborhood. As a member of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP 2) consortium, Columbus Housing Partnership will invest NSP funds from both the NSP 2 Consortium and the State of Ohio. The Land Bank properties were acquired under both the Land Reutilization Program (Tax Foreclosures) and under the NSP.  The City will receive $6,965 for the properties initially acquired under the Land Reutilization Program. 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE Public Hearing: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee, will host a public hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers regarding the city’s award winning Fleet Division.  Finance Director Paul Rakosky and Fleet Administrator Kelly Reagan will present an overview of the division and discuss its commitment to efficiency and innovation.  The Fleet Division is ranked 3^rd for the “100 Best” Fleets in the nation.  Those who wish to address City Council are welcome to submit a speaker slip at City Hall on the day of the meeting.

 

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Privatizing Amtrak violates constitution's Takings Clause

Congressional Research Service: Privatizing Amtrak violates constitution's Takings Clause
By Keith Laing - 07/13/11 01:50 PM ET 
  
The Congressional Research Service said this week that the House Republican plan to privatizing rail service currently provided by Amtrak would violate the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 

Looking into the proposal at the behest of Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the CRS ruled that the proposal to transfer assets in the Northeast Rail Corridor currently owned by Amtrak to the Department of Transportation runs afoul of the constitutional provision that requires compensation for transactions of value. 

"The terms of the clause make plain that if the proposed bill were enacted, Amtrak would be able to invoke the clause's protections if (1) Amtrak may be regarded as an entity outside the federal government for Takings Clause purposes … (2) the Amtrak assets to be transferred to the Secretary are 'property' under the Clause and (3) the transfer is a 'taking' under the clause," the CRS report obtained by The Hill said. 

Read more at: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/171247-congressional-research-service-privatizing-amtrak-violates-constitutions-takings-clause

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Councilmember Klein Takes Steps to Increase Safety at Columbus Parks

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY   For Immediate Release:  July 12, 2011   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

Councilmember Klein Takes Steps to Increase

Safety at Columbus Parks

 

(Columbus)-- Columbus City Council will soon consider legislation that will make parks and properties surrounding parks safer places for families and residents.   Currently, parks facilities are closed from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, with the exception of those wishing to fish in city owned ponds.   City Councilmembers are interested in crafting code that all requires all city parks will be closed to public, regardless of activity, during the same hours, unless written permission is granted from the parks director.  Zach Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, will discuss proposed changes during his committee meeting Wednesday, July 13 at 5:30 pm.

 

“These changes will create a clearer definition of when our parks are open to the public,” said Councilmember Klein.  “The current rules are ambiguous and create situations that negatively impact our parks system and the ability of our residents to enjoy programming Recreation and Parks Department has to offer the community.”

 

The proposed changes are also in response to an increasing problem at city owned ponds, the large scale harvesting of fish in nets and buckets for commercial purposes. This leads to a depleted fish stock, an unbalanced ecosystem, and loss of a recreational activity for residents of all ages.  The legislation being discussed, 1065-2011, will ensure that fishing can still be done early in the morning and late at night in reservoirs, creeks and rivers; but parks with smaller bodies of water, like ponds, will be closed except upon written approval by the director.

 

 

 

 

 

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AMTRAK TO EXCEED 30 MILLION PASSENGERS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Data for Ohio's three Amtrak routes (comparisons are Oct. 1,2009-June 30, 2010 versus Oct. 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) is as follows......

Cardinal (Chicago - Cincinnati - Washington DC - New York City) ...... ridership up 10.2%; revenues up 20.3%

Capitol Limited (Chicago - Toledo - Sandusky - Elyria - Cleveland - Alliance - Washington DC) ...... ridership up 6.3%; revenues up 12.3%

Lake Shore Limited (Chicago - Bryan - Toledo - Sandusky - Elyria - Cleveland - New York City/Boston) ...... ridership up 10.2%; revenues up 17.2%

Total ridership on Ohio's three trains so far this fiscal year is 538,906 vs. 494,524 at this time last year. Ridership and revenues are also higher than Amtrak had originally budgeted.

SOURCE: Amtrak Media Relations

__________________

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2011

ATK-11-100
Contact: Media Relations
202 906.3860

AMTRAK TO EXCEED 30 MILLION PASSENGERS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Ridership projections show a new all-time record will be set

WASHINGTON -Amtrak is projecting that for the first time ever its annual ridership will exceed 30 million passengers and in the process set a new all-time record when the current fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
       
"We are having a very strong year because people around the country are choosing the convenience, efficiency and hassle-free environment of Amtrak to meet their travel needs," said President and CEO Joe Boardman.  "Amtrak has wisely invested the federal funding we have received to improve infrastructure and equipment.  Continued investment in Amtrak and passenger rail will support the further growth of this increasingly vital transportation option."
      
Amtrak is basing its projection of more than 30 million passengers on strong June ridership numbers and expected ticket sales for July, August and September. June 2011 was the best June on record with more than 2.6 million passengers for the month and marked 20 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth, a streak that began in November 2009. 
      
This strong performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010.
      
Comparing the first nine months of FY 2011 (October - June) to the same time period in FY 2010, national Amtrak ridership is up 6.4 percent so far this fiscal year and all three major business lines are showing gains: the Northeast Corridor up 5.6 percent, state-supported and other short distance corridors up 7.8 percent, and long-distance trains up 3.9 percent.  
      
Factors contributing to the continuing success of Amtrak include high gasoline prices, continued growth in business travel on the high-speed Acela Express trains with free Wi-Fi service, the increased appeal and popularity of rail travel, and effective marketing campaigns.

About Amtrak®: 
Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America's Railroad, Amtrak is the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator.  A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces.  Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies.  Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010.  Enjoy the journey at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.  Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

___________________________

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

 

Rec Sports Member Update July 12, 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

1.    New Energy Saving Lights at the RPAC

2.    Go Backpacking in the Sierra-Nevada with the Outdoor Adventure Center

3.    Join Team Buckeye for Pelotonia 2011

4.    Personal Training Certification Evening Classes for Summer

5.    Seeking Children to Volunteer in Autism Study

6.    Connect with Rec Sports! Share Your Favorite Pages, Articles on Facebook, Twitter

 

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to recsportsmembers-unsubscribe@lists.studentaffairs.ohio-state.edu from the e-mail account to which you are subscribed for this listserv.

 

New Energy Saving Lights at the RPAC
Light fixture changes have been made in the RPAC gymnasiums to conserve energy, reduce costs, and improve your recreation experience. Lighting in the Upper, Tom W. Davis, North, and South Gymnasiums were switched from metal halide to fluorescent lighting. With this switch, the lighting in the upper and lower gyms will pay for themselves in 3.6 years, while the north and south gyms have a 3.5 year payback. Facilities and Operational Development partnered with the Department of Recreational Sports to provide the labor to change out the metal halide lights to fluorescent, which provided a cost savings.

Stop by and see the difference!

Go Backpacking in the Sierra-Nevada with the Outdoor Adventure Center
Join the Outdoor Adventure Center September 6 - 16, 2011, on a California backpacking trip through the Sierra-Nevada Mountains for an unforgettable experience. The cost of the trip is $575, which covers backpacking gear, food, travel, and outdoor instruction. For more information, contact the OAC at (614) 247-8680.

Join Team Buckeye for Pelotonia 2011
With less than 60 days left until Pelotonia 2011, there's still time to join Team Buckeye! Register to ride at http://teambuckeye.osu.edu/. Don’t want to ride? Learn more about volunteering, training, and donating.

 

Personal Training Certification Evening Classes for Summer

Want to become a personal trainer? Sign up for the World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) class, to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m. beginning August 2. Rec Sports members pay $489 for the six-week course. Call (614) 292-7671 and dial 0 to sign up.

Seeking Children to Volunteer in Autism Study

Do you have a child between the ages of 6 and 10 or know someone who does? Occupational therapists at Ohio State are in need of volunteers between these ages with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders for a study in understanding sensory processing in children with autism. The study will research how children process sensory information and how this affects their behavior.  

Children involved in the study will attend 2-3 study visits at Ohio State, each taking 1-2 hours. At the visits, the therapists will:

·         Complete a hearing screen on your child

·         Play sensory games, such as retrieving toys from sticky putty and listening to household sounds

·         Ask you to complete a survey about your child’s typical response to touch, sound, movement, and other sensations

·         Measure sensory processing using an electroencephalogram (EEG)

If your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) will also be completed.

Parking and gift cards for participation will be provided. For more information, contact Alison Lane at (614) 292-024 or lane.350@osu.edu

 

Connect with Rec Sports! Share Your Favorite Pages, Articles on Facebook, Twitter

The Ohio State Rec Sports website is now connected with Facebook and Twitter! Check out our feeds from both sites at the bottom of our homepage, and look for Like buttons and Tweet buttons around the site.

 

*************** IMPORTANT CONTACTS ****************

RPAC Welcome Center – 292-7671

ARC Front Desk – 247-8686

Comments to the Director – Don Stenta, stenta.1@osu.edu, 688-4738

Adapted Recreational Sports – Lindsay Bond, bond.217@osu.edu,688-3693

Adventure Recreation Center & Jesse Owens Centers – Diane Jensen, jensen.8@osu.edu, 688-3988

Aquatic Center – Kurt Carmen, Carmen.7@osu.edu, 688-3587

Community Programs – Marci Hasty, hasty.11@osu.edu, 292-5328

Facility/Meeting Room Scheduling - Andrea Hall, hall.794@osu.edu, 292-6481

Group Fitness Classes and Massage – Scott Holmes, holmes.508@osu.edu, 292-8755

Intramural Sports - Ken Hill, hill.521@osu.edu, 292-5292

Lockers, Sport Shop, and Welcome Center Operations - Rob Jech, jech.2@osu.edu, 688-8788

Marketing - Emily Howard, howard.778@osu.edu, 688-4185

Membership - Kris Myers, myers.785@osu.edu, 688-8461

Ohio State Swim Club – Kyle Goodrich, goodrich.89@osu.edu, 292-1303

Outdoor Adventure Center - Steve Hawkins, hawkins.264@osu.edu, 247-8063

Personal Training - John Katsares, katsares.1@osu.edu, 292-5153

Racquetball and Squash Reservations - 292-8590

Recreational Sports Learning – Brendan Greisberger, greisberger.5@osu.edu, 688-3297

RPAC Operations – Dave DeAngelo, deangelo.1@osu.edu, 247-6009

Special Assistant to the Director – Marci Shumaker, shumaker.98@osu.edu, 688-3983

Sponsorship – Kristin Smith, smith.1424@osu.edu, 688-4619

Sport Clubs – Charles Anderson, anderson.1859@osu.edu, 688-3879

Web Site – Katie Thomas, thomas.2407@osu.edu, 292-5287

***************************************************

 

 

{SPAM} Meeting Highlights 7-11-11

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: July 11, 2011   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

IMPROVING CITY POOLS:  Each summer, hundreds of area residents utilize the public pool facilities throughout the city.  Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Zachary M. Klein is sponsoring legislation that will fund upgrades to some of Columbus’ most popular aquatic centers.   Ordinance 1077-2011 authorizes the expenditure of $6.2 million to enhance city swimming pools.  The work will consist of the removal and replacement of the bath house facilities at Dodge, Marion Franklin and Windsor Pools, as well as the pool and pool mechanical building at Dodge Pool.  Enhancements will include decorative concrete finish, ‘Wirewall’ high security fencing and planting beds at bathhouses at Dodge, Marion Franklin, and Windsor Pools.  Additional improvements will also be made at Dodge Pool including a closed tube slide and tot/wading pool, an ultra violet light disinfection system, stainless steel walls, replacement of the perimeter fence and buff wash concrete paving.  

 

MILLS HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS TRESPASSING: Columbus City Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, Chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss proposed changes to Columbus’ trespassing laws and proposed legislation that will enhance the penalties for those with repeat trespassing convictions.

 

ENHANCING THE CITY’S WEBSITE: Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 0955-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $100,000 from the Information Services Capital Improvement Bond Fund for the Department of Technology to enter into a contract with Manpower Professional Services (formerly COMSYS) for professional services to enhance the city’s internet sites.  The contract will provide qualified staff services in the areas of web project management, web development, web business analysis, web usability and graphic design.  The enhanced system will allow the city’s website to be more user-friendly for area residents and visitors to the city.  

 

      PURCHASING BULK FUEL: In order to maintain the City’s fleet services, Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0998-2011 to authorize the Department of Finance and Management to issue purchase orders for credit card fuel and to acquire unleaded fuel in bulk.  Columbus saves money on these purchases by paying a wholesale cost instead of retail. The fuel is used by all City vehicles, including Police, Fire and Refuse Collection vehicles.

 

Offering hope to those in need:  The HOPWA program provides for the implementation of long-term comprehensive strategies for meeting the housing needs of low income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Ordinance 1032-2011, sponsored by Health, Housing & Human Services Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig authorizes the appropriation of $268,105.00 from the General Government Grant Fund to fund the 2011 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.  Eligible activities include providing housing information services; resource identification; acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease, and repair of facilities to provide housing and services; new construction of housing units; project or tenant-based rental assistance; short-term rent, mortgage and utility payments; supportive services; technical assistance and administrative support. This program is entirely funded by HUD and will run through December 31, 2011. 

IMPROVING CITY STREETS: Columbus residents will soon see improvements to streets on the city’s Westside through collaborative efforts among city departments and Franklin County.  Public Service Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 1071-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $7,866,181.99 from the Governmental Build America Bonds Fund for Resurfacing - Zone 5, streetscape and trench rehabilitation project.  The project involves the repairing and resurfacing of 31 city streets and the construction of 87,867 square feet of sidewalk and 558 wheelchair ramps.  The work consists of milling the existing pavement, overlaying with new asphalt concrete, the replacement of curb and sidewalks associated with the installation of ADA wheelchair ramps and partial depth pavement repair where warranted.  The project will also include trench and street lighting improvements to West Broad Street.  Click here for a complete list of streets included in the project.

 

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