Gahanna in the News

Council OKs Contracts to Manage Pools

Original Story by Marla K. Kulman, ThisWeek Community News

Gahanna swimmers will see some new faces at the pools this summer.

Gahanna City Council approved legislation April 7 to outsource pool and concession operations to Columbus Pool Management and Cardinal Vending & Concessions, respectively.

The city will pay $191,000 annually to Columbus Pool Management for operations, and a concessions contract with Cardinal requires the concessionaire to pay the city 6 percent of gross revenue.

The net cost of contracting is expected to be $189,000 (broken out by a cost of $191,000 to Columbus Pool Management and revenues of $2,000 through the contract with Cardinal) in 2014, whereas direct in-house operations were projected to cost $194,500.

Council didn't comment about the change during the meeting, but parks and recreation director Tony Collins previously said the move made good business sense.

In addition to an expected small savings to contract out the service, he said, the indirect costs would bring the biggest savings by allowing city parks and recreation staff to focus on expansion of sustainable, revenue-generating areas.

Collins said the city would maintain operations at the pool's front desk and office. Council approved related legislation, changing a recreation specialist position to recreation supervisor.

Click here to read the full story.

City News & Events

National Work Zone Awareness Week

Local, state and federal transportation officials have designated this week, April 7-11 as National Work Zone Awareness Week. April is the start of major highway construction season across most the country. "Although this week is designated to raise awareness about work zone safety, it is important to remember that construction is a year-round activity, " said Matt Holdren, Deputy Director of Public Service, City of Gahanna. "We need to always consider the safety of construction workers, when driving in work zone areas."

Work zones can present an unfamiliar situation to drivers. Changes in traffic patterns, closed or narrowed lanes, and the presence of construction equipment and personnel can cause challenges for motorists as they travel through work zones. Careful attention should be paid to actions that have the potential to impact the safety of everyone involved, including drivers and their passengers, workers, and pedestrians. While safe and efficient work zones begin with proper planning, design, and implementation, drivers must be attentive to changing conditions and exercise caution when they approach and travel through a work zone.

10 Tips for Driving in Work Zones

By driving safely in work zones, motorists can help to make sure everyone gets home safely.

Expect The Unexpected. Things may change overnight. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be closed, narrowed, or shifted, and people may be working on or near the road.
Don't Speed. Obey the posted speed limit at all times, even when workers are not present.
Don't tailgate. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you and the construction workers and their equipment. Rear-end collisions account for 30% of work zone crashes.
Obey Road Crew Flaggers and Pay Attention To The Signs. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. The warning signs are there to help you and other drivers move safely through the work zone.
Stay Alert And Minimize Distractions. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones and other electronic devices while approaching and driving in a work zone.
Keep Up With The Traffic Flow. Do not slow down to "gawk" at road work.
Know Before You Go. Check radio, TV and web sites for traffic information and schedule enough time to drive safely. Expect delays and leave early so you can reach your destination on time.
Be Patient and Stay Calm. Work zones aren't there to personally inconvenience you. Remember, the work zone crew members are working to improve the road and make your future drive better.
Wear your seatbelt. It is your best defense in a crash.
Remember - Dads, Moms, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, and Sisters Work HERE!

Source: US Dept of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/docs/nwzaw2014factsheet/index.htm

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Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program Offered by Ohio EMA
Deadline: April 18, 2014

Homeowners interested in constructing a tornado shelter may be eligible to receive a rebate for purchase and installation of safe rooms through the Ohio Emergency Management's (EMA) Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program.

State officials anticipate the program will aid in the construction of approximately 39 safe rooms. An additional nine homeowners are eligible from last year's rebate program.

A safe room is an extreme-wind shelter or space that provides protection to people during a tornado or high wind event. A safe room can be built in one of several places in the home: in the basement, beneath a concrete foundation or garage floor, or in an interior room on the first floor. A safe room can also be buried in the yard near the home or installed above ground, exterior of the home.

Residents selected for the program are eligible for a rebate up to 75 percent of the cost to install or construct a safe room - up to a maximum of $5,250. To apply for the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program, homeowners have until 5 p.m. April 18, 2014 to register on the Ohio EMA website: https://ohiosharpp.ema.state.oh.us/saferoom2014/ .

The Ohio Safe Room Program will use a computerized random selection process to select names. Chosen homeowners will be notified by e-mail on or after April 22, 2014.

For more information about this program, click here.
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Help us GROW!

Voting takes place April 1 -21, 2014

The Gahanna Learning Garden (GLG) project has entered the Seeds of Change� Grant Program for an opportunity to receive one of two grants worth $20,000. Show your support by following the prompts at

http://seedsofchangegrant.com.

From now through April 21, visitors will have an opportunity to vote once per day for the organization they feel most deserves a grant based on the organization's demonstration of how the grant would help it to achieve its goals. After voting closes, the top 50 organizations with the most votes will advance to a final judging phase, after which the grant recipients will be announced on or about May 5.

Grants will be awarded to organizations that help support and develop sustainable, community-based gardening and farming programs that focus on teaching people where their food comes from and the delicious ways it can end up on your plate.

For more information, please contact Shannon Barnette at the Ohio Herb Education Center, 614-342-4380 or click here.

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The Early Bird Gets the Best Deals with Parks & Recreation!

Available NOW through April 25, 2014

Gahanna Parks & Recreation has lots of activities going on this summer, so don't miss out! Now is the best time to register-Early Bird rates are available through April 25.

Aquatics

One membership for 2 pools!
Be one of the first 500 households to purchase your membership and receive a free 5-visit bonus pass!

Summer Camp Experiences

Registrations taken until all spots are filled!

Jump Start Traditional Camp @ Friendship Park (ages 6-12)
Camp Friendship @ Hannah Park (ages 5-12)
CORE @ Friendship Park (ages 12-14)

Visit the Parks & Recreation page at www.Gahanna.gov and click on 'Aquatics' or 'Camp' for more details, including swim lessons and pool activities.

Yoga for Active Adults

Join our very experienced yoga teachers who have years of instructional knowledge ready to share in a variety of yoga programs offered through Parks & Recreation. In addition to Hatha Yoga for Beginners and Experienced yoginis and Slow Flow Yoga, additional workshops include Yoga for Kids, Aromatherapy Yoga Workshop and Centered-Yoga Workshop. Adults may also enjoy Urban Zen, a newer trend that includes gentle movements, restorative yoga poses, aromatherapy, soothing breath awareness, reiki and meditation. Not for you? Try our low-impact, drop-in fitness classes at The Center, 480 Rocky Fork Blvd. These classes include Wabi�, low impact aerobics and Zumba and beginning and advanced line dance.

Visit the Adult Programs page in the latest Gateway for all the details at http://goo.gl/4DArIx and call 614-342-4250 to register.

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Gahanna Cleans Green is Seeking Volunteers

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Volunteers are needed for the Gahanna Cleans Green shredding and e-recycling event on Saturday April 26, 2014 from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the City Hall parking lot, located at 200 S Hamilton Rd. This is a great opportunity for schools, churches or other service organizations to get involved and help protect our environment. Volunteer tasks include event setup, directing traffic, collecting GRIN donations, transporting shredding or e-recycling items and event tear down. For more information, contact Sharon Montgomery at 614-342-4090.

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Herb Day

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Community Events

Parent Workshop: Video Game Addiction

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Gahanna Lincoln H.S., Clark Hall

This FREE community workshop will focus on video game addiction. Michael Lewis, PCC-S, Director of Ohio Dominican University's counseling center, will facilitate a discussion on the signs of addiction and boundary setting to assist parents in addressing this issue. For more information, click here.

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Bike Rodeo

Saturday, April 19, 2014