Council Agenda 6-19-2012

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA , June 19, 2012

I. BUSINESS MEETING – 6:00 p.m. – COUNCIL CHAMBERS – LOWER LEVEL

1. MOMENT OF MEDITATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

2. ROLL CALL

3. PUBLIC HEARING – MidPointe Public Library Budget Request

Motion to Receive and File the MidPointe Public Library 2013 Budget Request

4. PUBLIC HEARING- 2013 City Tax Budget

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS

6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS

South Main Street Decorative Lighting Discussion

Municipal Income Tax Uniformity

7. CONSENT AGENDA. . . Matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote of consent. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed and considered separately.

(a) Approve City Council Minutes: June 5, 2012

(b) Receive and File Board and Commission Minutes:

Civil Service-March 15, April 26 and May 17, 2012

Board of Health and Environment- May 8, 2012

(c) Receive and file Oaths of Offices: Matt Taylor and Joel Gross

(d) Confirm Personnel Appointment: Part Time Account Clerk – Shirley Jones

(e) Receive, File and Duly Record Petition:

Asking Council to take measures to close Miller’s Lounge at 124 Charles Street

8. MOTION AGENDA

(a) Receive, File and Adopt the 2013 City Tax Budget

9. COUNCIL COMMENTS

II. LEGISLATION

1. Ordinance No. O2012-21, an ordinance amending Chapters 1434, 1436 and 1486 and repealing Chapter 1446 of the codified ordinances. (2nd Reading)

2. Resolution No. R2012-15, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to participate in the Moving Ohio Forward Grant Program and declaring an emergency.

3. Ordinance No. O2012-22, an ordinance authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Butler County Land Reutilization Corporation for the cooperative acquisition and banking of non productive real property in Middletown and declaring an emergency.

4. Ordinance No. O2012-23, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing an agreement between the City and Commerce Corner, LLC for the transfer of right-of-way and declaring an emergency.

5. Resolution No. R2012-16, a resolution declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten mill limitation for the purpose to supplement the General Fund for the purpose of making appropriations for providing or maintaining senior citizens services and/or facilities as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.19(Y) and determining to proceed to submit the question of levying such tax to the electors of the City of Middletown, Ohio, at the election on November 6, 2012, in accordance with Section 5705.19(Y) of the Ohio Revised Code. (First Reading)

III. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (1) To consider the appointment of a public employee or official, specifically to review board or commission candidate applications.

May I ask Mike Presta, or anyone a question? If the Senior Citizen Group could not pay their monthly payment they committed to, and the value of the property had gone down so much they could not refinance or take out another loan. why were they never foreclosed?

What happened to all that discussion about the due diligence on the fincial aspects of this "bail out" city council?

I find it really upsetting the city has the big fire truck over there yesterday when they had the FD car wash and car exhibit. Another, seniors, you scratch my back, we'll scratch yours support.

Hey citizens, this may seem novel to you, but when the city asks for all these tax increases all it does is make your property decline, and the appeal of Middletown as a tax magnet, and BUYER BE AWARE, stay away, elevate. Some day, you might get this basic concept. What a waste this city is.

And not a soul is making an attempt to defeat the levy. But it still will not pass. Mark my words on that one.    

rngrmed wrote: If I am being taxed and have to pay for the Senior Citizen building, can I use the building now?  What if I don't live to be a "Senior Citizen"?  What if I move out of the city and never get to use it?  Why should I pay for it?  Nothing for my investment.    Why is this any different than welfare or any other Socialist program?

Not trying to argue here rngrmed. Just a comment coming from a 63 year old person who is using the Senior's handicapped bus service to get his wife to dr's appts periodically. We don't go to the Seniors Center. Don't have the time and the wife can no longer function in a social environment but I will testify that their bus service has been a blessing for us. Perhaps as you age, you may appreciate having some senior's services to use. I hate levies and taxes as much as any on this forum, but will vote for this levy for selfish reasons.....to keep the bus service that helps us so much.

How about veterans? Do you feel the same about them as you do the seniors? Haven't they put in their time to earn something in the way of life improvements for their service? Would you feel the same as to the investment you would make on their behalf as you do the seniors? Would you feel the same way when you are a senior and would like some support for putting in your time (and money over the years) into society? Wouldn't you want to feel appreciated by the younger generation for making their lives just a little better? Younger people really don't think about these things until they are seniors. I would imagine, then, they would like to be appreciated by the younger set. Everyone takes their turn at being young and being seniors. The seniors could be mom and dad or grandpa and grandma. Of course, I'm a little bias toward seniors. I was raised by my grandparents who took me out of the orphnange at Otterbein Home in the early 50's. They were mom and dad to me. Just something to ponder.

Vet, while I personally am saddened about the serious matter you reference regarding your wife, I have to take serious issue on the merit of your point.

Middletown Senior Citizens overpaid and overbought what they needed. Its nothing more complicated than that. Associated with this waste and incredibly poor business decision, it is simply unfair for any citizen to be burdened by their debt load. What the community is really paying for is the fenwick move out to the Hunter area, as that's what the Senior Citizen Ctr did. They made no effort to make use of the existing structure, bought 11 acres, when the needed less than a 1/3 acre, and have mowed their grass one time since spring- that being using a bush hog over the weekend before the car show and car wash they had.

I cannot comprehend how you adamantly oppose school levies (don't kids deserve an education and transport?), but support such am enormous bailout based upon unsound business acquisition, which others absorb the cost of moving JXXIII to Fenwick, and Fenwick into their new home in Hunter.

Simply put, its wrong, and I believe for the vast majority, the levy will not pass. For years Meals on Wheels and other services were provided using storage at the old Middletown Regional Hospital and also had the meals prepared in the facilities at the hospital. I see no reason that the bus/ van transport could not be moved to the Atrium or partnering with other organizations. Same with Meals on Wheels.

The expense and accompany debt was and is associated with the capital put into a building and 11 acres that has not been utilized and clearly, is not needed.

While I agree with many of your positions and logic, on this issue, I respectfully believe you are absolutely wrong.     

acclaro:

Middletown Senior Citizens overpaid and overbought what they needed. Its nothing more complicated than that. Associated with this waste and incredibly poor business decision, it is simply unfair for any citizen to be burdened by their debt load. What the community is really paying for is the fenwick move out to the Hunter area, as that's what the Senior Citizen Ctr did. They made no effort to make use of the existing structure, bought 11 acres, when the needed less than a 1/3 acre, and have mowed their grass one time since spring- that being using a bush hog over the weekend before the car show and car wash they had

I AGREE 100%. AGAIN, FROM A SELFISH STANDPOINT ONLY (ALREADY MENTIONED IN MY LAST POST) MY SON AND I NEED THE SENIOR'S SERVICE FOR THEIR HANDICAPPED VAN. IF WE DIDN'T NEED THAT, I WOULD VOTE NO JUST AS YOU, AND MANY OTHERS WILL. IT IS PURE SELFISHNESS ON MY PART THAT I AM VOTING YES. I AGREE, THEY OVERBOUGHT BOTH IN BUILDING AND LAND WITH NO PLAN TO AFFORD IT. FROM THAT STANDPOINT, YOU ARE CORRECT.

"I cannot comprehend how you adamantly oppose school levies (don't kids deserve an education and transport?)"

I AGREE 100% WITH KIDS DESERVING AN EDUCATION. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU, I, AND MANY OTHERS ON THIS SITE HAVE STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING A DECENT EDUCATION IN THE MIDDLETOWN SCHOOLS. I VOTE DOWN LEVIES BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE LEVY MONIES HAVE BEEN WASTED IN THE PAST, BELIEVE THE SCHOOLS ARE OVERRIPE WITH TOP HEAVY POSITIONS, NEVER HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PROFICIENCY SINCE THE INCEPTION OF TESTING, ARE NOT A GOOD "BANG FOR THE BUCK" AS TO VALUE FOR THE DOLLAR, AND QUITE FRANKLY, IF THEY WERE A STOCK IN MY PORTFOLIO, WOULD HAVE DUMPED THEM LONG AGO DUE TO MONEY PLOWED INTO VERSUS PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH OUT THE OTHER SIDE.

"Simply put, its wrong, and I believe for the vast majority, the levy will not pass. For years Meals on Wheels and other services were provided using storage at the old Middletown Regional Hospital and also had the meals prepared in the facilities at the hospital. I see no reason that the bus/ van transport could not be moved to the Atrium or partnering with other organizations. Same with Meals on Wheels".

WE GET MEALS ON WHEELS THROUGH BUTLER COUNTY, NOT MIDDLETOWN. UNTIL YOUR SUGGESTIONS HAPPEN, THE SENIORS TRANSPORT IS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN FOR US.

"While I agree with many of your positions and logic, on this issue, I respectfully believe you are absolutely wrong"

I COULD BE. BEEN WRONG MANY TIMES BEFORE. MY THOUGHTS ARE CONNECTED TO THE DAY TO DAY SURVIVAL FOR MY SON AND I AS CAREGIVERS. WE ARE LOOKING FOR HELP IN ANY DIRECTION THAT IT MAY COME. WE ARE TOO WELL OFF TO RECEIVE HELP FOR HER CARE IN THE HOME BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO THE TUNE OF $30-$50/HOUR FOR HELP. KINDA NEGATES THE REASON TO GO TO WORK IF WE WERE TO PAY THAT AMOUNT. TO WORK FULL TIME JOBS AND THEN COME HOME TO OUR SECOND FULL TIME JOB AS CAREGIVERS IS A DAUNTING TASK, ESPECIALLY WITH NO FAMILY HELP, AGENCY HELP OR ANY HELP PERIOD. THE HEATH CARE SYSTEM HAS SAID "SCREW YOU MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE". TO APPRECIATE THE LIFESTYLE, PEOPLE SHOULD TRY IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO. IT'LL KICK YOUR ASS. MY SON AND I HAVE BEEN DOING IT NOW FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND WE'RE FRIKKIN' TIRED.

Based on those merits alone? No. I know plenty of people from those eras and that served in combat zones that wouldn't lift a finger to help themselves, let alone another person.

I've been standing in line at pharmacies to have an elderly just cut in front of me..

At Wildwood Golf Course I've had elderly guys tee off at me without warning..

Not too mention cutting me off on the road...

I beg to differ that those from WWII are our "Greatest Generation". I think they have done to destroy this planet than most other generations. How much nuclear waste is from them? Sure they didn't realize the lasting effects, but since when is "I didn't know" an excuse?

So does one get my respect just from being elderly and having survived or from being in a combat zone? NO!

I support your reasons. I think the bus service should be provided. But why restrict it to the elderly? There are many single mothers that can't get her children to specialty clinics at Children's Hospital..Why is there no service for her?

From MJ:

June 21, 2012

Mr. Kyle Fuchs
This is a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act for the complete spreadsheets of all NSP Funds from 2009 to current date.
Thank You
Viian Moon

Surprised?

 

Please notice in the above NSP document that the majority of all the demo has been done in the 2nd Ward.
Do you really believe that the next 300 demos will not be in the 2^nd Ward also?
The 2^nd Ward will end up looking like a bombed out third world country.

From the City's Community Development web page:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – These funds are granted to the City each year and are designed to address a wide range of unique community development needs. CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:

• construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets,

Some activities currently funded by the City of Middletown under the CDBG program are:

• Street Paving – This funding is used to repave streets in designated low-income areas.

Ms. Moon, playing Devil's Advocate, if the city (Mr. Adkins) is allocating most NSP funds to the 2nd Ward, I am confused why the concern over the 54% "Rule" and funds be used elsewhere when the majority in Ward 2? I am slightly confused.

Dear Council Members
I need some clarification about the actions that you are about to take concerning the funding of the Moving Ohio Forward Grant Program.
With full knowledge of the rules set down by Mike DeWine, the Ohio Attorney General for this program, is it the intent of this City Council to simply ignore the rules and use HUD Funding for this program?

Mike DeWine
Ohio Attorney General
Moving Ohio Forward Grant Program
Demolition Guidelines
Page 7
”Federal funds, such as CDBG, NSP and HUD, are ineligible as matching funds unless the local government is in fiscal emergency as defined in Chapter 118 of the Revised Code.”

Ms. Viv,

If you listened to the same council hearing I did, you would have heard Mr. Adkins state that the city’s plan for matching funds had the blessings of both HUD and the AG’s office. It just requires the two step shuffle……

It is time to wipe away those tears   

GG