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9/2/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 09/04/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Huntington Homeownership Alliance/President Michael C. Mentel, Amy Klaben, Steve Steinour; Encore from 10-24-09 United State Postal Service Dog Bite Prevention Program/Victor Dubina, Vicky Haynes
9/1/2010: President Mentel CHP 09/01/2010
Alliance Anniversary: Huntington, Columbus Housing Partnership Reach 2,600 Families With Home Ownership Programs Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel praised for his support of affordable housingAt the one-year mark of a three-year venture between Huntington Bank (Nasdaq: HBAN; www.huntington.com) and the Columbus Housing Partnership, the Huntington Homeownership Alliance has assisted Columbus Housing Partnership in reaching approximately 2,600 families with home ownership counseling and foreclosure prevention assistance to strengthen the local housing market, Huntington and CHP will announce at a press conference and celebration today.With investment support from Huntington, the Columbus Housing Partnership in year one of the Huntington Homeownership Alliance launched www.homeportohio.org to increase awareness and participation in local home owner education programs that support new home ownership and help keep families in their current homes.The improved site has increased Web traffic by nearly 50 percent.In the first year of the Huntington Homeownership Alliance, more than 2,600 families attended the Homeport Housing Advisory Center. Of that, more than 1,200 families received foreclosure prevention assistance and more than 100 families participated in new online foreclosure prevention education. Since the inception of the Alliance, 17 out of 27 homes sold by Homeport Home Ownership, the home sales division of Columbus Housing Partnership, closed with new loans created specifically for the Alliance. These loans totaled more than $2 million."Huntington is committed to investing in our communities so that they remain vibrant and strong," said Steve Steinour, Huntington Bank chairman, president and CEO. "By partnering with organizations like Columbus Housing Partnership, we are helping more families to own homes and to be educated about all the facets of home ownership." Launched in 2009, the Huntington Homeownership Alliance provides a $10 million commitment from Huntington Bank to people purchasing approximately 100 homes from Columbus Housing Partnership over three years. The Alliance will also enable Columbus Housing Partnership to expand its programs to reach a total of 9,000 families through counseling over the three-year partnership."Simply put, our alliance with Huntington has enabled us to do more to serve the community," said Amy Klaben, Columbus Housing Partnership CEO. "With the increased resources Huntington has provided, we have been able to support more families in achieving and maintaining the dream of home ownership. We welcome more partners like Huntington to help us make an even bigger positive impact on Columbus neighborhoods. We also thank local leaders such as Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel for his unwavering leadership in providing affordable housing with resident programs, as well as foreclosure prevention and homebuyer education programs to our community." "Huntington Bank is a hometown business that truly cares about Columbus," said President Mentel. "The Huntington Homeownership Alliance is a terrific example of a public-private partnership that is helping to strengthen our neighborhoods by giving families the tools they need to be responsible homeowners. This innovative relationship will continue to pay dividends for our community for years to come by supporting long-term homeownership throughout our city." About Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $52 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Through its affiliated companies, Huntington has been providing a full range of financial services for 144 years. Huntington offers checking, loans, savings, insurance and investment services. It has more than 600 branches and also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its telephone bank; and through its network of over 1,300 ATMs. Huntington's Auto Finance and Dealer Services group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within our six-state banking franchise area.About CHP Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) is a private, nonprofit organization founded in the belief that a decent and affordable home is the cornerstone of family life and a healthy community. Columbus Housing Partnership takes an innovative approach to addressing the housing needs of Central Ohio, through its Homeport Programs. CHP provides quality, affordable housing and related services to low and moderate income households through four programs: Homeport Rental Living, Homeport Community Life, Homeport Housing Advisory Center and Homeport Home Ownership.
8/26/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 08/28/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed:Encore edition; Catholic Foundation/ Council President Mentel, Jennifer Damiano; Columbus Regional Federal Grants Group/Steve Tugend, Columbus Chamber of Commerce
8/19/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 08/21/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Encore from April 3, 2010; Community Gardens/Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Dr. Gene Harris; Texting While Driving Ban/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Lt. Karl Barth/Columbus Division of Police, Kathy Haley, RN,; Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway System/Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray; Vote at 17/Mike Rankin, Assistant Ohio Secretary of State     
8/12/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 08/14/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: East Columbus Elementary Neighborhood Improvements/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther and Columbus Board of Education President Carol Perkins; St. Stephen’s Community House/Michelle Mills
8/10/2010: Councilmember Ginther on Partnership with CCS 08/10/2010
Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools Work To Make East Side Neighborhood SaferColumbus City Schools Set To Demolish Homes Bought By the City of Columbus(Columbus)---Demolition of a blighted property near an east side elementary school will begin today, the culmination of years of hard work and cooperation between the City of Columbus and Columbus City Schools (CCS).  The City of Columbus used its priority status as a local government entity to acquire the vacant and abandoned building near East Columbus Elementary School along East Sixth Avenue from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.    The building has stood vacant and abandoned for years.  Columbus City Council Finance & Economic Development Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther began working on this project while a member of the school board more than seven years ago. “This structure is a danger to the neighborhood and the safety of our children and needs to come down,” said Councilmember Ginther, who also chairs City Council’s Safety Committee.  “The property is a center of criminal activity and it is unacceptable to have the building so close to a new school.”The City Council has passed two pieces of legislation to allow the transfer of land from the City to the CCS to become a reality.  In July 2007, Columbus bought the property at 3074-80 East Sixth Avenue on behalf of the district for $63,000, a 30% savings off the asking price for the site.  Then in 2009, the City transferred the property that was held in the Land Bank to district.  CCS, which purchased the adjacent 7 multi-family properties prior to the acquisition of this final piece, reimbursed the City for all expenses relating to the acquisition of the site.  “The safety of our children is our number one priority," said Columbus City School Board PresidentCarol L. Perkins. "The demolition of these buildings, not only demonstrates our continued commitment to this community, but shows how collaboration and partnering can achieve positive outcomes.”Neighborhood leaders who have fought criminal activity at the site applaud the partnership between the City and CCS.  “We have been working for many years with Councilmember Ginther,  Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris and the school board to build a stronger neighborhood so our children can live and learn in a healthy environment,” said Bill Adams of the East Columbus Civic Association that includes the Krumm Park area of City.  “This demolition is a positive step for the community as we grow for the future.” 
8/6/2010: Call the Roll Podcast 08/07/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Central Ohio Veterans Stand-down/Rick Isbell, Columbus Veterans Affairs Coordinator; Walker Evans/New Small Business Website
8/2/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 07/31/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: National Night Out/Lt. Donald Cade, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley; East Side Development/Councilmembers Charleta B. Tavares, Hearcel F. Craig, Amy Klaben of Columbus Housing Partnership; ODOT 70/71 Phase 1/Mike Moore, Charity Martin-Via; Recycling Survey Results/Councilmember Craig, Erin Miller; Columbus-Metro Parks Land Swap/Alan McKnight
7/23/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 07/24/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Executive Session/Larry James, Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr., Hugh J. Dorrian, Joyce Hughes; TechColumbus Grants/Councilmember A. Troy Miller, Ted Ford; Encore From May 1, 2010/Recycling Survey; Pelontia Bike Event
7/15/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 07/17/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Grandview Yard Development/Council President Mentel, Brian Ellis, Mayor Coleman, Rep. Ted Celeste; Hilton Hotel Groundbreaking/President Mentel, Ted Ratcliff/Hilton, Paul Astleford/Experience Columbus; Downtown Strategic Plan/Keith Myers, MSI Consulting
7/13/2010: President Mentel Hilton Hotel Groundbreaking 07/13/2010
Hilton Columbus Downtown Breaks Ground, $140M Convention Headquarters Hotel to Open in Fall 2012COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 13, 2010) – The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, in partnership with Hilton Worldwide, broke ground today on the new Hilton Columbus Downtown located in Columbus, Ohio.  The convention headquarters hotel will be located at 401 N. High St., which is on the west side of High Street, across from the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center and near Nationwide Arena.  The project is a collaboration among the Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, City of Columbus and Nationwide Realty Investors, Inc.  The $140 million, full-service convention hotel is expected to open in fall 2012 and will feature 532 rooms, 48 suites and 22,800 square feet of meeting space, including a 12,000 square-foot ballroom.  The property will be owned and developed by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and operated by Hilton Worldwide.  The design group consists of architects HOK and Columbus-based Moody Nolan and interior designers, Simeone Deary Design Group. Turner Smoot is the project construction manager.     “The addition of the 532-room Hilton Columbus Downtown, combined with the existing amenities of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, will enable our city to compete as a convention destination for more than 900 national trade shows, conventions and meetings in our target convention market,” said Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Board Chairman John S. Christie.  “We are in a great position to think long-term.  Columbus is looking beyond the short-term and preparing for the next ten years.”       “Large regional and national groups require room blocks of 1,000 to 3,500 hotel rooms during peak nights of attendance,” said William C. Jennison, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority.  “The availability of this new hotel will augment the room inventory and lead to additional convention bookings that will also increase utilization of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.”  “The Hilton Columbus Downtown will take us to the next level as a tourist destination,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Even more importantly, it will create jobs Downtown and throughout our city at a time when our residents are in need of new employment opportunities.”“The new full-service Hilton Columbus Downtown supports Franklin County and the City of Columbus’ current investment in our convention facilities,” added John O'Grady, president of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. “This project is a true testament to the collaborative efforts of Central Ohio’s leadership.”“This exciting new hotel will serve as an underpinning for our already robust $7.2 billion tourism industry and stimulates additional private investment. This is the perfect time to get shovels in the ground and put people to work,” said Michael C. Mentel, Columbus City Council President.“This expansion creates jobs not only for those who build the hotel and eventually work at this hotel, but also for those working at our restaurants, our nightspots, our sports and entertainment venues and the hotels we already have.”The hotel will include a 160-seat, full-service restaurant, a 100-seat lounge, a specialty coffee outlet, an executive lounge, and a lobby featuring a large atrium with skylights to give an indoor-outdoor feel and a combination brick and glass façade.  The Greater Columbus Convention Center’s 900-vehicle parking garage adjacent to the hotel will service the property. In continuing the city of Columbus’ commitment to sustainability, the Hilton Columbus Downtown will be LEED Certified as well as Green Seal Certified from an operating standpoint.“We’re thrilled the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority selected Hilton to operate Columbus’ new convention headquarters hotel in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods,” said Dave Horton, Global Head, Hilton Hotels brand. “This $140 million project allows us to truly enhance the downtown hotel package for anyone considering Columbus as a future meeting destination.  The hotel’s grand opening in 2012 could not have come at a better time given the much-anticipated bicentennial celebration slated for the same year.”  “With the addition of the Hilton Columbus Downtown to the Destination Columbus sell, we are able to offer multiple downtown-headquarter hotel opportunities to more than one convention or trade show at a time, as well as host larger national conventions and trade shows within the 1.7 million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center,” said Paul Astleford, President and CEO, Experience Columbus.  “This new property significantly strengthens the Destination Columbus product offering in the global market.”One of the first conventions to take advantage of the enhanced Destination Columbus package is the Southern Baptist Convention who announced at the groundbreaking that they have chosen Columbus to host their June 14-17, 2015 meeting.  The convention is anticipated to draw 16,000 attendees bringing in 19,530 room nights and an estimated $6.2 million in visitor spending to Central Ohio.“The Southern Baptist Convention is excited to be holding its annual meeting in Columbus in 2015 in the beautiful Greater Columbus Convention Center,” said Don Magee, Associate Vice President of Finance for the Southern Baptist Convention.  “Without the additional rooms provided by the building of the Hilton Columbus Downtown, we would not have been able to consider meeting here.” About the Franklin County Convention Facilities AuthorityAs the owner and developer of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority was responsible for overseeing the $85 million expansion, renovation and parking development of the facility completed in 2001 and the $40 million renovation and expansion of Battelle Grand completed in 2009.  For more information on the authority and the convention center, visit www.ColumbusConventions.com. About Hilton Hotels Hilton Hotels is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. The Hilton brand currently includes more than 530 hotels and resorts in 76 countries, and plans to serve travelers in 80 countries by the end of 2011. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton enables travelers to be at their best 24/7, whether traveling for business or leisure. Start your journey at www.Hilton.com. About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels.  For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value.  The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 592,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.  The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton Honors®. For more information about the company, please visit www.HiltonWorldwide.com. About Experience ColumbusExperience Columbus is the destination sales and marketing organization for the Greater Columbus community. Formerly the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus works with the Columbus community to create a competitive distinction in the visitor marketplace, attracting leisure visitors, conventions and meetings.For more information on the organization, please visit www.ExperienceColumbus.com. # # #  
7/9/2010: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson Downtown Plan
Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance & Economic Development Committee and Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Development Committee, will hold a joint public hearing on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the proposed Downtown Strategic Plan as endorsed by the Columbus Downtown Commission.    The 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan creates an overall vision for downtown economic development for the next 10 years.  The proposed plan will serve as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements within the Central Business District.  The goal of the plan is to provide residential opportunities, business development, job creation, recreation, dining, transportation and entertainment options which are key factors to the long-term economic success of Columbus and the Central Ohio region. 
7/9/2010: Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther Downtown Plan 07/09/2010
Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance & Economic Development Committee and Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Development Committee, will hold a joint public hearing on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the proposed Downtown Strategic Plan as endorsed by the Columbus Downtown Commission.    The 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan creates an overall vision for downtown economic development for the next 10 years.  The proposed plan will serve as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements within the Central Business District.  The goal of the plan is to provide residential opportunities, business development, job creation, recreation, dining, transportation and entertainment options which are key factors to the long-term economic success of Columbus and the Central Ohio region. 
7/9/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 07/10/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Downtown Master Plan Meeting/Councilmembers Andrew J. Ginther and Priscilla R. Tyson; Encore from December 2009, Downtown SID
7/1/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 07/03/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: St. Stephen’s Community House/Councilmember Andrew Ginther and Michelle Mills, President and CEO of St. Stephens; Summer Biking Events/Barb Seckler, Institute for Active Living; Historic Summer Home Tour/Olde Towne East and Franklin Park Neighborhoods     
6/25/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 06/26/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Charter Review Committee/Council President Mentel & Larry James; Morse Road Improvements/Councilmember Craig, Dave Paul/Northland Community Council, Jeff Stephens/Consider Biking; Encore from March 27, 2010 Titanic Exhibition at the Center of Science and Industry/COSI President & CEO Dr. David Chesebrough and Cheryl Mure, Premiere Exhibitions
6/24/2010: Councilmember Craig Morse Road Project 06/24/2010
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig discusses the completion of the Morse Road Improvement Project
6/22/2010: President Mentel on Charter Review
Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel discusses the Charter Review Committee
6/18/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 06/19/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Zoning 101 Meeting/Councilmember A. Troy Miller; Connect A Million Minds Robotics Invitational/Elizabeth Boyuk, Time Warner Cable & Ann Ralston of Ralston Consulting; Recreation & Parks Department 100th Anniversary/Director Alan McKnight
6/15/2010: A. Troy Miller on Zoning Briefing 06/15/2010
Columbus City Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Zoning Committee, will hold a public briefing to educate the public about the zoning process.  The briefing, an informal “Zoning 101”, will take place on Wednesday, June 23at 5 PM in Columbus City Council Chambers. 
6/10/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 06/12/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Bob Daniels GMC Buick Remains Open/Greg Gerhard; Summer Weather Preparedness/NBC-4 Meteorologist Ben Gelber; John Rockwell Retirement/President Mentel, John Rockwell
6/2/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 06/05/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: President’s Cup Coming to Columbus/Council President Mentel & Jack Nicklaus; July 2009 Improvements in the Franklin County Municipal Court System/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley; Summer 2008 Dr. Steven Allen, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
6/2/2010: President Mentel on Presidents Cup 06/02/2010
Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel was one of the invited dignitaries at the Muirfield Village Golf Club for the announcement that central Ohio course will host the 2013 Presidents Cup.   The Presidents Cup is contested every 2 years and features the best American players against a team of international stars.  The event will focus the world’s attention on the Columbus area as a premier sporting destination.    Council President Mentel joined Muirfield Village architect and golf legend Jack Nicklaus and Professional Golfers Association Commissioner Tim Finchem to talk about the many positive effects the Presidents Cup will have on the Columbus region.
5/27/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 05/29/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Menards Groundbreaking & Southwestern College Expansion/Councilmember Ginther and Development Director Boyce Safford III; Encore from July 4, 2009-Catholic Foundation and Columbus Bike Helmet Law
5/25/2010: Councilmember Ginther Downtown Strategic Plan Meeting 05/25/2010
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, will be one of the featured speakers at tonight's 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan meeting.  Listen to what he believes is one of the most pressing issues to face Columbus leaders in the decades to come.       
5/24/2010: Councilmember Ginther Menards 05/24-2010
Menards To Open First Columbus Store At Northland Village When Northland Mall closed its doors in 2002, Mayor Michael B. Coleman pledged that the site would be redeveloped. Today, Mayor Coleman was joined by Councilmember Andrew Ginther, Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown, Menards officials and Northland community leaders, as ground was broken for Menards home improvement store. The $11.5 million investment will bring 80 full-time jobs to the first Menards in the Columbus area.  “This is a big step toward a vibrant Northland Village,” Mayor Coleman said. “Rather than leaving the empty shell of the former mall vacant and blighted, Menards is working with us to revitalize the Morse Road corridor.” The City is offering Menards a 75-percent 10-year tax abatement on real estate improvements. Upon completion of the project the City of Columbus will have invested more than $38 million on redevelopment of the Northland Village site and infrastructure improvements on Morse Road. The investment includes $19.4 million on site redevelopment, including acquisition of land, utility improvements and new roads for the redevelopment plan and $18 million in improvements along Morse Road for the corridor from I-71 to Cleveland Avenue.“The entire Northland area will benefit from the Menards development and the city’s substantial investment in roads, sidewalks, bike lanes and utilities,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee. “It is important to note, the city has not made these improvements alone.  Business owners in this region have created a Special Improvement District to reinvest their dollars in making this corridor an attractive place to do business.”“We’re so happy to welcome Menards to the neighborhood,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “Their presence is great news for the hundreds of businesses, including our new dog shelter, and the thousands of residents and visitors who travel the corridor each day. Investing in the development of our neighborhoods is paramount to a strong and healthy community for all of us.” A family-owned company started in 1960, Menards currently has over 255 home improvement stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin.  With home improvement at the forefront of today's do-it-yourself market, Menards provides a valuable resource to the community. Menards not only fulfills home improvement needs, but also provides employment opportunities and economic growth for the entire community.“As we have steadily progressed into Ohio, we have constantly heard about what a wonderful place Columbus is to live and do business.  Today, we are proud to commence our presence here,” Scott Collette, Menard, Inc. Chief Operating Officer.Other improvements on Morse Road from Karl Road to Cleveland Avenue include landscaped medians, new curbs and gutters, street trees, sidewalks, improved streetlights and traffic signals and pedestrian crossing upgrades at intersections.  The final build-out will result will include more than 550,000 square-feet of new development and generate more than 800 jobs onsite, in addition to the 1,000+ jobs already at the Ohio Department of Taxation."Northland residents are excited to welcome Menards to the Northland Village site, not only because it represents jobs for area residents and increased retail choice in a unique and appealing format, but because we believe that today's announcement is the first of many that will herald the rebirth of the site of the former mall as a hub of the Northland community."Menards expects to complete the project by spring 2011.-30-
5/21/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 05/22/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Franklin County Municipal Court Programming; Bike Week/Sharrows; Franklin Park Conservatory; Hilltop Kiwanis Patriotic Pride Flag Program
5/18/2010: Flag Program 05/17/2010
Columbus City Council supports the Hilltop Kiwanis Patriotic Pride project.  Council President Michael C. Mentel invited Adam Hearns of the group to explain how residents all around central Ohio can participate and display an American Flag on their property.
5/13/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 05/15/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Huntington Bank Announcement/Council President Mentel, Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Steve Steinour, President and CEO Huntington; Pride On Parsons/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig; Parking Meter Advisory Committee Report/Councilmember Craig, Randy Bowman, Administrator Division of Mobility Options, Cleve Ricksecker, Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement District
5/12/2010: Councilmember Craig Plant Pride on Parsons 05/12-2010
Mayor, City Council and Artists Unveil Decorative FlowerPlanter Pots That Will Be Included in Plant Pride On Parsons Cleanup This SaturdayMayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Pro-Tem Hearcel F. Craig, the Heart of Ohio Tole Chapter painters, business and neighborhood leaders today unveiled some of the decorative flower planter pots that will be placed along Parsons Avenue during this Saturday’s Plant Pride On Parsons cleanup event.  The Heart of Ohio Tole Chapter painters decorated 28 flower pots and South Side elementary and high school students painted three pots.  Hundreds of volunteers will clean litter, remove graffiti and beautify Parsons Avenue between Livingston Avenue and State Route 104 this Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m.“Plant Pride on Parsons demonstrates that we are united around a clean and revitalized Parsons Avenue, the spine of the South Side,” said Mayor Coleman.  “The designs on these flower pots have captured the spirit of everyone who feels passionately about Parsons Avenue’s history and future.”Mayor Coleman and South Side area businesses and neighborhood organizations are among the sponsors of the 31 decorated flower pots.  At least 25 South Side businesses and neighborhood groups will provide volunteers for the cleanup and some will donate materials or refreshments.“Parsons Avenue is an important economic corridor in Columbus,” said Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.  “This beautification effort will make the area more inviting to shoppers and help create a greater sense of identity for residents.”The Heart of Ohio Tole Chapter has approximately 230 members and was founded in Columbus in 1975.  Tole is decorative painting that historically has been done on tin surfaces, but can also include other painting media.  In addition to Plant Pride On Parsons, HOOT’s philanthropic activities include their Memory Box program—hand-painted boxes donated to area hospitals for parents whose children have died—and the donation of painted caps and t-shirts to patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.“One benefit of learning to paint has given our members the opportunity to share their time, talent and creativity to benefit our communities,” said Phyllis Gibbs, past president of the Heart of Ohio Tole Chapter.  “We have enjoyed our role in planting pride on Parsons Avenue.”“Plant Pride on Parsons is just the spark the corridor needs to get the merchants and surrounding neighborhood organizations involved together to move forward in the revitalization of Parsons Avenue,” said Marc Borst, Parsons Avenue Merchants Association president.                                                                             The City’s Keep Columbus Beautiful program, housed in the Department of Public Service, has worked closely with the Parsons Avenue Merchants Association, HOOT and other groups participating in Plant Pride On Parsons.  KCB will provide trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers and other cleanup equipment at this Saturday’s event.  In 2009, KCB worked with nearly 9,900 volunteers to clean 200.1 tons of litter from Columbus neighborhoods.
5/11/2010: Councilmember Ginther on Huntington 05/11/2010
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther comments on Huntington Bank adding 500 jobs by 2014 and its commitment to Columbus Headquarters through 2030.
5/11/2010: Council President Mentel on Huntington 05/11/2010
HUNTINGTON COMMITS TO COLUMBUS HEADQUARTERS THROUGH 2030 Huntington Bank will add 500 jobs to Columbus by 2014  COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Huntington Bank name will continue to grace the Columbus skyline for at least another 20 years, Huntington’s Chairman, President and CEO Steve Steinour announced today at an afternoon press conference. The bank signed a lease extending its occupancy of the 38-story Huntington Center at 41 S. High Street to February 2030. The previous lease was scheduled to expire in 2015. Steinour also announced that Huntington will add another 500 jobs to Columbus over the next five years. The jobs will be at all levels and in a variety of disciplines. Currently, the bank has approximately 3,600 colleagues in Columbus. “We are committed to downtown Columbus and to the people who work and live here,” said Steinour. “The continued presence of Huntington’s headquarters at the heart of the city will help to keep Columbus vibrant, maintaining and growing jobs while attracting more businesses and development to downtown.”“Huntington and Columbus both benefit from our continuing relationship,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “We are both committed to a strong core and strong economic future for our city. Working in partnership, we will continue to transform downtown and retain and grow jobs throughout Columbus.”Huntington has extended its lease for 200,000 square feet at the Huntington Center. It occupies floors three through 10 of the building. Huntington Center abuts Huntington’s main downtown branch, which has been at the corner of Broad and High streets for 144 years. “This is a landmark day for downtown,” said Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel. “Few cities can boast such a longstanding relationship with a leading corporate citizen. Huntington’s commitment to downtown Columbus through the bank’s 164th anniversary is a huge vote of confidence in our mutual long-term success.”Huntington has long invested in downtown Columbus, most recently acquiring the naming rights to Huntington Park in 2008 to support the expansion of Arena District revitalization. Over the past several years, Huntington has also been a major lender supporting Mayor Coleman’s downtown housing initiative to build and expand a thriving residential community in the city core. “Job creation and retention are the keys to economic success not only in downtown Columbus, but throughout the city,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee.   “With today’s announcement, Huntington is reaffirming their long-term commitment to Columbus as a trusted business and community partner.”In the Huntington Center lease extension transaction, Rich Machinski and Mark Thompson of Huntington received assistance from Terry Mathews and Chandler Converse of CB Richard Ellis, while Hines representatives Scott Linville and Greg Van Schaack represented the property.
5/7/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 05/08/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Issue 2 Passage/Council President Michael C. Mentel, Eric Shippers of Penn National; New Biofuel Plant Groundbreaking/Council President Mentel; Arson Awareness Week/Councilmember Ginther, Lt. David Sawyer and Chief Kerry Ellis; Encore from 3-09 Senior Fire Safety Program
5/5/2010: Council President Mentel Issue 2 05/04/2010
City Council President Michael C. Mentel congratulates the supporters of Issue 2 on their success in passing a statewide initiative  to move the Columbus casino site to the former Delphi Plant on the west side.
5/3/2010: President Mentel Quasar 05/03/2010
Council President Michael C. Mentel congratulates quasar company executives during a groundbreaking for a new biomass waste to energy plant in Columbus.  The plant will convert wastewater into electricity and is being built thanks to a partnership with Kurtz Brothers and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.  The project will create and retain 72 direct and indirect jobs.
4/30/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 05/01/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Economic Development Roundtable/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Boyce Safford III, Mike Stevens; Recycling Survey/Leslie Strader; Operation In The Know/Al Burzynski and Rick Isbell     
4/23/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 04/24/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Call Before You Dig/Scott Tustin, Columbia Gas and Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson; Columbia Gas Standard Service Offer
4/16/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 04/17/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Recreation Centers Reopening/Priscilla R. Tyson; Issue 2/Council President Michael C. Mentel, Chris Haydocy, Dewey Stokes; Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Study/Chester Jourdan, Executive Director MORPC; Donate Life Month     
4/12/2010: Councilmember Tyson on the Martin Janis Center Opening 04/12/2010
Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, speaks during the re-opening of the Martin Janis Senior Center.  The facility, located at the Ohio Expo Center, was closed one year ago due to budget constraints. 
4/9/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 04/10/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: 2010 Capital Budget/Councilmember Ginther; City of Columbus and ODOT Road Cleanup/Councilmember Craig; Ohio Environmental Council/Keith Dimoff, Executive Director     
4/8/2010: Councilmember Ginther discusses 2010 Capital Budget
Resurfacing, Bikeways, Sidewalks and Rec and Parks Improvements Highlight 2010 Capital Improvements Budget ProposalJoined by Columbus neighborhood leaders, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Michael C. Mentel and members of City Council announced the proposed 2010 Capital Improvements Budget on the North Side. Mayor Coleman and council members unveiled the $130 million proposal on Strawberry Farms Boulevard, which will be improved by an upcoming resurfacing project.“Our greatness lies in our neighborhoods, and we must continue to invest in them,” Mayor Coleman said. “By investing in our streets, parks and bikeways, we will increase our quality of life and create jobs in the process.”Highlights of the mayor’s proposal include$20 million for street resurfacing $8 million for recreation center renovations$7.3 million for bikeways$6 million for fire apparatus $3.8 million for renovations for our swimming pools $3.2 million for sidewalks and pedestrian safety$2.6 million for playground improvements and for park acquisition$1.25 million for housing and homelessness prevention and services$1 million for increased broadband access  $1 million for the Green Columbus Fund development grant program$675,000 toward a South Side health center“The commitment we are making today through our capital improvement priorities represents an investment in our city’s future,” said City Council President Michael C. Mentel. “The investments in public safety, broadband accessibility, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced livability will keep Columbus progressing and moving forward.”City Council is expected to vote on the 2010 Capital Improvements Budget on Monday.
4/5/2010: Councilmember Craig Litter Cleanup 04/05/2010
City of Columbus and ODOT Crews Team Up For AnnualSpring Concentrated Litter CleanupCity of Columbus and Ohio Department of Transportation crews are working together to clean litter during their annual spring concentrated litter cleanup.  Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Pro-Tem Hearcel F. Craig and Ohio Department of Transportation District 6 Deputy Director Thomas J. Wester today announced the joint effort.  City crews are cleaning litter today through April 16, while ODOT crews started cleaning litter in Franklin County and elsewhere in Ohio in March and will continue through April.“City of Columbus and ODOT employees are stepping up to do the hard work and send the message that our roadsides are not public trash cans,” said Mayor Coleman.  “Everyone needs to do their part and that starts with not throwing litter on the ground.”Between 2007 and 2009, City crews cleaned a total of 172 tons of litter from Columbus roadside during their annual spring concentrated litter cleanups.   This year, city litter crews will clean 118 different locations, including portions of individual roadways and specific freeway ramps."I want Columbus residents to realize that keeping our city clean is a year round job," said Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.  "We all need to be responsible and not litter and recycle whenever possible."ODOT crews also work with Adopt-A-Highway program volunteers to clean the sides of interstates and other roadways for which ODOT is responsible.   ODOT crews and the AAH volunteers collected 107,887 trash bags of litter in their spring cleanups in 2007 through 2009.  ODOT measures the cleanups in the number trash bags filled rather than tons collected.“Gathering together to pick up trash along roadways gives Ohioans cleaner and safer roadways, helps to foster pride in communities, develops relationships among neighbors, and positively affects healthy economic development,” said Thomas J. Wester, ODOT District 6 Deputy Director.The City of Columbus’ Keep Columbus Beautiful program, housed in the Department of Public Service, also works with neighborhood, business, church and other groups to clean litter in Columbus between April and October of each year.  The groups are responsible for recruiting volunteers for the cleanups; KCB provides trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers, rakes and other equipment for the cleanups.   In 2009, nearly 9,900 volunteers cleaned 200.1 tons of litter and debris in Columbus.  Neighborhood groups who what to organize cleanups and work with KCB should call 311 or 645-3111.City of Columbus/ODOT 2010 Concentrated Litter Cleanup FactsEvery spring, City of Columbus and Ohio Department of Transportation crews conduct concentrated litter cleanupsThis year, the City of Columbus cleanup runs April 5-16.  The ODOT spring cleanup runs in March and April.  ODOT holds additional cleanups in October and November.City of Columbus litter crews are responsible for cleaning the roadsides of 2,053 linear miles of roadwayBetween 2007 and 2009, City crews cleaned 172 tons of litter during their annual spring concentrated litter cleanupsODOT crews are responsible for cleaning 3,163 acres along freeways in Franklin County, including Interstates 70, 71, 270 and 670, and part of State Route 315Between 2007 and 2009, ODOT crews collected 107,887 bags of litter during their annual spring litter cleanupsODOT crews team with volunteers in their Adopt-A-Highway program to conduct their litter cleanupsThere are about 50 AAH groups in Franklin County aloneIn addition to city crews annual spring concentrated litter cleanup, the City’s Keep Columbus Beautiful program works with business, neighborhood, church and other groups to clean litter and debris in Columbus April through OctoberThe community groups are responsible for recruiting volunteers; KCB provides trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers, rakes and other equipmentIn 2009, nearly 9,900 volunteers worked with KCB to clean 200.1 tons of litter in ColumbusUpcoming KCB-sponsored cleanups scheduled in the spring of 2010 include:April 17 & 18:  Earth Day activities April 23 & 24:  “Blitter” (Blitz On Litter), with the Capitol District Boy Scouts May 8:  Rock the Block with Ohio State University students May 13:  Keller Williams Realtors’ Red Day cleanup of neighborhoods surrounding Nationwide Children's HospitalMay 15:  Plant Pride on Parsons, bringing together Southside residents and businesses to clean up and beautify Parsons Avenue between Livingston Avenue and Marion RoadNeighborhood groups who want to organize cleanups and work with KCB should call 311 or 645-3111For more information on KCB, go online to www.keepcolumbusbeautiful.orgKCB is housed in the Columbus Department of Public Service
4/1/2010: Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson announces the City of Columbus will commit $5,000 to support various community gardening projects through the Foundation for Active Living
4/3/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 04/03/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Community Gardens/Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Dr. Gene Harris;  Texting While Driving Ban/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Lt. Karl Barth/Columbus Division of Police, Kathy Haley, RN;  Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway System/Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray;  Vote at 17/Mike Rankin, Assistant Ohio Secretary of State
3/27/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 03/27/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Streamlining process when it comes to dealing with code violations/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley and City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr.;  Expansion of the Red Light Camera program/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus Police Commander Richard Bash, Deputy Safety Director George Speaks, Trauma Surgeon Dr. Steven Steinberg, Columbus resident Kathleen Roberts;  Titanic Exhibition at the Center of Science and Industry/COSI President & CEO Dr. David Chesebrough and Cheryl Mure, Premiere Exhibitions      
3/19/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 03/20/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed:  2010 Census/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Chester Jourdan;  Columbus Regional Federal Grants Group/Steve Tugend;  Earth Day 2010/Tad Dritz
3/15/2010: Paley 2010 Census 03/15/2010
Mayor, Commissioners President and Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley Making Sure City and County Get Fair Share of Federal Funding with Support for 2010 Complete CountUS Census Begins Mailing to 130 million American homesColumbus City Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman, County Commission President John O’Grady, State Treasurer and Ohio Census Complete Count Committee Chair Kevin Boyce, MORPC Executive Director Chester Jourdan and others  this afternoon at Columbus’ Main Post Office as the USPS begins national delivery of 130 million 2010 Census Forms. The US Census is critical to local officials because the count affects some $400 billion in annual Federal funding to cities, counties, schools, health care and transportation projects.The group was given a tour of the Twin Rivers Drive Sorting Facility, which was upgraded in 2009 with the most high-tech sorting equipment in the nation, processing 612,000 magazines, periodicals and large envelopes on an average day. The Twin Rivers Drive facility, along with the Postal Service's Processing and Distribution Center on Citygate Drive, handle about 6 million mail pieces daily and processes mail for about 1.26 million homes served by 322 Post Offices in their 48-county Columbus postal district. Census forms will be arriving at every American home between Monday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 17.
3/11/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 03/13/2010
Call The Roll Weekly Podcast Guests/Topics Discussed: Texting While Driving Ban/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther; Rich Street Bridge Project/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig; Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner; Columbus Crew Resolution/Mark McCullers
3/10/2010: Hearcel Craig Rich Street Bridge 03/10/2010
Neighborhood Leaders Celebrate Project to Reconnect Franklinton Franklinton neighborhood leaders joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council members, Franklin County Engineer Dean Ringle, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jolene M. Molitoris and MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr., to break ground on the new Rich Street Bridge today. The project will reconnect Franklinton with Downtown following demolition of the old Town Street Bridge in 2008. The bridge is scheduled for completion in August 2011.“As we approach our city’s bicentennial, it is time to reconnect our very first neighborhood with our Downtown,” Mayor Coleman said. “The Rich Street Bridge project will create and retain jobs in Columbus while revitalizing Franklinton.”The project will include improvements to West Bank Park and other areas on the west side of the Scioto River, making the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and better enable it to host festivals during the spring and summer.“We’re thrilled to have this beautiful bridge in Franklinton,” said Franklinton Development Association Executive Director Jim Sweeney.  “Opening this new link to Downtown Columbus is another major step towards the rebirth of the peninsula and East Franklinton.  It will greatly enhance our revitalization efforts throughout the community.”“We in Franklinton look forward to once again being able to cross the river without having to go to Broad Street or get on the freeway,” said Franklinton Area Commission Chair Carol Stewart.  “We are very happy about this.”West Bank Park improvements will include new bike paths, lighting and landscaping.  Washington Boulevard between Rich and Town streets will be resurfaced and new sidewalks, curbs and street lighting will be added.“The Rich Street Bridge project is just one part of an overall rebirth of the downtown Columbus,” said Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation committee.  “The West Bank Park is a focal point of pride and activity, a gathering place to celebrate a number of unique community events.”The Rich Street Bridge project will be built with multiple funding sources, including $3.2 million in federal earmarks and nearly $2.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 dollars.    “The partnership between ODOT and the City of Columbus has never been stronger, as we work together on revitalizing one of Ohio’s core urban centers,” said ODOT Director Molitoris, who noted that the Recovery Act has allowed investment in several projects in downtown Columbus, including improvements along Parsons and Livingston Avenues. “Our historic investments in transportation are putting Ohioans to work today building a safer, greener, more multi-modal transportation system for our future.”“This single event demonstrates what collaboration can achieve,” said MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr. “MORPC is proud to have played a part in this collaboration of both public and private partnerships.” -30-
3/4/2010: Councilmember Ginther Texting Ban 03/04/2010
Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, will conduct a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to the Columbus City Code that will address the issue of distracted driving, specifically texting while driving. Councilmember Ginther intends to introduce a city ordinance to prohibit texting while driving in an effort to improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians and all other road users. The proposed ordinance aims to prevent crashes related to texting while driving, and to reduce the associated fatalities, injuries, and property damage that all too often result.  Public testimony will be accepted. Those wishing to testify should fill out a speaker slip on the day of the hearing between the hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in the lobby entrance located on the Front Street side of City Hall. Free parking is available in the Gay Street parking lot on the north side of City Hall after 5:00 pm.
3/4/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 03/06/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Pothole Patching Program/Councilmember Craig; KickButt Columbus/Sherri Palmer from Keep Columbus Beautiful and Mark Swanson, Central Ohio Restaurant Association; Experience Columbus/Paul Astleford
3/1/2010: Councilmember Craig discusses Potholes 03/01/2010
Mayor Announces Intensified Pothole Repair EffortThe City of Columbus will conduct a month-long intensified pothole repair program in March in the wake of repeated winter storms that have battered city streets. Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced the plan to patch nearly double the 12,124 potholes repaired in March 2009 during his 11th annual State of the City address Wednesday at the Lincoln Theatre.  The work will be done six days a week in March, weather permitting.“Patching potholes is a priority to keep our roads safe.  For the next month, we will intensify our pothole patching efforts and repair nearly twice as many potholes than we fixed last March,” Mayor Coleman said.  “Our pothole repair crews have worked so hard between repeated snow storms, but this historically horrific winter has brought what we fear could become an historic number of potholes.” The month-long pothole repair effort in March will use a two-pronged approach:Filling two existing vacant Street Maintenance Investigator positions top, bringing the total number of investigators to a full contingent of sixCity of Columbus crews will repair potholes at night and on all four Saturdays in March, using overtime to attack potholes.  Work will be done weather permitting.“After such a particularly harsh winter, it is important for the city to double our efforts in repairing potholes in a proactive manner,” said Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.  “I especially would like to commend our crews who will continue to work diligently to protect our streets.”The City is responsible for repairing potholes on 6,348 lane miles of roadway; a lane mile is one mile of roadway multiplied by the number of lanes on the roadway.    “The goal in March will be to get ahead of the game on fighting potholes in the middle of a difficult winter,” said Department of Public Service Director Mark Kelsey.  “The faster we repair these potholes, the cheaper our costs will be in the long run.  This preventative maintenance will stop some potholes from getting worse and becoming more expensive street resurfacing projects.”The month-long pothole repair effort will be funded through the Department of Public Service’s Street Construction Maintenance Fund.City of Columbus Pothole Patching Fact SheetThe City of Columbus patches potholes on City of Columbus streets and parts of state routes 315, 33 and 104 that are in the City of ColumbusODOT is responsible for patching potholes on I-70, I-71, I-270 and I-670Columbus’ Pothole Patching crews are responsible for 6,348 lane miles of roadway.  This effort is measured in lane miles because potholes can occur in each lane of a roadwayA lane mile is defined as one mile of roadway multiplied by the number of lanes in the roadway.  For example:1-mile stretch of roadway x 5 lanes in the roadway = 5 lane milesPothole Patching  policy and practice:The process for patching potholes begins two different ways:Residents contact 311 (call 311 or 645-3111) to notify the City of the location of a pothole.  The locations are then forwarded to the Department of Public Service to be scheduled for patching,  orSeparate from, and in addition to, 311 requests, Department of Public Service crews are routinely deployed to locate and patch potholes.  These deployments are proactive standard practice that works in tandem with 311 requests to find and patch potholes. Patching potholes is a City of Columbus priority:The City’s standard:  Potholes are typically patched within three (3) days after a service request is filed with 311 to do soThis standard may go beyond three days because of:A very large volume of potholes being reported.  In these instances, the standard is to patch potholes as soon as possibleA snow, ice or rain storm prohibits pothole patchingColumbus’ Pothole Patching crews are responsible for 227 square miles, much more than their counterparts in other Ohio cities:Cleveland:  82 square miles Toledo:  80 square miles Cincinnati:  79 square miles Dayton:  57 square miles Hot patching potholesDuring winter, is most effective above freezing (32°).However, hot patch, at 300 degrees, does not bond well with the dramatically colder pavement in cold winter weather, including cold temperatures above freezingThe hot patch shrinks away from, and does not conform to, the surrounding asphalt and the contours inside the pothole. Because hot patch does not bond well with a cold pothole and pavement, it is like cold patch:  a temporary fixTherefore, cold patch is typically used during winter monthsCold patch is less expensive ($75/ton) than hot patch purchased during the winter from a private vendor ($100/ton)Cold patching potholesCold patch is a temporary fix designed to repair potholes until they can be hot patched during warmer weather in the spring and summer if the cold patched hole reopensLifespan of a cold patch varies and is affected by traffic volume and speed of the roadway where the cold patch is madeCity does have a limited supply of hot patch that it produces in an asphalt recycling machine.  The recycled asphalt is the waste asphalt when a street is torn up for resurfacing or reconstruction.Total potholes patched2009:  114,475 potholes patched 2008:  115,390 potholes patched 2007:    70,183 potholes patched 2006:    70,618 potholes patched Total cost for asphalt (hot mix and cold mix) purchased to patch potholes2009:  $355,390.84 (5,044.51 tons)2008:  $391,132.73 (6,946.61 tons)2007:  $183,910.50 (5,170.24 tons)2006:  $177,550.03 (4,685.89 tons)Tons of hot patch used2009: 3,100 tons 2008: 3,208 tons 2007: 2,636 tons 2006: 3,367 tons Tons of cold patch used2009:    793 tons 2008: 1,006 tons2007:    558 tons 2006:    402 tons Columbus Pothole Patchers have other job responsibilities including, but not limited to:Snow removalStreet cleaningAlley surfacing treatment MowingUnderpass cleaningGraffiti removal                                                          
2/26/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 02/27/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Ohio State University Medical Center Expansion/Councilmembers Ginther and Tavares, Mayor Coleman, Rev. Victor Davis; Snow Removal/Councilmember Craig and Director Mark Kelsey; Healthy Choices Program/Dr. Teresa Long
2/24/2010: Councilmember Tavares OSU East Side Revitalization 02/24/2010
Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares discusses partnership to create 6,000 new jobs in Columbus and East Side Neighborhood Revitalization
2/24/2010: Councilmember Ginther OSU East Side Revitalization 02/24/2010
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther discusses partnership to create 6,000 new jobs in Columbus and East Side Neighborhood Revitalization
2/18/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 02/20/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Electronic Reporting of Stolen Property At Pawn Shops/Councilmember Ginther, Det. Jack Addington, John Kinney from Lev’s Pawn Shops; Downtown Special Improvement District/Cleve Ricksecker 
2/12/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 02/13/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Councilmember Craig Thanks “Snow Warriors” For Their Hard Work; Snow Removal 101/Patti Austin, Planning and Operations Administrator; Ohio Historical Society & Black History Month, Kim Schuette 
2/4/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 02/06/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Downtown Business Plan/Councilmember Ginther; 2010 Census Count;  American Heart Association “Go Red For Women” Campaign; Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel Accepts City Council Recognition 
2/3/2010: Councilmember Ginther on Downtown Jobs 02/03/2010
For immediate releaseFebruary 3, 2010 City, County and Stakeholders Announce Public Process to Plan Next Steps for Downtown Columbus New Apartments for Grant and Gay Also Announced Mayor Michael B. Coleman today joined a group of downtown residents, business owners, developers, retailers and advocates to outline the progress of the Downtown Business Plan launched in 2002 and next steps for bringing new investment, people and activity to the central business district. The team announced a series of public town hall meetings to get citizen input on a long-term strategic plan for Downtown’s next 10 years of development.“Downtown is the economic center of the region, home to more than 80,000 jobs, creating more than 20 percent of our local income taxes that pay for neighborhood services, and we need to keep it healthy,” said Mayor Coleman. “We’ve come a long way in the past few years, but more needs to be done as we build our way out of a tough recession. Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood. Many of us come here for dining, entertainment and recreation, and many of us work or live here.”The Mayor was joined by Franklin County Board of Commissioners President John O’Grady; City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Guy Worley of Capital South and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation; Cleve Ricksecker, executive director of the Capital Crossroads and Discovery District SIDs; Michael DeAscentis of Lifestyle Communities; and Alex Shumate, CDDC board member.“Job creation and growth in the Downtown are key to the long-term economic success of Columbus and the Central Ohio region,” said Councilmember Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee. “Last year Columbus voters supported a three-point plan to move Columbus forward, which included a commitment to do all that we can to create jobs and grow the Columbus economy. That effort begins Downtown, and the strategy we are developing now will carry us through the next stage of economic development in our city’s core.”The Downtown Strategic Plan will come from a series of three town hall meetings, hosted by the City, CDDC and moderated by MSI Design, beginning February 16 at Columbus State Community College.“The 2002 Business Plan was a success because it set out a clear agenda for priorities and investment in our Downtown,” said Worley, president and CEO of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. “The best ideas came from a gathering of the best minds and we hope to have the same energy and excitement as we set action steps for the next 10 years.”Mayor Coleman described local success in housing, parks and other projects, and announced another new apartment building that will be built near the Columbus College for Art and Design for college students. The 68 unit building will be home to 136 residents at the corner of Gay Street and Grant, opening in the late summer of 2011.“I’m encouraged to see the Downtown Business Plan continue to evolve as we begin a new decade of development and progress,” said Commissioner O’Grady. “The Franklin County commissioners have actively worked with the City of Columbus to make the dream of a revitalized Downtown a reality. We look forward to welcoming new neighbors as we near completion on the new Franklin County Courthouse and start the second season at Huntington Park.”Attracting jobs to downtown will continue to be a major focus of the city’s agenda, and one way it is getting done is through a partnership with the Capital Crossroads and Discovery District SIDs to attract more retail outlets.“The work of the past eight years has set the stage for another wave of private investment in downtown, particularly in the retail sector,” said Ricksecker. “Downtown is extremely well positioned for growth.”Successes of the 2002 Downtown Business Plan:  1. Building more Downtown housing:Through city incentives, 2,542 units were built since 2002, another 2,468 units are under construction or in development, and the Downtown population has reversed its 50-year decline, increasing by more than 2,000 since 2003.Concentrating development of new mixed use neighborhoods:Development has continued along the Gay Street corridor, with restaurants, hotels and new residential housing. The RiverSouth neighborhood, once filled with 23 blighted, underutilized blocks, is now bustling with activity, anchored by the newly renovated Lazarus Building to the north and the new County Courthouse under construction on the south. Columbus Commons began with demolition of City Center Mall in October 2009 and the park is set to open in December 2010. The city and the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District are working to bring retail back, from seasonal farmers markets, to the hiring of a full time retail ambassador to help fill empty storefronts, and working together on the Mile on High plan to attract retail back to High Street.Bringing jobs Downtown to stabilize the office market:In 2003, office vacancy rates peaked at 26 percent, but ended 2009 at 14.7 percent, while 1,000,000 square feet of office space was added. Two thousand incentivized jobs were added through city tax incentives to 25 companies.Developing the riverfront as park and promenade:The riverfront’s North Bank Park is open, as is the new Grange Audubon Center on the Whittier Peninsula, which was built through a partnership with Metro Parks. The Scioto Mile is set to open in June of 2011, funded through a historic partnership between the public and private sectors.Improving parking and transportation:Capitol South and the City of Columbus opened two new public parking garages, with 1,450 spaces. Two new bridges are connecting the east and west sides of the river at Main Street and at Town and Rich streets. New efforts are being made to add bike routes, trails and racks Downtown to make the area more rider-friendly. Columbus and the State of Ohio received a federal grant to start 3C Rail service with a new station to be built Downtown. In partnership with COTA and MORPC, the city will continue to work on solutions to create a multi-modal hub at the downtown station where 3C rail meets future light rail lines, bus lines and other transportation alternatives.   6. Going beyond the Business Plan The Columbus City Schools invested in a Downtown High School, on the corner of Mound and Fourth, which opened in January 2008. A new Downtown Convention Hotel will be a reality by the end of 2012. With 500 rooms, the new Hilton will help us be a national contender for travel, tourism and conventions.Huntington Park, home of the Clippers, is an award-winning baseball stadium that opened in spring 2009 and has become the place to be. The County Courthouse is under construction.-30- 
1/29/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 01/30/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Passenger Rail Service in Ohio/Mayor Coleman, Governor Strickland, Secretary Solis;  Traffic Signal Upgrade/Councilmember Craig and Director Mark Kelsey; Earned Income Tax Credit/Matt Kosanovich, United Way of Central Ohio and EITC Task Force; Health Care Costs/Councilmember Miller and Director Christie
1/22/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 01/23/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: City Council 2010 Budget Amendments/All Members; New Casino Site/Councilmember Tyson, Tim Morris/Westside Business Owner 
1/19/2010: Priscilla R. Tyson West Side Casino 01/19/2010
For immediate releaseJanuary 19, 2010Contact: Dan Williamson, 645-5300Penn National Gaming Chooses Former Delphi Plant For Columbus LocationMayor Michael B. Coleman today joined representatives from Penn National Gaming, neighborhood leaders and other elected officials on the Far West Side to announce Penn’s decision to relocate a proposed casino to the former Delphi auto parts plant near I-270. The constitutional amendment approved by statewide voters in November specified the Arena District as the site for a casino development. However, after opposition from Mayor Coleman, City Council President Michael C. Mentel, Arena District residents and businesses, Penn agreed to consider additional sites. The Delphi site would have to be placed on the May 4 ballot by the Ohio General Assembly and approved by a statewide vote. If approved, the City of Columbus expects to work with Franklin Township to annex the Delphi site into Columbus.“I am encouraged by the neighborhood support I’ve seen for a casino on the Far West Side of Columbus,” Mayor Coleman said. “I commend Penn National Gaming for working with us, and I appreciate all the input we’ve received on this issue from the Far West Side and all Columbus neighborhoods.”A number of neighborhood and business groups have voted to support locating a Far West Side casino, including:- The Greater Hilltop Area Commission - The Hilltop Area Business Association - The Highland West Civic Association- The Westland Area Business Association - The Westland Area Commission- The Franklin Township Trustees- The Prairie Township Trustees “I would like to commend Penn National for listening to our concerns and working with our community to consider more viable alternatives for the casino location,” said City Council President Michael C. Mentel. “Penn’s decision to consider other sites, and ultimately choosing the former GM Delphi plant, showed their willingness to seek support from residents and business leaders who would welcome the economic redevelopment opportunities brought about by a casino in their area.”In addition the City of Columbus has received letters of support from 47 different business owners located along the West Broad Corridor as well as thousands of petitions from residents supporting a Far West Side casino.-30- 
1/14/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 01/16/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Neighborhood Stabilization Program/Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Sen. Sherrod Brown; Public Works Road Projects/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig; Ray Collier Award/City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr.
1/12/2010: Craig Public Works Money 01/12/2010
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee, talks about $3.9 million in Ohio Public Works Commission for three major area road projects in 2010.
1/8/2010: Call The Roll Podcast 01/09/2010
Guests/Topics Discussed: Downtown Special Improvement District with Cleve Ricksecker from December 5, 2009; Home Heating Programs with Ryan Lippe from October 31, 2009
12/30/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 01/02/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Homes on the Hill, Community Development Corporations/Steve Torsell from June 27; Campus Partners/Steve Sterrett from May 30
12/24/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 12/26/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:VoiceCorps/Sandy Turner; Winter Gardening Tips/Bert Vanderahe, Columbus State Community College
12/18/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 12/19/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Anti-Gang Program/Napoleon Bell, Community Relations Commission and Deputy Chief Jeff Blackwell, Columbus Division of Police; Columbus State Community College Campus Safety/Director John Nestor
12/11/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 12/12/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: FACT and Ohio American Water Check Presentation/Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Tom Schwing, Ohio American Water, Alan McKnight, Recreation and Parks Department; Columbus State Community College, Adding To The Diversity in Student Life In Columbus/Dean Jan Rogers; Encore Presentation-Battelle Institute/Rich Rosen
12/4/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 12/05/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Electronic Reporting of Stolen Property At Pawn Shops/Councilmember Ginther, Det. Jack Addington of the Columbus Division of Police, John Kinney from Lev’s Pawn Shops; Downtown Special Improvement District/Cleve Ricksecker
11/25/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 11/28/009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Share The Road Campaign/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, Randy Bowman and Mark Kelsey; Roy Hall Foundation Food Drive; Charity Newsies/Council President Mentel, Councilmembers Tavares and Tyson
11/20/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 11/21/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Neighborhood Security Cameras/Councilmember Ginther, Joyce Hughes, Deb Diggs; Foreclosure Scam Awareness/Councilmember Craig and Attorney General Richard Cordray; Snow Warrior Inspection/Councilmember Craig and Director Mark Kelsey;  Scioto Mile Project Update/Amy Taylor; COSI/Council President Mentel and Dr. David Chesebrough
11/18/2009: City Council President Pro Tem Helps Launch "Loan Modification Scam Alert" Campaign 11/18/2009
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig discusses "Loan Modification Scam Alert" Campaign
11/17/2009: Councilmember Craig Inspects Snow Warriors And Equipment For Upcoming Winter 11/17/2009
City Council President Pro-Tem Hearcel F. Craig today held the city’s annual inspection of the Snow Warriors in front of City Hall. The crews are ready to battle snow and ice during the upcoming winter.“Our Snow Warriors are working harder and they are working smarter,” said Hearcel F. Craig, Chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee. “Global Positioning Systems on board our trucks allow for better coordination of road treatment and snow removal efforts before and during emergencies.” Columbus’ 112 core Snow Warriors are responsible for 227 square miles, nearly three times more than the area covered by their counterparts in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Columbus’ square mileage includes a total of 2,053 linear miles of roadway, the approximate distance between Columbus and Las Vegas. Each fall, they undergo extensive training to sharpen their skills and reacquaint themselves with equipment, routes and procedures. The city also cross-trains employees in several departments to help their Department of Public Service co-workers battle snow during the worst storms. “I am so proud of our Snow Warriors. They have one of the most difficult jobs around and are the best in the nation when it comes to fighting snow and ice,” said Mayor Coleman. “They are on the job when duty calls, day and night, weekends and holidays, no matter how much snow falls.”Every summer, the Department of Public Service reviews the responses to the past winter’s snow storms and adjust procedures and strategies as needed for the next winter. “Fighting snow is a year-round job. We have tweaked our strategy to be more efficient and effective when the snow falls,” said Department of Public Service Director Mark Kelsey. “Our Snow Warriors are the best in the business because they are dedicated to always getting better.”As in previous years, freeways, arterial streets and collector residential streets have the top three priorities for clearing snow. Residential streets are plowed after four inches of snow are on the ground and the top three priority roadways have been plowed and treated.
11/12/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 11/14/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games Coming to Columbus/Council President Michael C. Mentel; 2009 Crime Stoppers Citizen of the Year/Joyce Hughes; Economic and Community Development Corporation Kitchen Incubator Project/Bob Leighty, Amy Szabo
11/6/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 11/07/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Alum Creek Trail Groundbreaking /Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Chester Jordan, Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Jeff Stevens, Consider Biking; Maryhaven/ President & CEO Paul Coleman; Huntington Homeownership Alliance/City Council President Michael C. Mentel, Huntington President & CEO Stephen D. Steinour, Amy Clavin, Columbus Housing Partnership  
10/31/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 10/31/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Henderson Road Reconstruction Project/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley;  E-3 Program/Councilmember Paley;  Habitat For Humanity/CEO EJ Thomas;  Home Energy Assistance Program/Ryan Lippe, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel;  Get Behind the Badge Annual Turkey Bowl Football Game/Officers Adam Ward, Shane O’Connor, Sean Fuqua
10/23/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 10242009
Guests/Topics Discussed: SWACO Resolution/Council President Mentel, Jeff Cahill;Computer Aided Dispatch System For Public Safety/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther;United State Postal Service Dog Bite Prevention Program/Victor Dubina, Vicky Haynes;Phone Deregulation/Ryan Lippe, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel 
10/23/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 10/24/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: SWACO Resolution/Council President Mentel, Jeff Cahill; Computer Aided Dispatch System For Public Safety/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther; United State Postal Service Dog Bite Prevention Program/Victor Dubina, Vicky Haynes; Phone Deregulation/Ryan Lippe, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel
10/17/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 10/17/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Specialty Dockets & Improvements to the Clerk’s Office/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley;  Summer Police Work/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther and Chief Walter Distelzweig;  Dr. Steve Allen, CEO Nationwide Children’s Hospital
10/9/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 10/10/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  High Street Improvements/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, Sherry Cohen;  Fiber Investment/Councilmember A. Troy Miller, Council President Michael C. Mentel;  Good Neighbor Agreements/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Ian MacConnell from the University Area Commission;  Yard Waste Collection Program/Ron Mills, Executive Director SWACO; Mark Kelsey, Public Service Department; Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig;  Fire Prevention Month/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Assistant Fire Chief Kerry Ellis;  Fire Chief Ned Pettus, Jr. named Fire Chief of the Year
10/8/2009: Good Neighbor Agreement
Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, will recognize members of the University Area Commission (UAC) and three liquor permit establishments on reaching Good Neighbor Agreements designed to improve the quality of life and safety in Columbus neighborhoods. The agreements will be signed during the UAC planning meeting and involve D & J Carryout, 1393 North Fourth Street, Kelleys Carryout, 1521 North Fourth Street, and Hamptons on King, 234-240 King Avenue.  
10/8/2009: City Council Celebrates Opening of North High Street Revitalization Project
Joined by neighborhood leaders and business owners, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Councilmembers Hearcel F. Craig and Eileen Y. Paley today heralded the completion of the North High Street revitalization project between Lane and Arcadia Avenues...
10/3/2009: Call the Roll Podcast 10/03/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Veteran’s Affairs & ADA Office/Rick Isbell;  Capital Budget/Paul Rakosky, Council President Michael C. Mentel, Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian;  Experience Columbus Days/Scott Peacock
9/26/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 9/26/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  New Neighborhood Health Center/Councilmember Tavares, Tom Horan, Gary L. Baker II;  Liquor Permit Objection Process/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther;  Encore: Neighborhood Design Center;  Cardinal Turkson Visit
9/23/2009: Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares Talks about the Opening of the Columbus West Family Health and Wellness Center
Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, Chair of the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee, talks about the opening of the Columbus West Family Health and Wellness Center along West Broad Street. The facility is expected to serve some 7,200 patients a year, that number will triple the number of patients and patient visits currently being provided at the Hilltop Health Center. The new center is located in the former Fire Station 17 building in the Hilltop.
9/18/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 9/19/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Columbus Road Resurfacing Projects/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig; Flu Season/Dr. Teresa Long; Social Service Agency Funding/Council President Michael C. Mentel; OSU Area Trash Collection/Councilmember Craig, Public Service Director Mark Kelsey; Southerly Treatment Plant Honor; Community Computer Lab/Catherine Girves
9/11/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 9/11/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Communities in Schools “Step Up With Kids” Fundraiser/Derrick Fulto;  3C Quick Start Passenger Rail Plan/Stu Nicholson, Ohio Rail Development Commission;  Columbus Public Health’s Institute for Active Living/Barb Seckler   
9/4/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 9/4/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:   Get Behind The Badge/Officer Andrew Ward & Angie McDowell;   Orientation To Trades and Apprenticeship Program at Columbus State Community College/Michael Robison;   Lose For Good/Lynn Dantuono, Weight Watchers;   Homewatch Caregivers/Meagan Melecosky
8/28/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 8/28/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:   Bishop Jerry Pierce/Homeless Project Follow-up Interview;   Encore: Legal Aid Society From 2/09
8/21/2009: Call The Roll Podcast 8/22/2009
FACT and Ohio American Water Check Presentation/Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Tom Schwing, Ohio American Water, Alan McKnight, Recreation and Parks Department;   Columbus State Community College, Adding To The Diversity in Student Life In Columbus/Dean Jan Rogers;   Encore Presentation-Battelle Institute/Rich Rosen
8/19/2009: Columbus Group Receives Ohio American Water Environmental Grant
Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, and Recreation and Parks Director Alan McKnight celebrated a public/private partnership with Ohio American Water and the Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries.
8/14/2009: Call The Roll 8/15/2009
Cash for Clunkers and Beyond/Dr. Andy Rezin, Columbus State Community College, Automotive and Applied Technologies;   Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries/David Roseman and Dave Hohmann;   Al Edmondson/Cover Me Back To School Rally
8/7/2009: Call The Roll Radio Podcast 8/7/2009
Passage of Issue 1/Council President Michael C. Mentel;   Columbus Youth Soccer Team Visits the White House with Columbus Crew
8/7/2009: President Mentel Discusses Income Tax Increase
President Mentel comments on what Columbus residents can expect with the passage of issue 1, the half-percent increase to the city’s income tax passed by voters August 4, 2009.
8/6/2009: Call The Roll Radio 8/1/2009
Huntington Home Alliance/Council President Mentel, Steve Steinour, Amy Klaben;   Wireless Web for Columbus/Councilmember A. Troy Miller and Department of Technology Director Gary Cavin;   National Night Out /Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther;   SEEK Program/Rich Rosen;   ADA 19th Anniversary/Rick Isbell City of Columbus
7/30/2009: President Mentel Comments on Huntington Homeownership Alliance Success Story
City Council, The Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) and Huntington National Bank named the first family to buy a home through the Huntington Homeownership Alliance. The 3-year, $10 million alliance was launched just three months ago to provide housing counseling, foreclosure prevention services and affordable mortgages to Central Ohioans. 
7/30/2009: Miller Focusing on Broadband for Economic Development
Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is working to secure federal stimulus funds to help build a more robust wireless broadband infrastructure in Columbus.
7/28/2009: Call The Roll Radio 7/24/2009
Summer Gang Initiative/Councilmember Ginther, Chief Distelzweig;   New Kiosks For Municipal Court/Councilmember Paley, Clerk Lori Tyack;   Recreation & Parks Month/Alan McKnight;   Landscaping Tips/Bert Vonderahe from Columbus State;  Safety Award/Councilmember Ginther, Firefighter Sharpe
7/23/2009: Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther Discusses 2009 Summer Anti-Gang Inititaive
Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther comments on the 2009 Summer Anit-Gang Initiative which has already removed 67 guns and made 130 arrests.
7/17/2009: Call The Roll Radio 7/17/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:   Dublin Economic Development Agreement/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther and Mike Stevens, Deputy Development Director;   New Specialty Dockets At The Franklin County Municipal Court/Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, Judge Scott VanDerKarr. Council President Michael C. Mentel;   Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Council/Ryan Lippe
7/16/2009: Paley Details Plans to Add Specialty Dockets to Municipal Court
Two new specialty dockets at the Franklin County Municipal Court are expected to save taxpayers millions of dollars while breaking the cycle of incarceration that grip many offenders. One docket will deal with those convicted of solicitation and the other drug crimes. The programs are a collaboration between the City, Franklin County, the Municipal Court, Common Pleas Court and law enforcement.
7/16/2009: Ginther Discusses Economic Development Agreement with Dublin
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Development Committee, discusses the U.S. 33/S.R. 161 Economic Development Agreement (EDA) with Dublin. The deal secures Columbus’ right to provide the area with water and sewer service while capturing vital income tax dollars that could mean up to $35 million during the term of the agreement.
7/10/2009: Call The Roll Radio 7/11/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  2010 Tax Budget/Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian;  Columbus Public Health 2009 Samuel J. Crumbine Award;  Bishop Larry Pierce/Homelessness Awareness Campaign
7/2/2009: Call The Roll Radio 7/4/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Catholic Foundation/Council President Mentel, Jennifer Damiano;  Bike Helmet Law/Nichole Hodges, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
7/1/2009: Council President Mentel Discusses the New Headquarters of the Catholic Foundation
The Catholic Foundation has set up its new headquarters at the site of the original Wendy's at 257 East Broad Street.
6/29/2009: Call The Roll Radio 6/26/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  “Green” Stimulus Grants/Council President Michael C. Mentel;   Red, White and Boom!/Mike Collins, Event Organizer;   Homes on the Hill, Community Development Corporations/Steve Torsell
6/25/2009: President Mentel Discusses Energy Conservation Stimulus Dollars
Council President Michael C. Mentel sponsored ordinance 0868-2009 to apply for and accept federal stimulus funds to support several energy efficiency and conservation projects under consideration by the city. Through formula and competitive grants offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, Columbus has been awarded $7,403,500 to help reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the city’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and create and retain jobs.
6/19/2009: Tyson Helps Re-open Krumm Park Recreation Center
Krumm Park Recreation Center, which had been shuttered since this past February as a result of city budget cuts, will open for summer playground season and after-school programming in the fall thanks to a grant from the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation as well as funding from the city’s hotel/motel tax through the leadership of Councilmember Tyson.
6/19/2009: Miller Commends Fleet Management on Being Named 17th Best Fleet Operation in the Country
Councilmember A. Troy Miller sponsored legislation to upgrade the city’s use of Fleet Focus software, a high-tech system to bill, manage, monitor and analyze all maintenance-related data for city owned vehicles.
6/19/2009: Call The Roll Radio 6/19/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Fleet Division 100 Best Award/Councilmember A. Troy Miller, Kelly Reagan;   Krumm Park Reopening/Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Blue Jackets Forward R. J. Umberger, Mayo Makinde;   Battelle Institute/Rich Rosen, STEM Education
6/12/2009: Call The Roll Radio 6/13/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Columbus Stimulus Dollars/Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig/Director Mark Kelsey/Erik Janas;   Wexner Center Summer Movie Series;   Ian McConnell/University Area District
6/11/2009: Craig Discusses City's Use of $33.5 Million in Stimulus Dollars
Councilmember Craig details the city's use of $33.5 million in stimulus dollars made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for three capital improvement projects that will create jobs and support economic development in Columbus.
6/4/2009: Call The Roll Radio 6/5/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:  Columbus’ Scrap Metal Law/Det. Steve Addington;  Columbus Housing Partnership/Amy Klaben;  Taste of Olde Town East Event/Mike Moore & Kent Peters;  Melvin B. Dodge Zoo Days
5/29/2009: Call The Roll Radio 5/29/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Neighborhood Pride Program/Councilmembers Ginther and Craig;  Campus Partners/Steve Sterrett;  Vistability/Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares Paul Jarvis
5/28/2009: Councilmember Craig on Neighborhood Pride
Councilmember Craig Conveys how Neighborhood Pride is a Catalyst for Communication Between City Leaders and the Community
5/28/2009: Councilmember Ginther on Neighborhood Pride
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther Discusses the Many Benefits of Neighborhood Pride
5/22/2009: Call The Roll Radio 5/22/2009
Safety Unions Support of Proposed Income Tax Increase/Jack Reall, Jim Gilbert, Andrew Ginther;  Al Berthold /Neighborhood Design Center;  Emerald Ash Bore;  Emergency Medical Services Week/Councilmember Ginther, Dr. David Keseg
5/21/2009: Councilmember Ginther recognizes Emergency Medical Services Week in the city of Columbus.
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther offered a Resolution of Expression in honor of the 1,500 members of the Columbus Division of Fire who provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
5/15/2009: Call The Roll Radio 5/15/2009
Guests: President Michael C. Mentel/Income Tax Increase; Pete McGinty/Experience Columbus; Larry James/Lincoln Theater Association
5/14/2009: President Mentel Asks Voters to Support Revenue Plan
Council President Mentel explains how an income tax increase supports the city's three-part plan to address the $120 million structural imbalance in the general operating fund.
5/14/2009: Councilmember Tavares Discusses the Proposed Income Tax
Councilmember Tavares provides an overview of why an income tax increase is needed and how it will impact Columbus residents.
5/14/2009: President Pro Tem Craig Encourages the Community to Think Pink
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig sponsored a resolution to recognize and congratulate organizers of he 17th annual Komen Race for the Cure held to raise funds for breast cancer research.
5/8/2009: Call The Roll Radio 5/8/2009
President Michael C. Mentel/Possible Income Tax Increase; Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther/Arson Awareness Week; Jeff Stephens, Barb Seckler/Bike To Work Week; John Lloyd/National Aquatics Month; Rhonda Frazier/Transformation Place, Inc.
4/30/2009: Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther Discusses New Fire Training Academy
Councilmember Ginther dissuses the Fire Division's new training center on the South Side; a state-of-the-art complex complete with a training tower and burn building.
4/30/2009: President Mentel asks Voters to Support Revenue Plan
"The citizens of Columbus have a choice to make between maintaining core city services such as police and fire protection at the levels our residents have come to expect or experience drastic cuts,” said Council President Michael C. Mentel. “The declining national economy has forced us to find new sources of revenue to fund the basic services and economic development efforts that will help Columbus succeed in the coming years."
4/15/2009: City Council Fulfills Promise to Restore Recreational Programming
Two months after 11 recreation centers were closed in a cost-cutting measure to pass a balanced budget, Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson sponsored legislation to enter into agreements to reopen, or begin limited services, at seven of the centers.
4/15/2009: Council President Michael C. Mentel congratulates the Columbus Blue Jackets
City Council congratulates the Blue Jackets as they make their way to the play-offs!
4/15/2009: Councilmember A. Troy Miller Congratulates the Columbus Blue Jackets!
City Council congratulates the Blue Jackets as they make their way to the play-offs!
3/21/2009: Call The Roll Radio 3/21/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:New Town Street Bridge/Councilmember Hearcel F. CraigChief James Jackson Retirement/Councilmember Andrew J. GintherCrime Stoppers/Kevin MilesFinancial Planning/Jim BriskBoy Scouts 100 Years/President Michael C. Mentel
3/14/2009: Call The Roll Radio 3/14/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Tech Columbus/Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther & Ted Ford President/CEO TechColumbusWorld Kidney Month/Councilmember A. Troy Miller & Patti Gold/President National Kidney Foundation Serving OhioPartnership To Fight Chronic Disease/Jan Lanier, Ohio Nurses Association
3/9/2009: President Mentel Discusses Appointment of Police Chief Distelzweig
President Mentel Discusses Appointment of Police Chief Distelzweig
3/6/2009: Call The Roll Radio 3/7/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed:New Columbus Police Chief, Council President Michael C. Mentel, Deptuty Chief Walter DistelzweigKeep Columbus Beautiful Kick Butt Clean-Up, Sherry Palmer & Pat Lynch Dine Originals Restaurant Week, Diane WarrenColumbus Zoo, Jack Hanna
2/24/2009: Paley Seeking to Improve Debt Collection Procedures
In an effort to promote cost-saving measures, Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley sponsored legislation to create an administrative fee for the collection of delinquent payments. The fee will cover the cost of services of private collection agencies hired by the city.
2/21/2009: Call The Roll Radio 2/21/2009
Guests/Topics Discussed: Representative Mary Jo Kilroy/Federal Stimulus PackageNeighborhood Stabilization Program/Rita Parise
2/14/2009: Call The Roll Radio 2/14/09
Guests/Topics Discussed: Council President Michael C. Mentel/2009 City BudgetCouncilmember Hearcel F. Craig & W. Curtis Stitt from COTA talking about articulated busesPublic Service Director Mark Kelsey/Mobility OptionsJennifer Connery & Rebecca Asmo, Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus
2/7/2009: Call The Roll Radio 2/7/09
Guests/Topics Discussed: Council President Michael C. Mentel, Mayor Michael B. Coleman City Center DemolitionCouncilmember Eileen Paley, Anti-Dating Abuse ResolutionSteve Rosenberg, City Music Program
2/5/2009: President Mentel Discusses Columbus Commons
2/5/2009: Teen Dating Abuse Prevention
1/30/2009: Call The Roll Radio 1/30/09
Featured guests include:Rick Tilton, Assistant Public Utilities DirectorCouncilmember Andrew J. Ginther, January Safety AwardsJack Reall, Columbus Firefighters Union 67
1/23/2009: Call The Roll Radio 1/23/09
Featured Guests:Eileen Paley and A. Troy Miller Swearing-In Ceremony SpeechesCouncilmember Hearcel F. Craig, DC Trip Kelli Arthur-Hykes, Earned Income Tax CreditJoe Yersavich, Hilltop Library, Job Help Centers
1/23/2009: Councilmember Craig Discusses Washington D.C. Trip
1/23/2009: Councilmember A. Troy Miller Acceptance Speech
1/23/2009: Councilmember Eileen Paley Acceptance Speech
1/17/2009: Call The Roll 1/17/09
Featured Guests:Napoleon Bell/MLK Festivities Sandy Erb-Wilson/SCHIPJennifer Adair/Columbus Community Coalition Meeting
1/10/2009: Call The Roll 1/10/09
Featured Guests: Alan McKnight, Director of Recreation and ParksWalker Evans, ColumbusUnderground.comKaren Simonian, Wexner Center for the Arts
12/24/2008: Craig Sponsors Effort to Create SR-161 Special Improvement District
Hearcel F. Craig discusses legislation to provide $50,000 in additional funding for the efforts of the Northland Alliance to create a special improvement district (SID) along S.R. 161.
12/24/2008: Council Focused on Deterring Aggressive Panhandling
Councilmember Ginther sponsored legislation which will strengthen the city’s panhandling law by offering greater protection for people near automated teller machines, parking meters, parking lots and outdoor patios or sidewalk cafes.
05/16/2008: Columbus Public Library Recieves New AED
Councilmember Tavares discusses Giant Eagle's donation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Columbus Public Library.
05/08/2008: Israel Trade Mission
Council President Mentel reflects on trade mission to Israel and importance of recruiting high-tech companies to Columbus.
05/07/2008: Capital Improvements Budget Amendments
Finance Committee Chair Kevin L. Boyce highlights Council's amendments to the Capital Improvements Budget.
04/07/2008: West Side Family Health Center
Health, Housing and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares describes the services that will be provided at the new West Side Family Health Center.
03/31/2008: Street Cars
Councilmember O'Shaughnessy conveys the importance of Street Cars to Columbus' Downtown development.
03/13/2008: Recreation Center Safety Initiative
Councilmember Tyson discusses her committment to make recreation centers safer for all Columbus residents.
02/14/2008: 2008 City Budget
President Mentel provides an overview of Council's budget amendment priorities for 2008.
02/14/2008: Council Restores Proposed Employee Layoffs
President Pro Tem Boyce discusses Council's decision to restore the proposed employee layoffs.
02/14/2008: Councilmember Tyson's 2008 Budget Amendments
Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson discusses her 2008 budget amendments.
02/14/2008: Councilmember Tavares' 2008 Budget Amendments
Health, Housing and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares discusses her 2008 budget amendments.
02/14/2008: Councilmember Ginther's 2008 Budget Amendments
Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther discusses his 2008 budget amendments.
02/14/2008: Councilmember Craig's 2008 Budget Amendments
Judiciary and Court Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig discusses his 2008 budget amendments.
02/14/2008: Councilmember O'Shaughnessy's 2008 Budget Amendments
Development Committee Chair Maryellen O'Shaughnessy discusses her 2008 budget amendments.
01/16/2008: Digital Imaging Project
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig talks about the digital imaging project the Municipal Clerk of Court has begun to better care for the millions of documents in the Court's possession.
01/16/2008: Clean Water Act
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther comments on the Clean Water Act and the lack of federal money to help cities like Columbus pay for upgrades in the water filtration system.
01/11/2008: The Office of Homeless Advocacy
Council President Mentel discusses the goals for the newly created office of Homeless Advocacy.
01/11/2008: Complete Streets
Councilmember O'Shaughnessy discusses the concept of building Complete Streets, roadways that accomodate all forms of transportation.
01/01/2008: Tavares on New Orleans
Councilmember Charleta Tavares talks about her recent trip to New Orleans and the lessons she learned about disaster preparedness.
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