Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
December 13, 2009

Community Health Center receives $4.7M Stimulus Fund Grant
GREAT NEWS!! I communicated with Council last week about this and wanted to provide further information. The Butler County Community Health Consortium received a $4.7M grant to construct a new community health facility in Middletown. They will combine this with their own $1M in funds for an approx. $7M project!

When they applied for the grant a few months ago, I pledged the city’s support and assistance in making this new facility happen. I am working with the BCCHC to find appropriate land. This new facility is planned to be 16,000 square feet, more than twice the size of the current facility. It will house a pharmacy, after hours care, pediatrics, dental and vision care on a sliding scale of payment.

It will complement the Atrium Medical Center in that the new facility will assume some care for residents that go to the ER unnecessarily. Hopefully this facility will also benefit our Fire Department by decreasing the number of runs. Good things are happening in Middletown!

Employee Holiday Luncheon
We had a great Employee Appreciation Luncheon in our bus barn on Friday; it was well attended and enjoyed by all. We appreciate the opportunity to get all of the employees together to share the fellowship and celebrate the holidays. Thank you to Cindy Strayer and the many other employees who helped make this event possible!

Positions Eliminated
Sadly, we continue to work through the details of the 7 layoffs that will occur after the first of the year. I regret that we have any layoffs, but given the financial times we are in, there are very few choices. As Council knows, we also recommended elimination of another 7 unfilled positions from the budget, 4 of which are on hold pending a discussion on finances after the first quarter of next year.

Discuss Positions Eliminated

$600,000 below revised revenue projections

Council will be receiving, if you haven’t already, the November Financial Report, which shows that we are $600,000 below revenue projections for our income tax. As you recall, earlier this year, we adjusted the projections downward by $1Million. This $600,000 shortfall is in addition to the $1M. Given the financial times, this is not unexpected. We continue to look for a positive trend, but to this point, there has not been one. I remain hopeful for the new year. The $600,000 shortfall will be covered by less expenditures in our operations.

Section 8
We will have the Housing Authority Meeting on Tuesday evening at 5:30 at which time we will distribute the 430+ page administrative plan for Council’s review. We have the format worked out for the monthly activity reports and have requested that CONSOC produce a report for our meeting tomorrow night. We also are working with CONSOC on real time access to their system and a landlord list.

Council Swearing In Ceremony

Please be reminded of the Swearing In Ceremony for the Council Members-elect, Thursday December 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

H1N1 Update

The Health Department will hold an H1N1 vaccination clinic at Miami University Middletown on Saturday December 19th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Johnston Hall. This clinic will be for Tier 2 or all remaining age groups. We are giving vaccines in the schools this week to the remaining children who have had consent forms sent in. There will be additional clinics scheduled in the future for children who require a second inoculation.

As always, please contact the Health Department at 513.425.1818 if you have any questions or concerns.

Delayed Zip Code Change Questionnaire for Renaissance East and West Residents and Businesses

The distribution of the Post Office Survey has been pushed to out a few weeks as they want to ensure that all of the pertinent parcels are included. They are double checking their list. We will post the distribution date on our website when it is final. The survey will ask residents if they are in favor of changing to a Middletown address and 45042 zip code.

Upcoming Events

December 15 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Middletown Public Housing Agency Meeting- Council Chambers

December 15 6:30 p.m. City Council Meeting

December 16 7:00- 8:30 p.m. Balloon Glow @ Smith Park (Rain Date)

December 17 5:30 p.m. City Council Swearing In Ceremony- Council Chambers

December 24 &

December 25 Christmas Holidays- City Building Closed

January 1 Happy New Year!! City Building Closed for Business

January 6 5:00 p.m. Airport Commission Meeting 4th Floor City Building

January 6 5:30 p.m. Board of Zoning & Appeals in Council Chambers
Links for additional information:

City Manager’s Weekly Update: www.cityofmiddletown.org
Middletown Community Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/middletowncalendar (copy and paste in your web browser)
Pothole Patrol: www.cityofmiddletown.org or call 727-3691 (Option 2)

Have a great week! Judy