| Middletown Weekly Update to City Council |
| Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:53:30 PM - Middletown Ohio |
Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
August 22, 2008
New Middletown Quality of Life “Magazine”
Suitable for coffee tables, The Chamber is working on a Middletown magazine which will highlight the quality of life in the community. Something much needed. It will be updated every two years. Monroe and Trenton will have similar but unique pieces as well.
New YMCA
If you didn’t make it to the opening of the new Y, stop out; it is fantastic. We are so fortunate to have not only the new facility but the downtown location as well.
Budget Work Session
I appreciate the direction and prioritization I received from Council during our budget work session. While we may not be facing an immediate crisis, as we have in past years, we will be upside down in 2 years if expenses are not cut or revenues are not increased. Thanks to Bill Becker, past council members and John Lyons, we have worked hard to keep the general fund balance in line.
Section 8
As we reported at the Housing Committee, our consultant is working through the information received on Section 8. My first recommendation is still to streamline the city organization, get back to basics and transfer the voucher administration to an agency that is equipped to deal with the program.
Since that met with some resistance, we are doing more research on the city maintaining the administration, setting up a housing board who will report to council, create policy and keep strict tabs on the program. We are also examining our current management company and other options there. Hopefully we will have a report in the next month from the consultant and be able to present options to council in the next two months.
From the Int’l City Management Newsletter
Alabama to charge overweight employees for insurance
The AP (8/22) reports that Alabama is the first state to crack down on state workers who are overweight by giving them one year to start getting fit -- or they'll pay $25 a month for insurance. The state already charges workers who smoke.
Fire Department Golf Outing
Tuesday, September 2, Council members are encouraged to stop out at Weatherwax and greet the golfers and firefighters anytime during the day beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Department Reports
Economic Development
National City Bank officials announced they will begin renovating the former Fazoli’s at the Towne Mall for the bank’s first full-service Middletown branch. The bank had been working with the City for nearly two years to locate a suitable location.
Fire
While fighting a fire at Lone Star Steak House 8-7-08 one of our Firefighters was seriously injured. He suffered torn quadriceps muscles of both legs, requiring surgery. Currently he is at home convalescing with a long and challenging road ahead. Please keep him in your thoughts.
Health
The Butler County Community Health Consortium Middletown Health Center officially opened their new Dental Center Saturday the 16th. This Dental Center will fill a long standing need in our community for oral health services to tend to the underserved thanks to the services provided by Dr. Robert Merkel. Some of you may recall that the center had dental services briefly in 2002 but closed in 2003 for lack of funds. Now with the FQHC grant the dental center will have the funds to continue to operate.
Upcoming Events
August 27 United Way Kick Off Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Atrium Professional Building, 5th Floor
August 27 Broad Street Bash, 5:30 p.m., Governor’s Square
August 27 Paducah Town Hall meeting, 5:30 p.m., MUM
September 1 Labor Day, Building closed
September 1 Labor Day Concert, 7:00 p.m., Middletown Symphony, Woodside Cemetery
September 2 City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
September 5 Wildwood Elementary Dedication Ceremony, 2:00 p.m., 3300 Wildwood Rd.
Have a great week!
Judy
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