CITY COUNCIL MEETING 12/6/10

The Mayor was the first to speak at the podium Monday evening. These are the points he made:

• The city will continue to pick up leaves until 12/23/10
• There is a study being done on our ambulance service.
• We need to combine the city and county 911 systems.

CM Coffey asked Atty Rick Fox to explain the judgement on the sewer utility against the city. Our City Attorney, Shane Gibson, helped explain the situation. There is a judgement and they want to collect. There have been negotiations with Gibson and Fox and others and it will soon be satisfied. CM Coffey wants to pay and then sue the sewer utility for the money. Mr. Gibson thinks this is silly and added that he hoped to have a resolution by the next council meeting.

Building Commissioner, David Brewer spoke about our code enforcement. With our two officers there have been 68 issues, 35 called in, 3 by email, and 2 in person. All have been resolved. Additionally, there are 18 buildings which may be demolished if they are not repaired.

The only speaker from the public was Peter Farmer, president of Main St. Preservation. He spoke against G-10-21 (Dissolution of the Historic Preservation Commission)

Next up were the votes:

A-10-13 Transfer 1.7 million from EDIT for General Fund expenses. The reason being that TIF funds cannot be used for certain projects. The vote was 6 yes and 3 no (CM's Coffey,Price, and Gahan). Same results on the second reading.

A-10-12 Ordinance for the transfer of $200,000 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund. (Goes to cash deficit, not an appropriation, money goes to the rolling deficit) This was the 3rd reading and it passed 9-0

G-20-21 Dissolving the Historic Preservation Commission: failed 7 no, 1 yes, CM Price, and 1 abstain CM Coffey.

Finally the Resolution to adopt a Fiscal Plan for the Annexation passed 7 yes and 2 no CM Coffey and Price. The annexation will not take effect until January 1, 2014.

On a personal note, the meeting went pretty smoothly. The microphones seemed to have been set at a lower volume, or maybe it was just my imagination.

SEE YOU AT THE LIBRARY

Chief Todd Bailey will host a meeting this Wednesday at the Library at 7:00. He will be starting a new program called Problem Oriented Policing program on January 1, 2011.

He wants to start more neighborhood watch groups. I hope the people will be more receptive this time. Becky Roy started a neighborhood watch group several years ago (West End) but attendance was very limited, same with the Friends and Families of the West End group.

Please check the "Tribune" for more details.

SEWER LINE SNAG

I read in today's "Tribune" that the developers are discovering problems with the Mid-town aka. S. Ellen Jones neighborhood's outdated sewer lines. It seems that the sewer department used to allow two homes to be hooked up to the same line back in the 1920's and 30's. Since there are probably several more of these "Y" connections in the area this needs to be addressed.

Apparently Jon-Paul Inc. did not add the cost of sewer lines in their original bid for the project. Hopefully this cost will me minimal so the project does not go far over budget.

Another problem is the cost of sewer hookups which run $1650 each. This is one case where I think the City Council should waive the connection fee. This is not a new development of expensive homes. These homes will be sold to lower income residents and costs need to be kept as low as possible. New Albany was fortunate to have this grant and we should do everything we can to keep the project going and sell these homes as quickly and economically as possible.

A THANKSGIVING WISH

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Please remember the many people serving in the military who are sacrificing during this special day.

And we who have a place to live, eat, and sleep need to remember those who don't.

We all have much to be thankful for. May God Bless everyone and may He hold each of you in the palm of His holy hands.

Shirley

COUNCIL MEETING 11/18/10:SAD DAY FOR NEW ALBANY

Thursday's city council meeting began on a high note with the Mayor encouraging everyone to participate in the Holiday Fest on Saturday after Thanksgiving. He went on to say that it is good to see New Albany having parking problems.



He discussed combining the city and county 911 operators, this will have to be done by 2014 anyway.

He also suggested a meeting with the City and County Councils in addition to the Commissioners. Additionally, CM Benedetti asked for a cost analysis of the budget.

In regard to the Ordinance to disband the Historic Preservation Commission, he suggested forming a mediation committee of council members from each district, the council president, the building commissioner and 2 members of HPC.

The next speaker was Chief Bailey who said there are plans for forums on crime prevention planned for next year and the citizens police academy will be offered again.

There were several citizens speaking against G-10-21 the Ordinance Dissolving the Historic Preservation Commission... and one person speaking in favor.

The discussion between the council members was quite heated but eventually CM Gonder called for a vote: The first and second readings had the same result, 7 nays, 1 aye ( CM Price), and 1 abstain, (CM Coffey)

The other ordinances were handled swiftly and quietly: G-10-12 (Ord. to transfer $200,000 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund passed 9-0
Z-10-05 The new medical building on the corner of Daisy Lane and Green Valley Rd. passed 5-4 after CM Messer changed his vote from abstain to aye.

I had commented on other blogs, etc. about the behaviour of some of the council members last night. I know everyone jokes about the city council meetings being a 3 ring circus, but last night I was truly ashamed of our council. The room was filled to capacity and it was a sad sight for all of us to see.

LET'S SAVE OUR HISTORY

I have been very concerned about the Ordinance to dissolve the Historic Preservation Commission. Not that I am directly involved, living in an apartment complex not located in a historic district. But if we live in an historic home or not, all citizens of New Albany are involved.

There have been several historic buildings destroyed in the 1950's and 1960's, and several near misses.

When I was taking a tour of the Culbertson Mansion the tour guide told us that the home was almost torn down at one time. Can you imagine? Tearing down the Culbertson Mansion? And more recently, the Cardinal Ritter Home was saved from the wrecking ball.

I am not a member of the Historic Preservation Commission and I don't know all of the issues but I was told by a former member that their approval rate is 83 out of 84. I know there are a couple of citizens who have had problems but hopefully a compromise can be met.

As far as CM Price, the author of the Ordinance, I have known him for about seven years, and have always known him to be an honorable person. Even when we disagree, our disagreements are friendly and civil.

It appears that the meeting room in the City County Building will be crowded this Thursday. So if you plan to attend the meeting, get there early.

"I HAVE NO PLANS TO RESIGN"

Those were the words John Wilcox used when I asked him about all of the rumors about he and the rest of the Central Committee.

I had asked other members previously but had not had the chance to ask John until last night. I was not able to speak to Sam Locke but John said Sam had not expressed any desire to quit either. John went on to say that next year's election should run more smoothly since only local candidates will be running and national issues will not play a big part. He added that people tend to get more involved with local elections.

We discussed how difficult it is to find people willing to help with campaigns. I must admit that I am guilty in that respect also. There is much more that I could have done had I taken the time. But I cannot fault the Central Committee. Those people worked their buns off this year.

Being a member of the Central Committee is an unpaid and (I'm sure) a thankless job. No matter to which party a person belongs.