G-12-02 Ordinance Amending the City of New Albany Ordinance G-09-06 Concerning the Bicentennial Commission Membership ... Zurschmiede 3rd reading
No questions, no comments: Vote is unanimous in favor.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
Bicentennial Commission: David Barksdale, Jim Meeks
UEA: Coffey already ... Ron McCulick & Allen Howie ... next meeting, will fill the other one next time
Board of Zoning Appeals: Jameson Bledsoe
MISCELLANOUS ITEMS:
COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC (non-agenda items):
Steve Price: Here to talk about the executive order for health insurance. Praises neighboring mayors. Council owes everything to the taxpayers. If the order didn't leak out, via a private citizen, and was signed in July, then was the fix in? "Major red flags," which Miss Denhart will address. Price gets incoherent -- free form commentary. Nothing unusual there. Are the Nazis back at the VFW?
Steve Burks: Agenda concern. Glad to hear that two council members professed Christianity, but concerned that we've gone to a reflection instead of an invocation. How did this get removed? Benedetti says: "I did." Coffey says that he's Catholic and likes to do it his own way. Burks will talk to her later (with a paddle). He's peeved. Three members agree with Benedetti. Burks a-whining. "As a pastor in this community" he prays for all of them. Note that this is his standard invocation when he gives it each prior week, since there never really has been different faiths represented. Promotes transparency, and would like to see it come into play. Exalts council members as "servants of the people" and quotes either from scripture, or state law. Reads from text, wants the executive order to be a great bellwether in the history of the city, to protect people, unless those people want cheap housing, and then it's about property taxes (oops, that's Caesar's line).
Jessica Knable: Thanks everyone who reversed the executive order, and praises Price, Burks and Denhart for bringing the issue to light. Thanks Gahan for reversing it. Reads a series of variations on the "for the people" homilies. Promotes transparency.
Vicki Denhart: She needs more time. She has stacks of papers. She wants to set the record straight. "I leaked it." Mentions citizens for accountability. Time for some old-fashioned England scourging, high entertainment quotient. When she first got the information, she couldn't tell anyone. "It's a real executive order." Now, time, to scourge Gahan: After supporting Gahan, and telling him, "I said Jeff, I pray to God I don't have to go up against you," she now has turned on him. He told her he'd rescind it on one date, then rescinded it on another. She called Gahan, and he did not return the call. So, she called Charlie Pride at the state. She called Burks, and Price. And she called Benedetti, and Chris Morris, and asked if they had the executive order. She went to the clerk's office, and her professional girls couldn't find the order. Vicki understands that everyone would keep information from her. Denhart then proposed swapping the executive order (which she had) for Shane Gibson's contract, which Vickie G. Gave her.
(I've stepped out from NA and into a Hee Haw episode)
Denhart now dissects the Gibson contract. According to her, even after he was signed up to do piece work, his family still got health insurance. No matter what people think, why aren't people like the clerk and council members not seeing these documents? This seems to be her point amid the performance art, which started well, and now is slowing. "This is wrong," she says. She has sprayed fire at England, Gibson, and Gahan, and says the word "hell" a lot. Scott Blair says that he is offended by her language, but Denhart is mad, and there is no excuse, and almost no one would be allowed to do at the lectern what they let her do, but I suspect that is intentional. She now addresses Blair, to say that she's going to the big people upstairs, and righteousness shall prevail.
Suellen Wilkinson: Offers her own prayer to end the meeting. Asks God to rescue us from pettiness, but I'm afraid that horse bolted some time back.
No action taken on the remaining:
IN COMMITTEE:
TABLED ORDINANCES:
G-11-18 An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Sewage Works Revenue Bonds for the Purpose of Providing Funds to Pay the cost of Certain Additions, Extensions and Improvements to the Municipal Sewage Works of the City of New Albany, Consisting Of Certain Storm Water Improvement, the Collection Segregation and Distribution of the Revenues of the
Sewage Works and the Safeguarding of the Interests Of the Owners of the Sewage Works Revenue Bonds; Other Matters Connected Therewith, Including the Issuance of Notes in Anticipation of Said Bond; and Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith ... Coffey 1 & 2
Showing posts with label city council meeting live blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city council meeting live blogging. Show all posts
Monday, February 06, 2012
Part three of live blogging for Monday, February 6.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: READING
R-12-03 Resolution Opposing Expansion of Low Income Housing Projects within the City of New Albany ... Zurschmiede
KZ says that since he's been seated on the council, he has heard from many constituents opposing low-income housing projects. He thinks it would be prudent for the council to oppose these current two projects, but there will be changes in the resolution.
The city clerk reads the whole ordinance. I am not sure if what she is reading is the same as what was in the previously published text.
Phipps: Paragraph 5 ... based on what information given to the council? Coffey answers that he doesn't know how many low income houses we have, but we need no more of them, there are two many.
KZ says that Legacy is a seniors facility, but with no stipulation that it will stay that way. The developers leave, and then the facilities deteriorate. We make too many fire and police runs to them. Phipps asks the question, but KZ has "no answers tonight" and asks Phipps why he didn't ask earlier. Phipps now mentions that he knows why low-income wording was removed. Mentions attached notions of racism and sexism, and KZ takes umbrage and erupts. "We're over-ran" with subsidized housing.
Note that at this juncture, not a single statistic has been cited to support any of this. Because Phipps is the one to ask questions like this, you can see where it's going. KZ could have told Phipps his reasons had Phipps asked him before, but admits he didn't bring any of it with him. KZ thinks that we need upscale developments, and maybe so, but why does he implicitly trust those developers to do it correctly, and doubts that low income ones cannot be made to observe codes? Is it because we don't enforce codes?
Phipps gets very passionate. Good for him. But this is just as complicated as Jameson suggested earlier, though not for the same reasons.
Caesar: He assures us that no one is against seniors, or any other conceivable form of discrimination, as long as people pay property taxes to his satisfaction. Caesar repeats that all of this is about property tax payments, proving the need for a human rights commission. Caesar now seeks to prove that the city will lose $7 million dollars in property taxes if these two low-income developments are approved.
Coffey: Blames low-income developers for not responding to non-existent code enforcement regimens. "This damns" people to bad situations. Steve Price, in attendance to the rear, yells his assent as Coffey gesticulates to the crowd. He was not thrown out. He'll learn.
Gonder: Defends the housing authority. Speaks quietly, without rancor, and refutes Coffey's contention that no way is offered to get out. Gonder believes that the basic problem with these two proposals is that they usurp the proper role of the housing authority in doing this job. He sees nothing racist in it. Everyone now rallies around Bob Lane and the work of the housing authority. Caesar kowtows to Lane.
Sterling Group dude: They're a full-service residential development company. Multi-family housing, market rate and affordable. 53 properties and 8,000 units under their control. Explains difference between public housing and tax-credit housing. The latter is funded through private money, not public. Sterling is the landlord and collects the rent. Sterling targets a completely different clientele. Public housing is for those below 30% of median income. Affordable tax credit housing targets 30-60% median income. He describes the packet given to the council.
Differs from other such proposals. They did a study in October, 2011, which calculated 570- 757 households that would fall into their range. At that time, there were 66 affordable units in NA, 100% occupied. 30 or so more such units have been approved and not finished. 83% of senior households without alternatives in NA. Even with Sterling's 74 units, many still will have no options. Also, supports the downtown historic rehab plan by renovating Reisz Furniture. 74 households to support downtown business. $12+ million investment. Up to this point, the development has been well-received -- past mayor, redevelopment commission, maybe the current mayor (met with them today), DNA, the library, the Y, etc.
Reiterates Sterling's commitment, and answers previous objections: Federal public housing is not the same as Sterling's. They do background checks, and pay taxes (fair share). Zero tolerance for drugs.
KZ: Commitment to just seniors forever? 50 to 100 years?
Sterling: Within fair guidelines. Must stay this way for 30 years.
KZ scoffs.
Coffey believes this is semantics. Without credits, would they be building?
Sterling: Yes, but perhaps not the affordable side of it.
Coffey: Money's got to come from somewhere.
Sterling: Affordable housing needs to be affordable for those who needs it.
Coffey: These things always go downhill. I'll support tax credits for the houses we already have.
Sterling and Coffey argue about the nature of subsidized housing.
Sterling: "Mr Lane and I do not go after the same clientele" ... Sterling goes after the deficiencies in the market.
Gonder: What is fair share?
Sterling: We pay the taxes required of us. Gonder mentions Mitt Romney as another person who pays exactly as required.
KZ would rather see a senior forced to remain in a house that's too big, because that way, we collect full property tax. I don't see him offering alternatives, though. Perhaps I don't understand GOPconomics.
Sterling: "All we can promise is to capture the need for 74 couples."
Phipps: Agrees with the Sterling assessment. Opposes tax abatement to corporations. Coffey panders to the newbie.
Caesar: Back to his fetishist IRS numerology. We can not collect properly assessed value if this happens.
Coffey: "There comes a point in time where business will have to start pulling its fair share." Accuses them of not having the interest of the people at heart.
Sterling: Only 10 units in the Reisz itself.
Vote: All ayes except Phipps, McLaughlin, Gonder
More coming.
R-12-03 Resolution Opposing Expansion of Low Income Housing Projects within the City of New Albany ... Zurschmiede
KZ says that since he's been seated on the council, he has heard from many constituents opposing low-income housing projects. He thinks it would be prudent for the council to oppose these current two projects, but there will be changes in the resolution.
The city clerk reads the whole ordinance. I am not sure if what she is reading is the same as what was in the previously published text.
Phipps: Paragraph 5 ... based on what information given to the council? Coffey answers that he doesn't know how many low income houses we have, but we need no more of them, there are two many.
KZ says that Legacy is a seniors facility, but with no stipulation that it will stay that way. The developers leave, and then the facilities deteriorate. We make too many fire and police runs to them. Phipps asks the question, but KZ has "no answers tonight" and asks Phipps why he didn't ask earlier. Phipps now mentions that he knows why low-income wording was removed. Mentions attached notions of racism and sexism, and KZ takes umbrage and erupts. "We're over-ran" with subsidized housing.
Note that at this juncture, not a single statistic has been cited to support any of this. Because Phipps is the one to ask questions like this, you can see where it's going. KZ could have told Phipps his reasons had Phipps asked him before, but admits he didn't bring any of it with him. KZ thinks that we need upscale developments, and maybe so, but why does he implicitly trust those developers to do it correctly, and doubts that low income ones cannot be made to observe codes? Is it because we don't enforce codes?
Phipps gets very passionate. Good for him. But this is just as complicated as Jameson suggested earlier, though not for the same reasons.
Caesar: He assures us that no one is against seniors, or any other conceivable form of discrimination, as long as people pay property taxes to his satisfaction. Caesar repeats that all of this is about property tax payments, proving the need for a human rights commission. Caesar now seeks to prove that the city will lose $7 million dollars in property taxes if these two low-income developments are approved.
Coffey: Blames low-income developers for not responding to non-existent code enforcement regimens. "This damns" people to bad situations. Steve Price, in attendance to the rear, yells his assent as Coffey gesticulates to the crowd. He was not thrown out. He'll learn.
Gonder: Defends the housing authority. Speaks quietly, without rancor, and refutes Coffey's contention that no way is offered to get out. Gonder believes that the basic problem with these two proposals is that they usurp the proper role of the housing authority in doing this job. He sees nothing racist in it. Everyone now rallies around Bob Lane and the work of the housing authority. Caesar kowtows to Lane.
Sterling Group dude: They're a full-service residential development company. Multi-family housing, market rate and affordable. 53 properties and 8,000 units under their control. Explains difference between public housing and tax-credit housing. The latter is funded through private money, not public. Sterling is the landlord and collects the rent. Sterling targets a completely different clientele. Public housing is for those below 30% of median income. Affordable tax credit housing targets 30-60% median income. He describes the packet given to the council.
Differs from other such proposals. They did a study in October, 2011, which calculated 570- 757 households that would fall into their range. At that time, there were 66 affordable units in NA, 100% occupied. 30 or so more such units have been approved and not finished. 83% of senior households without alternatives in NA. Even with Sterling's 74 units, many still will have no options. Also, supports the downtown historic rehab plan by renovating Reisz Furniture. 74 households to support downtown business. $12+ million investment. Up to this point, the development has been well-received -- past mayor, redevelopment commission, maybe the current mayor (met with them today), DNA, the library, the Y, etc.
Reiterates Sterling's commitment, and answers previous objections: Federal public housing is not the same as Sterling's. They do background checks, and pay taxes (fair share). Zero tolerance for drugs.
KZ: Commitment to just seniors forever? 50 to 100 years?
Sterling: Within fair guidelines. Must stay this way for 30 years.
KZ scoffs.
Coffey believes this is semantics. Without credits, would they be building?
Sterling: Yes, but perhaps not the affordable side of it.
Coffey: Money's got to come from somewhere.
Sterling: Affordable housing needs to be affordable for those who needs it.
Coffey: These things always go downhill. I'll support tax credits for the houses we already have.
Sterling and Coffey argue about the nature of subsidized housing.
Sterling: "Mr Lane and I do not go after the same clientele" ... Sterling goes after the deficiencies in the market.
Gonder: What is fair share?
Sterling: We pay the taxes required of us. Gonder mentions Mitt Romney as another person who pays exactly as required.
KZ would rather see a senior forced to remain in a house that's too big, because that way, we collect full property tax. I don't see him offering alternatives, though. Perhaps I don't understand GOPconomics.
Sterling: "All we can promise is to capture the need for 74 couples."
Phipps: Agrees with the Sterling assessment. Opposes tax abatement to corporations. Coffey panders to the newbie.
Caesar: Back to his fetishist IRS numerology. We can not collect properly assessed value if this happens.
Coffey: "There comes a point in time where business will have to start pulling its fair share." Accuses them of not having the interest of the people at heart.
Sterling: Only 10 units in the Reisz itself.
Vote: All ayes except Phipps, McLaughlin, Gonder
More coming.
Part two of live blogging for Monday, February 6.
COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OFFICIALS:
CM Benedetti says that she has met with Linda Moeller and is in the process of figuring out what must be done about redistricting.
Benedetti: Downtown complaints, says that some merchants dump trash in streetside trash cans and not in dumpsters. No names are mentioned.
Benedetti: She has joined CM Zurschmiede in going to the controller in search of specific monthly financials.
Benedetti: March 1 there will be a certified budget, so the council should remain civilized until then, and then begin work.
Caesar: Spring Street Hill ... in 2008, work began on repairing it. Needs more. He is trying to find money in the State Street TIF for this project. Promised by the previous administration. Caesar lets us know he will try to clean up the mess and go where no previous mayor has gone before.
Coffey: The Spring Street work came through redevelopment previously. Engineers wanted more money and guaranteed their work, so we should go back to them and reclaim the guarantee. He goes on about the State Street parking garage and what it has generated. Now he shifts gears and begins talking about audits. Coffey is the first to wave the bloody shirt on insurance (the England executive order overturned by Mayor Gahan). Coffey launches the first 2012 demand for an audit, and says he'll gather the materials himself and get the ball rolling. "Same people who cause the problems in the same jobs."
Gonder: Asks for a monthly update on the Bicentennial. Caesar emphatically agrees.
Blair: FOP fact gathering about the contract. Three council members have met with them.
Baird: Puts the cart before the third reading's horse.
COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR
Represented by someone we don't know; Gahan not coming tonight.
APPROVAL OF CF-1 FORMS:
None
More to come.
CM Benedetti says that she has met with Linda Moeller and is in the process of figuring out what must be done about redistricting.
Benedetti: Downtown complaints, says that some merchants dump trash in streetside trash cans and not in dumpsters. No names are mentioned.
Benedetti: She has joined CM Zurschmiede in going to the controller in search of specific monthly financials.
Benedetti: March 1 there will be a certified budget, so the council should remain civilized until then, and then begin work.
Caesar: Spring Street Hill ... in 2008, work began on repairing it. Needs more. He is trying to find money in the State Street TIF for this project. Promised by the previous administration. Caesar lets us know he will try to clean up the mess and go where no previous mayor has gone before.
Coffey: The Spring Street work came through redevelopment previously. Engineers wanted more money and guaranteed their work, so we should go back to them and reclaim the guarantee. He goes on about the State Street parking garage and what it has generated. Now he shifts gears and begins talking about audits. Coffey is the first to wave the bloody shirt on insurance (the England executive order overturned by Mayor Gahan). Coffey launches the first 2012 demand for an audit, and says he'll gather the materials himself and get the ball rolling. "Same people who cause the problems in the same jobs."
Gonder: Asks for a monthly update on the Bicentennial. Caesar emphatically agrees.
Blair: FOP fact gathering about the contract. Three council members have met with them.
Baird: Puts the cart before the third reading's horse.
COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR
Represented by someone we don't know; Gahan not coming tonight.
APPROVAL OF CF-1 FORMS:
None
More to come.
Part one of live blogging for Monday, February 6.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, WILL HOLD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012 AT 7:30 P.M.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Shocking development: There'll be no invocation. Now we are asked to reflect. These are amazing times we're living in.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
ROLL CALL:
They're all here.
APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF THE FOLLOWING MINUTES:
Executive Session Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2012
Special Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2012
Work Session Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2012
Regular Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2012
COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC:
1. Larry Swank II -- Sterling Group. He will speak later during the R-12-03 resolution discussion. Passes around some information.
2. Mary McKurcher (sic) -- R-12-03 -- Muir Manor chairman of the board. Talks about people who want to come to Muir but there is no room. It is a clean place. In the paper it said no elder housing needed, but this is incorrect. She upholds the reputation of Muir Manor at length, presumably because she feels slighted by R-12-03 coverage. She needs to tell her residents to ride bikes in the proper bike lane and in the right direction on Spring Street!
CM Caesar asks her whether Muir is Section 42. Does it pay property tax? She says no, HUD controls it for twenty years ... CM Gonder asks what is meant by it. Caesar says he was ensuring Muir isn't one of the bad guys which does not pay full property tax.
3. Jameson Bledsoe -- R-12-03 -- Very complicated question, not dissing the elderly, but how much can the community support? If we give low income assistance to the elderly, it eventually will be for the benefit of all. Then everyone will have benefit, and then there'll be socialism (I'm guessing). Upshot: The city cannot afford to have any more low-income housing, and the council should support R-12-03 unanimously. Jameson explains that he has relatives with personal problems whose problems got even worse because of the atmosphere of decay that surrounds housing projects. Then he tells other stories about how poor people get ruined by the environment of public housing, and will never improve and make things of themselves until they move. Sincere, but disjointed. Treats low-income housing as the same thing as being addicted to foreign oil.
More to come
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Shocking development: There'll be no invocation. Now we are asked to reflect. These are amazing times we're living in.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
ROLL CALL:
They're all here.
APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF THE FOLLOWING MINUTES:
Executive Session Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2012
Special Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2012
Work Session Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2012
Regular Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2012
COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC:
1. Larry Swank II -- Sterling Group. He will speak later during the R-12-03 resolution discussion. Passes around some information.
2. Mary McKurcher (sic) -- R-12-03 -- Muir Manor chairman of the board. Talks about people who want to come to Muir but there is no room. It is a clean place. In the paper it said no elder housing needed, but this is incorrect. She upholds the reputation of Muir Manor at length, presumably because she feels slighted by R-12-03 coverage. She needs to tell her residents to ride bikes in the proper bike lane and in the right direction on Spring Street!
CM Caesar asks her whether Muir is Section 42. Does it pay property tax? She says no, HUD controls it for twenty years ... CM Gonder asks what is meant by it. Caesar says he was ensuring Muir isn't one of the bad guys which does not pay full property tax.
3. Jameson Bledsoe -- R-12-03 -- Very complicated question, not dissing the elderly, but how much can the community support? If we give low income assistance to the elderly, it eventually will be for the benefit of all. Then everyone will have benefit, and then there'll be socialism (I'm guessing). Upshot: The city cannot afford to have any more low-income housing, and the council should support R-12-03 unanimously. Jameson explains that he has relatives with personal problems whose problems got even worse because of the atmosphere of decay that surrounds housing projects. Then he tells other stories about how poor people get ruined by the environment of public housing, and will never improve and make things of themselves until they move. Sincere, but disjointed. Treats low-income housing as the same thing as being addicted to foreign oil.
More to come
Monday, April 05, 2010
No live blogging tonight.
Here in Scribnerstan, the Internet is once again inaccessible. I will take notes when it seems appropriate.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
On the road to Steve Price's vision of defeat and doomsday ... city council live blogging, part six.
Now Gonder tries to alleviate the damage, asking if the CPA and attorney can go back to the bondholders and say, you know, we mean well and should be trusted.
Motion offered for a public hearing in March. Seconded. Skompf will come whenever, just needing a notice posted in the paper.
Now the educated visitors have to walk them through a meeting date because chaos has gripped the room. Elderly starting to drift away.
March 11? Yes, they actually agree. 6-ish. Here or someplace else? It is discussed.
Fifer: "That all the good news we can stand."
(F) Introduction of ordinances in the following order:
(3) Zoning map ordinances; and
(4) Annexation ordinances.
None.
(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)
Gads. 9:45 and more to go.
A-09-22 Additional Appropriation in an Amount of $2,000,000 From the EDIT Fund to Fund the Fire and Police Departments and the Addition of 5 Police Officers For 2010 (Caesar)
Tabled. No closure.
(2) Rules; (Caesar, Gahan, Gonder)
G-10-02 Ordinance Establishing a Full-Time Common Council Attorney (Caesar )
Tabled, too.
(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)
(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;
Why make these people wait the entire meeting for this?
R-10-05 A Resolution Concerning Statement of Benefits for L & D
Mail Masters, INC., By the Common Council of New Albany Benedetti
Approved.
R-10-06 Resolution for Forensic Audit Messer
Seconded by Li'l Stevie. Scope: General fund only. Could not be expanded unless money crossed the line. Mayor favors. Approved by show of hands.
Gonder has established a precedent tonight by allowing questions from the audience.
Shaunna Graf, Greenway Commission, Yearly Up-date Report
She had to leave.
That's all, folks.
Motion offered for a public hearing in March. Seconded. Skompf will come whenever, just needing a notice posted in the paper.
Now the educated visitors have to walk them through a meeting date because chaos has gripped the room. Elderly starting to drift away.
March 11? Yes, they actually agree. 6-ish. Here or someplace else? It is discussed.
Fifer: "That all the good news we can stand."
(F) Introduction of ordinances in the following order:
(3) Zoning map ordinances; and
(4) Annexation ordinances.
None.
(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)
Gads. 9:45 and more to go.
A-09-22 Additional Appropriation in an Amount of $2,000,000 From the EDIT Fund to Fund the Fire and Police Departments and the Addition of 5 Police Officers For 2010 (Caesar)
Tabled. No closure.
(2) Rules; (Caesar, Gahan, Gonder)
G-10-02 Ordinance Establishing a Full-Time Common Council Attorney (Caesar )
Tabled, too.
(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)
(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;
Why make these people wait the entire meeting for this?
R-10-05 A Resolution Concerning Statement of Benefits for L & D
Mail Masters, INC., By the Common Council of New Albany Benedetti
Approved.
R-10-06 Resolution for Forensic Audit Messer
Seconded by Li'l Stevie. Scope: General fund only. Could not be expanded unless money crossed the line. Mayor favors. Approved by show of hands.
Gonder has established a precedent tonight by allowing questions from the audience.
Shaunna Graf, Greenway Commission, Yearly Up-date Report
She had to leave.
That's all, folks.
Quite simply the best Coffey demagoguery ever, bar none ... city council live blogging, part five.
Go to all4word's Twitter account for details I'm missing.
Coffey and Price have succeeded in making Clere cool his heels for a while, perhaps as payback for being shown up yesterday. I still believe that Ed's timing yesterday was brilliant. Coffey went to his town hall meeting not knowing that another proposal was on the table.Not that he needed help looking foolish.
Mr. Skompf of CroweHorwath now is permitted to continue, all seven members in attendance having apeased thw crowd by voting "no" on the version of the sewer rate ordinance that called for 70%. Everyone knows that a counter-proposal evolved during the course of the past few days, and now there will be an overview of it.
I'm not going to repeat all the aspects of the Skompf presentation, except to note that our vote against a settlement tonight will be reported to bondholders, who apparently COULD get annoyed. Now, there are two further votes. He also notes that because the sewer utility has not made sufficient sinking fund transfers, the EDIT subsidy must remain a part of the settlement.
CPA Skrompf: "The things being offered to you are extraordinary." The package from SRF is good. "I'm shocked" that the ordinance didn;t pass tonight; "never seen a utility in this bad a shape," having to work so hard to rescue it. Nice, terse 15-minute -- "we're losing money every month" and need to get this moving.
Skrompf: Explains's Gahan's previous "million out of nowhere" comment. Garry had to transfer money to the sinking fund to prevent bonds being recalled, which is where Gahan's scoff originated. It was necessary. Contractors now waiting for their money.
Coffey: Early draw on EDIT?
Coffey: "I know you got a job to do," but you told us that it would take care of it.
Skompf: Wasn't me, wasn't our company.
Fifer: Utility has suffered from the economy owing to less revenue. Almost 30% unpaid bills.
Woman: But won't that get worse?
Fifer: We have pledged the assets of the utility and the city to the bondholders. If we default, a receiver will run the utility. (will there be choices then?)
Fifer: The 70% increase did not address a deficit in the reserve fund. The new increases bring it into line.
Price: What about the million dollars in 08 and 09? Georgetown money? Told y'all two years ago about raises ...
Fifer: I can assure you that Kelly's raise didn't cause this.
Fifer: It was never $3 million.
Kochert: What was it?
Fifer: You know what it was. Explains. They have paid everything except $450,000.
Attorney Andrews: Nope, we don't owe that, either.
The people Coffey and Price didn't want hearing this now are asking questions, and imagine that's good.
Fifer keeps explaining. Like that Old Democrat, it would appear that Coffey and Price live in the state of Denial.
Price: We're losing people -- boarded up -- people say they'll leave. What happens then? You won't be able to collect.
Fifer: Your body has an affirmative duty to keep the utility in sound financial position.
Price: USE EVERY EDIT MONEY BEFORE RAISING RATES. I was waiting for this.
Coffey denies that there's an uneven burden.
Skompf: You will have to run future EDIT draws through the sewer bondholders.
Price: Begins waving his arms and screaming. Found it on-line.
Skompf: If the bondholders send a receiver in here, rates go back to where they would have been , and YOU WILL HAVE NO CONTROL.
Price keeps repeating: "There's gotta be other options."
We now argue over who has the bigger increases, Us or Jeff.
Coffey: Wants to argue the past. We now must ...
This has become a scrum ... I'll be back in a few minutes. John just doesn't have it in him to be in control.
Folks, we can't make the axis of the earth stop turning. We might, but none of you are John Galt.
Coffey and Price have succeeded in making Clere cool his heels for a while, perhaps as payback for being shown up yesterday. I still believe that Ed's timing yesterday was brilliant. Coffey went to his town hall meeting not knowing that another proposal was on the table.Not that he needed help looking foolish.
Mr. Skompf of CroweHorwath now is permitted to continue, all seven members in attendance having apeased thw crowd by voting "no" on the version of the sewer rate ordinance that called for 70%. Everyone knows that a counter-proposal evolved during the course of the past few days, and now there will be an overview of it.
I'm not going to repeat all the aspects of the Skompf presentation, except to note that our vote against a settlement tonight will be reported to bondholders, who apparently COULD get annoyed. Now, there are two further votes. He also notes that because the sewer utility has not made sufficient sinking fund transfers, the EDIT subsidy must remain a part of the settlement.
CPA Skrompf: "The things being offered to you are extraordinary." The package from SRF is good. "I'm shocked" that the ordinance didn;t pass tonight; "never seen a utility in this bad a shape," having to work so hard to rescue it. Nice, terse 15-minute -- "we're losing money every month" and need to get this moving.
Skrompf: Explains's Gahan's previous "million out of nowhere" comment. Garry had to transfer money to the sinking fund to prevent bonds being recalled, which is where Gahan's scoff originated. It was necessary. Contractors now waiting for their money.
Coffey: Early draw on EDIT?
Coffey: "I know you got a job to do," but you told us that it would take care of it.
Skompf: Wasn't me, wasn't our company.
Fifer: Utility has suffered from the economy owing to less revenue. Almost 30% unpaid bills.
Woman: But won't that get worse?
Fifer: We have pledged the assets of the utility and the city to the bondholders. If we default, a receiver will run the utility. (will there be choices then?)
Fifer: The 70% increase did not address a deficit in the reserve fund. The new increases bring it into line.
Price: What about the million dollars in 08 and 09? Georgetown money? Told y'all two years ago about raises ...
Fifer: I can assure you that Kelly's raise didn't cause this.
Fifer: It was never $3 million.
Kochert: What was it?
Fifer: You know what it was. Explains. They have paid everything except $450,000.
Attorney Andrews: Nope, we don't owe that, either.
The people Coffey and Price didn't want hearing this now are asking questions, and imagine that's good.
Fifer keeps explaining. Like that Old Democrat, it would appear that Coffey and Price live in the state of Denial.
Price: We're losing people -- boarded up -- people say they'll leave. What happens then? You won't be able to collect.
Fifer: Your body has an affirmative duty to keep the utility in sound financial position.
Price: USE EVERY EDIT MONEY BEFORE RAISING RATES. I was waiting for this.
Coffey denies that there's an uneven burden.
Skompf: You will have to run future EDIT draws through the sewer bondholders.
Price: Begins waving his arms and screaming. Found it on-line.
Skompf: If the bondholders send a receiver in here, rates go back to where they would have been , and YOU WILL HAVE NO CONTROL.
Price keeps repeating: "There's gotta be other options."
We now argue over who has the bigger increases, Us or Jeff.
Coffey: Wants to argue the past. We now must ...
This has become a scrum ... I'll be back in a few minutes. John just doesn't have it in him to be in control.
Folks, we can't make the axis of the earth stop turning. We might, but none of you are John Galt.
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.
(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.
Another wrong turn at Albuquerque ... city council live blogging, part three.
(3) From members of the public, including petitions and remonstrances.
A woman says that everyone should take a pay cut. Because someone's on social security, no one else can be allowed to succeed or to make good. That sounds more like Steve Price's "Communism" than anything else.
Two firemen speak about staffing levels and mispercetions about pay and work. People applaud the firemen. None of them indicate how THAT money should be found.
Jameson Bledsoe: Supports tabling the police/fire ordinance. Thanks attending councilmen for the town hall meeting. They took the time to address the public. Laudatory. Not until four p.m. today ... workign people can't come to meetings at 4 p.m. "There's a problem with trust with other officials." Meetings need to be rescheduled. EDIT supporting sewers? Bad or good? Fringe area pays higher rate, so it's a wash (?) -- he says that a proper sewer system IS economic development (thus avoiding the point: now it subsidizes RATES), and therefore maybe we can clean out EDIT first. Jameson schmoozes like crazy, mostly acceding to the "you're not to blame" line. Crowd uncertain whether to applaud or not.
A woman says that New Albany might be a ghost town. Does she go downtown? Does she see what people are trying to do? Or is she eating at Applebee's?
Aw-Dit! Aw-Dit! Another citizen somes to the front without knowing how the sewer board works. Coffey explains the procedure, and doubts whether engineers are necessary (city engineer). Discussion ensues about a topic that might be answered on the Internet. Day-am, the people might get no say at all!
Coffey: Council should expand the sewer board (to include dullards, presumably).
Price: Georgetown sucks!! Never has there been the case that we let them people out there fleece us for all the millions.
Coffey: Now, the aw-dit is for the general fund ... it MIGHT dip into the sewer funds (he knows that it might no, but doesn't say that).
Next speaker: Aw-dit and no rises! Tough decisions. Abuses Carl Malysz and Shane Gibson's pay rate, and council insurance -- CUT THE FAT -- too much going on that shouldn't be going on. Pensions for police and fire -- cut what we promised them! Implies that maybe the right thing to do would be to break promises to retirees, so long as it isn't him as a retiree.
Let's ALL take a pay cut and pay it to the people who can't get by ... wait, that's Communism, and Steve's against it. He thinks. Maybe.
more to come
A woman says that everyone should take a pay cut. Because someone's on social security, no one else can be allowed to succeed or to make good. That sounds more like Steve Price's "Communism" than anything else.
Two firemen speak about staffing levels and mispercetions about pay and work. People applaud the firemen. None of them indicate how THAT money should be found.
Jameson Bledsoe: Supports tabling the police/fire ordinance. Thanks attending councilmen for the town hall meeting. They took the time to address the public. Laudatory. Not until four p.m. today ... workign people can't come to meetings at 4 p.m. "There's a problem with trust with other officials." Meetings need to be rescheduled. EDIT supporting sewers? Bad or good? Fringe area pays higher rate, so it's a wash (?) -- he says that a proper sewer system IS economic development (thus avoiding the point: now it subsidizes RATES), and therefore maybe we can clean out EDIT first. Jameson schmoozes like crazy, mostly acceding to the "you're not to blame" line. Crowd uncertain whether to applaud or not.
A woman says that New Albany might be a ghost town. Does she go downtown? Does she see what people are trying to do? Or is she eating at Applebee's?
Aw-Dit! Aw-Dit! Another citizen somes to the front without knowing how the sewer board works. Coffey explains the procedure, and doubts whether engineers are necessary (city engineer). Discussion ensues about a topic that might be answered on the Internet. Day-am, the people might get no say at all!
Coffey: Council should expand the sewer board (to include dullards, presumably).
Price: Georgetown sucks!! Never has there been the case that we let them people out there fleece us for all the millions.
Coffey: Now, the aw-dit is for the general fund ... it MIGHT dip into the sewer funds (he knows that it might no, but doesn't say that).
Next speaker: Aw-dit and no rises! Tough decisions. Abuses Carl Malysz and Shane Gibson's pay rate, and council insurance -- CUT THE FAT -- too much going on that shouldn't be going on. Pensions for police and fire -- cut what we promised them! Implies that maybe the right thing to do would be to break promises to retirees, so long as it isn't him as a retiree.
Let's ALL take a pay cut and pay it to the people who can't get by ... wait, that's Communism, and Steve's against it. He thinks. Maybe.
more to come
I've got the geriatric, Kochertatric, working at the car wash blues ... city council live blogging, part two.
I will try to post every 15-20 minutes tonight if the ebb and flow permits.
(E) Communications, in the following order:
(1) From city officials:
(b) Controller;
Kay Garry has nothing to say tonight.
(c) City Attorney; and
(d) City Engineer.
Nothing from either of them.
Steve Price: Wants to request that the sewer request be tabled. No public hearing. Feels it's being rushed through, the fix is in. All is rigged. Omigod.
(2) From official commission:
(a) Board of Public Works;
(b) Plan Commission; and
(c) Park Commission.
None from any of them.
(3) From members of the public, including petitions and remonstrances.
John Gonder notes that there are 14 people wanting to speak. Five minute rule will be enforced. First lady wants no raises and can't understand it. I'm not going to comment on all of these.
We'll be having applause tonight.
Question: What if every one of the opponents' positions turned out to be answered? If there was no malfeasance, if the aw-dit checks out ... but we still have to satisfy the problem with bucks? The woman says she'll have to leave town if her bill goes beyond $60 a month. What if it must?
Second speaker is from the fire department, although that has been pulled. He's talking about human lives, not money.
Randy Smith: Gives a shout-out to Ed Clere for two weeks of work. Objects to the continued subsidy from EDIT to grease rate payers. Kochert guffaws. Proposes to drop the minimum rate to 100 cubic feet use from 200.
Apartment house owner now comes forward. Renting has been impossible. She's spends time in small claims court. She's singing the blues, because the slackers we attract as civic credo won't pay prices. She can't pass it off. We should subsidize people like her who rent to people like them. Anger. Wants to leave because she can't afford the modern world. She hurls crazy accusations like red meat to the lions. Salivary glands overtime in this crowd. She's stoked. Why's the country in bad shape??? Questions need answering! Floods, pestilence. Listen to the citizens. We're going to have dead homes (in her neighborhood -- listen, lady, we already have dead homes downtown).
Maurice (Morris) King: Hopes to stay here. Might get priced out. Refers to prices for sewer service in similar-sized cities. Elkhart (52,000) is considering a rate increase. They have a comparison sheet. Has a sheet in his hands: "Piecemeal in Our Time." Says we're at the top of the list for rates based on 5,000 gallons usage per month. $33 for -5,000. I don't know how much my house uses. Opposes the council attorney.
Gonder lets him know he's over the limit, and he sits down.
Next speaker says we should subsidize her because she must leave her home empty to take care of her mom, and because no one's buying houses, and because the world's an evil, nasty place. Yes, I'm being cynical, but so far, each speaker wants to be subsidized for a different reason that has nothing to do with civic policy. She's 61 and discriminated against. She supports police and fire funding to keep her grandsons off drugs, but has no idea where THAT money might come from.
King Larry Kochert: Out of retirement. All are hurting. We grow government. Returns to his favorite theme: Georgetown as the root of all evil. 500,000! 800,000! Mismanagement? Implies that yes, must be, because Georgetown sucks! But not when he was on the sewer board!
(E) Communications, in the following order:
(1) From city officials:
(b) Controller;
Kay Garry has nothing to say tonight.
(c) City Attorney; and
(d) City Engineer.
Nothing from either of them.
Steve Price: Wants to request that the sewer request be tabled. No public hearing. Feels it's being rushed through, the fix is in. All is rigged. Omigod.
(2) From official commission:
(a) Board of Public Works;
(b) Plan Commission; and
(c) Park Commission.
None from any of them.
(3) From members of the public, including petitions and remonstrances.
John Gonder notes that there are 14 people wanting to speak. Five minute rule will be enforced. First lady wants no raises and can't understand it. I'm not going to comment on all of these.
We'll be having applause tonight.
Question: What if every one of the opponents' positions turned out to be answered? If there was no malfeasance, if the aw-dit checks out ... but we still have to satisfy the problem with bucks? The woman says she'll have to leave town if her bill goes beyond $60 a month. What if it must?
Second speaker is from the fire department, although that has been pulled. He's talking about human lives, not money.
Randy Smith: Gives a shout-out to Ed Clere for two weeks of work. Objects to the continued subsidy from EDIT to grease rate payers. Kochert guffaws. Proposes to drop the minimum rate to 100 cubic feet use from 200.
Apartment house owner now comes forward. Renting has been impossible. She's spends time in small claims court. She's singing the blues, because the slackers we attract as civic credo won't pay prices. She can't pass it off. We should subsidize people like her who rent to people like them. Anger. Wants to leave because she can't afford the modern world. She hurls crazy accusations like red meat to the lions. Salivary glands overtime in this crowd. She's stoked. Why's the country in bad shape??? Questions need answering! Floods, pestilence. Listen to the citizens. We're going to have dead homes (in her neighborhood -- listen, lady, we already have dead homes downtown).
Maurice (Morris) King: Hopes to stay here. Might get priced out. Refers to prices for sewer service in similar-sized cities. Elkhart (52,000) is considering a rate increase. They have a comparison sheet. Has a sheet in his hands: "Piecemeal in Our Time." Says we're at the top of the list for rates based on 5,000 gallons usage per month. $33 for -5,000. I don't know how much my house uses. Opposes the council attorney.
Gonder lets him know he's over the limit, and he sits down.
Next speaker says we should subsidize her because she must leave her home empty to take care of her mom, and because no one's buying houses, and because the world's an evil, nasty place. Yes, I'm being cynical, but so far, each speaker wants to be subsidized for a different reason that has nothing to do with civic policy. She's 61 and discriminated against. She supports police and fire funding to keep her grandsons off drugs, but has no idea where THAT money might come from.
King Larry Kochert: Out of retirement. All are hurting. We grow government. Returns to his favorite theme: Georgetown as the root of all evil. 500,000! 800,000! Mismanagement? Implies that yes, must be, because Georgetown sucks! But not when he was on the sewer board!
Let's get forensical, forensical ... city council live blogging, part one.
I was in the council chamber at 6:45 p.m., and seated in front of me was King Larry, who joined with his still-living buddies in ridiculing a broad range of people with whom he disagrees. One of his friends had the gumption to disagree on one point, saying he thought a two-way Spring Street was a good idea. But quickly they came together over how ridiculous bike lanes are, leading me to fantasize about them walking down a typical street in Copenhagen and being creamed.
Steve Price spent a good twenty minutes calling various people and objects as as Communist and Russian. I recalled the words of Mencken:
"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey-cage."
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, HELD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 18, 2010 AT 7:30 P.M.
Advance warning: Tonight's a night for cynicism and commentary.
The following order of business shall be observed by the Common Council at its meetings:
(A) Invocation. To be given by ministers, if present of different faiths ;
None. That's so sweet.
(B) Pledge of allegiance;
Rote.
And: The council now comes miked! Yes, remote microphones hanging around their necks. We were warned, but I really didn't believe it. Marcey says there is a mute button. Is Coffey listening?
(C) Roll call of members;
Benedetti and Zurschmiede absent. Seven present.
(D) Reading, correcting and approval of the journal of the preceding regular or special meeting;
Regular meeting minutes for January 21, 2010
Regular meeting minutes for February 1, 2010
Ritualistic. Yes on both. On best procedural behavior with a camera in the room.
Also: No longer a separation between agenda and non-agenda items.
(E) Communications, in the following order:
(1) From city officials:
(a) Mayor;
Malysz in the mayor's stead. Wants A-09-22 to be postponed until March (police and fire money from EDIT). Mayor England also is not opposed to R-10-06, a resolution for an aw-dit.
City Hall differs with accusations at last night's town hall meeting that the England administration has deteriorated the sewers.
Another inappropriate comment was about the Mayor's vacation in Florida. Implication of detachment is mistaken, says Malysz. Constant communication.
Chief Matt Juliot will speak about a fire protection grant.
Coffey Grandstand 1: Denies he slurred anyone last night. Cites letter to former Mayor Garner from EPA -- what happened since? Coffey misuses "misconscrew" as he defends his accusation of malfeasance.
Juliot: $700,000 FEMA grant to be divided among local fire departments. Good news. Some questions. Old man heckles Juliot about not speaking into the microphone.
(More to come)
Steve Price spent a good twenty minutes calling various people and objects as as Communist and Russian. I recalled the words of Mencken:
"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey-cage."
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, HELD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 18, 2010 AT 7:30 P.M.
Advance warning: Tonight's a night for cynicism and commentary.
The following order of business shall be observed by the Common Council at its meetings:
(A) Invocation. To be given by ministers, if present of different faiths ;
None. That's so sweet.
(B) Pledge of allegiance;
Rote.
And: The council now comes miked! Yes, remote microphones hanging around their necks. We were warned, but I really didn't believe it. Marcey says there is a mute button. Is Coffey listening?
(C) Roll call of members;
Benedetti and Zurschmiede absent. Seven present.
(D) Reading, correcting and approval of the journal of the preceding regular or special meeting;
Regular meeting minutes for January 21, 2010
Regular meeting minutes for February 1, 2010
Ritualistic. Yes on both. On best procedural behavior with a camera in the room.
Also: No longer a separation between agenda and non-agenda items.
(E) Communications, in the following order:
(1) From city officials:
(a) Mayor;
Malysz in the mayor's stead. Wants A-09-22 to be postponed until March (police and fire money from EDIT). Mayor England also is not opposed to R-10-06, a resolution for an aw-dit.
City Hall differs with accusations at last night's town hall meeting that the England administration has deteriorated the sewers.
Another inappropriate comment was about the Mayor's vacation in Florida. Implication of detachment is mistaken, says Malysz. Constant communication.
Chief Matt Juliot will speak about a fire protection grant.
Coffey Grandstand 1: Denies he slurred anyone last night. Cites letter to former Mayor Garner from EPA -- what happened since? Coffey misuses "misconscrew" as he defends his accusation of malfeasance.
Juliot: $700,000 FEMA grant to be divided among local fire departments. Good news. Some questions. Old man heckles Juliot about not speaking into the microphone.
(More to come)
Monday, February 01, 2010
No sugar tonight.
Absent an Internet connection, there'll be no live council blogging tonight. Some day I'll understand why some nights it works and others not.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
No live council blogging tonight.
I have another meeting to attend tonight and will be able to resist the siren's call of pre-meeting dissipation. However, this will mean that there'll be no live reports from the chamber.
If my cohorts in attendance would like to e-mail coverage to me for posting later tonight, I can tend to it when I get home around 10 p.m. Just let me know via the usual avenues.
If my cohorts in attendance would like to e-mail coverage to me for posting later tonight, I can tend to it when I get home around 10 p.m. Just let me know via the usual avenues.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Fourth and final live blogging missive: Price says, "Here's the problem that I got." Ain't it the truth.
Ordinances and Resolutions
R-10-01 Coyle TIF
Benedetti defends the TIF area inclusion for Coyle and rebuts McLaughlin's (and Price's) claim that no one on the council initiated the idea. Coffey denies that he heard anything while seated on the Plan Commission; Benedetti disagrees.
She now is outlining the importance of the property.
Coffey now offers "my synopsis" of the situation. Coffey says that if Coyle could be purchased through the TIF "no problem with it." When the county said it didn't care, he quit going to meetings because he is opposed to money coming fomo other funds.
Obstructionist norms are being met and exceeded.
Benedetti again speaks the obvious: It's an important part of downtown irrespective of use. And, the same council people who oopse spending are telling people that there is sufficient EDIT monies to do other projects. They presumably should be consistent.
Malayz: Many possibilities. Critical piece of downtown real estate. Discussions about buildings, whether it should be cleared or preserved ... never a decision on the exact form of redevelopment, but the staff was requested to do legwork with appraisals and potential acquisition. If we don't identify the property as potentially do-able, it passes by and the current work in getting it ready cannot be funded. And: At least pass the resolution to keep the ball rolling to get to the point of seeing what the appraisals show.
Again and again: You are not voting for a done deal. You are voting to establish the preconditions for some future deal to be done.
McLaughlin: Was the committee formed by the council? Yes.
Malayz: Operating in good faith and in limbo now, with redevelopment commission doing what it can to keep it moving pending something happening.
Coffey denies being on redevelopment during the time that any of this was discussed. Probably denies appointing himself to it. Does remember voting against a few things, like Hoosier Panel.
Caesar: Why can't redevelopment cut a check for the appraisal?
Malayz: Because it is not in the TIF district, it can't qualify. It's just making it possible to consider it in the future.
Price: "Here's the problem that I got."
"Is it the best way to go for their money?"
"Do you all ever wonder when we're going to be taped out?"
"We fixed Spring Street Hill, how much did that cost?"
Price starts free-form association with any and all expenditures before the council. "This and this and this."
Benedetti: "This is just putting it in the TIF area."
Messer: It's an investment.
Price: "Some people question Spring Street hill."
Messer: "We're not talking about Spring Street hill ... a good example is the YMCA."
Price: "I think it's great ... but I didn't approve of the funding."
Gahan: If just to expand a TIF area, why the language implying that it WILL be purchased. Malayz says you can delete that language if you wish. He only added it as an attempt at clarification.
Benedetti: Been working on this for seven months. "It needs to go forward, or be done."
JAY-sus.
Motion to strike the 3rd paragraph passes unanimously.
All in favor except ... Price.
He is a civic embarrassment.
G-10-01 Individual Resident Only Parking Permits, 1st and 2nd
Benedetti says she has looked into it, and is willing to send it to committee. Would not cause police to enforce unless someone violates it, then the permit holder can call and have them towed. She's had other calls about day cares in neighborhoods causing problems with parking. Do we have rules for that going beyond the state's?
Messer: The police would have to investigate and write the ticket. 20-ft probably is a problem.
Price: "An extra $15,000 is definitely not nickels and dimes."
Bizarrely, Price supports it.
Scott Wood: Provides erudite background on day cares. A series of day cares is different than when it is operated in the home.
McLaughlin: Now people have more than one vehicle.
Chief Crabtree would have loved to be consulted before it comes up.
KZ: So many issues -- fire hydrants, duplexes, frontages ... should go to committee.
Caesar: Who gets the money?
IF REVENUE IS THE OBJECT, HOW MUCH WOULD RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION BRING INTO THE CITY? HOW MUCH WOULD OTHER CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES BRING IN?
1st reading
For: all except ...
Against: KZ, JoG
2nd reading - same result.
Now off to committee.
Z-10-01 Robert Lynn zoning, 1st and 2nd
Favorable recommendation from Plan Commission.
Gahan: Questions about two lots that are shown being in the flood plain. What are they?
Wood: Outlines the plan. It's in the two-mile fringe area. Flood elevations, sewer easements, no-build line. Narrow slivers buildable, the rest retained in vegetative state, meaning (I believe) that the flood plain stays as is. Also a retention basin.
Coffey begins tracing drainage, working his way toward Prosser and eventually the Mississippi Valley drainage basin, which Coffey studied once at Bazooka Joe U.
Gahan wants to guarantee restrictive language, but Wood says it already is there.
1st reading - Coffey and Caesar no, the rest say yes.
2nd reading - same results
Z-09-10 Neace-Sprigler, 3rd reading
Corner of Green Valley and Daisy -- the medical office doing temporary (?) duty as furniture sales.
3rd reading - yes all the way around the board.
One hour 38 minutes. Out.
R-10-01 Coyle TIF
Benedetti defends the TIF area inclusion for Coyle and rebuts McLaughlin's (and Price's) claim that no one on the council initiated the idea. Coffey denies that he heard anything while seated on the Plan Commission; Benedetti disagrees.
She now is outlining the importance of the property.
Coffey now offers "my synopsis" of the situation. Coffey says that if Coyle could be purchased through the TIF "no problem with it." When the county said it didn't care, he quit going to meetings because he is opposed to money coming fomo other funds.
Obstructionist norms are being met and exceeded.
Benedetti again speaks the obvious: It's an important part of downtown irrespective of use. And, the same council people who oopse spending are telling people that there is sufficient EDIT monies to do other projects. They presumably should be consistent.
Malayz: Many possibilities. Critical piece of downtown real estate. Discussions about buildings, whether it should be cleared or preserved ... never a decision on the exact form of redevelopment, but the staff was requested to do legwork with appraisals and potential acquisition. If we don't identify the property as potentially do-able, it passes by and the current work in getting it ready cannot be funded. And: At least pass the resolution to keep the ball rolling to get to the point of seeing what the appraisals show.
Again and again: You are not voting for a done deal. You are voting to establish the preconditions for some future deal to be done.
McLaughlin: Was the committee formed by the council? Yes.
Malayz: Operating in good faith and in limbo now, with redevelopment commission doing what it can to keep it moving pending something happening.
Coffey denies being on redevelopment during the time that any of this was discussed. Probably denies appointing himself to it. Does remember voting against a few things, like Hoosier Panel.
Caesar: Why can't redevelopment cut a check for the appraisal?
Malayz: Because it is not in the TIF district, it can't qualify. It's just making it possible to consider it in the future.
Price: "Here's the problem that I got."
"Is it the best way to go for their money?"
"Do you all ever wonder when we're going to be taped out?"
"We fixed Spring Street Hill, how much did that cost?"
Price starts free-form association with any and all expenditures before the council. "This and this and this."
Benedetti: "This is just putting it in the TIF area."
Messer: It's an investment.
Price: "Some people question Spring Street hill."
Messer: "We're not talking about Spring Street hill ... a good example is the YMCA."
Price: "I think it's great ... but I didn't approve of the funding."
Gahan: If just to expand a TIF area, why the language implying that it WILL be purchased. Malayz says you can delete that language if you wish. He only added it as an attempt at clarification.
Benedetti: Been working on this for seven months. "It needs to go forward, or be done."
JAY-sus.
Motion to strike the 3rd paragraph passes unanimously.
All in favor except ... Price.
He is a civic embarrassment.
G-10-01 Individual Resident Only Parking Permits, 1st and 2nd
Benedetti says she has looked into it, and is willing to send it to committee. Would not cause police to enforce unless someone violates it, then the permit holder can call and have them towed. She's had other calls about day cares in neighborhoods causing problems with parking. Do we have rules for that going beyond the state's?
Messer: The police would have to investigate and write the ticket. 20-ft probably is a problem.
Price: "An extra $15,000 is definitely not nickels and dimes."
Bizarrely, Price supports it.
Scott Wood: Provides erudite background on day cares. A series of day cares is different than when it is operated in the home.
McLaughlin: Now people have more than one vehicle.
Chief Crabtree would have loved to be consulted before it comes up.
KZ: So many issues -- fire hydrants, duplexes, frontages ... should go to committee.
Caesar: Who gets the money?
IF REVENUE IS THE OBJECT, HOW MUCH WOULD RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION BRING INTO THE CITY? HOW MUCH WOULD OTHER CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES BRING IN?
1st reading
For: all except ...
Against: KZ, JoG
2nd reading - same result.
Now off to committee.
Z-10-01 Robert Lynn zoning, 1st and 2nd
Favorable recommendation from Plan Commission.
Gahan: Questions about two lots that are shown being in the flood plain. What are they?
Wood: Outlines the plan. It's in the two-mile fringe area. Flood elevations, sewer easements, no-build line. Narrow slivers buildable, the rest retained in vegetative state, meaning (I believe) that the flood plain stays as is. Also a retention basin.
Coffey begins tracing drainage, working his way toward Prosser and eventually the Mississippi Valley drainage basin, which Coffey studied once at Bazooka Joe U.
Gahan wants to guarantee restrictive language, but Wood says it already is there.
1st reading - Coffey and Caesar no, the rest say yes.
2nd reading - same results
Z-09-10 Neace-Sprigler, 3rd reading
Corner of Green Valley and Daisy -- the medical office doing temporary (?) duty as furniture sales.
3rd reading - yes all the way around the board.
One hour 38 minutes. Out.
The third stanza of live council blogging:
Public officials speaking time
Benedetti: Still looking for a council attorney.
Gonder: One applicant; would like to keep it open for a bit longer, until next meeting.
Coffey: Wants the attorney to come from Floyd County at the very least. Not right to hire outsiders.
Caesar: Wants to get it going.
Mayor's time
Mayor England is not here, but Carl Malasz speaks in his stead. Asks for consideration of R-10-01 (Coyle TIF). Gonder says go ahead and speak. The resolution is step 3 in the process toward acquiring Coyle, which is a key property, and will require funding beyond the TIF, but no final deals will be struck without the council's input. Mick Ward is here representing the Coyles and can be consulted a bit later tonight.
Appointments
(Gonder's being a bit indecisive)
Honestly: It's very difficult to tell what's being considered in terms of the committee votes. Jack Messer mentions an appointment of Matt Bergman as a non-council member appointment to Redevelopment. Gonder concedes a point (?) to Messer and says he thinks Bergman would be good.
Individual votes ... Jeff Gahan says that work might prevent his attendance at some Plan Commission meetings.
Plan: Gahan is approved.
Redevelopment: Benedetti approved, but the Luddites topple Bergman, who'll have to come in and audition instead so Coffey can insult him.
Horseshoe: Caesar and Zurschmiede approved.
That's all the voting on appointments, folks. Part four coming shortly.
Benedetti: Still looking for a council attorney.
Gonder: One applicant; would like to keep it open for a bit longer, until next meeting.
Coffey: Wants the attorney to come from Floyd County at the very least. Not right to hire outsiders.
Caesar: Wants to get it going.
Mayor's time
Mayor England is not here, but Carl Malasz speaks in his stead. Asks for consideration of R-10-01 (Coyle TIF). Gonder says go ahead and speak. The resolution is step 3 in the process toward acquiring Coyle, which is a key property, and will require funding beyond the TIF, but no final deals will be struck without the council's input. Mick Ward is here representing the Coyles and can be consulted a bit later tonight.
Appointments
(Gonder's being a bit indecisive)
Honestly: It's very difficult to tell what's being considered in terms of the committee votes. Jack Messer mentions an appointment of Matt Bergman as a non-council member appointment to Redevelopment. Gonder concedes a point (?) to Messer and says he thinks Bergman would be good.
Individual votes ... Jeff Gahan says that work might prevent his attendance at some Plan Commission meetings.
Plan: Gahan is approved.
Redevelopment: Benedetti approved, but the Luddites topple Bergman, who'll have to come in and audition instead so Coffey can insult him.
Horseshoe: Caesar and Zurschmiede approved.
That's all the voting on appointments, folks. Part four coming shortly.
More live council blogging (2): Committee appointments and public communications.
Dan Coffey calls the meeting to order and demands both prayer and allegiance.
Nominations for president: Steve Price nominates Pat McLaughlin, Diane Benedetti nominates John Gonder.
Gonder wins 5-4 and assumes the chair. Coffey reclaims his old seat. The world spins on its axis, and somewhere, a dog barks.
VP: Coffey nominates McLaughlin. No other nominations, as the fix was probably in on that one. He wins.
Motion to recess so that committee appointments can be considered. We're waiting to see if these will be voted on (see preceding post). Are you a betting man or woman?
I'm particularly interested in seeing the outcome for the Cesears Board appointment. When I saw it on the agenda, I thought it meant a salad, and then I mistook it for seesaw. Only then did I realize that it should be the Horseshoe Board.
We spend our recess time joking about the measure being proposed tonight that would allow residents to buy a street parking permit in the neighborhoods. More on that later. The man sitting near me says that they do it in Jeffersonville without difficulty, but my personal opinion is that unless we get a canal like Jeff is soon to have, I'm against it. Boat parking permits are another matter entirely.
Dig it: The Omnibus Gondola Parking Permit of 2010.
We have returned. Gonder begins reading appointments. There are too many to list here, given that I could not copy from the web site (it wasn't there).
I just noticed that according to the agenda, the appointments are supposed to come after many of the items on the agenda. At this point, I'm confused.
Gonder notes that there are many more committees than the code calls for, roughly 22 instead of the 10 stipulated.
Now, he returns to the agenda order and commences correction and approval of minutes, and with haste, December 7 hearing and meeting minutes are passed.
Public communications (agenda items):
1. Jameson Bledsoe - Remembering Charlemagne, and representing the Uptown Neighborhood Association, he supports G-10-01, the parking ordinance.
2. Randy Bulleit - 2000 block of East Elm. Mentions the home tour in September. Surprised that the home tour was a success. Delighted. This leads to the ordinance (?) that would establish a residential parking permit. Those with limited or no off-street parking would be able to purchase a yearly permit for $100. He points to Jeffersonville, not Bardstown Road (which doesn't do it) as an examplar. Makes $15,000 per year for Jeff. Says it will enhance quality of life and lead to more owner-occupied homes. He has passed out a packet of information supporting his position. He went so far as to solicit bids for the striping of these spaces. He now reaches the five minute mark and Pres. Gonder warns him. Again, Bulleit cites Jefersonville as a model program, ignoring other places where no such program exists.
3. Vicky Nugent - Also with Uptown. Ekin Avenue. Supports the same ordinance. Raised where you can park in front, and is willing to pay for it.
4. Randy Smith - Not read the ordinance, but discussed with Mr. Bulleit. Opposed to it on the basis of philosophy, with practical problems as well. Invites everyone to Studio's to discuss it. Objections: 20-ft space poses practicality problems, i.e., street widths differing. Market forces would suggest paying more for a house with driveway or off-street; it would take a long time to equalize costs at a clip of $100 a year. He's willing to consider things, but would like for there to be more discussion. Enforcement of sidewalk parking? Asks to put it before committee.
(enforcement in general?)
Non-enforcement remains the city's prime issue. Back in a bit as we continue.
Nominations for president: Steve Price nominates Pat McLaughlin, Diane Benedetti nominates John Gonder.
Gonder wins 5-4 and assumes the chair. Coffey reclaims his old seat. The world spins on its axis, and somewhere, a dog barks.
VP: Coffey nominates McLaughlin. No other nominations, as the fix was probably in on that one. He wins.
Motion to recess so that committee appointments can be considered. We're waiting to see if these will be voted on (see preceding post). Are you a betting man or woman?
I'm particularly interested in seeing the outcome for the Cesears Board appointment. When I saw it on the agenda, I thought it meant a salad, and then I mistook it for seesaw. Only then did I realize that it should be the Horseshoe Board.
We spend our recess time joking about the measure being proposed tonight that would allow residents to buy a street parking permit in the neighborhoods. More on that later. The man sitting near me says that they do it in Jeffersonville without difficulty, but my personal opinion is that unless we get a canal like Jeff is soon to have, I'm against it. Boat parking permits are another matter entirely.
Dig it: The Omnibus Gondola Parking Permit of 2010.
We have returned. Gonder begins reading appointments. There are too many to list here, given that I could not copy from the web site (it wasn't there).
I just noticed that according to the agenda, the appointments are supposed to come after many of the items on the agenda. At this point, I'm confused.
Gonder notes that there are many more committees than the code calls for, roughly 22 instead of the 10 stipulated.
Now, he returns to the agenda order and commences correction and approval of minutes, and with haste, December 7 hearing and meeting minutes are passed.
Public communications (agenda items):
1. Jameson Bledsoe - Remembering Charlemagne, and representing the Uptown Neighborhood Association, he supports G-10-01, the parking ordinance.
2. Randy Bulleit - 2000 block of East Elm. Mentions the home tour in September. Surprised that the home tour was a success. Delighted. This leads to the ordinance (?) that would establish a residential parking permit. Those with limited or no off-street parking would be able to purchase a yearly permit for $100. He points to Jeffersonville, not Bardstown Road (which doesn't do it) as an examplar. Makes $15,000 per year for Jeff. Says it will enhance quality of life and lead to more owner-occupied homes. He has passed out a packet of information supporting his position. He went so far as to solicit bids for the striping of these spaces. He now reaches the five minute mark and Pres. Gonder warns him. Again, Bulleit cites Jefersonville as a model program, ignoring other places where no such program exists.
3. Vicky Nugent - Also with Uptown. Ekin Avenue. Supports the same ordinance. Raised where you can park in front, and is willing to pay for it.
4. Randy Smith - Not read the ordinance, but discussed with Mr. Bulleit. Opposed to it on the basis of philosophy, with practical problems as well. Invites everyone to Studio's to discuss it. Objections: 20-ft space poses practicality problems, i.e., street widths differing. Market forces would suggest paying more for a house with driveway or off-street; it would take a long time to equalize costs at a clip of $100 a year. He's willing to consider things, but would like for there to be more discussion. Enforcement of sidewalk parking? Asks to put it before committee.
(enforcement in general?)
Non-enforcement remains the city's prime issue. Back in a bit as we continue.
Gads -- live council blogging returns as the succession is plotted.
As Gomer Pyle once observed: "Surprise, surprise."
We have a signal, and can broadcast to the world. Not that the world cares very much.
Earlier today, Bluegill offered a quick primer before the council meeting. He quoted this passage from the city's rulebook:
We have a signal, and can broadcast to the world. Not that the world cares very much.
Earlier today, Bluegill offered a quick primer before the council meeting. He quoted this passage from the city's rulebook:
§ 30.20 ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONS AT FIRST MEETING EACH YEAR.Will code enforcement begin at home? Stay tuned as tempers flare and blood alcohol counts dip to dangerous levels.
The Common Council member of the city's Plan Commission and of any other special body to which the Council shall be entitled to name a member or members, shall be elected by the Council at its first meeting in January of each year, to serve until the end of the current calendar year.(Ord. 4600, passed 3-4-1957)
Monday, November 02, 2009
Part Five: Masterplan theatrics mercifully over, now appropriations and stuff.
R-09-26 Additional Appropriation Resolution ... Gahan
Passes. Unanimous.
R-09-27 A Resolution to Assist the Street Department with The Refurbishing of the Salt Plows and Trucks in Preparation of the Winter Months ... Benedetti
Passes. unanimous.
A-09-16 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Police Pension Fund ... Zurschmiede 1 & 2
Gahan ensures that he understands the location of cuts. There is a discussion of general funds vs other sources of money. Garry says that fire and pension funds will be supported by the state, starting this year, already started doing so. Price doesn't understand why fuds with budgets can't fund themselves. Garry says that appropriations are being put back in to be used for fire, police and parks.
Roll call.
1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-17 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Fire Pension Fund ... Zurschmiede 1 & 2
Same discussion as before. Same results.
Roll call.
1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-18 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Parks And Recreation Department ... Benedetti 1&2
Same discussion as previous two. Same results.
Roll call. 1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-19 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the E.D.I.T Fund ... Messer 1 & 2
Gahan: "This is the big one." Wants to know category numbers. Garry explains that it takes care of cuts in the general fund ... Gahan wants her to break it down by category.
1st: Against, Price, KZ
2nd: Against, Price, KZ
Passes 7-2
Z-09-11 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana, Title XV, Chapter 156 ... Price 1 & 2
John Kraft: Request to rezone property, plan commission unanimously in favor. Adjacent to Target. R-2 to C-2 general business. Not a specific use at this time. Wants to market it as commercial. A house that sits off the road by Target. Neighbors tend to be in favor. Other property moves will have to occur before it can have a formal proposal.
Unanimous, twice.
MISCELLANOUS ITEMS:
Bob Caesar would like this to be brought back next meeting from the suspended ranks:
A-09-11 Ordinance Appropriating Funds for One Time Cost Of Living Recognition Payment and Setting Amount Of Payments ... Caesar 3
Adjournment.
Passes. Unanimous.
R-09-27 A Resolution to Assist the Street Department with The Refurbishing of the Salt Plows and Trucks in Preparation of the Winter Months ... Benedetti
Passes. unanimous.
A-09-16 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Police Pension Fund ... Zurschmiede 1 & 2
Gahan ensures that he understands the location of cuts. There is a discussion of general funds vs other sources of money. Garry says that fire and pension funds will be supported by the state, starting this year, already started doing so. Price doesn't understand why fuds with budgets can't fund themselves. Garry says that appropriations are being put back in to be used for fire, police and parks.
Roll call.
1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-17 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Fire Pension Fund ... Zurschmiede 1 & 2
Same discussion as before. Same results.
Roll call.
1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-18 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Parks And Recreation Department ... Benedetti 1&2
Same discussion as previous two. Same results.
Roll call. 1st and 2nd: Only Price against, all the rest in favor.
A-09-19 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the E.D.I.T Fund ... Messer 1 & 2
Gahan: "This is the big one." Wants to know category numbers. Garry explains that it takes care of cuts in the general fund ... Gahan wants her to break it down by category.
1st: Against, Price, KZ
2nd: Against, Price, KZ
Passes 7-2
Z-09-11 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana, Title XV, Chapter 156 ... Price 1 & 2
John Kraft: Request to rezone property, plan commission unanimously in favor. Adjacent to Target. R-2 to C-2 general business. Not a specific use at this time. Wants to market it as commercial. A house that sits off the road by Target. Neighbors tend to be in favor. Other property moves will have to occur before it can have a formal proposal.
Unanimous, twice.
MISCELLANOUS ITEMS:
Bob Caesar would like this to be brought back next meeting from the suspended ranks:
A-09-11 Ordinance Appropriating Funds for One Time Cost Of Living Recognition Payment and Setting Amount Of Payments ... Caesar 3
Adjournment.
Part Four: Ordinances, resolutions, and all that Coffeyite grandstanding.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: READING
Price to introduce R-09-24, and actually does it. Seconded. Wow.
R-09-24 Resolution of the Common Council of the City of New Albany Amending the “New Albany-Fringe Area Comprehensive Plan 2020”
Scott Wood and Larry Timperman come forward to explain the plan.
Wood: Some areas deserve greater scrutiny, including downtown. Scott rationally and patiently explains the history of plans and zoning.
Timperman: Overall concept was explained at a public meeting advertised extensively and loudly (JB, Atlanta daydreaming). He explains the focus on the downtown. How use of areas can tie into the river heritage. Example, Greenway. Connecting Main Street back over the levee to the river. Another need is concentrationthat will require parking. Design elements have been coming in during information gathering ("a number of public meetings" giggle). Explains color coding of the chart, emphasizing reinforcing the downtown fabric already there.
Coffey pounces and asks how much money is being asked for. PARKING GARAGE!! PARKING GARAGE!!
Wood: No blank checks, just a blueprint. Cuts off the Wizard.
Benedetti: A vision.
Price: Please address Mr. Bledsoe's concerns.
Wood: The fact of the matter is that several private property owners have asked for assurances so they can develop. The plan helps with this.
Price: What about that historic thing?
Wood: Historic Preservation is not about zoning.
Timperman: The other point is that infill needs to be appropriate, and that cheap knockoffs of history are not desirable. Nowadays, the national standard is not to duplicate old things.
Wood: There is a falseness about that ... we're good builders today, too. We can design and build good buildings and come up with things that work.
Timperman and Wood explain design principles that neither Bledsoe nor Price WANT to understand. Whether they do or not is another matter. This misunderstanding is intentional, and it is political in nature.
Wood: Passionately defends green buildings and explains why it's a good idea, and not necessariyl one that applies only to deep pockets.Louisville kept hammering at their plan until it is now a model that can work here.
Zurschmiede: Just a recommendation, eh? Nothing to hold anyone to it?
Nope.
Timperman: Green could be using basic energy efficient concepts like bulbs and windows.
John Gonder: What about light rail?
Timperman: 10 to 15 years!
A light rail discussion ensues, and then Mose Putney comes forward. I believe it is bad strategy for Mose to speak about specifics, including the dreaded parking garage bogey man, when all we have here is a resolution of unspecific intent. At the same time, the Bobo project makes no sense without it.
Putney: Mentions a two-way Pearl Street
Noooooo ... not that, Mose. The natives will revolt.
Putney: Uses the phrase, "slow travel urban drop-off plaza." He calls it a "conceptual idea."
Eyes mist over. Them's big words, don't ya know. Someone needs a tall boy, and now -- but it isn't me. It is impressive of Mose to speak this language to these people. Some of them understand it. Price visibly yawns.
Coffey: Will this group ask for any money for any of this?
Putney: Meanders into the trap Coffey set, although he tries not to, and mentions public/private partnership to, yes, build a parking garage.
Robert's Rules of Order out the window.
Coffey: "Does any kind of development occur that doesn't ask for handouts?"
Coffey says thatLouisville spent a "billion dollars" on 4th Street and it still doesn't pay. Putney counters with the history of urban redevelopment failure, and how no one thought about Europe. The urban movement the last 10-15 years puts us into a place to fix it. This is a new kind of developer. Sustainable, green, renewable.
All of this plays into Coffey's grandstand.
Coffey wants developers to come ask to pay to come into New Albany. Coffey goes ballistic. Putney and Coffey argue.
Price: Is there any other developer, was there other ideas?
Wood: This one came to us?
Price: Anyone else have any ideas?
Wood? Sure. Others took themselves out of it (one of whom Coffey chased out of a meeting three years ago). These guys have the financial wherewithal. The language about the VFW has been removed. There has been a grant applied for, to put toward such projects (water resources).
Jack Messer: $$$?
Putney: $40 million.
Gonder: "New Albany is scaled right for something like this?"
Putney: Umm, yes. InLouisville, something could be built far away from the core. Here, there's a center. There could be some monumental buildings here. These becomes icons, things that enhance what didn;t get trashed during misplaced urban renewal.
Coffey's thinking: One of them people. One of them people.
Benedetti: Call for a vote.
Only one vote. Resolution. Roll call.
Against: Coffey (citing underhandedness)
Abstain: Price ("don't like to tell me kids they're going to Disneyland before I know I can afford it")
7-2, yes.
Price to introduce R-09-24, and actually does it. Seconded. Wow.
R-09-24 Resolution of the Common Council of the City of New Albany Amending the “New Albany-Fringe Area Comprehensive Plan 2020”
Scott Wood and Larry Timperman come forward to explain the plan.
Wood: Some areas deserve greater scrutiny, including downtown. Scott rationally and patiently explains the history of plans and zoning.
Timperman: Overall concept was explained at a public meeting advertised extensively and loudly (JB, Atlanta daydreaming). He explains the focus on the downtown. How use of areas can tie into the river heritage. Example, Greenway. Connecting Main Street back over the levee to the river. Another need is concentrationthat will require parking. Design elements have been coming in during information gathering ("a number of public meetings" giggle). Explains color coding of the chart, emphasizing reinforcing the downtown fabric already there.
Coffey pounces and asks how much money is being asked for. PARKING GARAGE!! PARKING GARAGE!!
Wood: No blank checks, just a blueprint. Cuts off the Wizard.
Benedetti: A vision.
Price: Please address Mr. Bledsoe's concerns.
Wood: The fact of the matter is that several private property owners have asked for assurances so they can develop. The plan helps with this.
Price: What about that historic thing?
Wood: Historic Preservation is not about zoning.
Timperman: The other point is that infill needs to be appropriate, and that cheap knockoffs of history are not desirable. Nowadays, the national standard is not to duplicate old things.
Wood: There is a falseness about that ... we're good builders today, too. We can design and build good buildings and come up with things that work.
Timperman and Wood explain design principles that neither Bledsoe nor Price WANT to understand. Whether they do or not is another matter. This misunderstanding is intentional, and it is political in nature.
Wood: Passionately defends green buildings and explains why it's a good idea, and not necessariyl one that applies only to deep pockets.
Zurschmiede: Just a recommendation, eh? Nothing to hold anyone to it?
Nope.
Timperman: Green could be using basic energy efficient concepts like bulbs and windows.
John Gonder: What about light rail?
Timperman: 10 to 15 years!
A light rail discussion ensues, and then Mose Putney comes forward. I believe it is bad strategy for Mose to speak about specifics, including the dreaded parking garage bogey man, when all we have here is a resolution of unspecific intent. At the same time, the Bobo project makes no sense without it.
Putney: Mentions a two-way Pearl Street
Noooooo ... not that, Mose. The natives will revolt.
Putney: Uses the phrase, "slow travel urban drop-off plaza." He calls it a "conceptual idea."
Eyes mist over. Them's big words, don't ya know. Someone needs a tall boy, and now -- but it isn't me. It is impressive of Mose to speak this language to these people. Some of them understand it. Price visibly yawns.
Coffey: Will this group ask for any money for any of this?
Putney: Meanders into the trap Coffey set, although he tries not to, and mentions public/private partnership to, yes, build a parking garage.
Robert's Rules of Order out the window.
Coffey: "Does any kind of development occur that doesn't ask for handouts?"
Coffey says that
All of this plays into Coffey's grandstand.
Coffey wants developers to come ask to pay to come into New Albany. Coffey goes ballistic. Putney and Coffey argue.
Price: Is there any other developer, was there other ideas?
Wood: This one came to us?
Price: Anyone else have any ideas?
Wood? Sure. Others took themselves out of it (one of whom Coffey chased out of a meeting three years ago). These guys have the financial wherewithal. The language about the VFW has been removed. There has been a grant applied for, to put toward such projects (water resources).
Jack Messer: $$$?
Putney: $40 million.
Gonder: "New Albany is scaled right for something like this?"
Putney: Umm, yes. In
Coffey's thinking: One of them people. One of them people.
Benedetti: Call for a vote.
Only one vote. Resolution. Roll call.
Against: Coffey (citing underhandedness)
Abstain: Price ("don't like to tell me kids they're going to Disneyland before I know I can afford it")
7-2, yes.
Part Three: Live blogging, as communications by city officials confuses Li'l Stevie, but what's new?
COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OFFICIALS:
Steve Price questions overpayments to contractors (Kay Garry answers), and also something about sewer bids (not through Garry's office) ... Price says, it's not really directed at you (so why ask it) ... here goes ... avalanche time. What about the Tabernacle (Zurschmiede: "Not her, either.")
Price: "Carl, you're the assistant mayor, whatever ... once again we're written up ... it looks like there's no management."
Price: "Who's calling the shots ... I've been here six years" (pronounces Garner as Gardner -- he's been here six years, but can't pronounce people's names right).
Malysz: The England administration intends to address some of these. And, the statute doesn't speak to buying a building at sheriff's sale.
Coffey: "Circumvent" the process.
Malysz: "There is no process."
Anyone seen Robert's Rules of Order lately?
Malysz: We made money off the hurricane.
Coffey: "So you knew the storm was going to hit?"
Price begins questioning individual department head claims and says that he has no computer but still keeps records. Thinks that it is important in context of threats to shut the firehouses and lay off people.
Coffey: "I've never seen anyhting like this."
Coffey finally thinks to return the discussion to something relevant.
Diane Benedetti: Some flooding tort claims are being turned down. She'd like to ask Shane Gibson, but he has left the room.
Kevin Zurschmiede: Regarding another audit of records, the state says what they have before them tonight is complete, and what's more, it would be illegal to commission another one because that would be copying information that's already been done. State says: Tough shit; no politics; our audit is as good as anyone else's; faggitaboutit.
Coffey: "This (document) will tell you it's not a complete audit."
Coffey alleges that business paople just went to Indy today and were told that by golly, the city is mishandling tax monies!!
Is any audit a complete audit? The wildest of wild goose chases will remain a leitmotif of council obstructionism for years to come. I wonder if Erika scripted Coffey's off-the-Robert's comments here?
Coffey: "Citizens are very upset -- the question posed to me today, will the council do something?"
Of course, like the pumpkin patch and hambers, he doesn't say their names.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Next week hearings ... Coffey makes threats about balanced budgets no matter what! Jeff Gahan asks some questions. Coffey talks about approving and changing budgets, blames a variety of factors. Pat McLaughlin asks a question of Garry. Gahan wants to make decisions about 2009, then move to 2010. Very little of this makes sense to me.
Coffey: "We can't cut on 2009 ... have to appropriate, and cut on 2010."
COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR
Glad Halloween is over ... "maybe the witch hunt will stop."
Talked to Charlie Pride, who said the audit's done. Police and fire are not properly funded -- underfunded. Mayor defends his people, and says he's glad that business people talk to Coffey. Downtown good, three businesses in the industrial park.
Mayor is angry at accusations. Leaves are being collected. City Hall talking to garbage people about replacing lids.
Budget ... police and fire are underfunded. Funded through general fund property taxes), and with the caps in places, the option of LOIT is offered (as recently passed in Clark County). In 2010, we'll be a million and a half short. I'm asking to fund the impending shortfall, and work with the county council to see that LOIT passes as in Clark. Not asking to cut or lose, but to lobby for LOIT -- "there's no other way out."
We've always had a shortfall -- lack of taxes, which is different than overspending.
Semantics?
For eight years, alays a shortfall. General fund is supposed to pay for operations, EDIT for economic development. Employees only pay LOIT.
"Sit there behind a table and throw anger at people ... bring it on."
Advocates for LOIT. Directs at Steve: "If you don't have a job, you don't pay LOIT tax."
Mayor rejects Price's mention of struggling people -- what's Price gonna do? What's his position?
Price: "My position is I'm not votin' for it," and waves the audit that he feels is incomplete.
Mayor: It didn't get this way in a year and a half.
"I want you to work with us, and we're here to work with you."
EDIT for 2010. After that, barring EDIT forever, then LOIT is a must. Mayor believes that the county officials will come to their senses and pass it.
"The city's gotta be run."
"Personalities we can take care of outside the room."
Price: "Some people want streamlined government ... warned y'all about bonuses ... I warned everyone about raises ... this council voted, I voted no."
Price: "It's not personal ... it's a philosophy."
Mayor: "Will you let me finish?" Pride says, better equipment needed. He takes that as a compliment. Urges Coffey to speak with Charlie Pride.
Price: Stormwater fees raised ... liens not recorded ... raised rates ... delinquent ... whatever it is, it's still money ... just my opinion."
Price is acting like a baby, but whatever; it isn;t personal, just a philosophy of infancy.
Coffey: Everyone pays EDIT tax ... I don't mind using it to shore up ...
More to come.
Steve Price questions overpayments to contractors (Kay Garry answers), and also something about sewer bids (not through Garry's office) ... Price says, it's not really directed at you (so why ask it) ... here goes ... avalanche time. What about the Tabernacle (Zurschmiede: "Not her, either.")
Price: "Carl, you're the assistant mayor, whatever ... once again we're written up ... it looks like there's no management."
Price: "Who's calling the shots ... I've been here six years" (pronounces Garner as Gardner -- he's been here six years, but can't pronounce people's names right).
Malysz: The England administration intends to address some of these. And, the statute doesn't speak to buying a building at sheriff's sale.
Coffey: "Circumvent" the process.
Malysz: "There is no process."
Anyone seen Robert's Rules of Order lately?
Malysz: We made money off the hurricane.
Coffey: "So you knew the storm was going to hit?"
Price begins questioning individual department head claims and says that he has no computer but still keeps records. Thinks that it is important in context of threats to shut the firehouses and lay off people.
Coffey: "I've never seen anyhting like this."
Coffey finally thinks to return the discussion to something relevant.
Diane Benedetti: Some flooding tort claims are being turned down. She'd like to ask Shane Gibson, but he has left the room.
Kevin Zurschmiede: Regarding another audit of records, the state says what they have before them tonight is complete, and what's more, it would be illegal to commission another one because that would be copying information that's already been done. State says: Tough shit; no politics; our audit is as good as anyone else's; faggitaboutit.
Coffey: "This (document) will tell you it's not a complete audit."
Coffey alleges that business paople just went to Indy today and were told that by golly, the city is mishandling tax monies!!
Is any audit a complete audit? The wildest of wild goose chases will remain a leitmotif of council obstructionism for years to come. I wonder if Erika scripted Coffey's off-the-Robert's comments here?
Coffey: "Citizens are very upset -- the question posed to me today, will the council do something?"
Of course, like the pumpkin patch and hambers, he doesn't say their names.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Next week hearings ... Coffey makes threats about balanced budgets no matter what! Jeff Gahan asks some questions. Coffey talks about approving and changing budgets, blames a variety of factors. Pat McLaughlin asks a question of Garry. Gahan wants to make decisions about 2009, then move to 2010. Very little of this makes sense to me.
Coffey: "We can't cut on 2009 ... have to appropriate, and cut on 2010."
COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR
Glad Halloween is over ... "maybe the witch hunt will stop."
Talked to Charlie Pride, who said the audit's done. Police and fire are not properly funded -- underfunded. Mayor defends his people, and says he's glad that business people talk to Coffey. Downtown good, three businesses in the industrial park.
Mayor is angry at accusations. Leaves are being collected. City Hall talking to garbage people about replacing lids.
Budget ... police and fire are underfunded. Funded through general fund property taxes), and with the caps in places, the option of LOIT is offered (as recently passed in Clark County). In 2010, we'll be a million and a half short. I'm asking to fund the impending shortfall, and work with the county council to see that LOIT passes as in Clark. Not asking to cut or lose, but to lobby for LOIT -- "there's no other way out."
We've always had a shortfall -- lack of taxes, which is different than overspending.
Semantics?
For eight years, alays a shortfall. General fund is supposed to pay for operations, EDIT for economic development. Employees only pay LOIT.
"Sit there behind a table and throw anger at people ... bring it on."
Advocates for LOIT. Directs at Steve: "If you don't have a job, you don't pay LOIT tax."
Mayor rejects Price's mention of struggling people -- what's Price gonna do? What's his position?
Price: "My position is I'm not votin' for it," and waves the audit that he feels is incomplete.
Mayor: It didn't get this way in a year and a half.
"I want you to work with us, and we're here to work with you."
EDIT for 2010. After that, barring EDIT forever, then LOIT is a must. Mayor believes that the county officials will come to their senses and pass it.
"The city's gotta be run."
"Personalities we can take care of outside the room."
Price: "Some people want streamlined government ... warned y'all about bonuses ... I warned everyone about raises ... this council voted, I voted no."
Price: "It's not personal ... it's a philosophy."
Mayor: "Will you let me finish?" Pride says, better equipment needed. He takes that as a compliment. Urges Coffey to speak with Charlie Pride.
Price: Stormwater fees raised ... liens not recorded ... raised rates ... delinquent ... whatever it is, it's still money ... just my opinion."
Price is acting like a baby, but whatever; it isn;t personal, just a philosophy of infancy.
Coffey: Everyone pays EDIT tax ... I don't mind using it to shore up ...
More to come.
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