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COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
April 19, 2010
PROVIDING HELP FOR INDIGENT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN: Health and Human Development Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring three pieces of legislation to help support healthy families in Columbus. Ordinance 0496-2010 will authorize the city to accept and appropriate $210,144 from the Health Department Grant Funds for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) grant program. The WIC program provides food, nutrition counseling, and access to health services for low-income women, infants, and children under the age of five. Ordinance 0497-2010 will allow the Columbus Board of Health to accept a $9,314 grant from the State of Ohio to provide additional funding for the WIC program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital through September 30, 2010. Ordinance 0556-2010 authorizes the expenditure of $5,000 from the Health Department Grant fund for the Council on Healthy Mothers and Babies. The Council on Healthy Mothers and Babies provides health education/promotional services, supports the Local Health System Action Plan, holds public forums and meetings, prenatal care committees and links pregnant women with appropriate providers through the Pregnancy Care Connection Network.
ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS: Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0521-2010 to authorize the use of the Department of Technology’s information services fund for the renewal of annual maintenance and support for CommSHOP 360 Solution software. The software manages support, maintenance, and asset tracking of the Department of Public Safety’s radio communications systems, which enhances productivity and improves performance. The CommSHOP 360 Solution software agreement will provide services to the Department of Public Safety’s radio communications systems through March 31, 2011.
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE ANNIVERSARY: Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring resolution 0046X-2010 to recognize the 90th anniversary of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus and the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, giving women the right to vote. The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus is a non-partisan political organization that has fought to improve our system of government and influence public policy through citizen education and advocacy. The organization annually produces the trusted, non-partisan Voter Information Bulletin, which helps voters make informed decisions on Election Day.
IMPROVING CITY PLAYGROUNDS: Slides, swings, and seesaws are often used by children during outdoor play at city playgrounds. Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0545-2010, which authorizes the transfer and expenditure of $100,000 within the Voted 1999/2004 Parks and Recreation Bond Fund for playground improvements. Improvements will include the installation of playground equipment, lighting, and fencing at various Columbus parks and playgrounds.
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 1607-2009 to authorize the collaboration between Columbus and State of Ohio for an Urban Paving Project on SR 104. The project will resurface the roadway between Frank Road and Dyer Road (Columbus corporation line). The total construction cost of the project is estimated at $200,000, with the city contributing approximately $45,000.
MENTEL TO ADDRESS HILLTOP BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: City Council President Michael C. Mentel has been invited to speak at the Hilltop Business Association (HBA) luncheon on Thursday, April 22. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and is being held at the Crossroads United Methodist Church (1100 S Hague Ave). The HBA was founded in 1926 and promotes businesses and economic development through membership activities, community events such as the Hilltop Bean Dinner, civic partnerships, and participation in the city’s Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program.
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:
* The Housing and Health & Human Development Committee Hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday April 21, 2010 has been postponed until Wednesday April 28, 2010. This hearing will address the proposed Vacant and Abandoned Housing Legislation that Councilmember Tavares and City Attorney Pfeiffer are working on. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
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