Tonight's city council meeting was relatively quiet. I guess everyone wants to end the year on a positive note, or they are thinking about the holidays.
First of all I want to commend Josh Lawrence, an Eagle Scout candidate who changed those ugly rocks on the hillside near the river from "welcome" to a beautiful sign spelling New Albany. If they ever re-open the Sherman Minton Bridge we will have to pleasure of seeing this sign daily. Josh was helped by his father, Asst. Police Chief Mike Lawrence and members of his troop.
Now back to the meeting:
R-11-31 Benedetti
Cost of Living Recognition Payment for non-bargaining employees. The amount was determined by their years of employment. The funds were part of an appropriation from the EDIT Fund which has been left unused. For 49 employees the total of the bonuses was $45,750. Instead of the usual show of hands CM Coffey asked for a roll call. It was passed with 5 Yay votes and 3 Nay (Coffey,Price,McLaughlin) (CM Messer was absent)
G-11-16 Coffey 1 & 2
Amendment to the Abandoned Vehicle Non-Reverting Fund. The proceeds from the fines will be used to pay the expenses for a tow-in-lot and offset fuel costs for the police and fire departments. Passed 8-0.
G-11-17 Price 1 & 2
Amendment to the noise regulation. This was a clarification to the original ordinance with specific fines for each offense.
$50.00 1st offense, $100.00 2nd offense. Passed 8-0
G-11-18 Coffey 1 & 2
This was the Ordinance authorizing $6,000,000 in Sewage Works Revenue Bonds.CM Coffey tabled this for now and asked to chair the standing committee.
A-11-26 Coffey 2 & 3
Ordinance for the Appropriation of Rainy Day Funds $500,000 for MVH (Street Dept.) and $100,000 for the Parks Dept. Passed 7-1 CM Zurschmeide cast the Nay vote.
A-11-27 Caesar 3
Final vote on the Ordinance for the Appropriation of EDIT Funds. This was the 2.3 Million dollars transferred to the General Fund to balance the budget.Passed 6-2 with CM Price & CM Zurschmeide voting Nay.
There were a few tabled Ordinances which were withdrawn.
The meeting went pretty smoothly, especially considering the lengthy agenda. Let's hope this trend continues.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
THANK YOU
I want to thank everyone who voted for me again. I promise to be prepared, work hard, and listen to the people of New Albany.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A BIG ThANK YOU
I want to thank everyone who supported and voted for me. We Dems need to join forces and look forward to a big win in November.
I also want to congratulate all of the candidates who ran. It takes a lot to put yourself out there and run for office. The races were very close, and that shows what good candidates we have.
I also want to congratulate all of the candidates who ran. It takes a lot to put yourself out there and run for office. The races were very close, and that shows what good candidates we have.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The "Tribune" posted a notice in Sunday's edition about a community block grant totaling $1,765,894. The proposed activities included:
HOUSING PROJECTS
1) Minor Housing Rehabilitation $250,000.
2) Concentrated Code Enforcement $60,000
3) Direct Down Payment Assistance $35,000
4) Dilapidated Housing/Structure Clearance $60,000
5) Optional Relocation Program $35,000
6) Linden Meadows Project Acquisition/Rehab: $100,000
7) Acquisition $50,000
PUBLIC FACILITIES PROJECTS
8) North Y Preliminary Engineering $50,000.
9) Sidewalk Spot Improvements $653,894
10) Public Facility for NSP Support $30,000
PUBLIC SERVICES
11) Repair Affair $15,000
12) First Time Home Buyer Program $21,500
13) Community Youth Asset and Step Ahead Program $30,000
14) NA-FC Park Department Youth Enrichment Program $30,000
15) Additional Youth Program $10,000
16) Recidivism $15,000
17) Property Disposition Initiative $500
PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
18) General Administration $320,000
The Redevelopment Department stated that these funds will benefit low and moderate income people. Although they did list places to view the entire plan they did not indicate how to apply for these programs. I assume that these funds are in addition to the regular funding for these plans. For further information please see the city's website www.cityofnewalbany.com
HOUSING PROJECTS
1) Minor Housing Rehabilitation $250,000.
2) Concentrated Code Enforcement $60,000
3) Direct Down Payment Assistance $35,000
4) Dilapidated Housing/Structure Clearance $60,000
5) Optional Relocation Program $35,000
6) Linden Meadows Project Acquisition/Rehab: $100,000
7) Acquisition $50,000
PUBLIC FACILITIES PROJECTS
8) North Y Preliminary Engineering $50,000.
9) Sidewalk Spot Improvements $653,894
10) Public Facility for NSP Support $30,000
PUBLIC SERVICES
11) Repair Affair $15,000
12) First Time Home Buyer Program $21,500
13) Community Youth Asset and Step Ahead Program $30,000
14) NA-FC Park Department Youth Enrichment Program $30,000
15) Additional Youth Program $10,000
16) Recidivism $15,000
17) Property Disposition Initiative $500
PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
18) General Administration $320,000
The Redevelopment Department stated that these funds will benefit low and moderate income people. Although they did list places to view the entire plan they did not indicate how to apply for these programs. I assume that these funds are in addition to the regular funding for these plans. For further information please see the city's website www.cityofnewalbany.com
Thursday, March 3, 2011
MORE HOME REPAIR INFO
Ted Fulmore sent additional information on home repairs for people on fixed incomes or working people with lower incomes. Please see the attached link.
http://midtownna.org/map/
Below is the Form:
https://commcenter.insightbb.com/attach/Residential%20PropertyVacant%20Property%20Only.pdf?sid=&mbox=INBOX&charset=escaped_unicode&uid=30004&number=4&filename=Residential%20PropertyVacant%20Property%20Only.pdf
http://midtownna.org/map/
Below is the Form:
https://commcenter.insightbb.com/attach/Residential%20PropertyVacant%20Property%20Only.pdf?sid=&mbox=INBOX&charset=escaped_unicode&uid=30004&number=4&filename=Residential%20PropertyVacant%20Property%20Only.pdf
Sunday, February 27, 2011
BUDGET WOES
As expected, the State has cut our city budget again this year. This year we could be over as much as 3 million dollars.
Naturally this is a major concern for all of us and difficult decisions must be made. There has been a lot of talk about cutting expenses or raising taxes, and naturally neither option is appealing to anyone. Now is certainly not the time to raise taxes with the economy in the shape that it is in. So that leaves cutting expenses. Where should we begin?
I don't have the answer to that question but I want to find out. I think the City Council needs to hold a series of budget meetings to go over the budget line by line and see where cuts, if any, can be made. The public should also be allowed to view this information either on line or in print. This is our money and our budget. Yes, I know we are legally entitled to this information. But we need easier access. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend meetings or visit the Controllers Office during business hours. We hear a lot of talk about transparency, I think the City of New Albany needs more transparency. The more knowledge people have the better they become at decision making.
Naturally this is a major concern for all of us and difficult decisions must be made. There has been a lot of talk about cutting expenses or raising taxes, and naturally neither option is appealing to anyone. Now is certainly not the time to raise taxes with the economy in the shape that it is in. So that leaves cutting expenses. Where should we begin?
I don't have the answer to that question but I want to find out. I think the City Council needs to hold a series of budget meetings to go over the budget line by line and see where cuts, if any, can be made. The public should also be allowed to view this information either on line or in print. This is our money and our budget. Yes, I know we are legally entitled to this information. But we need easier access. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend meetings or visit the Controllers Office during business hours. We hear a lot of talk about transparency, I think the City of New Albany needs more transparency. The more knowledge people have the better they become at decision making.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
LET'S GET THE WORD OUT
The "Tribune" reported that residents will be able to receive funding to repair their homes even if they are still living in them.
New Directions Housing Corp. is making funds available for emergency repairs. The amounts go up to $5,000 and are available to homeowners with a combined household income totaling 80% or less than the New Albany average. That comes out to $49,450 for a family of four, per Daniel Suddeath's article. Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz encourage residents to contact the New Directions office for more information.
Their number is (502) 589-2272.
This is administered through the New Albany Redevelopment Commission (812) 948-5333. So I would suggest that homeowners call each department to obtain as much help as is available.
Executive Director Joe Gleissner spoke about obtaining additional grant funding during the 2/7/11 city council meeting. CM Messer asked about the homeowners who needed repairs to their roof or other areas. He said that the grant funds should be shared with these people. Mr. Gleissner said that legally the funds must be used only for vacant properties. He offered to make an effort to let resident of the SEJ neighborhood know what funds are available to them.
We need to help Mr. Gleissner with this effort. And we need to tell residents in other neighborhoods about New Directions.
New Directions Housing Corp. is making funds available for emergency repairs. The amounts go up to $5,000 and are available to homeowners with a combined household income totaling 80% or less than the New Albany average. That comes out to $49,450 for a family of four, per Daniel Suddeath's article. Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz encourage residents to contact the New Directions office for more information.
Their number is (502) 589-2272.
This is administered through the New Albany Redevelopment Commission (812) 948-5333. So I would suggest that homeowners call each department to obtain as much help as is available.
Executive Director Joe Gleissner spoke about obtaining additional grant funding during the 2/7/11 city council meeting. CM Messer asked about the homeowners who needed repairs to their roof or other areas. He said that the grant funds should be shared with these people. Mr. Gleissner said that legally the funds must be used only for vacant properties. He offered to make an effort to let resident of the SEJ neighborhood know what funds are available to them.
We need to help Mr. Gleissner with this effort. And we need to tell residents in other neighborhoods about New Directions.
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