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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SHANNON G. HARDIN
After nearly a year since we learned of COVID-19, we find ourselves still fighting this battle, and many more.
We've seen heartbreaking violence in our community, and the evil of systemic racism continues to plague our nation. We've seen hundreds of our neighbors succumb to COVID-19.
There's much work to be done, and the feedback and conversations happening in this City are inspirational and invigorate my colleagues and I to stay the course -- we are working day in and day out to learn, grow and devise change to better Columbus for all.
If you've ever heard me speak, you know my mantra -- if it's not for all, its not for Columbus. It's with this guiding principle that we aim to fight these compounding crises. You can count on us to come up with innovative solutions to move us all forward.
Even in the face of this adversity, I'm full of hope, because I know what Columbus is capable of - I know what we can do. Join us as we push towards a brighter future.
In Solidarity,
Shannon G. Hardin
Council President
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Like the many twists, turns and entanglements of Black life in America, African American hair has been stigmatized and often results in being a source of discrimination. Led by Councilmember Priscilla Tyson the City of Columbus took a significant step forward with the implementation of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair or the CROWN Act. The legislation, which is intended to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs and twists went into effect on January 16, 2021. Read More
The legislation adds two provisions to the Columbus City Code:
- “Race” is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair textures and protective and cultural hairstyles; and
- “Protective and cultural hairstyles” includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locs, cornrows, bantu knots, afros, and twists, whether or not hair extensions or treatments are used to create or maintain any such style, and whether or not hair ornaments, beads or head wraps adorn the hair.
The CROWN Act is the result of a national effort by the CROWN Coalition, founded by Dove, the National Urban League, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the Color of Change and supported by more than 50 non-governmental and non-profit organizations. These groups have worked to raise awareness for hair discrimination.
Due to great need, the City of Columbus committed an additional $410,000 to the Right to Recover program serving people who lose income due to COVID-19 and who commit to isolate in their homes for 14 days to lessen the spread of the virus. Read More
The Right to Recover partnership between Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown and the Columbus Urban League has already provided emergency financial relief totaling $498,100 to 473 Columbus low-income workers between October and December 2020. Residents eligible for the latest round of funding should go to cul.org or call 614-484-9111 to start the application process.
Columbus has faced challenging issues with the relationship between this community and our Division of Police. Council is in the midst of a six-part community conversation on reimagining public safety with virtual town halls featuring experts discussing establishing alternative crisis response models and investing in both violence prevention and accountability with a better Division of Police.
For more information on these town hall events, or to sign up to speak, follow this link.
In an effort to shape policy based on community feedback, Council wants to hear from you. Follow this link www.surveymonkey.com/r/ReimagineSafety to take the community survey that will help move Columbus forward.
In late June 2020, Council passed a four-part legislative package that included limiting no-knock raids, demilitarizing the Division of Police through the purchasing code, and instituting background checks for hate-group affiliation. The legislation also included a ballot measure to establish an Inspector General and create a Civilian Police Review Board, which voters approved in November 2020.
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Council's regular and zoning meetings returned on Monday, January 25, 2021, and will remain in a virtual format due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are encouraged to watch online and submit public testimony in writing for virtual meetings. The meetings are live-streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and on Facebook.
Residents who wish to speak during the meeting via WebEx must submit a speaker slip online. Online speaker slips can be submitted between 8am-3pm on the day of the meeting. To access the form, visit www.columbus.gov/council/information/Online-Speaker-Slip/. Residents can also submit written testimony. It must be received by 3pm on the day of the meeting and emailed to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov.
During the emergency period, non-agenda speakers must submit their testimony to the City Clerk in writing by 3pm on the day of meeting to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov. All submitted testimony will be entered into the record.
To view the 202 tentative Council meeting schedule click here.
 A MESSAGE FROM COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH
 Columbus Public Health continues to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to protect health and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. This safe and effective vaccine is important to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and help restore some normalcy in our community and lives.
Columbus Public Health is following Ohio Department of Health (ODH) guidelines to distribute the vaccine strategically and equitably in our community. Vaccinations in central Ohio are only available to certain priority groups outlined in ODH’s state vaccination program, currently 1A and 1B-75 years of age and older.
Please continue to check the Columbus Public Health website and social media accounts for updates on vaccine availability.
See other local COVID-19 vaccine providers here.
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