First council meeting of 2019 is tonight -- is it Scott Blair's indie turn for the presidency?

It's nice to know that in a community filled to the brim with issues and challenges, 4th district seat-warmer Pat McLaughlin is concerned about what the library is called.

(slaps forehead)

Then again, it's the Floyd COUNTY Democratic Party, right?

Pfui. In a triumph of institutional/political inbreeding, all nine city council members attended New Albany High School, and I sometimes wonder whether those of us who didn't might some day be compelled to wear ... well, you know.

Here's the agenda for this evening's first Common Council meeting of 2019. The Green Mouse has been told that one deferred aspect of the smoky back room maneuverings in 2018 that unexpectedly brought Al Knable (R) to the council's presidency was an understanding for 2019, and the elevation of Scott Blair (I) to the seat.

Even regular blog readers may be surprised to learn that I haven't attended a council meeting since July. This might be the longest such streak of non-attendance since the inception of NA Confidential.

The Reisz Mahal luxury city hall relocation fix disgusted me and still does, and the aftermath of this "Make Special Interests Great Again" debacle was concurrent with the advent of Pints&union, which precluded attendance for Thursday evening council gatherings, with or without an air sickness bag.

This left Mondays, and I might have made it to the third floor for two or three of these gatherings, but in the end it just seemed like a good idea to hike up into the Sierra Maestra instead -- or maybe that was Silver Hills -- and begin plotting the next stage of the revolution.

What about tonight?

It's not a work night, and it's a new year with new priorities. Someone told me there's a local election this year.

Hmm. Is my hazmat suit back from the cleaners?

Here's your city council agenda for Monday evening.

Owing to prior commitments, as well as the preservation of what's left of my sanity, I'll be unable to attend the two April council meetings.

Tonight's scorecard is here:

The council packet for tonight's meeting runs to a whopping 125 pages in PDF format, most of which is devoted to mind-numbing legalese defining the parameters of G-17-04.

This measure appears to be a refinancing of redevelopment bonds downtown to free up money to use in conjunction with last week's Horseshoe Foundation tithe, so as to facilitate implementation of the beloved Conducator's plans for improvements in his own suburban Disneyesque image.

City Hall describes the four major projects to be funded (in part?) through the Horseshoe Foundation's $5 million gift.

In short, if the fix is in, it's time to pop a few corks, kick back, and enjoy the pervasive banality.

ON THE AVENUES: Our great and noble leader is here to stay, so let's break out the țuică and make a joyful noise.

By the way, thanks to Matt Nash for his kind words at the last meeting in March. They are appreciated.

The next merchant meeting is July 19 at 8:30 a.m. at Cafe 157.

Cafe 157 at Fb.

Verbatim, as received from Develop New Albany.

Note that I've not reproduced the two handouts, but if you'd like to have them, let me know and I'll forward.

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Lots of information in this email:

Next meeting is at Cafe 157 on Main St on July 19th, 8:30 am.

Dream Boutique is planning on an event on September 9th, but would like to make sure nothing else is planned then. So if you know of anything going on that date, please let us know.

Yvonne is collecting attached form for Emergency contact info for the Police Dept. Please fill out and you can email to me, Yvonne dbldb54(at)aol(dot)com or bring filled out to the meeting on the 19th. If you have a neighbor that does not attend the meeting please share this with them. We want everyone to be invited so if you know someone that is not on our email list, please let me know.

Brad Needham, President of the Harvest Homecoming- They have been ask for a NO SMOKING ban at the Festival. Nothing has been decided and before they would make any decision they want to know your opinion. Please email brad_needham(at)att(dot)net

Do you know of something that would be a good topic for our meetings, please let Kim or I know.

Thanks

Teresa

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Merchant/Business Minutes June 21st, 2016

About 32 in Attendance

Thanks again to Stacie at Seeds and Greens for hosting in June.

Thanks also to Kari McGilvra from Southeast ISBDC for presenting Social Media Advertising, it was very informative and we have attached the handout from that day. The Southeast ISBDC has a lot of resources for all of our small business needs. Julie and Kari would be happy to assist you anyway they can.

We talked about Updates- If you look around a lot is going on Downtown with our buildings. We should start seeing some new faces very soon. Please be sure to reach out and Welcome them.

Seeds and greens has about 2,300 sq. ft in the front of the building for lease. They are looking for retail, if you know of anyone please have them contact Staci.

Courtney announced new date for the Street Dinner, September 12th, 2016. Amanda from Madhouse and Brittani from Dress and Dwell are working together on the street set up. Both of these ladies are so talented we can’t wait to see what they come up with. We will update you more as we have more information.

Concerts in Bicentennial Park (Courtney)- Concerts with continue each Friday night from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, the last concert will be on September 2nd. Some merchants have indicated they were staying open a little later on that evening.

Tourism updates (LuAnne) - They are updating the website which will help us as businesses to get more visibility, If you have good pictures of events they are please send to them for the website and Visitors Guide. She is also looking for big events that are Midwest Magazine worthy that she can pitch to them.

We have lots of out of town people coming who want to eat and shop so please train your employees what we have to offer, be community minded.

Parking reminder-
The top two levels of the parking garage are free, we have various other places that are also free parking, please educate your employees and tell your customers where these parking spaces are.

Conversation started about having maps on corners, possibility one near Farmers Market on the Large metal box. Update to be given at next meeting.

Yvonne has come up with a form to give to the Police department so they will have emergency contact information. We will be sending this out.

Bob Lane from the Housing Authority came they are looking for jobs for people who live in affordable housing.

Larry Ricke said A study was done of what was needed Downtown in the early 90”s and might be of interest for us to take a look at now. He thought it was in the redevelopment office (John Rosenburger’s office Larry also suggested we play off more on Louisville and the boat to draw people to our area.


Ribbon Cutting & Celebration on Saturday July 9th, Colokial on Pearl at Noon. Ali has been closed this week for renovation and will be re-opening on Saturday.

Next meeting is July 19th, 8:30 am at Café 157 on Main St.

Here's the agenda for Tuesday morning's merchant group meeting (8:30 a.m., Seeds and Greens).

My agenda item.

Like we said ...

The monthly merchant group meeting is 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 21 at Seeds and Greens.

Strictly speaking, these merchant meetings are not "presented" by Develop New Albany, although these past few months, the DNA logo has appeared with correspondence. As such, I've affixed it below. At least it isn't an anchor.

Speaking of DNA, Mayor Gahan lavished some slobbering love on the organization at last week's Pillar Awards:

"DNA does a lot of things to protect our history and our downtown. They also preserve our downtown uniqueness, and we have a lot of people to thank for that," Gahan said. "But at the same time, DNA urges us to move forward. They encourage us to improve and more importantly, they challenge us to grow."

Right. Well, there's no better time than right now to take a nice, long shower, so here's the agenda for tomorrow morning's meeting.

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New Albany Meeting Agenda
May 21st, 2016 at 8:30 am
Open to all merchants, restaurants & businesses
Seed & Greens Natural Market and Deli
207 W. 1st St., New Albany

Thanks Stacey for hosting our June meeting.

Conducting the meeting: Kim & Teresa

Introductions:

City updates: Courtney/Tonya
Old Business/New Business:

Southeast ISBDC: Presenting “Social Media” Advertising & tips

Ribbon Cuttings:
Adrienne & Co – Wednesday, June 22nd 10 am

Adjorn:

Next meeting is July 19th at 8:30 am location to be determined. If you would like to host a meeting, please let Kim or Teresa know.

Do you have a topic you would like to discuss at these meetings? These meetings are for you and we want you all to be a part of this.

Here is the agenda for Tuesday morning's merchant group meeting.

The monthly merchant group meeting is 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 15 at Wick's.

Remember, if you're a business peep in New Albany, you're invited. DNA's Teresa Baxter circulated this agenda.

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New Albany Meeting Agenda

March 15th, 2016 at 8:30 am

Wicks Pizza

Open to all merchants, restaurants & businesses

Conducting the meeting: Kim Johnson & Laura Applegate
Mickey Thompson with New Albany Street Department – Question & Answer
City updates: Tonya/Courtney

Old Business:
New Business:

Extol Magazine – Jason

Ribbon Cuttings:
Green Earth Outdoors - April 8th at 3:30 pm
Eventful 203 – April 21st at 4:30 pm
Gospel Bird – Rescheduled TBD

Adjourn:
Next meeting is April 19th – Location to be determined. If you would like to have a meeting at your business, please let us know.

Yvonne is inviting Todd Bailey – Chief of Police for April meeting

May meeting ISBDC – Social Media in business

Transparency Part One: NAFC schools now "striving" for it.

This is a positive development. Only a month ago, the school corporation had wagons circled. Now some glasnost is sneaking through.

Sunshine. It's good for the soul.

Striving for transparency: NA-FC School Board packets may soon be available before meetings, by Chris Morris (News and Tribune)

NEW ALBANY — Beginning soon you may be able to read the same information as members of the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. board on the Thursday prior to a Monday meeting.

That is with a few exceptions.