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.
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58 comments:
Thanks so much for the report Shirley. Finding out so late about the work session I just could not re-arrange my schedule.
As for as the laws changing on the T.I.F. districts, I thought that was just on new districts--set up in the last year or so. Maybe since January 1. I have sat through some other work sessions where the Council was urged to set up T.I.F districts, if they were planning any, before the law changed so as to have more flexibility. Would that not fly in the face of what the Council was told last night?
I'm on somewhat shaky ground here as T.I.F is a complex issue but I'm sure that someone will not hesitate to correct me.
Mark
Correct you anonymously, IAH.
It's my understanding, IAH, that the (at the time) proposed new law would both make it more difficult to expand or create TIF districts and restrict what could be financed with them, hence the timing of expanding TIFs before the law possibly passed.
Since then, some of the language in the original TIF bill from last year, SB 17, became a part of the bigger property tax shenanigans.
I'm not sure what, if anything, was ultimately passed. I would think that any new law pertaining to spending restrictions would cover all TIF districts, regardless of when they came into being. Luckily, ours were established while they could be.
With state finance law being so screwy, TIF districts are one of the few ways we can ensure that taxes generated in New Albany are spent in New Albany.
Like I mentioned, I'm on shaky ground because I'm not sure either. I still believe that, at least originally, the "old" TIF districts were to operate under the rules that were in place at the time they were created. Maybe something changed later.
To be clear, I'm not at all against TIF districts. I agree that they can and do serve a legitimate purpose.
Can someone explain to me how a "draw bond" works? I understand how a line of credit draw works but how is a "draw bond" sold?
I totally agree with Councilman Zurschmiede walking out. Until this city gives a plan, don't waste our time.
Great job Kevin.
I agree with Councilmembers Price and Councilman Zurschmiede; "Pay as you GO."
Is it true that councilmen Price and Zurschmiede are co-sponsoring an ordinance that re-institutes usury (a ban on charging interest for loans)?
That would pretty much bring the wheels of business and commerce to a complete halt, which seems to be their goal, anyway.
It's the economy stupid, New Albany has exceed the 2% debt level.
Pay as you go instead of pay to play.
I prefer stupidity to cowardice.
Pay as you go instead of pay to play.Wait, I know who said that. It was either W or Herbert Hoover, right?
Mark,
I was not sure about the T.I.F. changes myself. The way Carl said it
I assumed that this applied to all T.I.F. districts but sometimes he talks over my head so I don't have an answer.
About the draw bond, he (Carl) asked the council to appropriate $10,000,000 to be set aside to be used at the Admin.'s discretion. That sounded like a line of credit to me. But I had never heard the term draw bond used before.
Hopefully we will get more clarification Monday at the next work session or the council meeting itself.
I always enjoy reading your reports. Thanks, Shirley.
Mark
SHIRLEY: As I read your opinion in the paper on street repairs, it sounded like you were agreeing with Councilman Caesar to approve the Admin requested $10 million bond that has no list of the projects or costs defined.
I hope I am wrong as I do not agree with handing over $10 million plus attorney fees, plus financial fees and interest. Can you imagine what that $10 million bond will really cost the taxpayers?
Anon: 2:12
I don't understand your comment. Bob Caesar is not in favor of the 10mil bond. He said he hates to borrow money.
Dan Coffey said that he was advised by Kay Garry that the city has 5mil. in the bank from EDIT funds to start paving.
I don't like the idea of bonds either, especially a draw bond. Our economy is so shaky today I would prefer to borrow as little as possible and collect bids from different contractors to get the job done as quickly and cheaply as possible. By that I don't mean shoddy work but that we do not over pay.
I intend to make my views known at the city council meeting Monday and I hope you do the same.
Mark,
thanks for your kind words.
Shirley
So the same Dan Coffey who very recently said the city couldn't afford to use $127,000 per year in EDIT funds for Scribner Place now says we have $5 million just sitting around?
Was he lying then or is he lying now?
I choose "c": Both times, because I think he's counting the EDIT monies indefensibly used for sewer subsidies as part of the pile. Funny how in all the discussion of EDIT, it's never mentioned how much of it we waste down the sewer subsidy hole -- and which councilpersons remain in favor of the waste.
I say, it makes more sense to repair/fix stormwater, and sewers before repaving. Anyone notice how decent some streets are, until they cross pipes from side to side? Who would be crazy enough to let England control this type of loan? Not me.
What about the information Carl doesn't want others to see? Well, I've seen it, and just maybe could it be the council president reported it to the proper authorities what was going on? What does England and Carl have to hide? A whole lot, from what I read. The only mistake I made was I should have kept a copy of it. I can promise you all this, IDEM and EPA knows all about what England, Carl and Rosenbarger are covering up.
I just read in today's Tribune that the street paving ordinance will not be on the agenda tomorrow. Mr. Coffey said one work session will not be enough to give the other council members all of the information they need to make an informed decision.
Looks like we will have to wait to tell them what we think. But it think it is still a good idea to attend tomorrow's work session and meeting.
I read in yesterdays tribune the paving issue will not be on this evenings agenda. If Councilman Price is reading this, please table 8 new police cars, and overtime appropriation. This city needs to live on a budget like the rest of us.
Councilman Price, The city should not be penny wise and pound foolish. The city needs to invest in its future. We can only get by with “deferred maintenance” so long.
EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT:
a.Tribune files suit against city under the FOIA.
b. We sure hope they turn over the tape of the executive session, then heads will row.
c. Mayor kicks two-way Spring Street to the curbs. (better luck next time Baylor and the bookseller.
d. what's Deputy Mayor and England have to hide?
The microphones have not been working in the council chamber for several weeks now, so I doubt that there is a tape of the meeting. Possibly one could have been made another way but I wouldn't think it would be very clear without microphones at every station.
a.Tribune files suit against city under the FOIA.Good for them. Sounds like something a good newspaper would do, assuming this is not an example of the TNS (Troglodyte News Service).
b. We sure hope they turn over the tape of the executive session, then heads will row.Rows are for the hoe. Rolling is for heads.
c. Mayor kicks two-way Spring Street to the curbs. (better luck next time Baylor and the bookseller.That's bad for the entire city, not just two of us. I need to begin announcing the sun's rising in the east, and then you can hold out for the west.
d. what's Deputy Mayor and England have to hide?Same thing as anonymous posters?
Oops ... I meant to write "cowardly anonymous posters."
My mistake.
1:55 what future? Spring Street was not sitting well with several New Albany residents who are upset with the city's spending.
Politicians and lawyers have something in common.
They mislead, obfuscate, spin and lie. Why should anyone be surprised?
Until the taxpaying demand the right to immediately remove elected and unelected officials, these situations will never change.
Until laws are created to aggressively prosecute fiscal misfeasance/malfeasance, nothing will change.
These people need to be held civilly and/or criminally responsible for their actions.
If New Albanians are only upset now, it's because they've just begun to pay attention.
When England ran against Overton in 2000, she was pointing out the Mayor's borrow-and-spend bonding to pay for road paving projects that in many cases were pretty frivolous.
With him wanting to take one way to two-lane, with a median, bike lanes, sidewalks,lights and etc.
Necessary? Hardly.
We've been saying for a long time that city property taxes are going to go sky high due to England's lack of restraint and proclivity for dishonesty with the good people of New Albany.
There should be a complete investigation and audit by a disinterested third party or parties. Why? Because if you don't figure out what went wrong over the last seventeen years, were and you're doomed.
This entire paving thing is sickening.
“Until laws are created to aggressively prosecute fiscal misfeasance/malfeasance.”
Wow, where did I hear that before? Oh, I think it was “Citizens for Accountability.” But then someone asked he/she/it to show that he/she/it had proof that there was malfeasance instead of just spreading rumors, lies and spite. Everytime “CFA” posted something as “proof” it was just another rant that didn’t really relate to the original allegation.
Go back to the posts, the pins have been dropping for weeks. "CFA" has not responded to most questions asked.
Today’s another day with the same old anonymous, factless, clueless blogger.
Come on, Anonymous 5:26 PM. I’ll ask again:
- How do we know you’re not blogging from a mental institution?
- How do we know you’re not a prankster high school student?
- How do we know you just want to bring down England at any price so you or your buddy can run for Mayor in a few years? How do we know you’re not willing to lie to make that happen?
- How do we know that you don’t live in Jeff, work in Corydon, and want Spring St. to be your morning commute drag strip.
- How do we know you pay any taxes at all in Floyd Co.?
I’m sorry, but when later today you respond by writing “I live in Floyd Co. and I’m ...blah blah ....England....blah blah .....slush fund....”, no one is going to believe you. What else would a liar say? Your words have zero weight.
This entire paving thing is sickening. We just need to go back to dirt cow paths. That’s Coffey’s idea for economic development and I’m all for it because you know, everybody loves cows!
The New Albanian,Daniel Suddeath told me. So put that in you cigar and smoke it. He even says the Tribune is cutting down on overtime. It's a shame the city won't. I say throw them all out of office. Right Shirley?
You seem awfully confident that Roger is the only one who thinks you’re a nutcase.
You must have a wiener for CFA? Keep drinking those kool-aid pints, what happen to the so called progressive minority on Spring Street?
Gee louise
1. This is not about just today’s post.
This site has been infested with putrid, anonymous “facts” that are never substantiated. I think 90 percent of them come from one delusional source.
2. New Albanian, seems my writings are being attributed to you. Hope I don’t get you in too much trouble! (grin)
That would be like having a wiener for the lochness monster. I prefer things that exists.
Don't worry. I post only under my own name, so that the forthright, honest and upstanding little people have a known entity other than the mayor to pelt with bricks.
Too funny. The only nutcase here, are the ones who thought the council would approve and give England $2,000,000 for Spring Street, bike lanes, and other streets reversed. Better luck next time.
You forthright, honest and upstanding? You forget we all know England and Gonder got your brew house the low interest loan, when they didn't even bother to show up to help Perdue get theirs.
Besides, our girl is running for Mayor on the Democrat ticket this time.
Again the lies. Tell me, what is a bike lane other than a stripe of paint down the road? It cost as much as a few gallons of paint and a few hours of labor. Quit pretending that most of the resurfacing costs has anything to do with anything except asphalt costs.
I’m starting to wonder if it’s lies or an inability to do simple addition and subtraction. Of course, Price’s frying this-is-your-brain-on-drugs egghead might confuse the numbers. No one else does.
Most of the Spring St. cost is asphalt and labor to put down asphalt. The cost of a bike lane is a minor, side issue. So we never resurface Spring St. EVER again? Sounds like you agree that cow paths are the way to go.
I enjoy it when anonymous scandal mongers talk smack about things like business finance.
If the $50,000 loan to which you refer is the one through Horseshoe/1SI, then pretty much anyone associated with it can prove you wrong.
And if you think 50-grand is enough to open a brewery business, than you're more stupid than you are cowardly.
Our girl?
Oh, this is going to be too funny.
If “your girl” coordinates her campaign spending as well as you can crunch paving and loan interest numbers, the opposing candidate shouldn’t have anything to fear.
Reminds me of the Madonna song back in '86Who's that girl, who's that girl
When you see her, say a prayer and kiss your heart goodbye
She's trouble, in a word get closer to the fire
Run faster, her laughter burns you up inside
You're spinning round and round
You can't get up, you try but you can't
[Chorus:]
Quien es esa nina, who's that girl
Senorita, mas fina, who's that girl
Quien es esa nina, who's that girl
Senorita, mas fina, who's that girl
You try to avoid her, fate is in your hands
She's smiling, an invitation to the dance
Her heart is on the street, tu corazon es suyo
Now you're falling at her feet
You try to get away but you can't
[chorus]
[Intermediate:]
Light up my life, so blind I can't see
Light up my life, no one can help me now
Run faster, her laughter burns you up inside
He's spinning round and round
You can't get up, you try but you can't
[chorus]
[intermediate]
Who's that girl
Now, who's that girl
Now, who's that girl
Now, who's that girl
[chorus]
Sure your girl can run? Sure she’s not an alien?
I mean, since we’re all making stuff up....
Yes! A space alien!
Plan 9 from New Albany!
I tell you, it could be something special. We can be on the national news for something other than racism.
I LIKE IT!
New Albany expands affirmative action to elect the Nation’s FIRST space alien Mayor.
Anonymous, I apologize. You have my vote!
Interspecies togetherness is FAR more important than facts of numbers!
Agree?
THEN, we elect the first ANONYMOUS Mayor!
I hope this progressiveness isn't too much for Coffey.
Today I saw the plans for where England wants to spend $100 million to build the vegetable oil to fuel factory behind White Castle. It’s $1 million for the building, $20 for graft and corruption, and $79 million for a bunch of greasy sliders that will power the future. He’s being investigated by the CIA, PETA and the American Heart Association. Elect OUR GIRL to end the madness!
How about, I'll run against Dan Coffey if Roger Baylor aka(The New Albanian) runs against Steve Price. Surely, you can put your money where your mouth is.
Can you really see Baylor campaigning? Hi, I'm Roger Baylor, vote for me and not Councilman Price.
slam...
wife: Who was that honey, at the door?
husband: Some dumb Atheist.
wife: How do you know he's an Atheist?
husband: remember 6 weeks ago he wrote for the Tribune. And we cancelled our subscripution.
That dumb a** told us he was.
I have a better idea. Two of us can again run against Jethro in the primary, enabling another victory for him with less than 40% of the vote.
Besides, you'd have to take off your mask, or run as the Phantom of the Opera.
I can see what you mean of the local news losing focus. The tribune also seems to be losing its local scope. Besides, they always side with the mayor so that makes them bias.
Were you at that revival meeting I covered in the Trib today?
The plastic bags make good recepticles for busters droppings.
What's wrong Roger, you think you can't beat Price? If he's like you say he is, it would be a cake walk for someone you. The so called educated one.
Anonymous 6:11, please tell us, do you dislike all educated people? Do you think an education has value?
Ironic that someone who so distrust educated people would pretend to be a professor.
Besides, they always side with the mayor so that makes them bias.
You mean that since they don't side with you all the time, they are bias? Maybe that's because they have a minimum of education or better yet have taken the time to educate themselves on all sides of the issues.
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