Aw-Dit, Aw-Dat, Aw-Ticky Tack ... city council live blogging, part four.

(F) Introduction of ordinances in the following order:

(1) Appropriation ordinances;

A-10-01 Additional Appropriation for A Loan From EDIT In the Amount of $1,151,526 for Delinquent Bond and Interest Payments to the Sewer Works (Gahan)

Gahan explains the background. After it was authored, everything changed, so now it will be tabled. 7-0 show of hands in favor.

G-10-05 An Ordinance Amending No G-06-29 and Establishing a Schedule of Rates and Charges for Users of the Sewer Works of the City of New Albany (Messer 1st reading)

Messer says much information at the afternoon sewer board meeting. Wants to pass information to the public here, so doesn't want to table it. Action needs to be taken by April 1. Things might get serious, which Coffey would prefer, because he "wins" with a disaster. Messer would like to go on with it tonight and get the ball rolling on the first of three reading. Price unhappy. Messer introduces it, as written with 70% the number. This afternoon's findings will have to be folded into it.

Coffey: "You all deserve to hear it." He's about to contradict this.

Spokesman Skompf (CroweHorwath): Details February 18 report. New Albany ahead of the curve when it comes to EPA enforcement" even if rates are higher than most. Hardship is defined as $65 for 4,000 gallons. Facts and numbers, hard information ... and now Coffey objects to information being presented, primarily because it might contradict his grandstanding.

Important: Now Coffey DOES NOT WANT THE INFORMATION TO BE RELEASED TONIGHT. He says it should be taken out of the public's view and discussed in committee.

IS THIS THE ULTIMATE COFFEY HYPOCRISY?

Skompf says: In light of the late breaking news, this is the best we can do. He is a specialist, and thus NOT TO BE TRUSTED by the Coffey Klatch.

Coffey: GRANDSTAND IN FULL MODE "same song and dance" -- "we" didn't incur debt ...

Gonder gavels him down, Price picks up the ball and says that we must discuss only the existing 70% rate ... Messer back in the role of talking sense to the nonsense mongers. Messer says that the state is stepping in and saying that we can renegotiate the funds in reserve to cover the bonds should the bonds be called in.

Skompf again tries to speak. COFFEY OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT WANT HIM TO SPEAK, because he is an expert, and because he is likely to disagree.

Gahan says we have to discuss the 70% rate increase for pocedural reasons.

Gonder: We can amend and re-introduce.

Coffey: I haven't got a problem with the information, but these poor dumb tired people out here would miss their beds.

COFFEY CALLS A TOWN HALL MEETING TO GIVE HIS VERSION, AND IS PULLING EVERY STRING RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT AN AMENDMENT TONIGHT THAT MIGHT GET THE BAL ROLLING. INFORMATION IS GOOD SO LONG AS IT'S HIS. IF THE INFO DOESN'T GO OUT TONIGHT, THEN COFFEY WILL SAY THAT IT'S BEING WITHHELD FROM HIM.

Skompf again gets rational: To get the public hearing announcements out, it should be done tonight. Notices can skew high, then get reduced.

Coffey: This is so vitally important that a separate meeting should be held. Price mews like a lamb "yeah" "yeah."

Coffey asks the crowd to vote yea or nay ... finally Gonder takes charge and says that we can consider the new information ... Price starts screaming "where's the money."

Gonder tries to be reasonable. He's going to have to get tough. He won't, asking Messer what he should be doing.

Messer: "I would love for the public to know what we know."
Coffey: "We're not withholding nothing."
Gahan: I want to hear it, but not the amended version.
Skompf: Go ahead and pass at 70%, whatever.
Price: This is wrong. This is wrong.

Sewer board lawyer Fifer now comes forward to explain procedural matters that Coffey and Price will try to evade no matter how clear he makes it.

Now Coffey agrees that information is good so long as it's for the 70% originally worded proposal.

Here it is:

Yes:
No: Coffey, Caesar, Price, McLaughlin, Gahan, Messer, Gonder

70% voted down unanimously. Now, for the second reading, it will be amended.

Now, Skompf will speak. Come back later for that.