| Weekly Update to City Council November 24, 2008 |
| Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:14:41 AM - Middletown Ohio |
Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
November 24, 2008
Step up Partnership
As you know, the city, schools and MUM are partnering on the Step-Up program which provides a mentor/role model to high school students. Volunteers are needed to mentor; the time commitment is 4 hours per month for a one year period. The rewards of seeing a child succeed in our community are endless. Council members, community members and city employees are encouraged to volunteer.
From the Int’l City Management Newsletter…Columbus, Ohio cutting $83 Million
Columbus residents pleaded with City Council members to spare recreation centers, arts programs, and other parks department items. In addition, they offered to help city officials find new ways to pay for services that local government can no longer afford. $83 Million needs to be cut from the budget, therefore, plans include closing 12 recreation centers and three more swimming pools, ending city sponsorship of some festivals and eliminating arts programs for children, as well as programs for seniors. The city will seek private sponsors to pick up costs for city-sponsored summer festivals, and will try to recruit volunteers to help staff recreation centers.
Sign Code Enforcement
To the extent possible, with our limited inspection staff, we are stepping up sign code enforcement and attempting to take care of some of the blighting influences in our business community in terms of signage. While businesses need signs to attract customers, too many signs can have the opposite effect. In addition, some businesses paint their entire windows with signage, when codes permit only 25% of the window to be consumed with signage. A balance of signage in the community will have a positive impact.
Economic Development Director Interviews
We have some great, well-qualified candidates and will hold interviews next week in anticipation of having a new person on board after the first of the year.
Section 8
Our consultant will be in attendance at the next Council meeting to review the process for selection of the Section 8 administrator. We have a committee to review the proposals consisting of city personnel: Judge Wall, Chief Schwarber, Prosecutor Doug Atkins, Ginger Smith, Marty Kohler, as well as some residents from the Consolidated Plan Committee.
The selection of the administrator will be based upon fee, experience and quality. We will not be addressing policy of Section 8 during the selection process, merely the administration of the contract. The policy decisions will be part of a process with the Council Housing Sub Committee over the next several months.
Demo of shack at Verity and Reinartz
As soon as I am able to find $6900 in the budget, we will be demolishing the shack at the corner of Verity and Reinartz. The demo fee will be assessed against the property taxes. We have been working hard over the past several months to get this key corner property cleaned up. It has been a struggle.
Thanksgiving Holiday
I will be around town, but out of the office this week. I hope that you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We all have a great deal for which to be thankful.
Upcoming Events
November 23- Jan 4 Got Art Exhibits, Central Ave. (this event runs through January 4)
November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28 Light up Middletown Parade/Opening
December 1 Park Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 2C
December 2 City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
December 3 Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
December 4 Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Sycamore Room at Middletown Area Senior Citizens
December 5 Butler County Chamber Caucus Legislative Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club
December 9 Board of Health Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Conference Room 2C
December 10 Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 1500 Central Ave.
December 10 Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers
December 12 City Building closed at Noon
December 16 City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
December 24-25 Christmas Holiday
Have a great week!
Judy
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