I don't know about you, but I am getting a little tired of hearing about how "dirty" and "ugly"New Albany is. Neighborhood groups have had cleanups and several people have "adopted" a corner to keep them cleaned up. Are just a few people trying to clean things up and the rest going back and making a mess?
Mr. Lopp has said that he has wanted a Cracker Barrel located near the I-64 exit for 16 years. I had heard rumors about this for the past few years but never knew why it didn't materialize. Has he informed the Mayor's office and our Code Enforcement Officer? Has he made a public plea to the residents? Has he considered hiring a crew to make this area more attractive?
He also complained about the condition of East Spring St. where people arrive from Clarksville. I wonder if the East Spring Neighborhood Association is aware of this?
I think we have done a lot to make our city more attractive in the last few years. And yes, a large retail chain store would probably bring more traffic to downtown. I hate the thought of these hard working small business owners going under for lack of customers. I don't see the need for a chain restaurant in our downtown though. It seems that it would take business away from our locally owned restaurants.
Obviously I don't have the answers but I would love to know what we can do to keep our city on the path we have started and to become the great city I know we can be.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
COUNCIL MEETING 1/21/10
The agenda has changed since the last council meeting. Now the Mayor and city officials speak before the general public.
Mayor England began by thanking Mr. Coffey and Ms. Benedetti for their service as President and VP during 2009. He then congratulated Mr. Gonder and Mr. McLaughlin on their elections as President and VP for 2010.
He then got down to business discussing the possible closing of a fire station and/or laying off personnel. He asked the council to schedule a work session for Febuary 5, a Saturday, to discuss the $2,000,000 appropriation for the fire and police depts. before they have a final vote.
He then advised that the State of the City address will take place in March. There will be a press release also. Additionally there will be a press release concerning the 6.7 million for the SEJ rehab. The city plans to tear down 40 dilapidated homes and use 10 lots already owned and build 50 homes. The plan is to sell them for $120,000 to $130,000 to single families. They cannot be purchased for investment ie. rental property.
During the city official discussion Mr. Price said that the 5.2million borrowed from the Sewer Utility needs to be paid back before the sewer rates are raised. Mrs. Garry advised him that the loan was paid back in 2004. He also questioned the Mayor's comment that the police and fire dept. are underfunded, he said a union representative told him they had received a better contract than they had requested. A representative from the fire dept. said they received a raise of about $6.80 per month more than they requested and the police received the same.
During the comments from the public several people asked for help from last year's flood. Some people said the city had made promises which were not kept. Mr. Caesar said the Stormwater Board will meet next Thursday 1/28 at 10:00 to reveal the preliminary master plan to address this problem. Attny Shane Gibson spoke before the vote was taken on the $400,000 appropriation and asked that their be an amendment to give at least $200,000 to the Stormwater Board to dredge creeks and fix the culverts and other "micro projects". The amendment was passed 9-0. The final vote on the appropriation was 8-1 with Mr. Price voting against.
As of yet, the council does not yet have a full time attorney. The ordinance was tabled until a committee could meet and work out the details.
At this time it was 9:30 and I had to leave since I work early in the morning. If anyone stayed until the end please give us the details of the rest of the meeting.
Mayor England began by thanking Mr. Coffey and Ms. Benedetti for their service as President and VP during 2009. He then congratulated Mr. Gonder and Mr. McLaughlin on their elections as President and VP for 2010.
He then got down to business discussing the possible closing of a fire station and/or laying off personnel. He asked the council to schedule a work session for Febuary 5, a Saturday, to discuss the $2,000,000 appropriation for the fire and police depts. before they have a final vote.
He then advised that the State of the City address will take place in March. There will be a press release also. Additionally there will be a press release concerning the 6.7 million for the SEJ rehab. The city plans to tear down 40 dilapidated homes and use 10 lots already owned and build 50 homes. The plan is to sell them for $120,000 to $130,000 to single families. They cannot be purchased for investment ie. rental property.
During the city official discussion Mr. Price said that the 5.2million borrowed from the Sewer Utility needs to be paid back before the sewer rates are raised. Mrs. Garry advised him that the loan was paid back in 2004. He also questioned the Mayor's comment that the police and fire dept. are underfunded, he said a union representative told him they had received a better contract than they had requested. A representative from the fire dept. said they received a raise of about $6.80 per month more than they requested and the police received the same.
During the comments from the public several people asked for help from last year's flood. Some people said the city had made promises which were not kept. Mr. Caesar said the Stormwater Board will meet next Thursday 1/28 at 10:00 to reveal the preliminary master plan to address this problem. Attny Shane Gibson spoke before the vote was taken on the $400,000 appropriation and asked that their be an amendment to give at least $200,000 to the Stormwater Board to dredge creeks and fix the culverts and other "micro projects". The amendment was passed 9-0. The final vote on the appropriation was 8-1 with Mr. Price voting against.
As of yet, the council does not yet have a full time attorney. The ordinance was tabled until a committee could meet and work out the details.
At this time it was 9:30 and I had to leave since I work early in the morning. If anyone stayed until the end please give us the details of the rest of the meeting.
Friday, January 15, 2010
SAVE OUR TOWNSHIPS
There have been two recent articles in the "Courier-Journal" about eliminating Township Trustees and the Advisory Board. This is another one of Daniel's ideas for "reform".
I have never worked with the Township Trustee's office but I have volunteered at Interfaith and have seen many people apply for help with their utility bills. These people visit the Interfaith office on a daily basis. Interfaith is limited to the amount they have to help these people and often refer them to the Township Trustee's office.
If we did not have a Township Trustee or Advisory Board (who determines the budget) where would these people go for help? The CJ article said they would be referred to "county government" whoever that is. It looks like the poor would be given the run around again, just like when they call the "Welfare" office for help with ADC payments or food stamps.
You can bet that these legislators, especially Rep. Bill Crawford, the author of this bill, has never had to apply for benefits or assist someone who has. I must agree with Rep. Craig Fry who said , "I think this is a horrible public policy." And tell Rep. Crawford that his idea, "This lets the people decide" and "This is about governing with the consent of those governed." is flawed because if the bill is worded as poorly as the one regarding the Township Assessors many will not understand it and will not vote the way they intended.
Let's not let Daniels win on this one. Please vote to keep our Township Advisory Board and Trustees. Don't let our disadvantaged citizens get the shaft again.
I have never worked with the Township Trustee's office but I have volunteered at Interfaith and have seen many people apply for help with their utility bills. These people visit the Interfaith office on a daily basis. Interfaith is limited to the amount they have to help these people and often refer them to the Township Trustee's office.
If we did not have a Township Trustee or Advisory Board (who determines the budget) where would these people go for help? The CJ article said they would be referred to "county government" whoever that is. It looks like the poor would be given the run around again, just like when they call the "Welfare" office for help with ADC payments or food stamps.
You can bet that these legislators, especially Rep. Bill Crawford, the author of this bill, has never had to apply for benefits or assist someone who has. I must agree with Rep. Craig Fry who said , "I think this is a horrible public policy." And tell Rep. Crawford that his idea, "This lets the people decide" and "This is about governing with the consent of those governed." is flawed because if the bill is worded as poorly as the one regarding the Township Assessors many will not understand it and will not vote the way they intended.
Let's not let Daniels win on this one. Please vote to keep our Township Advisory Board and Trustees. Don't let our disadvantaged citizens get the shaft again.
Friday, January 8, 2010
TIF'S 101
What is Tax Increment Financing?
"Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows cities to create special districts and to make public improvements within those districts that will generate private-sector development. During the development period, the tax base is frozen at the predevelopment level."
www.emich.edu/public/geo/557book/d212.tif.thml
and from the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet ( I know but it also applies to Indiana)
"...the TIF program enables counties, municipalities, and townships to exempt from real property taxation the new value added to a parcel or group of parcels as a result of new property investment. Unlike the EZ program, TIF can be used with residential development. Another difference involves the exemption associated with a TIF. The EZ program abates taxes, whereas TIF does not change the taxpayer's tax liability or the valuation of the taxpayer's property. Instead, TIF enables the taxpayer to make payments to a special fund in an amount equal to the property tax liability. These payments in lieu of taxes are used by the local government to retire debt incurred for in infrastructure improvements needed to support the new real property investment."
From what I can determine it works like this: a developer purchases a plot of land, the city improves the property with roads, utilities, etc. and the developer's property taxes are put in a special fund to pay the city back for their investment.
I can see how this helps with improvements to the city and how it benefits the property owner (developer). I can also see the other side which is a decrease in the amount of property taxes collected.
So, in other words, do we help to improve property at the risk of lower taxes collected? Or do we wait and hope that the property is developed anyway and collect the whole amount of property tax based on the property after improvements have been made? hmmmmmmmmmmmm
"Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows cities to create special districts and to make public improvements within those districts that will generate private-sector development. During the development period, the tax base is frozen at the predevelopment level."
www.emich.edu/public/geo/557book/d212.tif.thml
and from the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet ( I know but it also applies to Indiana)
"...the TIF program enables counties, municipalities, and townships to exempt from real property taxation the new value added to a parcel or group of parcels as a result of new property investment. Unlike the EZ program, TIF can be used with residential development. Another difference involves the exemption associated with a TIF. The EZ program abates taxes, whereas TIF does not change the taxpayer's tax liability or the valuation of the taxpayer's property. Instead, TIF enables the taxpayer to make payments to a special fund in an amount equal to the property tax liability. These payments in lieu of taxes are used by the local government to retire debt incurred for in infrastructure improvements needed to support the new real property investment."
From what I can determine it works like this: a developer purchases a plot of land, the city improves the property with roads, utilities, etc. and the developer's property taxes are put in a special fund to pay the city back for their investment.
I can see how this helps with improvements to the city and how it benefits the property owner (developer). I can also see the other side which is a decrease in the amount of property taxes collected.
So, in other words, do we help to improve property at the risk of lower taxes collected? Or do we wait and hope that the property is developed anyway and collect the whole amount of property tax based on the property after improvements have been made? hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Monday, January 4, 2010
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING OF 2010
The meeting began with a quick race for Council President, Mr. Price nominated Pat McLaughlin and Mrs. Benedetti nominated John Gonder. Mr. Gonder won 5-4 with Benedetti, Messer, Zurschmeide, Coffey, and himself voting for him. Mr. McLaughlin got the silver medal as VP.
After the committee members were appointed and/or voted in, the next order of business were the public communications. The parking permits were the main topic tonight. Jameson Bledsoe, Randy Bulleitt, and Vickie Nugent, all Uptown Neighborhood residents spoke in favor. They all discussed their own parking problems and said they would pay to have a designated spot in front of their homes. Randy Smith said he lives on the narrow part of Elm St. He questioned the the idea of having 20' per space considering some lots are only 35' wide. The council voted and decided to sent this Ordinance to committee.
There were a few issues discussed during the city official communications. Mr. Gahan said that A 09-21 (the $400,000 for the flood victims) would be back on the agenda for a 3rd reading at the next meeting.
Mr. Malysz, speaking for the Mayor, urged that A 09-22 also be added to the next agenda (this was the $2,000,000 from EDIT for the fire and police).
said this will be reviewed by the Rules Committee and the Mrs. Benedetti asked for a prompt decision on hiring a new attorney for the council. Mr. Gonderrecommendations will be considered by the council. Mr. Coffey stressed that a Floyd Co. resident will be preferable.
There was also much discussion on Resolution 10-01 concerning the Coyle property. The city has already spent approx. $50,000 for appraisals and an enviromental study and enlarging the TIF area will help to recoup these funds. This also has been sent to committee.
This is a very short summary but the meeting ended by 9:00 with no fireworks. But the year is still very young. Stay tuned.
After the committee members were appointed and/or voted in, the next order of business were the public communications. The parking permits were the main topic tonight. Jameson Bledsoe, Randy Bulleitt, and Vickie Nugent, all Uptown Neighborhood residents spoke in favor. They all discussed their own parking problems and said they would pay to have a designated spot in front of their homes. Randy Smith said he lives on the narrow part of Elm St. He questioned the the idea of having 20' per space considering some lots are only 35' wide. The council voted and decided to sent this Ordinance to committee.
There were a few issues discussed during the city official communications. Mr. Gahan said that A 09-21 (the $400,000 for the flood victims) would be back on the agenda for a 3rd reading at the next meeting.
Mr. Malysz, speaking for the Mayor, urged that A 09-22 also be added to the next agenda (this was the $2,000,000 from EDIT for the fire and police).
said this will be reviewed by the Rules Committee and the Mrs. Benedetti asked for a prompt decision on hiring a new attorney for the council. Mr. Gonderrecommendations will be considered by the council. Mr. Coffey stressed that a Floyd Co. resident will be preferable.
There was also much discussion on Resolution 10-01 concerning the Coyle property. The city has already spent approx. $50,000 for appraisals and an enviromental study and enlarging the TIF area will help to recoup these funds. This also has been sent to committee.
This is a very short summary but the meeting ended by 9:00 with no fireworks. But the year is still very young. Stay tuned.
Friday, January 1, 2010
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
HAPPY 2010 NEW ALBANY
It is a new year and a new decade. I thought about making predictions as others have but I'm no fortune teller. If I could tell the future, well, let's just say my bank account would look a lot better.
Readers, if anyone wants to make predictions or discuss 2009 please do so. Should be an interesting "conversation".
It is a new year and a new decade. I thought about making predictions as others have but I'm no fortune teller. If I could tell the future, well, let's just say my bank account would look a lot better.
Readers, if anyone wants to make predictions or discuss 2009 please do so. Should be an interesting "conversation".
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