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Press Release:
COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
June 20, 2011
NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION DOLLARS HELPING COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Columbus $23.2 million in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2). The funds, included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, continue to provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, redevelopment, or demolition of foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties. Health, Housing & Human Services Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 0887-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $1,125,076.86 from the General Government Grant Fund to modify the NSP2 Consortium Agreement with the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County. The city of Columbus is the Lead Applicant of the NSP2 Consortium which is an association of seven organizations and government entities formed for the purpose of applying for and implementing NSP2 funds.
CUTTING COSTS THROUGH ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the City of Columbus was awarded $7,403,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant initiative. Funds are being used for several energy efficiency and conservation projects within the city including retrofitting fire stations with energy efficient lighting. It has been determined that additional funding is needed for the fire stations' efficiency lighting projects. Funds previously identified for the energy efficient retrofit for the central safety building are available for transfer to the fire stations lighting projects. Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0896-2011 to authorize the transfer of these funds. The projects are designed to help reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the city’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and create and retain jobs. The following are additional projects the city is planning to implement:
• Incentivizing business expansion through an energy efficiency revolving loan program
• Bike infrastructure improvements
• Energy efficient retrofit for the Central Safety building
• Participate with the State of Ohio to retrofit the Center of Science and Industry
• Retrofit the Cultural Arts Center with energy efficient lighting
• Retrofitting the city’s pedestrian signal heads with energy efficient LED technology
• Helping retrofit low-income households with energy efficient lighting and appliances
HVAC IMPROVEMENTS COMING TO COLUMBUS RECREATION CENTERS: Residents of all ages utilize city recreation centers during the hot summer months and all year long. City Council is committed to improving all recreation facilities and enhancing the quality of life for neighborhood residents. Recreation & Parks Committee Chair Zachary M. Klein is sponsoring ordinance 0868-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $2.1 million from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund for HVAC improvements at the Far East Recreation Center, Woodward Park Recreation Center, Antrim Park Shelter House, and Barnett Recreation Center.
HELPING FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISH FIRES WITH UPGRADED EQUIPMENT: In 2010, the Columbus Division of Fire received grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase firefighting equipment and supplies. Public Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is sponsoring ordinance 0777-2011 to authorize the expenditure of $267,772.52 from the General Government Grant Fund and the Build America Bonds Fund for the purchase of firefighting foam systems, nozzles and foam. The new equipment will allow the Fire Division to standardize nozzles across all 34 engine companies and replace outdated hoses with new technology. The grant required a 20% funding match from the city.
ENSURING CITY BRIDGES ARE SAFE: The city of Columbus performs routine rehabilitation to existing, city-owned bridges to ensure safety, minimize maintenance costs and prolong the life of the bridges. Public Service Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley is sponsoring ordinance 0915-2011, which authorizes the expenditure of $480,488.80 to modify a contract with Double Z Construction for the Bridge Rehabilitation – Annual Citywide Contract Project 1. The contract modification will include bridge rehabilitation of the High Street over SR-104 bridge and the Groveport Road over SR-104 bridge. Rehabilitation will consist of crack sealing, concrete patching on all elements of a bridge, railing rehabilitation, epoxy injection, maintenance of traffic, concrete removal, asphalt overlays, sealing cracks in bridge decks and the replacement of expansion joint seals.
MILLER HOLDING PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS COOPER STADIUM DEVELOPMENT: Columbus City Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Zoning Committee, will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the application to rezone Cooper Stadium from Rural District to Commercial Planned Development District. The meeting will be broadcast live on city government television channel C-TV.
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