Council Part Two: Price votes for an abatement, and is excommunicated by Grover Norquist.

Late note: Here's the Tribune coverage.

Once again, current council president Gonder has gone to a by-the-numbers interpretation of the council's rules of engagement, which means a different cadence than previously. The thought gives King Larry heartburn, and for that reason alone is justified.

(2) From official commission:

(a) Board of Public Works;

(b) Plan Commission; and

(c) Park Commission.

(3) From members of the public, including petitions and remonstrances.

1. Marlon Andres speaks about a tax abatement forthcoming. Coffey endorses whatever it is that Andres does, saying that they're job with good pay, which implies that Coffey would not be qualified to work there. Andres is the only agenda item speaker tonight.

(F) Introduction of ordinances in the following order:

(1) Appropriation ordinances;

(2) General ordinances;

(3) Zoning map ordinances; and

(4) Annexation ordinances.

(G) Ordinances on second reading, in the same order as in division (F) of this section;

(H) Reports of standing committees and third reading of ordinances to which the reports refer in the following order:

(1) Budget and Finance; (Gahan, Benedetti, Price)

(2) Rules; (Caesar, Gahan, Gonder)

Finally, we come to something.

G-10-02 Ordinance Establishing a Full-Time Common Council Attorney (Caesar)

Benedetti asks for all readings tonight.

Coffey says no, three won’t get past him because the information has been withheld for too long. Price agrees. He gets phone calls. “There’s no way, I’m in the mood to expanding government,” and ... now the great vowel movement begins -- times bad, no money, rein it in, throw in the towel, hunker down, give up ...

Caesar: “Real seriously,” a full-time attorney for this council is “just exactly what we need to prevent these things from happening.” A full-time man can stay on top of situations. “A great deal for the city.”

Zurschmiede: Money appropriated for a council attorney?

Caesar: Spent $21,000 last year. This would be for around $40,000 for a full-timer.

At some point in all this, it is asked if the position must be advertised. It does not. Throughout, they refer to a prospective hire as "he," and never "she." $40,000 isn't much, so what all this means is that they already know who they wish to hire and under what terms, and this isn't necessarily a bad thing, except that the secrecy totally contradicts Coffey's blathering about transparency at City Hall. Why not just tell us who'll take the job for that price?

Price doe stream of consciousness: “It all comes down to politics … it’s the same old SOS … you got to quit this spending … gotta rein it in … need Bobby Knight to come down here … people laugh at me ... he does a lot for free.”

Messer: “Council way behind the times … we need someone who can write the ordinance properly, and that’s the law.” Full time attorney does things right, removing challenges and taking it from the hands of the council members, who are in the position of doubting their own abilities to justify the hiring.

For some, that isn't hard.

Caesar: Lists a few past challenges, but is cut off halfway through.

Coffey: Logistics are a problem. There are ordinances we need now.

Gonder: But an attorney is not going to be the origin of ordinances. He would respond to the council’s needs and filter them according to the law. “We’ve had some that don’t square.” These issues are important, and expert legal representation can resolve it. Cost on an hourly basis between full and part time attorneys isn’t as much as it appears.

Price the talking parrot: “Politics! (squawk) Politics! (squawk)”

Coffey now seems willing to consider it, because he could (might) be able to bully the choice of attorney. It’s an intriguing idea. Copperhead shake, and all that.

It is decided that there’ll be no suspension, and there'll not be three readings.

1st reading:
Y – DC, BC, JGo, DB, JM, KZ
N – SP, PM,

2nd reading:
Same as above. Coffey wants to see the contract prior to the third reading. Gibson agrees this is possible. Price is deep in thought. You can tell because Coffey's lips are moving.

(3) Public Utilities and Transportation; (Gonder, Zurschmiede, Messer)

(4) Police Department; (Caesar, Price, Zurschmiede)

(5) Fire Department; (Coffey, Benedetti, Price)

(6) Public Safety and Traffic; (McLaughlin, Messer, Price)

Paydirt. The next two are about the city keeping the fine money from traffic tickets.

G-10-03 An Ordinance Amending Section 70.99 of the New Albany City Code (McLaughlin)

On the amended topic of moving violations.

3rd reading:
Y: DC, BC, SP, PM, DB, JM, KZ, JGo
Passes third reading.

G-10-04 An Ordinance Amending City Ordinance 71.21 (McLaughlin)

Traffic signals.

3rd reading:
Y: Unanimous
Passes third reading.

(7) Public Works; (Caesar, Coffey, Messer)

(8) Public Health and Welfare; (McLaughlin, Gahan, Gonder)

(9) Schools and Library; (Gahan, Coffey, Benedetti)

(10) Development and Annexation. (Messer, McLaughlin, Gonder)

(I) Special committees;

(J) Miscellaneous business;

Now comes the Andres resolution, identifed earlier as a tax abatement, which Price generally refers to as the giveaway of taxpayer dollars. But this one is approved by Coffey, who stands in awe of companies that would not hire him, so ...

R-10-04 A Resolution Concerning Statement of Benefits for Globe Mechanical, INC., By the Common Council of New Albany (Benedetti)

Unanimous, and Price votes to raise our taxes.

R-10-05 A Resolution Concerning Statement of Benefits for L & D Mail Masters, INC., By the Common Council of New Albany (Benedetti)

No one here from Mail Masters. Moved to next meeting. Tabled.

Now there is non-agenda discussion time.

Malysz returns to affirm the sanctity of February 8 as the 5:00 meeting date for City Hall and Council to confer over police and fire funding. He has spoken to the mayor. England comments on the disagreement over communications: Price did the right thing by going to Gibson. Do as Steve did, and go to Gibson, Garry, City Hall and not department heads.

Gonder to Benedetti: Does that address your concerns?

Benedetti: “Not really, but whatever.”

Charlie Main says wait -- that's my line.

Gonder comes close to adjourning, but Coffey's tail is wagging so furiously that it must wait.

The Wizard is sure there's something else to say ... and Jack Messer says it. Looks like the campaign is in full swing.

Messer: Has changed his mind about the veracity of the audit, so he joins Coffey in asking for an audit for the general fund. Since the “new news” came to light, sewers, too, should be audited.

Price (puzzled): “I don’t know what to ask for” when I go to the sewer board. “You need someone who knows.” Indicates that he's for an audit even if it costs money.

Two hits to the saintly taxpayer in one night from Price.

Coffey: “Jack, here’s the thing, if we pay for it, do we get to choose who does it?”

Gonder: “An issue for the attorney” to rule. Maybe an audit should wait until the attorney is hired.

Now Coffey says he would support three readings on the attorney issue from earlier in the vening, if it means hiring an attorney faster to commence an audit that tells Coffey what he wants to hear.

Now there emerges a consensus that the attorney is vital to pursue the audit … Coffey thinks the state audit people cover their own “butts” and that the council has to find its own person from Coffey's alma mater, Bazooka Joe U.

Caesar: The audit he’s considering is a different kind of audit.

Follies Auditere.

Coffey: “There is no place here for council members to talk.” Wants language inserted ito the agenda to give him more grandstanding time. Other eager to leave, so it is adjourned.