Citizens Pack In To Hear Council’s Decisions

COLUMBUS, Ohio —At Monday night’s Columbus City Council meeting, council had a plateful, voting on toughening laws against aggressive panhandlers and whether or not to extend employment protection benefits to people who consider themselves to be transgendered. It was a packed house in council chambers as people listened in to hear which way council would vote…and they said yes to extending protections when it comes to discrimination because of age, disability, pregnancy or gender identity and expression.

Council also said yes to strengthening the city’s panhandling law and giving police officers more power to protect the public. It would place restrictions on where aggressive panhandlers can ask you for money, and more importantly where they can’t. Panhandlers would not be able to come within 25 feet of an ATM or bank, 20 feet of a patio or sidewalk café and within 10 feet of a public parking meter. If violations occur, it is a misdemeanor charge, up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

Council also gave the OK to provide $50,000 in additional funding for the Northland Alliance to create a special improvement district along State Route 161. Another big legislation that passed was the expansion of the city’s bike trails, bike routes and bike lanes. Today, there will be a public hearing on the proposed 2009 budget at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

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