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MMF gets $75,000 from City

Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Council
Forum Description: Discuss individual members and council as a legislative body.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4263
Printed Date: Nov 25 2024 at 7:00am


Topic: MMF gets $75,000 from City
Posted By: Middletown29
Subject: MMF gets $75,000 from City
Date Posted: Dec 05 2011 at 9:48pm
Council will give MMF $75,000 for property acquisition. What's up?



Replies:
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 7:43am
Has anyone come forward from MMF in front of Council to request these funds(and why?)?
Or is this an insider deal?
Seems difficult with so many of Coun cil and Admin on the board of MMF
Anyone seen a recent roster?
 
What "fund" will finance them?
 
Look for this Council to sock it to us as their going away present!


Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 7:55am
Isn't that a firefighter or a police officer position???


Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 8:55am
MMF is the legal, non-profit, economic development corporation that is supposed to encourage and promote Middletown to business and industry. According to what I've read about non-profit EDCs, they are legally entitled to receive money to achieve their stated goals. It would make sense for the city to promote such a group since their are city officials on the board of the corporation.
My only argument with MMF is that you never see minutes from their meetings entered into the public record like you do with other boards. Why is that?


Posted By: Middletown29
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 8:34pm
Not sure but I think they (MMF) are required to advertise meetings, have open meetings and keep official minutes.


Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 10:05pm
Since AK and the Hospital has a person on this board has their company put forth a donation?If so is it the 10k the the M fer's say that they have? I just find it odd  that when asked where this money is going to they basically our using it for what our Economic Devl. person is paid to do.If he cant do the job then its time to find someone else.I Also find it distasteful that our mayor and another council member are sitting on the M fer's board.(Sorry when I write M fer's I chuckle LOL) Here our spineless ones once again give our money away and cant be told how and when it is going to be spent. Im getting ready to take a loss on my house I own here in this dead town wonder if the spineless will pay me for my loss?
As in your comeant Midd.29 the minutes was brought up by Ms Scott Jones tonight and I guess the council didnt have the minutes of there meetings till now.Well shall I say they will be getting a copy of them but they wont have to vote on them like they do with others.Im scratching my head and my butt cos here we have a group of citizens that show up at a council meeting and say,Hey we need 75k just in case we need it.Dont make sense to me.


Posted By: tomahawk35
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 10:25pm
Maybe it is the money that it cost MMF to see that these crooks got into office..Wink


Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 11:19pm

MMF doesn’t want public to know what goes on in their meetings, but since the taxpayers are plunking down $75,000, doesn’t that at least buy them the right to know what goes on???

Isn’t this really just the “buy the Sorg opera house for the city before some else might buy it and put in a business we don‘t like or paint it a color the historic commission doesn‘t like” fund???  Then the City of Middletown will own another building that we will have to spend a couple hundred thousand dollars to demolish in a few years

Or, perhaps the City Manager has a hunch that Cinci State would like to offer courses in ticket-taking and movie ushering, and is betting that this building is just the ticket to be used as the classroom for such courses???


-------------
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:23am

Gentlemen
    I watched the Council Meeting however I really want to watch it again and take a few notes before I comment on what I thought I heard last night.
   



Posted By: Richard Saunders
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 6:01am

I can just hear Sam telling Ms. G (and Ms. M telling Mr. Mugs) that “It’s only $59,000” and “We just have to get this before someone else buys it” and “It is the only place truly worthy to be the home of the City of Middletown Municipal Museum of History.”

http://www.sibcy.com/viewlisting.asp?mls=1292777&b=CIN&p=COMM&s=COMM&m=1&sender=QuickSearch - Of course, the city dare not buy it just after having laid off several police officers and firefighters, so they simply gave MMF the money to do it. (Sam to Ms. G: “Just do it. The Middletown rednecks are so dumb they will never figure it out. Think how many other times we have fooled them.”)



Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 7:01am
found it comical(really not funny) that three mmfers showed up to answer ?s, but Ms.Hamet, Ms.G, Mr.Landen and the Mayor pretty much had to answer every ? and provide explanations.
 
Surprised that no one asked what this group has accomplished since 2005.
 
So--we are going broke--can't afford street repairs, police/fire, community center etc., but we can fork up $75,000 to this mystery group "just in case" they might need it for "something"?


Posted By: jag123
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 7:22am
This was to buy the Sorg. Perhaps it will be another Art "showplace" for Sam to put his works.


Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 9:58am
Originally posted by Middletown29 Middletown29 wrote:

Not sure but I think they (MMF) are required to advertise meetings, have open meetings and keep official minutes.



Maybe MMF always declares an Executive Session


Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 10:00am
Originally posted by tomahawk35 tomahawk35 wrote:

Maybe it is the money that it cost MMF to see that these crooks got into office..Wink


I find it odd that the Mulligans raised over $10k each to run their campaigns, but I don't recall seeing many signs for them. I saw 1 for Joe out on 122 in West Middletown and I got a flyer for him even though I am in the 3rd ward.
What was all this money used for?


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 10:32am

Sorg Opera House?

And who will do the repairs for how much--paid for by whom?
More art in an area 3 blocks away from our current art mecca?
To be open when and for?
 
I was looking at a piece of property within that strip.
Was scared off because there is nothing of substance on that two-block strip on S Main, and saw the area as honestly in need of being leveled since nothing positive has happened there in 20 years.
 
 


Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 11:17am
sj,

Your ?s are valid if this money is actually planned for the purchase of the Sorg Opera House. I haven't seen any plans that state this money is for that purpose. I do dispute the statement that nothing positive has happened there in 20 years. Of course, the definition of "nothing positive" would come into question because I have no idea what you would consider "positive". Obviously, any show that has occurred during the past 20 years in the Opera House would fall into the "nothing positive" category. Any of the businesses previously there would fall into your category of "nothing positive" as well.

The most recent previous owners have undone in 5 years what took 25 yrs to accomplish at the Sorg. Now the building sits empty and neglected so your "solution" is just tear it down. While I have no desire to see the city buy more real estate, I can't understand the sentiment for bulldozing more of this town's history. I agree that tax payer money shouldn't be used but if the choice is city ownership of the property or the bulldozer, then buying the building is the only practical solution. If the city would start looking to sell buildings to investors, I'd look even more favorably upon their efforts. I just cannot understand the thought process behind the demolition mindset.


Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:06pm
What is there not to understand about the "demolition mindset"?  I'd rather the city get rid of a crappy piece of property that sits for years virtually unused.  There has been no free market solution for that building, so what is the point of "looking to sell to investors"??  The investors could have bought it 6 months ago, 6 years ago, even 16 years ago.
 
I'm not sure TonyB what solution you think is out there when the free market has proven that there ie no market for hunks of junk properties.


Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:44pm
These threads are many times a moving target, this one no exception. Perhaps someone can explain as I don't listen to blivtv or watch council meetings, what the $75 Kk was for Sorg that was tied to MMF? Next, I agree with Bill. Middletown is tearing down old buildings, trying to make as much greenfield or borwnfield as possible. It cleans up the trash, wasteland, and does open up the area. But, to TonyB's point Bill, if the Sorg has proven it has no redeeming market value for years, and neither has the Manchester, why was the Manchester bought? But, the buildings will either be torn down or refurbished. Economically I cannot see how they could be restored without massive outlays which would justify their investment.

I would be interested in anyone knows, the salient link to MMF and Sorg, how, why, a front, a cloak, a gift, as I have no idea.   


Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:49pm
The real and only question should be is if any Tom,Dick or Harry that starts a secrect club as I consider the M efer's to be could they go to the SPINELESS ONES and ask for 75k? Myself I think someone needs to contact the AG and see if they can start a investigation on the crooked deals this dead ass city has done.


Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:53pm
Originally posted by acclaro acclaro wrote:

These threads are many times a moving target, this one no exception. Perhaps someone can explain as I don't listen to blivtv or watch council meetings, what the $75 Kk was for Sorg that was tied to MMF? Next, I agree with Bill. Middletown is tearing down old buildings, trying to make as much greenfield or borwnfield as possible. It cleans up the trash, wasteland, and does open up the area. But, to TonyB's point Bill, if the Sorg has proven it has no redeeming market value for years, and neither has the Manchester, why was the Manchester bought? But, the buildings will either be torn down or refurbished. Economically I cannot see how they could be restored without massive outlays which would justify their investment.

I would be interested in anyone knows, the salient link to MMF and Sorg, how, why, a front, a cloak, a gift, as I have no idea.   
They didnt give a specific reason  only to put in there acct.


Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 3:08pm
Bill,

The hunks of useless properties seem to generate interest; however, if that interest is not in line with the city's Master Plan, then the properties don't get sold. I seem to remember Senior Citizen's wanted Swallen's. How did that one turn out? In regards to the Sorg Opera House, the previous owners had interest in the building to such an extent that they had exclusive rights to bid on the building. The fact that they trashed the building notwithstanding. There is market value to be had in these buildings, the question is what purpose, who is doing the rehab and who is paying for it?


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 3:18pm

Acclaro
City
stated last night that the CIC "Middletown Moving Foreward" was established in 2005 while Bill Becker was City Manager. It seems that in 2005 the City instructed that MMF go out and get private investors for the downtown area and last night they returned and stated that they had collected $10,000 in private funds and they were asking for $75,000 from the City just in case they needed money in a hurry for three project that they would be looking at over the next year.

1. Sorg Opera House
2. Brownfield area next to Hook Field
3. Jobs and Family Services building downtown

 

 



Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 3:32pm
Spiderjohn
    This has been the direction that the City has wanted to go for the last 10 years.
They are going to buy the Sorg Opera House no matter what. They will use every available grant that can be written and every dime in the downtown fund to accomplish this goal. Not to worry come January they will have all the votes they need to build THEIR DOWNTOWN VISION.
    The City Council has already decided the only way we are going to get money for our street repairs are to add the cost to the Water Bills…It was a sad thing to watch as they threw Josh under the bus last night.
    Last night Ms Judy stated that the “Downtown Funds” could be used outside the downtown core……Really? Well Ms Judy that is not what you and your staff have told me over the past 7 years about these funds.
    And just think…..at the last council meeting we were going broke…



Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 4:31pm
Vivian,

For movers and shakers, MMF doesn't seem to be very effective at persuading investors. Been around since 2005 and only raised $10,000? Hell, you could put a homeless person on the street corner with a sign and they'd make more than $10,000 in 6 years!!! Besides, what was said yesterday has no validity today!!! Promise? What promise?


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 5:02pm

TonyB

    I don’t believe that a date was given for when MMF had started collecting investments for Downtown Area or what they have been doing for the past 6 years other than advising the City.
    It seems that MMF was formed about the same time that the City joined Main Street USA. I guess they are a 501-3C so they can apply for Federal Grants.



Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 7:17pm
Vivian,

Has there been any report on how successful they've been at grant writing? Any report at all about what they've done for the past 6 years? Is there any report from this group that is a matter of public record? I don't understand how this group could be working for the city for the last 6 years and no one (except the members of this group) have any idea of what they've done. I don't care that members of the city administration are members; the voting public have a right to know what is being done!!!

Usually, for a 501-C3 to get money from a governmental entity, they must supply a matching amount. $10,000 doesn't seem to match $75,000 the city is giving to this group. Too many ?s, no answers.



Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 7:51pm

TonyB

    Ms Judy stated that MMF was not a City Board therefore their meeting minutes are not made public...The City Council called the gift of $75,000 seed money.
    It was also stated that MMF would not need to report back to City Council to explain where or on what projects they have spent the $75,000.



Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 8:06pm
Vivian,

How can they NOT be a city board? Who created this entity? What is their mission statement? More importantly, if they are not a city board, why is the city giving them money?!!!


Posted By: middletownscouter
Date Posted: Dec 08 2011 at 9:55am
We had to spend nearly $80k this year to demolish a municipal pool we couldn't find about $55k to operate - scratch that, under $40k to operate since there was still $20k in a fund from AK - but we can give over $1mm to the golf course each year and on top of that give $75k to a group for which almost no actual concrete information is publicly released.

Also, you can search through a list of all charities on the IRS' website. Middletown Moving Forward does not appear on the list. Which doesn't mean they aren't a non-profit, but it does mean they don't have tax exemption from the federal government meaning any donations made are not tax deductible.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html - http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html


Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Dec 08 2011 at 10:06am
The bigger question is why are only a few people in this town concerned about this?



Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Dec 08 2011 at 10:07am
We know Middletown Journal won't post citizen comments, is it possible for MiddletownUSA to go out and see what the Community feels about this donation?

Maybe get some press for the website as well.


Posted By: Bocephus
Date Posted: Dec 08 2011 at 10:46am
Originally posted by rngrmed rngrmed wrote:

The bigger question is why are only a few people in this town concerned about this?

Very good question.


Posted By: ground swat
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 9:48am
The same reason the election turned out like it did. That's why.


Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 11:29am
Vivian,

You raised an interesting point with me concerning the city manager's statement that MMF is not a city board.
According to their website (which hasn't been updated since 2008),"Middletown Moving Forward CIC is a non-profit, public/private organization charged with directing the city's economic development priorities. The organization was founded in 2005 as a partnership of the city and the Chamber of Commerce and includes representation from the community's two largest employers, AK Steel and Atrium Medical Center."

If you are a "public/private  partnership" you are subject to Ohio Sunshine Laws. There is no possible way that this is not a city board because the city is instrumental in the creation of this board. The city has representation on this board. If the city and city officials are involved, it must be a city board. I'd like to see an impartial, legal opinion about this because it seems to me that city officials are deliberately hiding from the public information that the public, by law, should have access. That would be illegal, and furthermore, malfeasance on the part of city officials involved in this organization. Just wondering...


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 12:03pm

TonyB
I think you need to email your questions and concerns directly to Mr Landen.
Then you can share his answers with all of us.



Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 12:25pm
Vivian,

I know Mr. Landen personally and am sure that he would answer them. I wouldn't presume upon our friendship, however. Not to mention, since Mr. Landen is the city's attorney, he would have a conflict of interest problem with an impartial answer. That's why I would like someone with no affiliation to the city to answer the questions I raised; not that I think that Mr. Landen couldn't do it, but that his answers would be biased because of his employment status.


Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 12:34pm
Looks like a laundry service to me, MMF. Take cash, invest it for what city wants, directs, without conflict of interest being exposed. Pass $100,000 to support a 2.25% tax increase, all under economic development. Not quite a "blind trust fund" but attempts to give such an appearance.


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 12:44pm

TonyB
Ms Jones stated at the last council meeting that she had researched other CIC in the State of
Ohio
and gave a list of cities. You might want to email her and request that list of other cities using CIC’s



Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 1:10pm
What is a CIC?


Chapter 1724: COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATIONS

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 Community improvement corporations.

(A) As used in this chapter:

(1) “Community improvement corporation” means an economic development corporation or a county land reutilization corporation.

(2) “Economic development corporation” means a corporation organized for the purposes described in division (B)(1) of this section.

(3) “County land reutilization corporation” means a corporation organized under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.04 - 1724.04 of the Revised Code for the purposes described in division (B)(2) of this section.

(B) A corporation not for profit may be organized in the manner provided in section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1702.04 - 1702.04 of the Revised Code, and as provided in sections 1724.01 to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.09 - 1724.09 of the Revised Code, for the purposes of:

(1) Advancing, encouraging, and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial, and civic development of a community or area; or

(2)(a) Facilitating the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property within the county for whose benefit the corporation is being organized, but not limited to the purposes described in division (B)(2) of this section;

(b) Efficiently holding and managing vacant, abandoned, or tax-foreclosed real property pending its reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization;

(c) Assisting governmental entities and other nonprofit or for-profit persons to assemble, clear, and clear the title of property described in this division in a coordinated manner; or

(d) Promoting economic and housing development in the county or region.

Effective Date: 08-17-1961; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.02 - 1724.02 Powers of corporation.

In furtherance of the purposes set forth in section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code, a community improvement corporation shall have the following powers:

(A)(1) To borrow money for any of the purposes of the community improvement corporation by means of loans, lines of credit, or any other financial instruments or securities, including the issuance of its bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, and to secure the same by mortgage, pledge, deed of trust, or other lien on its property, franchises, rights, and privileges of every kind and nature or any part thereof or interest therein; and

(2) If the community improvement corporation is a county land reutilization corporation, the corporation may request, by resolution:

(a) That the board of county commissioners of the county served by the corporation pledge a specifically identified source or sources of revenue pursuant to division (C) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/307.78 - 307.78 of the Revised Code as security for such borrowing by the corporation; and

(b)(i) If the land subject to reutilization is located within an unincorporated area of the county, that the board of county commissioners issue notes under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/307.082 - 307.082 of the Revised Code for the purpose of constructing public infrastructure improvements and take other actions as the board determines are in the interest of the county and are authorized under sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5709.78 - 5709.78 to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5709.81 - 5709.81 of the Revised Code or bonds or notes under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5709.81 - 5709.81 of the Revised Code for the refunding purposes set forth in that section; or

(ii) If the land subject to reutilization is located within the corporate boundaries of a municipal corporation, that the municipal corporation issue bonds for the purpose of constructing public infrastructure improvements and take such other actions as the municipal corporation determines are in its interest and are authorized under sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5709.40 - 5709.40 to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5709.43 - 5709.43 of the Revised Code.

(B) To make loans to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, joint stock company, association, or trust, and to establish and regulate the terms and conditions with respect to any such loans; provided that an economic development corporation shall not approve any application for a loan unless and until the person applying for said loan shows that the person has applied for the loan through ordinary banking or commercial channels and that the loan has been refused by at least one bank or other financial institution. Nothing in this division shall preclude a county land reutilization corporation from making revolving loans to community development corporations, private entities, or any person for the purposes contained in the corporation’s plan under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.10 - 1724.10 of the Revised Code.

(C) To purchase, receive, hold, manage, lease, lease-purchase, or otherwise acquire and to sell, convey, transfer, lease, sublease, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property, together with such rights and privileges as may be incidental and appurtenant thereto and the use thereof, including but not restricted to, any real or personal property acquired by the community improvement corporation from time to time in the satisfaction of debts or enforcement of obligations, and to enter into contracts with third parties, including the federal government, the state, any political subdivision, or any other entity. A county land reutilization corporation shall not acquire an interest in real property if such acquisition causes the percentage of unoccupied real property held by the corporation to become less than seventy-five per cent of all real property held by the corporation for reutilization, reclamation, or rehabilitation. For the purposes of this division, “unoccupied” has the same meaning as in section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/323.65 - 323.65 of the Revised Code.

(D) To acquire the good will, business, rights, real and personal property, and other assets, or any part thereof, or interest therein, of any persons, firms, partnerships, corporations, joint stock companies, associations, or trusts, and to assume, undertake, or pay the obligations, debts, and liabilities of any such person, firm, partnership, corporation, joint stock company, association, or trust; to acquire, reclaim, manage, or contract for the management of improved or unimproved and underutilized real estate for the purpose of constructing industrial plants, other business establishments, or housing thereon, or causing the same to occur, for the purpose of assembling and enhancing utilization of the real estate, or for the purpose of disposing of such real estate to others in whole or in part for the construction of industrial plants, other business establishments, or housing; and to acquire, reclaim, manage, contract for the management of, construct or reconstruct, alter, repair, maintain, operate, sell, convey, transfer, lease, sublease, or otherwise dispose of industrial plants, business establishments, or housing.

(E) To acquire, subscribe for, own, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of the stock, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, or other securities and evidences of interest in, or indebtedness of, any person, firm, corporation, joint stock company, association, or trust, and while the owner or holder thereof, to exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote therein, provided that no tax revenue, if any, received by a community improvement corporation shall be used for such acquisition or subscription.

(F) To mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber any property acquired pursuant to the powers contained in divisions (C), (D), or (E) of this section.

(G) Nothing in this section shall limit the right of a community improvement corporation to become a member of or a stockholder in a corporation formed under Chapter 1726. of the Revised Code.

(H) To serve as an agent for grant applications and for the administration of grants, or to make applications as principal for grants for county land reutilization corporations.

(I) To exercise the powers enumerated under Chapter 5722. of the Revised Code on behalf of a county that organizes or contracts with a county land reutilization corporation.

(J) To engage in code enforcement and nuisance abatement, including, but not limited to, cutting grass and weeds, boarding up vacant or abandoned structures, and demolishing condemned structures on properties that are subject to a delinquent tax or assessment lien, or property for which a municipal corporation or township has contracted with a county land reutilization corporation to provide code enforcement or nuisance abatement assistance.

(K) To charge fees or exchange in-kind goods or services for services rendered to political subdivisions and other persons or entities for whom services are rendered.

(L) To employ and provide compensation for an executive director who shall manage the operations of a county land reutilization corporation and employ others for the benefit of the corporation as approved and funded by the board of directors. No employee of the corporation is or shall be deemed to be an employee of the political subdivision for whose benefit the corporation is organized solely because the employee is employed by the corporation;

(M) To purchase tax certificates at auction, negotiated sale, or from a third party who purchased and is a holder of one or more tax certificates issued pursuant to sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5721.30 - 5721.30 to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5721.43 - 5721.43 of the Revised Code;

(N) To be assigned a mortgage on real property from a mortgagee in lieu of acquiring such real property subject to a mortgage.

(O) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code and the powers especially created for a community improvement corporation in Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to, contracting with the federal government, the state or any political subdivision, and any other party, whether nonprofit or for-profit.

The powers enumerated in this chapter shall not be construed to limit the general powers of a community improvement corporation. The powers granted under this chapter are in addition to those powers granted by any other chapter of the Revised Code, but, as to a county land reutilization corporation, shall be used only for the purposes enumerated under division (B)(2) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 31, HB 313, § 1, eff. 7/7/2010.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Effective Date: 08-29-2003; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.03 - 1724.03 Regulations for government of corporation - board of directors.

(A) After the articles of incorporation have been filed, and at the first meeting of the board of directors of a county land reutilization corporation, the board shall adopt regulations for the government of the corporation, the conduct of its affairs, and the management of its property, consistent with law and the articles. The content of the regulations shall be governed by section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1702.11 - 1702.11 of the Revised Code to the extent not inconsistent with this chapter.

(B) The board of directors of a county land reutilization corporation shall be composed of five, seven, or nine members, including the county treasurer, at least two of the members of the board of county commissioners, one representative of the largest municipal corporation, based on the population according to the most recent federal decennial census, that is located in the county, one representative of a township with a population of at least ten thousand in the unincorporated area of the township according to the most recent federal decennial census, if such a township exists in the county, and any remaining members selected by the treasurer and the county commissioners who are members of the corporation’s board . At least one board member shall have private sector or nonprofit experience in rehabilitation or real estate acquisitions. A county treasurer and the county commissioners each may appoint a representative, as a director of the corporation, to act for the officer at any of the meetings of the corporation. Except as may otherwise be authorized by the regulations of the corporation, all members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 31, HB 313, § 1, eff. 7/7/2010.

Effective Date: 11-01-1965; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.04 - 1724.04 Articles of incorporation.

A county having a population of more than sixty thousand as of the most recent decennial census that elects under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5722.02 - 5722.02 of the Revised Code to adopt and implement the procedures set forth in sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5722.02 - 5722.02 to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5722.15 - 5722.15 of the Revised Code may organize a county land reutilization corporation under this chapter and Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code for the purpose of exercising the powers granted to a county under Chapter 5722. of the Revised Code. The county treasurer of the county for the benefit of which the corporation is being organized shall be the incorporator of the county land reutilization corporation. The form of the articles of incorporation of the corporation shall be approved by resolution of the board of county commissioners of the county.

When the articles of incorporation of any community improvement corporation, or any amendment, amended articles, merger, or consolidation which provides for the creation of such a corporation, are deposited for filing and recording in the office of the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall submit them to the attorney general for examination. If such articles, amendment, amended articles, merger, or consolidation, are found by the attorney general to be in accordance with Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code, and not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States and of this state, the attorney general shall endorse thereon the attorney general’s approval and deliver them to the secretary of state, who shall file and record them pursuant to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1702.07 - 1702.07 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 31, HB 313, § 1, eff. 7/7/2010.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Effective Date: 08-17-1961; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.05 - 1724.05 Annual report.

Each community improvement corporation shall prepare an annual financial report that conforms to rules prescribed by the auditor of state pursuant to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/117.20 - 117.20 of the Revised Code, that is prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles, and that is certified by the board of directors of the corporation or its treasurer or other chief fiscal officer to the best knowledge and belief of those persons certifying the report. The financial report shall be filed with the auditor of state within one hundred twenty days following the last day of the corporation’s fiscal year, unless the auditor of state extends that deadline. The auditor of state may establish terms and conditions for granting any extension of that deadline. The financial report shall be published on the corporation’s web site, or if the corporation does not have a web site, on the web site of the county in which the corporation is located.

Each community improvement corporation shall submit to audits by the auditor of state, the scope and frequency of which shall be in accordance with section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/117.11 - 117.11 of the Revised Code as if the corporation were a public office subject to that section. However, a community improvement corporation may request in accordance with section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/115.56 - 115.56 of the Revised Code, as if the corporation were a public office subject to that section, the performance of any of those audits by an independent certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants.

The auditor of state is authorized to receive and file the annual financial reports required by this section and the reports of all audits performed in accordance with this section. The auditor of state shall analyze those annual financial reports and the reports of those audits to determine whether the activities of a community improvement corporation involved are in accordance with this chapter.

Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 31, HB 313, § 1, eff. 7/7/2010.

Effective Date: 03-12-2001; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.06 - 1724.06 Failure to file annual financial report.

If any community improvement corporation fails to prepare an annual financial report as required by section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.05 - 1724.05 of the Revised Code and to file that report with the auditor of state within ninety days of the time prescribed for that filing by that section, or if the auditor of state determines by applying the standards applicable to a public office under section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/117.41 - 117.41 of the Revised Code that any community improvement corporation cannot be audited and declares it to be unauditable and the corporation fails to then prepare an annual financial report as required by section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.05 - 1724.05 of the Revised Code and to file that report with the auditor of state within ninety days of the time that the auditor of state declared the corporation to be unauditable, the auditor of state shall certify that fact to the secretary of state. The secretary of state then shall cancel the articles of the community improvement corporation involved by filing and recording the certificate of the auditor of state or a true copy of it. All of the rights, privileges, and franchises conferred upon that community improvement corporation by those articles of incorporation then shall cease. The secretary of state shall immediately notify that community improvement corporation of the action taken. Reinstatement may be accomplished within two years after that cancellation upon proper filing of all delinquent annual financial reports to the satisfaction of the auditor of state and the filing of the auditor of state’s certificate reflecting that satisfaction with the secretary of state, who shall be entitled to a fee of ten dollars for recording the certificate in the corporate records. That filing may be made by any officer, member, creditor, receiver, lessee, or sublessee of the community improvement corporation involved, and any such person or agent of any such person shall be granted access to the books and records of the corporation for that purpose. The rights, privileges, and franchises of a community improvement corporation whose articles have been reinstated are subject to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1702.60 - 1702.60 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 03-12-2001

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.07 - 1724.07 Application of remaining assets after dissolution or liquidation.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or failure to reinstate the articles after cancellation of the community improvement corporation, any remaining assets shall be applied as follows:

(A) In the case of an economic development corporation, to such civic projects or public charitable purposes in the community or area as may be determined by the directors with the approval of the court of common pleas of the county wherein the corporation has its principal place of business;

(B) In the case of a county land reutilization corporation, as determined by the board of county commissioners with the written approval of the county treasurer. Pending the determination, the remaining assets shall be transferred to the general fund of the county to be held and accounted for in a separate account until applied as determined by the board.

Effective Date: 08-17-1961; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.08 - 1724.08 Applicability of nonprofit corporation laws.

The provisions of Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code are applicable to corporations organized under Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code to the extent they are not inconsistent herewith.

Effective Date: 08-17-1961

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.09 - 1724.09 Savings clause.

Any corporation organized prior to August 17, 1961 and having similar purposes may be brought under Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code by the required vote of its members or shareholders adopting amended articles of incorporation. Said amended articles of incorporation shall provide for a change in the corporate title and powers in conformity with Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code and shall contain a statement that the amended articles supersede the existing articles of incorporation. In the case of any corporation organized with shares of stock, the amended articles of incorporation shall also provide for the cancellation of all outstanding shares and the terms and considerations, if any, for such cancellations.

Effective Date: 01-23-1963

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.10 - 1724.10 Political designating community improvement corporation as agency for development.

(A) A community improvement corporation may be designated :

(1) By a county, one or more townships, one or more municipal corporations, two or more adjoining counties, or any combination of the foregoing as the agency of each such political subdivision for the industrial, commercial, distribution, and research development in such political subdivision when the legislative authority of such political subdivision has determined that the policy of the political subdivision is to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its inhabitants through the designation of a community improvement corporation as such agency;

(2) Solely by a county as the agency for the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property in the county;

(3) By any political subdivision as the agency for the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property within the political subdivision if the subdivision enters into an agreement with the community improvement corporation that is the agency of a county, under division (A)(2) of this section, designating the corporation as the agency of the political subdivision.

(B) Designations under this section shall be made by the legislative authority of the political subdivision by resolution or ordinance. Any political subdivision which has designated a community improvement corporation as such agency under this section may enter into an agreement with it to provide any one or more of the following:

(1) That the community improvement corporation shall prepare a plan for the political subdivision of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research development, or of reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property, and such plan shall provide therein the extent to which the community improvement corporation shall participate as the agency of the political subdivision in carrying out such plan. Such plan shall be confirmed by the legislative authority of the political subdivision. A community improvement corporation may insure mortgage payments required by a first mortgage on any industrial, economic, commercial, or civic property for which funds have been loaned by any person, corporation, bank, or financial or lending institution upon such terms and conditions as the community improvement corporation may prescribe. A community improvement corporation may incur debt, mortgage its property acquired under this section or otherwise, and issue its obligations, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, and equipping buildings, structures, and other properties, and acquiring sites therefor, for lease or sale by the community improvement corporation in order to carry out its participation in such plan. Except as provided for in division (C) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/307.78 - 307.78 of the Revised Code, any such debt shall be solely that of the corporation and shall not be secured by the pledge of any moneys received or to be received from any political subdivision. All revenue bonds issued under sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.02 - 1724.02 and 1724.10 of the Revised Code are lawful investments of banks, savings and loan associations, deposit guarantee associations, trust companies, trustees, fiduciaries, trustees or other officers having charge of sinking or bond retirement funds of municipal corporations and other subdivisions of the state, and of domestic insurance companies notwithstanding sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3907.14 - 3907.14 and http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3925.08 - 3925.08 of the Revised Code. Not less than two-fifths of the governing board of any economic development corporation designated as the agency of one or more political subdivisions shall be composed of mayors, members of municipal legislative authorities, members of boards of township trustees, members of boards of county commissioners, or any other appointed or elected officers of such political subdivisions, provided that at least one officer from each political subdivision shall be a member of the governing board. Membership on the governing board of a community improvement corporation does not constitute the holding of a public office or employment within the meaning of sections http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/731.02 - 731.02 and http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/731.12 - 731.12 of the Revised Code or any other section of the Revised Code. The board of directors of a county land reutilization corporation shall be composed of the members set forth in section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.03 - 1724.03 of the Revised Code. Membership on such governing boards shall not constitute an interest, either direct or indirect, in a contract or expenditure of money by any municipal corporation, township, county, or other political subdivision. No member of such governing boards shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor shall such member forfeit any such office or employment, by reason of membership on the governing board of a community improvement corporation notwithstanding any law to the contrary.

Actions taken under this section shall be in accordance with any applicable planning or zoning regulations.

Any agreement entered into under this section may be amended or supplemented from time to time by the parties thereto.

An economic development corporation designated as the agency of a political subdivision under this section shall promote and encourage the establishment and growth in such subdivision of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research facilities. A county land reutilization corporation designated as the agency of a political subdivision in an agreement between a political subdivision and a corporation shall promote the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property in the subdivision.

(2) Authorization for the community improvement corporation to sell or to lease any lands or interests in lands owned by the political subdivision determined from time to time by the legislative authority thereof not to be required by such political subdivision for its purposes, for uses determined by the legislative authority as those that will promote the welfare of the people of the political subdivision, stabilize the economy, provide employment, assist in the development of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research activities to the benefit of the people of the political subdivision , will provide additional opportunities for their gainful employment, or will promote the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property within the subdivision. The legislative authority shall specify the consideration for such sale or lease and any other terms thereof. Any determinations made by the legislative authority under this division shall be conclusive. The community improvement corporation acting through its officers and on behalf and as agent of the political subdivision shall execute the necessary instruments, including deeds conveying the title of the political subdivision or leases, to accomplish such sale or lease. Such conveyance or lease shall be made without advertising and receipt of bids. A copy of such agreement shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of any county in which lands or interests in lands to be sold or leased are situated prior to the recording of a deed or lease executed pursuant to such agreement. The county recorder shall not charge a county land reutilization corporation a fee as otherwise provided in section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/317.32 - 317.32 of the Revised Code for the recording, indexing, or making of a certified copy or for the filing of any instrument by a county land reutilization corporation consistent with its public purposes.

(3) That the political subdivision executing the agreement will convey to the community improvement corporation lands and interests in lands owned by the political subdivision and determined by the legislative authority thereof not to be required by the political subdivision for its purposes and that such conveyance of such land or interests in land will promote the welfare of the people of the political subdivision, stabilize the economy, provide employment, assist in the development of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research activities to the benefit of the people of the political subdivision , provide additional opportunities for their gainful employment or will promote the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property in the subdivision, for the consideration and upon the terms established in the agreement, and further that as the agency for development or land reutilization the community improvement corporation may acquire from others additional lands or interests in lands, and any lands or interests in land so conveyed by it for uses that will promote the welfare of the people of the political subdivision, stabilize the economy, provide employment, assist in the development of industrial, commercial, distribution, and research activities required for the people of the political subdivision and for their gainful employment or will promote the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property in the subdivision. Any conveyance or lease by the political subdivision to the community improvement corporation shall be made without advertising and receipt of bids. If any lands or interests in land conveyed by a political subdivision under this division are sold by the community improvement corporation at a price in excess of the consideration received by the political subdivision from the community improvement corporation, such excess shall be paid to such political subdivision after deducting, to the extent and in the manner provided in the agreement, the costs of such acquisition and sale, taxes, assessments, costs of maintenance, costs of improvements to the land by the community improvement corporation, service fees, and any debt service charges of the corporation attributable to such land or interests.

Effective Date: 07-01-1993; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.11 - 1724.11 Confidentiality of information.

(A) When a community improvement corporation is acting as an agent of a political subdivision designated pursuant to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.10 - 1724.10 of the Revised Code and at all times as a county land reutilization corporation, both of the following apply:

(1) Any financial and proprietary information, including trade secrets, submitted by or on behalf of an entity to the community improvement corporation in connection with the relocation, location, expansion, improvement, or preservation of the business of that entity, or in the pursuit of any one or more of the purposes under division (B) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code for which a county land reutilization corporation is organized, held or kept by the community improvement corporation, or by any political subdivision for which the community improvement corporation is acting as agent, is confidential information and is not a public record subject to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/149.43 - 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(2) Any other information submitted by or on behalf of an entity to the community improvement corporation in connection with the relocation, location, expansion, improvement, or preservation of the business of that entity held or kept by the community improvement corporation, or by any political subdivision for which the community improvement corporation is acting as agent, is confidential information and is not a public record subject to section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/149.43 - 149.43 of the Revised Code, until the entity commits in writing to proceed with the relocation, location, expansion, improvement, preservation of its business, or other purpose under division (B) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) When the board of directors of a community improvement corporation or any committee or subcommittee of such a board meets to consider information that is not a public record pursuant to division (A) of this section, the board, committee, or subcommittee, by majority vote of all members present, may close the meeting during consideration of the confidential information. The board, committee, or subcommittee shall consider no other information during the closed session.

(2) Any meeting at which a decision or determination of the board is required in connection with the relocation, location, expansion, improvement, or preservation of the business of the entity or is required in pursuit of any purpose under division (B) of section http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1724.01 - 1724.01 of the Revised Code for which a county land reutilization corporation is organized shall be open to the public.

Effective Date: 05-17-2000; 2008 SB353 04-07-2009







Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 1:34pm
Ohio CIC's?

http://www.ecodevdirectory.com/ohio.htm




Posted By: TonyB
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 2:07pm
acclaro,

Thank you for your post. Read the law. Now I have a question that I hope everyone on this board will take the time to find the answer.

In the law, it talks about annual financial reports. I went to the State auditor's website. I looked up MMF. No report. If they haven't filed an annual report, according to the law; they no longer exist as a legal entity. If someone can find the MMF, CIC annual reports since its incorporation, I would very much like to see them. They should be matters of public record, according to the law listed above. If they don't exist, then neither does MMF and the city cannot give them money.




Posted By: ground swat
Date Posted: Dec 09 2011 at 7:10pm
The only problem I have with 1724 it isn't long enough (Like many of our state chapters) and it seems like there should be a few more attorneys involved along with lawmakers.  Is Hamet the Eco. Devel. director? 


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 10 2011 at 10:18am
Here is the link to Middletown Moving Forward web page

http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/ed/2008_edreport.pdf - http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/ed/2008_edreport.pdf


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 11 2011 at 8:11am
Gentlemen
I’m totally confused about this bouncing ball known as the Middletown Economic Department. The more I research the City’s actions over the past years the more confused I get and the more questions I have.
Where are all the minutes and financial reports to the organizations below?
Who has been paid for what over the years?
How many people do we need in the Middletown Economic Department?
Why do we need both Middletown Moving Forward and the Middletown Economic Department?

Middletown officials decide to drop MEDC

Dayton Business Journal by John Wilfong And Brian Womack, DBJ Staff Reporter Date: Monday, February 28, 2005, 12:00am EST - Last Modified: Thursday, February 24, 2005, 4:32pm EST
 Related:
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/industry-news/economic-snapshot/ -

Middletown Economic Development Corp. will close its doors at the end of March.

Middletown officials have decided to cease funding the group, which acted as the city's economic development arm, as they rethink their approach to development, said Bill Becker, interim city manager. The city has provided between $100,000 and $150,000 annually for the group's budget for the more than three years since its inception, he said.

"City Council has directed that one of its priorities is economic development," he said. "They want to take a new approach."

He said council has appointed an independent committee to find the best way for the city to continue its economic development efforts, including possibly expanding the city's development department. Becker said the committee's report is expected within the next few weeks.

"I think there's some frustration within the Middletown community that they're not getting their piece of the economic development pie," said Brian Coughlin, Butler County's economic development director. "They're planning out and laying out their future. I think they just want a clean sheet of paper to work from."

Larry Wood, the development group's only director in its short history, was involved in creating the organization out of the previous 40-year-old Middletown Area Development Enterprise Corp. Middletown Economic Development Corp. started as a joint project between the city and The Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, though the city was the primary funding source.

Wood said he does not know what the city plans to do about its economic development efforts.

"I've only been told that they've decided to do something different," he said.

(Page 2 of 2)

Becker said city leaders are hoping a change will boost development throughout the city at a time when it needs it most. In the past three to four years, Middletown lost nearly 1,000 jobs when several companies, including paper manufacturers Sorg Paper Co. and Crystal Tissue, closed their doors. And AK Steel has cut more than 200 workers in just the past few months.

"We're struggling here in Middletown, as are most other older cities," Becker said. "We need to look at different avenues to best support Middletown."

Coughlin said the potential development expected to follow the construction of the new Middletown Regional Hospital represents the future of Middletown. Hospital officials expect the new location to cost between $100 million and $200 million. Work is slated to begin this spring and to be completed by early 2008.

"(The city) is facing some financial difficulties and some difficult choices, but if they can hang on until the hospital opens, they'll have a tremendous, new development engine, especially with all the ancillary development that will spring up around it," he said. "I believe the future of Middletown is on the east side."

Middletown names economic development director

Dayton Business Journal Date: Friday, October 14, 2005, 4:05pm EDT - Last Modified: Friday, October 14, 2005, 4:05pm EDT
Related:
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/industry-news/economic-snapshot/ -

Fairborn's community development director is moving to Middletown to head up the city's newly created economic development department.

Bill Murphy, who has been with Fairborn since 2002, has been named economic development director for the city of Middletown and will lead its effort to attract new businesses, and expand and retain those already there. He starts in Middletown Oct. 31.

Murphy will head the department the city created when it disbanded the former Middletown Economic Development Corp.

Middletown Moving Forward, a community investment corporation, considered more than 70 applicants before hiring Murphy.

"He comes to this position ready to go and he recognizes both the challenges and opportunities facing this community," said City Manager Bill Becker.

Middletown City Council is expected to approve Murphy's appointment at its regular Tuesday meeting.

 




Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 11 2011 at 4:40pm

Great post, Vivian!!! I find especially interesting this one quote from the Dayton Business Journal article that you cited:

"(The city) is facing some financial difficulties and some difficult choices, but if they can hang on until the hospital opens, they'll have a tremendous, new development engine, especially with all the ancillary development that will spring up around it," he said.
What is amazing is how timely the six year old quote sounds if we change one tiny portion:
"(The city) is facing some financial difficulties and some difficult choices, but if they can hang on until Cincinnati State opens, they'll have a tremendous, new development engine, especially with all the ancillary development that will spring up around it,".

I guess that development engines come and development engines go, but the BS from City Hall never changes.



-------------
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 11 2011 at 5:12pm
First, Atrium and the development around it was expected to be the savior for econ. dev. Now, after seeing that slow-moving periodic development, has not had the impact needed. Now, the new game in town is Cincy State, which is projected to inject new life into downtown. If and when that fails to make the impact expected by Mulligan and clan, what will be the new kid on the block that will add a jolt of growth in town? With the track record we have seen in the last 20 years, there is little hope in this area and no reason to believe the people in charge will have a successful plan that will provide what is needed here. It is sad that we have the group of people managing this city that we do. They provide little hope nor confidence for the people with their lack of ability to build this community. Still haven't gotten the house cleaned. Badly needed. No hope until we do people.


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 11 2011 at 5:55pm

http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/masterpl/pdf/ed%20roundtable%20summary.pdf - http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/masterpl/pdf/ed%20roundtable%20summary.pdf  

 

 Middletown Master Plan

Economic Development Roundtable

Miami University Middletown

November 11, 2004

12:00 to 2:00 PM




Name….Organization/Constituency
Timothy Abbott….Cinergy
Harry Bumgarner…. Dayton Development Coalition

John Fonner….Butler County Transportation Improvement District and Butler County Port Authority
Karen Garrett….Warren County Office of Economic Development
Doug Harnish….Gem Real Estate Group
Douglas McNeill…. Middletown Regional Hospital
Craig Maynard….Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center
Nancy Nix…. Middletown City Council; also representing Butler County Economic Development
Sheryl Pieratt….Miami University Middletown Development Dept.
Gary Scanlon…. Miller Valentine Healthcare Services
Dr. Robert Seufert…. Miami University Middletown Applied Research Center

Chris Smith…. Governor's Regional Economic Development Representative
Dick Slagle…. Ultimate Concepts
Perry Thatcher…. Middletown City Council
William Triick….Chamber of Commerce
Larry Wood….MEDC

Sixteen economic development professionals from Middletown and the greater Cincinnati and Dayton regions attended a two hour roundtable meeting to discuss draft economic development strategies prepared as part of the City of Middletown Master Plan Update. Received input was highly instructive. Though seen as largely ambitious, the participants agreed with the most of the draft objectives and strategies. Concerns were raised over the city’s ability to implement the strategies given current human and financial resource limitations.

The largest disagreement centered on the organizational framework by which the strategies are proposed to be implemented. The City’s planning team proposed creating an in-house economic development organization within city government. About half of the roundtable participants strongly disagreed and felt that the existing arrangement of the Chamber of Commerce and MEDC, or some other private sector-based arrangement, should retain economic development responsibilities.

Other items mentioned as top priorities included the need for leadership as well as the importance of “locking up” market-ready sites and preparing the workforce.

Objective 1: Recruit businesses that allow
Middletown to capture a proportional share of new economy jobs found in the region.

The roundtable experts agreed with this objective and further underscored its importance by stating that such action is essential for Middletown’s future viability. It was also thought that the City has a relatively narrow window of opportunity, perhaps five years or less, to place the city in a competitive position to gain a proportional share of the region’s high tech growth. Summary comments follow:

1. The City does not have a program in place to capture “new economy” businesses. Vacant land with infrastructure in place next to the interchange is needed before a new economy company can be recruited.

2. The City should proactively gain control of at least 100 acres of vacant land out by the interchange before an undesirable land use patterns are established.

3. Successful high tech parks typically have a leading institution or large corporate headquarters that attract other users to the area. It was suggested that the City should “hitch its wagon” to the proposed Middletown Regional Hospital campus by creating a business park in conjunction with the Hospital on adjacent land.

4. A potential recruitment opportunity might be corporations looking to de-centralize from the downtowns of major metropolitan areas for security reasons.

5. Concentrate on Brownfield redevelopment simultaneously with Greenfield development.

6. Offer appropriate incentives to attract new business growth to the city. The City should consider owning business parks as a potential strategy to offer market ready sites for sub market prices or in extreme cases for free.

 

Objective 2: Establish an economic development entity with the authority and accountability to effectively attract and retain jobs and businesses.

The planning team suggests that the city follow the lead of most large municipalities in the region and hire an in-house economic development director that reports directly to the City Manager. Part two of this strategy is to create an industrial development corporation that works hand-in-hand with both the city and private industry. Roundtable experts were divided over this recommendation. Those against the idea felt that the private sector could do a better job than the City of attracting companies to Middletown. Others expressed doubt to as whether city government had the acumen or wherewithal to perform economic development functions. Participants that were open to the idea expressed the need for change given the limited number of recent success stories. However, all agreed that greater communication and outreach between the City and the Middletown business community is needed to move forward. One participant stated that it does not matter where the Economic Development resources are located. Instead it was thought that the City must start taking Economic Development seriously. Summary comments follow:

1. The City needs to define the role and leadership of ED in Middletown and stand behind its decision and make things happen.

2. Should the Chamber of Commerce’s/MEDC retain control over the ED responsibilities of the City? This issue was most debated. Some thought strongly that private sector economic development economic development was preferable because correspondence with perspective firms is not open to sunshine laws, which is important to keep sensitive matters out of the press. It was also mentioned that the private sector economic development model works best. Tri-Ed (Northern Kentucky) was offered as an example. It was also mentioned that the City should refrain from an in-house economic development organization so as not to create additional competition between neighboring communities.

3. Alternative views were provided that suggested in-house economic development is needed. The Chamber of Commerce works for Middletown and two other communities. Middletown should have one person that is dedicated to Middletown’s needs.

4. The City’s $100,000 Economic Development budget is not large enough for either private or public sector driven economic development.

5. It was brought up that the City did not have the financial means to create another city department. A participant responded by saying that the City could not afford not to hiring an economic development director.

6. Eliminate Fire and Police services from the City’s general budget and fund them through separate property tax levies to create money for economic development.

7. The City must form strong relationships with the Greater Cincinnati Consortium, CINergy, ODOD, and banks, brokerage firms, etc.

8. The City should be focused on revenue generating strategies rather than just expenditure reduction strategies.

9. To improve top-down responsibility within the City, some participants recommended looking into changing the City’s system of government to strong-mayor so that the head of the city is responsible to the residents. The City Manager position was seen as potentially effective if the appointed person was given the authority to effectively run the City including Economic Development.

10. The planning team suggested that the city create industrial development corporation to give the city greater flexibility in acquiring land, partnering with other entities, and creating business parks. Some participants mentioned the potential for conflict with the Butler Alliance, which is a similar group that serves all of Butler County. A few participants noted that a CIC was in place and it had the legal ability to implement projects. Others were unaware of the CIC and felt that broader participation and support from the City and the greater business community is needed.

Objective 3: Create market-ready sites at attractive locations with good regional access.

All participants agreed with the importance of Objective 3 and the proposed strategies to implement the objective. Summary comments follow:

1. The City needs to acquire and/or control more land by the interstate and more specifically at the interchange to ensure suitable acreage is available for business development. It was suggested that the City must be aggressive in this regard to have an ample inventory of land to attract a variety of office and industrial uses in the future.

2. Vacant land east of I-75 needs utilities and proper zoning in some instances to be ready for development. This issue was identified as a critical need. It was also mentioned that the City’s lack of development ready sites is a real disadvantage and one of the primary causes for the lack of growth.

3. The city does not necessarily need to own the business park but it does need to ensure that the proper controls are in place such as zoning, development agreements, covenants and restrictions, etc.

4. The city should redevelop vacant commercial and industrial properties to create additional market ready sites.

5. The City should start the process of planning for one new interchange now in expectation of opening up more land area for business development. It was noted that the City will
need support from other communities, politicians at all levels, and local funding to receive ODOT approvals.


Objective 4: Prepare workforce for tomorrow’s jobs and recruit jobs that match the skills of new residents living in or near
Middletown.

An exciting exchange occurred regarding the Middletown Regional Hospital and Miami University Middletown plans for augmenting workforce training programs and facilities in Middletown. There was limited support for recruiting a tech based community college to Middletown given existing nearby resources such as Butler Tech and Warren County Career Academy adult education programs.

1. Workforce training efforts should focus on identifying core skill sets and aiming for incremental, rather than drastic, changes in skills.

2. The City should cooperate with Miami University at Middletown and Middletown Regional Hospital to meet workforce-training needs. Middletown Regional Hospital is constructing “The Green Tree Campus” at the new hospital site. Miami University at Middletown is constructing a new facility primarily targeting workforce training and community business needs.

3. City should avoid spending recruitment dollars attracting Fortune 500 companies since many of these companies are reducing staff. Marketing strategies should focus on attracting mid-market companies that are expanding.

4. The City’s housing policy and priorities need to be changed to attract new skilled workers to the City.

 

Objective 5: Retain and expand businesses by creating and maintaining a positive business environment.

Participants felt this was an important objective in which the community must do well. The general consensus was that the city must fundamentally change the way it views its role in promoting Middletown and working with local businesses. Others felt that the strategies under this objective were, in part, being implemented by MEDC. The debate regarding in-house versus out-of-house management rekindled during this discussion. The need for additional small business advocacy and support was mentioned as a needed and important strategy.

• Participants generally felt that the City was not in touch with business needs. Likewise, it was generally felt that the City must work cooperatively with the business community for the betterment of the entire city.

• It was also mentioned that the City should hire a city manager with an economic development background with abilities to create a pro-business, if not an entrepreneurial, environment in city government.

• Investigate the possibility of hiring a customer service position to the City (as Fairfield has done).

• The City should demand high standards; predictable, clear, and efficient development review procedures; and consistent processes and outcomes as a means to become business friendly and to attract and retain businesses.

• The City needs a small business strategy to foster additional small business start-ups and expansions.



Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 11 2011 at 8:25pm
This was in 2004. It is now 2011. Doesn't look like the meeting notes were heeded by the city officials since this event. A waste of time as most of this was never implemented. Good ideas and the observations about the city's inability to accomplish most of this was spot on.


Posted By: LMAO
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 11:18am
http://www.youtube.com/v/lrQPrSS12BY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3 - http://www.youtube.com/v/lrQPrSS12BY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3 "


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 12:25pm
LMAO!!!! Good Lord!!! Comical to say the least. Didn't know so many people could sing off key and lack any indication of rhythm nor timing.

On a negative note....

Being a born and bred Middletonian for 63 years, am offended that people like Gilleland, Landen, and others who have ruined it, allude to this town as being "my town". It IS Mulligan's town, unfortunately, and he should know better. No shame in that man. It ain't your dam town people.....not with what you've done to it. You are just temporarily living here and screwing it up for people that were here long before you arrived. Sorry folks, I realize this is just a Christmas comedy routine with the intent of being cute and clever, but because of who these people are, and what they have done to this town, I'm not feeling the love for the city building and it's occupants right now on the message here. The longer I watched this, the madder I got.

Ok, done venting. Back on the meds.


Posted By: Jack Black
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 1:35pm
Viet Vet,
You and yours remain in our thoughts and prayers.  Thanks for all that you do to share the truth with us.  May 2012 bring your wife, you and yours health, happiness and hope.  Merry Christmas to a fine man.


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 3:51pm
Hopefully things will improve, Vet
All the best to your family and you
 
Same to pacman, ms.pacman and pacman jr.
 
and everyone else stopping by this place
regardless of where you stand
 
may we all find common ground and positive direction asap


Posted By: ground swat
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 4:53pm
Common ground. That would help.


Posted By: Middletown29
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 6:45pm
Laying off cops and fire fighters while spending money to buy Sorg Opera?
There has to be some other reason for the money to MMF.
Our city fathers can't be that stupid!


Posted By: Neil Barille
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 7:25pm
If people aren't smart enough to figure out you can't use the Sorg $$ for public safety, then those people....well, you get the point. 


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 9:36pm
A couple of years ago, I learned(the hard way) that this was not "my town" any more.
Was a sad day
 
imo the city missed their shot at the Sorg years ago.
Ain't much left now
Same for the rest of our former center of activity
 
Gone
like my last paycheck
gone gone away
 
Gone
like the car I wrecked
gone gone away


Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 9:52pm
Gentlemen
Ms Judy stated that the $75,000 gift to MMF was coming from the Property Development Fund which had a current balance of $390,000.
Two months from now can MMF come back for another $100,000?
Ms Judy, Mr Adkins and city council have purchased numerous properties over the past four years…..Sooo why do we now need MMF to purchase property?
Don’t ya think it would be good old common business sense to first sell a few of the white elephants that we already own before we go out and purchase more?
Ya see...I’m having a real problem with that pesky little thing called “Return On Investment”.




Posted By: Jack Black
Date Posted: Dec 13 2011 at 11:21pm
Watch out for more of Mr. Adkins boondoggles involving "funny money" from the Feds!  GOD forgive these wasteful bureaucrats!


Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 14 2011 at 2:46am
Originally posted by Neil Barille Neil Barille wrote:

If people aren't smart enough to figure out you can't use the Sorg $$ for public safety, then those people....well, you get the point. 
The "Sorg $$"???  What exactly are "Sorg $$"???  I didn't realize that we taxpayers (or the City, for that matter) had any "Sorg $$"!!!
 
Where did these "Sorg $$" come from, and why should a group such as MMF (who has NO accountability to the taxpayers and whose meetings and meeting minutes are not open to the taxpayers) be given taxpayers' funds from a cash poor city to spend with no oversight??? 
 
Well, you get the point.


-------------
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 14 2011 at 6:15am
One more thing on the video from the city building people......

I noticed that the only council people involved were Mulligan and Smith. To their credit, Scott-Jones, Laubach, Becker, Allen and Picard spared themselves some embarrasment on this one. Landen, Carolus, Phillips and others......that's another story IMO. Spider.....haven 't given up on the "my town" thing as yet. Sooner or later, these 's will be gone and a new set of so-called city leaders will emerge. Hopefully, (said with little confidence) , they will be better than this group of misfits. We have to have hit bottom with Gilleland, Mulligan, Kohler, Landen and others as city leaders. Won't say it can't get worse but will say this group is the "bottom of the barrel" quality. Sadly, the damage is done.......cue the Foreigner song.


Posted By: Marianne
Date Posted: Dec 14 2011 at 8:09am

Gone

like my last paycheck

gone gone away

 

Gone

like the car I wrecked

gone gone away
[/QUOTE]

The one sensible thing I've read on here in a long time: a John Hiatt song. :) "Gone" is a good song, but not the best from that album. The title track is beautiful. Spider, if you haven't heard his latest album, you should... I think it's one of his best.   



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