"LET'S PAVE SOME ROADS"

Tonight's street paving work session was interesting to say the least. The attendees were ( in no particular order) Dan Coffey, Kevin Zurschmeide, Bob Caesar, Carl Malysz and John Rosenbarger. With Daniel Suddeath from the Tribune and Randy Smith and myself from no place in particular.

The meeting started innocently enough with John Rosenbarger explaining how T.I.F. (tax incremental funding) areas work. The laws have changed making it harder to use these funds outside of the exact area where they originated. The funds must be used either directly in the T.I.F. area or an area directly adjacent to it. So in simpler terms the streets to be paved must be in the T.I.F. area where the funds come from.

Dan Coffey went on to explain the origination of EDIT funds. The original purpose was to pay for the jail and to be dissolved after that. But as we all know, that did not happen. He added that EDIT funds are taxpayer money and should be used to benefit all of the taxpayers. Can't argue with that.

The actual argument was not that the streets need to be paved but how and where the needed funds are to be obtained. Carl Malysz wants a draw bond for $10,000,000 to be used at the administration's discretion for street paving and improvements to the sidewalks, traffic lights, etc. Kevin Zurschmeide and Dan Coffey want the administration to obtain bids for specific areas to be paved and bring the bids to the council for approval. Additionally, they want to use available T.I.F. and EDIT funds to cut down on the amount of debt incurred. This plan was echoed by Bob Caesar who added that he disliked the idea of borrowing.

So we have two plans to go before the next council meeting. There will be at least one other work session before the next council meeting.

We have a choice, citizens of New Albany.

Plan A: Pay as you go, use available T.I.F. and EDIT funds (not completely drain these funds) to cut down on debt and pave the streets over time, approximately 3 years.
or
Plan B: Obtain a draw bond (similar to a line of credit) and pave as many streets as possible in as short of time as possible.

Either way, the streets need to be paved as we all know. Additionally lower fuel prices mean lower prices to blacktop the streets so time is of the essence.

Readers, please weigh in on these plans and attend the next work session and council meeting. A decision needs to be made and our council members need to know how the majority of citizens feel about this. It is after all our money they are talking about spending.

THE GREAT CLEANUP

Our second clean up of the West End was a great success. I want to thank the Padgett Co. for the use of their dumpsters, Matt Denison for coordinating everything along with Becky Roy and Pat Salisbury.

This time we had many kind people help us with our efforts. In addition to Becky and David Roy, Jimmy Graham, and Tim Goodwin who helped before, several residents from other parts of New Albany came and helped. They included Lloyd Wimp, Ted Fulmore, Councilman John Gonder, Pat Harrison, John Baird, Tyler Bottoms and Catie Hodges.

Everyone worked very hard, especially the men. I hate to say it but I was really outdone by the guys.

Even with the massive clean up going on downtown, these kind people came down to West 7th

We also appreciate Building Commissioner Ron Hartman and Street Dept. Commissioner Micky Thompson, and Councilman Jack Messer for stopping by to make sure everything was going OK.

Thanks again for the great effort, see you in the fall. and Market to lend a hand.

PAY YOUR FINES AND SHUT UP

There was an article in the "Tribune" yesterday concerning overdue parking tickets. It said that the city is owed over $221,000 in fines!

This is outrageous. These people saw the signs when they decided to park where they did. Why should anyone get by without paying their fines? I know the city is trying to encourage more people to live and work downtown but this is sending the wrong message.

Everyone complains about special treatment for some people. This is special treatment to the max.

CORRECTION

The city council meeting is tonight, not April 23, as I had previously reported. The agenda is pretty crowded so it looks like a long night. Sorry about the mis-information.

APRIL 15, NOT JUST TAX FILING DAY

Mark you calendars. Senator Evan Bayh and Congressman Baron Hill will hold an "informational march" at Warder Park, Jeffersonville from 5:00 to 6:00.

Please try to attend this important event so you can speak to these guys and address any problems/issues you have. One of the most important being Health Care. From what I am hearing, President Obama wants a vote on health care by June 1. If this is going to happen, we had better get on the ball and tell the Congress and the President that single payer health care is the way to go. We will be there wearing our blue Medicare for All shirts.

See you there.

HE IS RISEN!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter.


Shirley

NO FIREWORKS THIS TIME

The City Council meeting of April 6th was mostly calm with the exception of Attorney Stan Robison's announcements.

1. He has filed a suit against the Administration for hiring Ron Carroll without consulting with the council.
2. As to the two tie votes on Gary McCartin's Wendy's project. A tie vote amounts to no action taken. It must be brought up within 90 days of the plan commission's approval (Feb. 20) or it passes automatically. This item will be on the agenda for the next meeting for a second and third vote.
   

There were seven items on the agenda, two were tabled and five were passed unanimously. Here is a breakdown:

• R-09-08 Resolution to Fund a Feasibility Study for the New Albany City Council with Riverboat Funds. Tabled by Mr. Price
• A-09-02 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the EDIT Fund. Tabled by Mr. Gahan
• A-09-03 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Veterinary Fund. This is just for the use of the already accumulated $40,000 to hire an adoption coordinator. Passed 9-0
• A-09-04 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Animal Control Runs Fund. This is to use the continuing grant of $5,000 from Pet Smart to purchase supplies for the animal shelter. Passed 9-0
• A-09-05 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Parking Fund. I am not sure of the amount for this but City Clerk Marcy Wisman collected $127,000 in unpaid parking tickets last year so this was more than covered. This year she has collected over $17,000 in the first three months and she and Attorney Shane Gibson plan to take some people to court.
  
• A-09-06 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Riverfront Fund. This is just moving funds already collected. Passed 9-0
• Z-09-06 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana, Providing for the Zoning of Sexually Oriented Businesses, Including Adult Cabarets, Specifying Districts Where Adult Cabaret Uses are Permitted, and Further Specifying Development Standards for Adult Cabarets (Title XV Chapter 156) Passed 9-0

The only discussion was during the Communications from City Officials. Carl Malyz said the Mayor wanted a Resolution for appropriating funds to compete the amphitheater before July 4th. The authorization of $250,000 out of Riverboat funds was appropiated back when James Garner was mayor. Carl could not find a resolution for this but since the council is concerned about communication the mayor humbly asked for consideration. Carl also read Roberts Rules of Order which said a Resolution can be added to the agenda. Dan Coffey said there must be a 100% agreement from the council to add an item to the agenda. He added that he had given the mayor two opportunites to add any item to the agenda and he declined. After that he asked for a motion to add this resolution to the agenda. A motion was made by Bob Caesar and seconded by Jack Messer. Steve Price was the first to vote no, so the motion failed. There will be a special meeting Wednesday April 8 at 7:00 to discuss this appropriation.

Shane Gibson was asked about his contract and how he was paid. He said he is paid out of several funds, over 50% from the sewer utility and stormwater since he spends that percentage of his time on these issues. He added that he does not have a retirement plan, vacation days, or Social Security, and no PERF. He is paid with a 1099 and handles his own taxes. There was also discussion about re-establishing a city court. This cannot take place until 2012 because a judge would have to be elected for this court in 2011. All in all it was pretty quick and painless. The meeting adjourned around 8:30 or so.