For my three minutes of public input time this evening, what do you think should be the emphasis?
Two way streets? The annual Harvest Homecoming debacle? The absence of tangible economic development plans for downtown? Ignominious Republican defeat in the showdown charade?
Maybe we need some more parks.
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New Albany council to take final votes on 2014 budget; No measures on street changes are on the agenda, by Daniel Suddeath (News and Paywall Tribune)
NEW ALBANY — Budget items that were easily approved on initial readings are up for final ballots tonight, but a revised plan to study downtown street or to adjust traffic flow will have to wait until another New Albany City Council meeting.
Officials have said that there’s still interest in addressing the city’s downtown traffic grid despite the council’s failure to approve a street survey earlier this month.
That measure — which was sponsored by Councilman Greg Phipps — called for a $60,000 traffic study, but since it didn’t receive majority approval, the legislation died after final reading.
Councilman John Gonder, who is a proponent of two-way traffic for downtown, was one of the three council members that opposed the appropriation. A $60,000 study is unnecessary when there’s a general consensus to change the street pattern downtown, Gonder has maintained.
Some intersections may require a study, but the city possesses employees with the knowledge to figure out how to convert most streets to two-way traffic flow without an expensive and detailed examination, he continued.
But Gonder doesn’t believe the issue has died just because the study didn’t pass.
“I think that getting away from that study is probably counterintuitive, but I think it expedites the process because we don’t have to study something that I’m quite confident we already know the answer to,” Gonder said Wednesday.
Mayor Jeff Gahan has said he’s “generally supportive” of converting some downtown streets to two-way traffic, but has also stated he wants a study administered before any changes are made. Gonder said the mayor has the power to push the street changes through if he chooses to do so.
“I’m sure that with a forceful presentation from the mayor, it would get done quickly,” he said.
Phipps’ measure was approved 4-3 on final reading, but it takes at least 5 votes out of the nine member council to approve legislation.
Council members Scott Blair and Diane McCartin-Benedetti both supported the study on initial readings, but were absent for the final vote.
Blair didn’t outright state his support for two-way streets, but said he still supports funding a study for the potential project.
“I just think we need some direction or some advice from groups or experts that have looked at these issues before,” Blair said. “I think it’s worthwhile to do what we can to enhance our downtown and our street grid.”
Due to procedural rules, the council cannot simply hold another ballot on Phipps’ measure. To garner an appropriation, the measure would have to be changed in some way before it can be again presented to the council.
As for items on the agenda, the council will take a final ballot on the $22 million general fund budget for 2014 this evening. The budget was approved 7-0 on initial readings.
“I think the administration has done a great job with the budget, and we’re fiscally sound,” Blair said.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. today, Oct. 17, in the third-floor Assembly Room of the City-County Building.
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