Agenda Review: More SEP fun – Updated!
Basic summary of legislation and any discussion that took place before Council today at their Agenda Review.
Authorizing the Mayor to contribute an amount not to exceed $10,000 to the Toledo Symphony to assist in expenses associated with a performance in New York City; authorizing the transfer of $10,000 from the Toledo CitiParks Non-Expendable Trust Fund into the General Fund; authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $10,000 from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund for the contribution of $10,000 to the Toledo Symphony; and declaring an emergency.
Collins said while this might be controversial in some circles, this to him is economic development, it’s one of the gem stones of the City, to goes to the quality of the City we live in. He felt from a marketing standpoint it was a good investment and he applauded the Mayor and administration. Sarantou asked about the restrictions on the park fund and if this was a proper use. Herwat said it was, that it could be used for cultural expenditures. Martinez wanted to know how much was left in the fund. Herwat did not know. McNamara said that the fund had been previously depleted, it was stated by Herwat that some of the money from the casino is going to be used to replenish the park fund. The Mayor had said a minimum of 25% of the casino revenue would go to replenish the fund. Waniewski asked how much it cost to replace playground equipment in the City of Toledo. Herwat said $65 to 75,000 is the standard.
Brown gave this SEP.
Approving the use of use of utility infrastructure development funds to reimburse the Warren AME Church for the cost of installing a private fire suppression line and repairing a sanitary sewer line and tap located at 545 Indiana Avenue; appropriating and expending $5,035 from the unappropriated balance of the Water Infrastructure Development Fund; appropriating and expending $1,255 from the unappropriated balance of the Sewer Infrastructure Development Fund; waiving the requirements of TMC 933.11 (b) and TMC 933.11 (c); and declaring an emergency.
Crothers asked for SEP – Brown gave it
Authorizing the expenditure of $500,000 from the Sewer Operating Fund to rebuild 22 Digester Mixers and upgrade the power feed system to the mixers at the Bay View Wastewater Treatment Plant; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Digester Mixers are used in the anaerobic digesters to improve sludge decomposition rate and increase methane gas production. The existing mixers have become worn out and require design modifications to improve their reliability. This project will cover rebuilding 22 mixers needed for the full operation of the facility. The project will also include upgrading the deteriorated electric power feed system to all 24 mixers and replacing 6 Fluid Components International (FCI) Biogas Insertion type flow meters. The funds for this project have previously been authorized in the 2010 Sanitary Sewer Operating Budget.
David Leffler said the bearings take a lot of wear, they are changing their system to one that has an extended life expectancy. McNamara asked the cost of a mixer, $13 to 15,000 per mixer the remainder is electrical upgrades and new motors. Sarantou asked life expectancy, the older ones were one year, the new ones have two but they are expecting three to four years. They may waive the competitive bidding process to go with Replica Engineer, Leffler did not know where the company was located at as far as local or not, referral was made. Leffler wasn’t sure who were the two companies were the city used before, that’s also an referral.
First reading given.
Authorizing the Mayor to consent to necessary easements relating to fiber cable connection at Toledo Express; and declaring an emergency.
Authorizing the Mayor to consent to necessary easements relating to fiber cable connection at Metcalf Field; and declaring an emergency.
Loukx asked for SEP – Collins gave it.
Authorizing the Mayor to accept $18,000.00 and enter into necessary agreements with the United States Marshals Service for participation in the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force; authorizing the deposit, appropriation, and expenditure of said funds; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has funding from the asset forfeiture program to assist state and local law enforcement agencies. The Toledo Police Department has one sworn sergeant assigned with the Marshals to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. The USMS has provided a vehicle beginning in 2010 to the city for use by the assigned task force officer, with funding for fuel and overtime.
Collins gave SEP.
Authorizing the Mayor to renew the lease agreement with Owens Community College and pay the lease amount relative to the Law Enforcement Center Building utilized by the Toledo Police Academy; authorizing the General Fund expenditure of an amount not to exceed $37,446 for the 2011 lease contingent on 2011 appropriations; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
This Ordinance is to authorize the Mayor to renew for another year and pay the 2011 renewal amount relative to the twenty (20) year Lease Agreement with Owens Community College for the Law Enforcement Center Building used by the Toledo Police Academy contingent on 2011 appropriations. The twenty (20) year lease agreement was authorized by Ordinance 748-93, subject to annual appropriations of the lease payments. 2011 will be year 18. The lease payment is $37,446.00.
Collins gave SEP.
Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Greater Downtown Business Partnership an for the formation of a Downtown Development Authority; authorizing necessary expenditures of funds in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City is seeking to partner with the Greater Toledo Downtown Business Partnership to establish a Downtown Development Authority to provide for business retention and expansion and financial and technical assistance to businesses located in, or wishing to locate in Downtown Toledo. The City seeks to provide funding in an amount not to exceed $150,000 from EDL program funds to assist in this effort.
The City of Toledo will benefit from the services offered by the Downtown Development Authority. This program would be an essential and positive economic development tool.
Craig asked how much is left in program funds, Herwat said it’s from the 32nd year block grant, he’ll give Craig and Council the numbers. Craig said they’ve already taken a half a million out of potential economic development and they’d like to loan that out for economic development. Herwat said they would provide them with the numbers from the funds. McNamara said since this is going to committee they can address questions at that time, but what would this authority do, is it consistent with previous actions being taken by council since this is not a loan. Herwat said they would have the loan balances by the meeting on the 9th. Waniewski said there are organizations that appear to do the same thing, like the Downtown Improvement District, Herwat said the the Downtown Development Authority would be for business expansion/retention, make infrastructure improvements, the Greater Downtown Business Partnership has a presentation as to how they would use this. Waniewski said he didn’t realize there were that many people Downtown, Herwat said the money would provide seed money to hire a director, the budget is $300,000 which means the City would be providing half of the funding. Herwat said they are trying to raise the balance of the money. Ludeman said the hearing is at 2 p.m. on the 9th. Ludeman asked that how the Downtown organizations intertwine should be provided by referral. Sarantou said he sees just another layer of bureaucracy being created, he wants to see the justification as to why they have to create with the Parking Authority, Chamber, etc., and here we go again creating another executive position, when all we need is common sense marketing. Craig said we have a terrific Downtown, to create another agency that should either be a) under our economic development arm or LCIC, we are already giving money to the LCIC to call on local businesses.
Authorizing the Mayor to execute and accept an Easement Agreement with the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services for the acceptance of easements for various sanitary sewer lines upon real property owned by the State of Ohio, located at the University of Toledo & Medical University of Ohio Campuses; and declaring an emergency.
It was stated this was a housekeeping measure – Ludeman gave SEP
Appropriating money for current ordinary expenditures of the various departments for the City of Toledo for the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2011; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
It is not deemed advisable to enact an annual appropriation ordinance at this time. It is necessary to pass a temporary appropriation measure for meeting the ordinary expenditures of the municipality for the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2011.
145,761 million for all funds, one quarter of the general fund is 229 million dollars.
First reading given by Sarantou
The next items are assessments, this is done on a yearly basis. I’ve included the “Background and Summary” for each since it gives you the amount that was estimated last year and the amount they are anticipating for 2011. It’s not the amount spent. All were given First reading. These must be approved by Council before the end of the year.
Declaring the necessity of providing sprinkling, sweeping, cleaning and snow removal services for streets, alleys and public ways in the City; providing for the assessment of the cost of those services; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This is the annual ordinance declaring the necessity of providing sprinkling, sweeping, cleaning and snow removal services for streets, alleys and public ways within the City during the year 2011 and providing for the assessment of those services. The estimated cost for 2010 was $20,298,538. The total program cost for 2011 is estimated to be $20,598,435;
Declaring it necessary to improve certain streets, alleys, and public ways outside the Downtown Area of the City by providing street lighting; providing for the assessment of costs of that lighting; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Certain streets, alleys and public ways outside the Downtown Area of this City are provided with various types of street lighting, which assist in preventing crime and hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The street lighting provided outside the Downtown Area of this City is different from that provided in the lighting of the Downtown Area of the City, and this Council has determined accordingly to provide separately for that street lighting outside the Downtown Area and the assessment of costs of providing it. The total estimated cost for the year 2010 was $3,549,452. The cost of the street lighting program for 2011 is estimated to be $3,689,127;
Collins said by way of referral, he wants the reports so they can see what the private consultant came up with as far as lighting through First Energy. Crothers said they have had two meetings with Toledo Edison, they have not yet been billed by the consultant, they are at the information gathering point. Collins asked if there was an assessment done to determine the status of the lighting. Crothers said they don’t have an action plan. Collins said last summer did the City try to evaluate the problem? Herwat said the DPU used an intern to look into the lighting issue. Collins wanted a consolidation of what the intern defined how severe the problem is. The report will be shared with Collins. Waniewski said they need to look into the whole east side of Bennett Street the lights are out between Jackman and Sylvania.
Declaring it necessary to improve certain streets and public ways in the Downtown Area of the City by providing street lighting; providing for the assessment of costs of that lighting; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Certain streets and public ways in the Downtown Area of this City are provided with various types of street lighting, which assists in preventing crime and hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The street lighting provided in the Downtown Area of this City, using high pressure sodium vapor, mercury vapor, fluorescent and incandescent street lights, is different from that provided in the lighting of other areas of the City, and this Council has determined accordingly to provide separately for that street lighting in the Downtown Area and the assessment of costs of providing it. The total estimated cost for the year 2010 was $248,105. The estimated 2011 cost is $248,142;
Declaring the necessity of controlling the blight and disease of shade trees within public rights of way, and for planting, maintaining, trimming and removing shade trees in and along the streets of the City; providing for the assessment of the cost of those services; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This is the annual ordinance declaring the necessity of controlling blight and disease of shade trees, and planting, maintaining, and removing shade trees in and along City streets. This ordinance also provides for the assessment of the costs of that program. The total estimated program cost for the year 2010 was $4,926,883. The estimated 2011 cost is $5,003,516;
Steel wanted by referral the valuation process for assessment on trees. Waniewski said the boundaries for 12 and 13 appear to be the same. It was stated one is outside the Downtown area and one is inside the Downtown area. The legal boundaries were written by Squire Sanders, that appeared to be clarified.
Declaring the necessity of treating the surfaces of certain municipal streets and public ways in the City; providing for the assessment of the cost of that surface treatment; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This is the annual Ordinance declaring the necessity of providing a surface treatment program for unimproved streets within the City providing for the assessment of the cost of that surface treatment. The streets determined to be in need of this program are listed in Exhibit “A”. The total 2010 estimated program cost was $892,203; the 2011 estimated program cost is $909,673;
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo to implement the 2010 Municipal Art Plan; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Ordinance 501-10 authorized the appropriation and expenditure of $197,419 from the 2010 CIP budget to fund the 1% For The Arts. This legislation authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Arts Commission of Greater Toledo to implement the 2010 Municipal Art program using said funds.
Steel gave SEP and said he felt this was similar to what Collins stated earlier as to the Arts being economic development and he hoped everyone on Council would support this.
Authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a Solar Energy Power Purchase Agreement and Solar Facility Site License Agreement with IPS Energy Ventures LLC; amending the budget of the United States Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to provide a sub-grant to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority – Northwest Ohio Bond Fund not to exceed $2,400,000; authorizing the subsequent transfer of the Ohio Department of Development advanced energy fund renewable energy grant in the amount of $150,000 to IPS Energy Ventures LLC; and authorizing the execution, delivery of other needed instruments to effectuate the Collins Park Solar Energy Project; and declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
On June 19, 2009 the City of Toledo submitted an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) Proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for $3,083,600. On October 30, 2009 the City of Toledo was invited to enter a cooperative agreement with the DOE in the amount of $3,083,600 to be used to implement alternative energy and energy efficiency projects. On December 22, 2009 City Council passed Ordinance 680-09 authorizing the acceptance of the DOE – EECBG.
A committee hearing was held in October on this where it was gone into more detail on. Steel wanted to know where IPS was, representatives were there, it was stated they are a local company. Kevin Moyer from the Port Authority spoke first, he talked about bringing in Industrial Power Systems which is in Maumee, Ohio. Kurt Guy is their financial officer, he said they are a $100 million dollar construction company and are working with EDG who have been in solar for ten years. They are bringing in financiing and some grants that only can be gotten if you are a private entity, which is work $1.4 million and are bringing equity into the project, a total financial package from them of over $5 million. They will be working with EDG to own and operate for at least ten years.
Craig asked about the renewable energy credits, it was stated it would be up to the private owner to sell and market those as best they can. It will be sold at the end of the ten year term, handed over to the City. Craig said at that time they won’t be worth a lot, now they are providing significant income. Craig wanted to know the difference in the prices for what the pay now. It is under what they are paying now by a half a cent per kilowatt hour. This is solar only this does not include the wind turbine project. Craig asked what the price was at 2014. The price increases each year, it was not known what the price would be from First Energy that far out. Crothers said they would enjoy no construction risk, Council gave them the authority to build it, this gives them the ability to have one megawatt and they have no risk or maintenance costs and if the facility fails to provide power, they aren’t responsible for that. If we owned it and there was a failure we’d be on the hook to buy alternative power. Craig said he understands that but beyond 2014 there is no guarantee they would save from it. Crothers said at that point they could buy it for like a dollar and it has a 25 year life span, it has a fair market value, which could be a dollar. Crothers said he misspoke, it’s ten years out not 2014. The land lease agreement lets the City control the market value. Tim Murphy said they are saving over $2 million in DPU funding by doing it this way and it will provide additional funding for projects, he said here were a lot of positives including job creation here. Waniewski asked how many jobs, Murphy said the DOE says every $90,000 invested creates one job and this is a 5 million dollar project, he said there are ancillary jobs as well. The total fund amount could be $40 million through the Port with grants, etc.
Crothers said if they do first reading it would bring it to a vote on Dec. 21 and they won’t get 5% of the construction done to get the grant funding of $1.4 million for IPS. He understands Webb’s concerns but they need to speed up the process. McNamara said it’s a complicated deal, to remember this also bolsters our standing and having a signature program like this is helpful and this quadruples the original plan, it is more than savings in electricity. We still own the land, so if they are unreasonable, they are in a strong bargaining position. The warranty on panels are 30 years, their is a short term and a long term benefit. He said he feels this needs to be passed SEP. Martinez supports the project but he has concerns and wants to see a cost benefit analysis proposal. He wants to see the financial model. Murphy said everything is local which is another success story in this. Crothers said the financing model may be complex but the actual solar and wind projects are very straight forward. Waniewski said he thinks they should do this SEP that Webb could ask to hold or table it but since the administration stated they were going to meet with her on her concerns perhaps that would facilitate that sooner.
Brown said SEP.
The next piece was the agreement with Ottawa Hills for fire services, it’s a 20 year agreement, it also was not included in the Friday packet so I can’t provide that piece of legislation at this point. Ottawa Hills would pay the City of Toledo, $430,000 each year with an adjustment of the consumer price index. When I get it I will share it, it does not allow for hiring of the part time staff but the full time staff as privates. UPDATED: I was sent the information from the Bell administration:
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Village of OttawaHills to acquire fire services; authorizing execution of related documents; authorizing, subject to the approval of the Civil Service Commission, retention of qualified Ottawa Hills firefighters into the Toledo Fire Department; and, declaring an emergency.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: In an effort to promote regional cooperation and to improve efficiencies in the mutual provision of public service, the City of Toledo and the Village of Ottawa Hills(“VOH”) have tentatively agreed to combine firefighting services under the control of the City of Toledo. Under the proposed agreement, the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department(“TFrD”) would absorb the facilities, equipment and full-time personnel of the VOH Fire Department. The VOH would pay the City an “annual service fee” of $430,000, subject to adjustment based upon the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). The term of the proposed agreement is twenty years.
The VOH Fire Department currently employs six full time firefighters and four full time officers. Six of the ten are also paramedics. The full-time personnel have a combined 117 years firefighting experience with the most junior firefighter having three years of experience. All of the full–time personnel are certified firefighters by the State of Ohio. Further, VOH firefighters have a history of responding with TFRD personnel in mutual aid and mutual response situations. While the VOH fire personnel are not members of a collective bargaining unit, they would be integrated into TFRD and, therefore, into Toledo Firefighters Local 92.
The proposed agreement would provide mutual benefit to both communities served. The City of Toledo would benefit by the addition of ten certified, trained, and experienced fire personnel and by the additional station within close proximity of Toledo’s jurisdiction. In turn, VOH would be able to retain professional caliber services while enhancing its own efficiencies. Further, the agreement wouldfoster regional cooperation
Ottawa Hills would pay for the basic utilities and maintenance costs for the fire station there.
Collins said it would be more appropriate to have this in Law and Criminal Justice hearing, Dec. 16 was the suggested date for the committee hearing. Loukx said Ottawa Hills is looking at a passage date of the 20th of December. Collins also wanted this later in the night so that citizens could have input. He suggested 6 p.m. on Dec. 16. He requested a complete financial breakdown as to how it works within the budget, a statement as it relates to the 103 staffing level, does that include the Ottawa Hills service contract or is it plus the 4 for Ottawa Hills. He wants a work up of how the overtime savings promised happens, he also wanted a breakout as far as the two bargaining units. How much overtime goes to the chiefs and how much goes to Local 92. He also wanted a position statement as to closing a fire station in Toledo, if that is in the plan an impact statement as to which fire station is going to be closed, what are the positives and threats involved in that. Martinez said he was going to request some of the same material. Collins is going to consider canceling the budget meeting until after the numbers of this is in place one way or the other, this was asked by Ludeman. Ludeman also wanted to go look at the Ottawa Hills building, Loukx said he thought that was a reasonable request. Ludeman said since the budget hearing is going to be canceled if they would let them do it then, it would be a good time. Waniewski also wanted a response times, we are already responding to Ottawa Hills for Life Squad, they also have a mutual aid pact, Waniewski wanted to know how many responses Toledo has made to Ottawa Hills during the past year.
Ordinance to authorize the Mayor to enter into a 108 loan for the Berdan building and restoration project (this also was not in the Friday packet). Landmark is ready to proceed with the project.
Martinez wanted the development plan and the proforma before the hearing. Ludeman said he met with the administration he asked them to create this legislation, public hearing on the 9th and it would go for a vote on Dec. 21. Some of the other funding issues could be resolved by then. Craig said he would like the city to have assurances that equity would be up front to back the mortgage. McNamara what would risks be for the city and the private partner via referral.
First reading was given by Brown.
Appointments will be held since two of the names are potential council members.
Second reading items:
Repealing Toledo Municipal Code Section 135.03; Enacting a new Section 135.03; Enacting a new Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 140 (“Department of Inspection”); and declaring an emergency.
A hearing on Dec 8 will be held
A statement in support of this from the Re modeler’s Association was read into the record. Collins asked previously for the financial side of this and if it is a cost benefit to do it this way. Herwat said he has a draft of that response on his desk but he’ll get it to them in time for the hearing. Martinez by referral wanted to know the status of the Housing Fund. Herwat said he and Grefe have come to an agreement in principle, the sticking point is the Housing Fund wants assurances that future administrations will honor this, they can’t bind a future council, it would have to be an ordinance for funding each year. They have agreed on the formulation of funding.
Designating Woodstock Avenue from Dorr Street to Nebraska Avenue as “Jimmy Jackson Way”; and declaring an emergency.
Granting a Special Use Permit for a Convenience Store for a site located at 3407 Stickney Avenue, in the City of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio; subject to certain conditions; and declaring an emergency.
Granting a Special Use Permit for a Convenience Store for a site located at 5831 Dorr Street, in the City of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio; subject to certain conditions; and declaring an emergency.
Both SUP’s would take nine votes from council since the Plan Commission recommended disapproval.
New from Council
Appointments to Advisory Committee – Sarantou said the two had been excellent members he urged council approval.
Resolution to honor Block Watch leader.
End exigent circumstances for Toledo Police Command Officers Association.
Collins said Steel and he have discussed this through April through Dec with the repealing of the ordinance it would put the union at the same level as most of the others. He cited the much higher difference that their members are paying for health care compared to the other unions. $900,000 has been escrowed into the General Fund, he doesn’t think it’s fair and equitable to hold them beyond that point. This separate from what happens with SERB, he asked them to ask themselves, what is your financial thought when they are the ones who contributed the most of everyone, when you look at $850 a month personally, how many of them in this room have given that. This should not be a punishment situation, let SERB rule if the action was appropriate but let’s put an end to the bleeding.
McNamara said this legislation is not retroactive. McNamara said he voted against exigent circumstances, but he has concerns with this legislation, he thinks it’s inappropriate given SERB and could be potentially harmful to the City’s position. Collins said he is asking for first reading. McNamara asked when the SERB hearing was, it is Dec. 13. Steel said as co-sponsor of this legislation, the potential conflicts with Section 30 and bargaining has come up but to him it’s a simple manner of repealing an action of council. He does not see how that can be construed as interfering with the administration. If that was true than the previous two actions would have interfered with Section 30.
First reading.
Resolution by Craig to urge Kasich to support passenger rail
First reading.
Resolution by Webb to name boat launch after Howard Pinkley.
First reading.
Categories: Toledo Area
How many damn downtown business organizations do we need?
This duplication of services has to end immediately. If all these groups can’t work together for a common purpose than disband and let downtown die a natural death. This is beyond ridiculous.
I have lived in my home forover 38 years and have never seen the snow plowed in my alley, who are they kidding?
They need to revisit the requirements on how they are writing the contracts for the “repaving” of our streets and as I have said in another post on transporation coordinate the sewer replacement with the street/curb and sidewalk repair and do it right the first time and stop this revolving door of expenditures.
Where is Exhibit A available for view?
Regarding the street lighting, they can’t even keep the ones already installed lit. How much are we paying to First Energy already?
I am sick and tired of the admistration officials not showing up to council meetings with figures in hand to answer council’s questions about the costs, effciency,projected costs, and benefits to the city avaiable to give educated answers to the councilman.
They need to get their acts together and quit delaying progress.
We do need our trees maintained and more installed to reduce the heat sinks created i.e. the blocks of Cherry St from the Greenbelt Parkway to Summit. I suggest ornamental cherry streets I mean really it is Cherry St.
by thisjustin on Dec 1, 2010 at 12:40 am
Why do they always declare an emergency?
by Patrick W on Dec 1, 2010 at 8:56 am
:…here we go again creating another executive position, when all we need is common sense marketing.” Excellent statement by Sarantou. Please vote no on this amendment council people.
My blood pressure rises every time I read these minutes. Can you imagine coming into a meeting in private industry without all the information you need for your presentation? I think this is done deliberately so there can only be minimum questions about the projects.
Does anyone besides me question the OH fire department merger with Toledo? I know that the amount the village is to pay will not cover the firemen salary and benefits. It would only be $43,000 a person and that is way too low when you extend out the total cost of one’s employment with pension, hospitalization, workmen’s comp, etc.
I think the city could make a good start on reducing the budget if they looked at the holiday schedule for their employees. They get holidays I never heard of anyone else getting paid for.
by Jackie on Dec 1, 2010 at 12:10 pm
So, $10,000 of tax money that is supposed to go for the upkeep of parks is going to the Toledo Symphony so they can go to New York? I don’t get it. Why can’t the Toledo Symphony have some kind of fundraiser to earn their money to go?
It also irritates me when various representatives have no idea how much money are in the departments that they represent or how much a project is estimated to cost. Isn’t that part of your job to know these things?
I hate the “emergency” thing too. Makes me feel like someone is trying to pull a fast one on me.
by Robin on Dec 1, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I really don’t know why they always declare emergency. I was hoping someone could answer that. If it is just so they can pass things that may not otherwise pass, then that is wrong. I was just curious if there is some other, more legitimate reason
by Patrick W on Dec 1, 2010 at 2:48 pm
The city already has a department of development. Can’t someone there focus on downtown rather than creating some new agency?
by Patrick W on Dec 1, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Sorry Patrick, I was working on something else this morning so I couldn’t answer you right away. It’s a procedural process to “declare an emergency” it has to be done that way when the administration or the council wants to bypass the system of something having to be read two times before being voted on. It’s referred to as SEP.
S equals Suspension of the Rules
E equals Emergency Passage
P equals Passage
Sometimes it’s necessary because of the time frame involved but not always.
by LisaRenee on Dec 1, 2010 at 2:54 pm
greater downtown business partnership is an organization that crothers lead prior to joining the administration – they are an umbrella group for the parking authority, design center, and the spacial tax district. seems odd that they appear to be pushing special assessments through for downtown when there is a special tax district! did the membership of that tax district vote to stop that program? maybe that is why they need both administrative money and improvement money! downtown businesses may have decided to stop taking extra steps for cleaning, security, and improvements and now the rest of the tax-payers will provide the money for those special services for downtown business owners.
by zimmy on Dec 1, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Thanks for the info Lisa!
by Patrick W on Dec 1, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Anytime Patrick, you are not alone when it comes to wondering about the emergency clause.
by LisaRenee on Dec 1, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Still find your input from the TFP article, “your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency for me,” a powerful concept which I intend to pass along to all the developing adolescents I encounter. Would make a nice plaque Christmas gift for not a few governmental entities.
by Mariner on Dec 2, 2010 at 5:41 am
lisa -
do you know if the special tax district participants voted to de-fund? and if so, is that why the administration is seeking these funds?
by zimmy on Dec 2, 2010 at 10:14 am