6/1/20 City Council Meeting

Columbus City Council Meeting Highlights:
IMPORTANT NOTE: This meeting will be live-streamed via the City of Columbus website at www.columbus.g.... Tonight’s meeting will also be live-streamed on Council’s Facebook page at / colscouncil . Residents can also listen live by calling toll-free to 1-650-479-3207, and the access code is 160 049 5710.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public is encouraged to tune in and watch proceedings, from the comforts of their home. Should a Columbus resident have comment on a particular piece of legislation, they should follow the new online speaker slip procedures put forward on our website, which can be found here: www.columbus.g....
• DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN COLUMBUS: Councilmember Priscilla Tyson, Chair of the Health and Human Services committee is sponsoring resolution 0095x-2020 to declare racism as a public health crisis in the City of Columbus. This will encourage a commitment to improving minority health by working to reduce health inequities, promoting efforts to enhance the quality of life for Columbus residents - including a systematic focus on poverty, economic mobility, and other factors that impact the lives of minority Columbus residents.
• PROVIDING EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS LOANS AND GRANTS: Council President Shannon G. Hardin is sponsoring ordinances 1277-2020 and 1284-2020 to establish the Columbus COVID-19 Small Business Response and Recovery Fund. It is a $5.5 million loan and grant program created to help small businesses in Columbus get through the challenges of COVID-19.
• COMPLETING THE BIG WALNUT TRAIL: Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown, Chair of the Recreation and Parks committee is sponsoring ordinance 1087-2020 to enter into a $1,142,268.55 contract with Strawser Paving Company for the construction of the Big Walnut Trail - Elk Run to Winchester Pike, which will include the construction of 0.8 miles of 10-ft wide asphalt trail from the existing trailhead in Elk Run Park, to Winchester Pike, in Southeast Columbus. The construction of the trail also includes retaining wall installation, tree plantings, and the installation of storm water management features. Once completed, the southern section of the Big Walnut Trail will be over 2.5 miles long, from Williams Road to a dense multi-family neighborhood on Winchester Pike. The construction project is anticipated to be complete by June 2021.
• PROVIDING REVENUE-SHARING DOLLARS TO LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS: Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, Chair of the Economic Development committee is sponsoring ordinance 1170-2020 to disburse $1,486,971.20 to local school districts from revenue-sharing tax incentive agreements. The City of Columbus Revenue Sharing Agreements provide additional revenue to schools in the short-term during abatement periods. This short- and long-term investment strategy allows the Columbus City School District to receive funding while a property is being developed, in addition to the base property tax payments the schools continue to receive.
• HONORING OUR RETIRING FIRE CHIEF: Councilmember Mitchell J. Brown, Chair of the Public Safety committee is sponsoring resolution 0093x-2020, to recognize Fire Chief Kevin O’Connor in honor of his 31 years of distinguished service with the Columbus Division of Fire. Chief O’Connor retired from the Division of Fire on May 28, 2020.
• MODERNIZING OUR UTILITY METERS: Councilmember Rob Dorans, Chair of the Public Utilities committee is sponsoring ordinance 1064-2020 to provide $75 million to the Department of Public Utilities to fund the Enhanced Meter Project (EMP), which will allow both the Division of Water and the Division of Power to collect electronic meter readings and expand services for customers.
• REBUILDING AN ESSENTIAL EASTSIDE THOROUGHFARE: Councilmember Shayla Favor, Chair of the Public Service & Transportation committee is sponsoring ordinance 1125-2020, authorizing the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Shelly & Sands for the Arterial Street Rehabilitation-Hamilton Road-161 to Morse Road Phase A project. The project will consist of the reconstruction of a 1.29 mile portion of Hamilton Road and the reconstruction of a .47 mile portion of Morse Road. Improvements include pavement widening, pavement replacement, pavement resurfacing, drainage improvements, pedestrian walks, shared use paths, replace of existing traffic signals, lighting, and landscaping for a total expenditure of $20,039,014.36.
Upcoming Events:
• June 9 -- Virtual Southside Community Meeting
• June 15 -- Virtual Council Meeting

[@seandustinestepp]

Come outside and MARCH WITH US!!! Designate a unit of Columbus police officers to MARCH WITH US!!! All we want is solidarity and we are not getting it on the streets.