Glass City Jungle

Most of the items related to the Mayor’s plan to balance the budget were marked as first reading items which means they will not be up for a formal vote for two weeks, March 30, the day before the budget has to be balanced…

All members of Council were present…

Landbanking Sale – 19 parcels on Melrose & Rosalind Place for Cherry St Homes development – $2,850 – To:Neigh,CD&Helt

Ashford made a statement that this is an area for rental homes instead of encouraging home ownership. He championed tax credit homes in the past but he is seeing a huge amount of empty tax credit homes. He wants a committee meeting under rule 19 to talk about rehab and construction, rental homes continue to deteriorate our neighborhoods. The contractor on this project is from Cinci, there was no attempt to hire local people and this is a non-union contractor. Sooner or later they have to deal with this, there is no shortage of housing in our City. Martinez said he doesn’t believe rule 19 would apply because Ashford did not ask him for a meeting and if they don’t vote on the project tonight it would kill it. Ashford said it would not kill it, they are just applying for the application for tax credit, Martinez said he still has the floor, waiting would kill this project, this is just a preliminary portion of it there is no guarantee this project will go forward and it is 9 million dollars of construction as well as taking 19 properties off of the City’s rolls.

Martinez said it doesn’t surprise him that the contractor has not contacted local workers since the project is at that stage. Steel said there is no lack of housing in the Central City and most of the problem properties are rental properties. He also is concerned with continuing to do work with out of town contractors. Several of them just signed a letter in regards to Sunoco using out of town workers. Steel is also concerned with how we are using these grant dollars, they are not leveraging other possibilities to stabilize neighborhoods, once we sell these properties we relinquish control, that’s one of the advantages of a land bank, to benefit the community more. He’s in support of developing vacant properties but he doesn’t understand how delaying this vote is a problem, he remembers recently a call for a committee meeting on a stock room that was at second reading, that is granted. This just follows the same procedure, and as he understands it. Martinez said there was no formal request, Ashford made a formal request – it was referred to Committee. Copeland agreed with Steel and Ashford, he’s heard time and time again promises to hire local people and they don’t do it. McNamara said rule 19 is if a committee meeting is called, rule 24 is requesting a committee meeting, and to have an ordinance heard it would have to be voted out. If Martinez did not schedule a meeting within 24 hours then Ashford could call rule 19. McNamara also asked if this would kill the project, Martinez said he is more than happy to have a committee meeting but this issue is time sensitive. McNamara asked if there was a local contractor interested, Martinez said no, but this is standard so he doesn’t understand what the problem is, McNamara said he thinks there should be a hearing, but is concerned about killing a deal. Craig said that NHS has always maintained their housing and they have a great rental record. Most of the tax credit housing problems came from the agents, he said it doesn’t make sense to keep vacant properties.

Craig moved to take it out of committee, Brown said he can not do that, the rules were read any member can motion to relieve something from committee, then they vote. Ashford said he understands Craig’s allegiance to NHS who is a CDC on the East Side, but his allegiance to those in this room with the blue shirts should be more important, they are there because of declining home ownership, we don’t have enough revenue coming in, our rental turnovers are huge in his neighborhood and rentals don’t create the jobs. Ashford said he was chair of Neighborhoods for five years, this will not kill the project, if they vote on this now, they give it all away and it walks right out the door. They have no commitment to hire folks from Toledo, Ohio. Martinez said the builder is not the developer and Ashford should know that, he called the question. Copeland, Ludeman, Sarantou, Steel, Webb, Ashford, Brown – No
Craig, Collins, Martinez, McNamara, Waniewski – Yes – Motion to relieve from Committee failed – it stays in committee

The Mayor asked to make a statement, he said they need to be getting on with the business of balancing the budget, he just listened to the dialog of this last issue and the budget is 20 times more important, it would help the adminstration greatly if Council would move on the issues related to refuse and the tax credit. They need to start moving forward, there has been time for people to weigh in, no one has found other solutions, we need to move forward. Waiting is not helping the situation as far as balancing the budget. It is a plea from him to them so they can figure out what is next.

Appropriation for agreement with Sonrai Systems for tracking refuse collection, 5 laptops,$105,000 General Fund
Passed by all present with the exception of Webb

Appropriation for parts/equip. for Intake Crib, Low Serv Pump Stat & Water Treatment,$150,000 Water Replacement Fund
Passed by all present

Application to OPWC for Ash Sewer Separation and Inflow Removal project
Passed by all present

Appropriation for expansion of VOIP phone system to 11 City bldgs,$920,477 CIP,Water,Sewer Funds
Passed by all present

Appropriation for replacement of approx. 175 PCs and software, $175,000 CIP Fund

Steel has questions about this as far as pricing, configurations, all he was told was over 900 for a laptop and 1200 for a tower, he had concern about the prices, he is very concerned about not receiving his referral information he requested, he said before we commit this kind of money we should be sure of what we are getting, that we are exercising due fiscal oversight, he requested a two week extension for this legislation.

Valerie Roberts said Steel did not give her a formal request but she did ask Herwat to give him the comparison information and the vendor information, who is an MBE, she said it was supposed to be in Friday’s packet. Collins suggested she contact the department of Ohio Administrative Services ask them for the actual document that establishes the price, he’s not that IT savvy but he thinks if she would do that they could resolve this, he agrees with Steel. Since we are a party to the Ohio purchasing cooperation, they should be able to know the price for the specifications.

Brown said she has a statement to make on the items that the Mayor requested that they Council address tonight they have already scheduled a Committee of the Whole meeting on the 25th, that her councilmen had asked for, she requested that he rescind that request because she had already promised that, and she knows the men and women that are waiting to see what Council’s going to do – Council’s going to do what they have to do and everybody’s going to take part in this. There’s nobody that’s walking out of the door unscathed in this. She would appreciate it if he would wait until we have that hearing on the 25th, then everything will be clear and we will vote on everything on the 30th and she guarantees she will do the best job that she can to make sure that we vote for what we need to do. Because I don’t think you have the votes tonight.

Steel said they have not even had their budget committee meetings yet, to ask them to vote on budget proposals when they have not even seen the administration numbers. Rest assured while you haven’t seen the type of public wrangling with the first issue, it’s taking place as far as solutions, plans, don’t take it to mean that they are not considering it just because they are not hashing it out in public, they are taking this very seriously and they view it as a package just as the Mayor does. It was agreed to hold the items for two weeks.

Res. – Council Members committing monthly deduction of $35, $55 or $75 for health care coverage – Passed by all present

Collins felt Council needs to lead, and this is what the Mayor is seeking, this Council was the first back in March 2007 to participate in premium pay, he asked for immediate consideration, so they step up to the plate and they are the first to say to the work force that we are leading by example and we are doubling our participation in health care costs.

Waniewski agreed with Collins and it is the votes of Council that got us into this situation, he also asked for immediate consideration.

Webb agreed, McNamara agreed but pointed out from a rule aspect it they have to suspend first reading rather than immediate consideration since this was not on the agenda, so he moved for suspension of the first reading. Brown said she agreed with this even though she pays more than the rest of them.

Amend TMC Ch. 2101(Exempt Group),eliminate pension pick-up & increase monthly healthcare prem. 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2105(Local 205, declaring exigent circumstances,pension p/up & healthcare prem. 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2109 (TPCOA), declaring exigent circumstances,pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2113 (TFCA), declaring exigent circumstances, pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2115(Comm Op), declaring exigent circumstances, pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2117 (Local 7), declaring exigent circumstances,pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2121 (Local 20),declaring exigent circumstances,pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2125 (Local 92),declaring exigent circumstances,pension p/up & healthcare premium 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 2129 (TPPA), declaring exigent circumstances, pension p/up & healthcare premium1st Reading
Amend TMC Sec. 963.03(b) to increase monthly Refuse Collection Fee to $15.00 per month 1st Reading
Amend TMC Ch. 1905 to reduce tax credit from 100% to zero through 2012 1st Reading
Amend TMC by enacting Ch. 1915 to levy an Admissions Tax 1st Reading

Expenditure to First Church of God to convert former hotel into senior housing, $611,000 HOME Fund
Passed by all present

Annual appropriation of Operating Budgets for 2010, $532,199,409 All Funds - HR, IT & Finance

Annual Purchasing authority for goods, materials and services for 2010 1st Reading

Agreement with Master Golf Management for operation of Ottawa, Detwiler and Collins golf courses 1st Reading

Steel said there was a committee meeting on this earlier, there were some concerns expressed related to financial obligations, while he acknowledged the time factor golf courses are supposed to be opened April 1st, he requested if they could schedule a special council meeting just before the next Agenda Review so they have a week to have their questions answered.

Webb said they talked about taking this back to the recommendation panel, Steel felt that she should address the concerns to the administration. Webb told the Mayor that she has outstanding questions related to who this contract should be awarded, Herwat said they would support a special meeting on the 23rd, but he wanted her to keep in mind it was approved by a seven person committee/panel and that it is the administration’s and there is a guarantee of $246,000 in revenue, appropriate assurances were given that the selected vendor would operate properly. He does not see the value in sending it back to the committee to look again at the five proposals. Webb said she respectfully does not see it that way, there are concerns about engaging with a business that is operating a business that competes with the City, outstanding tax issues, financial assurances, she’s not interested in not awarding the contract but who they are awarding the contract too, she wants to see if the panel would if made aware of the concerns would still recommend the contract. She can just vote no, but she was hoping to be a team player.

Herwat said the number two person would only give them a $90,000 guarantee, for Webb the issue is not just the amount of the money, the RFP did not state that the more money you give the city the better chance you’ll have of getting the contract. The selected person owes thousands of dollars in tax dollars.

Collins said he’s not a member of the committee but he attended the meeting, and yes it was agreed that a quarter of a million dollars but his concerns are this, there was a Country Club called Valleywood, they were very prosperous, then they went bankrupt in one season, it happened because there was a lack of capital and resources. The risk of losing two gem city owned properties is frightening, it would take five times that much to get the courses back into shape should they make the wrong decisions. Collins asked for a termination clause, they can’t afford to go through any processes, he wanted a performance bond, they are entrusting this management group with valuable land and as Bell said in his state of the city we made past bad decisions, let’s not add Ottawa & Detwiler to the bad decisions. Whoever gets this contract, let’s make sure they had a letter of credit so they can pay this, they have a problem with the auditor. Let them bond themselves so if they default we can get the money, if they want the contract bad enough they can do that.

Herwat said there will be a letter of credit, Collins said he wants to make sure we have the ability to protect the natural resources that belong to the tax payers. They’ve made poor business decisions, let’s not make those decisions again, if we had protected ourselves we wouldn’t be paying 29 million dollars. Herwat said he was told at the committee meeting that they could pull with 30 days notice without cause, he had concerns about that being fair to any contract. Collins said he’s not really concerned about that aspect, he’s interested in protecting the City. Herwat said if he was on the other end of it he wouldn’t recommend someone take a contract with a 30 day no cause cancellation. Collins said ten days without payment on the $246,000 should cancel.

Ludeman said he went to the committee meeting even though he’s not on the committee he thinks this is a revenue generator, he thought Lourdes Santiago addressed the legal issues, he agrees with Herwart if we ask these individuals to review the proposals and then after it’s said and done and say we really don’t think what you did is right, if I were a member of that group, I would not want to participate in the future, he thinks that is just wrong. He said there have been payments made on the tax issues and he is sure there are many folks in this building with tax issues who are handling them. He thinks they are wasting the golfers and the city’s time.

Brown said Ludeman should remember what Council is like.

Starting where I left off…

Accept loans & grant for Detroit SSO Elimination, Phase 1, $20,801,343 loan & $1,500,000 loan/grant 1st Reading

Resolution – 2010 Sidewalk Program 1st Reading

Resolution – Eminent Domain for utility & temporary easement for Peterson Ditch at 3215 Douglas Rd.
Adopted by all present

Appropriation for replacement of old and undersized water mains, $2,400,000 Water Replacement Fd.
Passed by all present

Accept ODOT Urban Paving grant,Detroit(Central to Calif.)& Monroe(ProMedica to Detroit),$2,200,000
Passed by all present

Appropriation for 5 new boilers for Water Treatment Plant, $460,000 Water Replacement Fund
1st Reading

Re-appropriation for Water Treatment Pump One Drive Replacement, $296,544 Water Bond Fund
1st Reading

Extend contracts with N-Viro and S&L Fertilizer for biosolids recycling/disposal for Water Reclamation
To: Utilities & PS

Expenditure to Schumaker Bros. for sewer repair at 705 Brookley, $69,479 Sewer Operating Fund
Passed

Lease-purchase 6 EMS ambulances from RSVP for Fire & Rescue, 5 years, $280,000 per year, CIP 1st Reading

Steel had requested information as to the previous leasing going from the general fund into CIP – McNamara asked if there was some concern that this should be passed sooner because of the revenue generation aspect of it. Chief Wolever said the sooner we get these the sooner we can generate revenue, the manufacturer is holding chasis for them, the best they can do is October or November as far as getting them. McNamara asked about some changing requirement? Wolever did not understand the question. Collins said we have till the end of this month, the different is 2,000 per unit because of the emissions control standards. He said the reason for the first reading was their precarious financial situation, he hopes they will see no layoffs in the fire department, he applauded that Local 92 union for participating in bargaining now, he supports this, but if fire fighters are laid off they won’t be using the ambulances they have right now. Collins doesn’t think two weeks will make a difference, Wolever agreed.

Resolution – Urge Ohio General Assembly to enact Am. Sub. Senate Bill 162 or House Bill 276

Collins said they had a two hour and 40 minute debate on something that belongs on the floor of the House, previously they passed a resolution presented by Sarantou – he thinks it sends a confused message to the Senate and this is the business of the House of Represenatives, Ashford’s new resolution is not consistent with the message the minister gave today, about not following the demands of the minority. This bill as it is presently defined hurts the majority of those who find themselves in a weakened economic position, it reduces and takes away some of their consumer protections. There is right now a two week late fee before you can have your services restored, these would not exist under the new law and the Ohio Lifeline program, designed for economically challenged residents will be eliminated. Collins said the legislation before the House if passed will go committee and somewhere it will come out. We confuse the issue with Ashford’s and we need to get on with dealing with the budget, their resolution is the same as chicken soup, it’s not going to cure it and it’s not going to call it. Collins asked for it to be tabled, there is supposed to be no discussion only a vote, but? They are going with past precedence instead of the rules.

Ashford said he wanted this to focus on economic development, he said it’s not chicken soup that there would be millions spent on infrastructure and jobs like a call center, he said if you read the first resolution the issues raised by Sarantou have been addressed. He rehashed some of the comments made during that hearing. He felt that Toledo sending a message on this would create more workers coming here. Ashford said this is not to replace but to be in addition to the previous resolution and it is about the business perception and when they read certain things they’ll take their money and go.

Webb said she supports this resolution because anytime you have the chamber of commerce and labor on the same side, it’s something she is proud to support. She respects Ashford’s description of this as a balance, she views it as a resolution to clarify and/or supplement not as a separate resolution in opposition of what they already passed.

Roll call on the motion to table – Copeland voted Yes, then there was an explanation as to the vote – Copeland then voted no – (laughter) McNamara, Steel, Waniewski, Webb, Ashford, Brown,
Yes – Craig, Ludeman, Martinez, Sarantou, Collins – motion to table failed. Then Webb called the question – Collins said according to Council rule 29, the majority consent is 2/3 of the members present – two thirds is 8 not 7 – it was agreed then that the motion failed, Sarantou said late this afternoon he talked to the Ohio Consumer’s council, the bundled service issue was not addressed, under current regulations phone service must be restored within 24 hours, unless it’s a weekend, holiday or huge natural disaster, Sarantou said Ashford’s resolution does not protect consumers, everyone is in support of economic development but we have to think of those who don’t have cell phones, those who only have land lines and they have no protection.

Steel agrees with Webb that when you see labor and management working together on something we should support it. Then they voted – Yes – Copeland, McNamara, Steel, Waniewski, Webb, Ashford, Brown
No – Craig, Ludeman, Martinez, Sarnatou, Collins voted no – Resolution adopted…

Resolution – Urge saving United Way building and reject tear-down mentality in Toledo
Craig moved to table – no opposition – it was tabled

Resolution – Vacate alley bounded by George, Walnut, Oneida and Locust Sts.
passed by all present except McNamara who abstained –

First call…
Ashford
Brown
Ludeman
McNamara
Steel
All had one committee absence

Craig wanted to congratulate the Libbey Boys Basketball team and the Waite Women’s team who is going to State, he said they have been working on building a great basketball program over there.

Ludeman reminded everyone that Economic Development is going to meet, they are not going over their budget (?) they are having a presentation on economic development, including Jacobs from UT. He said he and Steel have been talking about Metcalf Field, they’ve received a sizeable grant to extend their runway and paving. He also invited everyone to the International Festival this weekend, he’s going to emcee the first half, good food, good music at the ESM.

Martinez his committee budget meeting is tomorrow.

McNamara – let he who is without sin cast the first stone, what he is about to say is not meant as a criticism of anyone up here, he’s certainly done this and had this happen to him, when I was chair of a committee, but he thinks it would be good as a matter of decorum and probably help make for smoother meetings if a member of council wants a committee hearing on something to let the chair of that committee know before a public meeting, public request and sometimes maybe that’s not possible. He thinks they work better when we at least agree to procedure before meetings.

Sarantou wanted to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Waniewski urged Brown on resolutions that are non-honor resolutions and do not address municipal legislation that they have to have two readings, then they could have more planning and they would not have the problems they had on the AT&T resolution. He also wanted a time table as to when Mr. Cady’s work would be shifted to Council. Herwat said he’ll contact him tomorrow and let Council know.

Webb said she will not be at as many committee meetings because of the stage her pregnancy is at, yesterday there was a meeting on the pending street closures in Library Village, if people need to know how they will be impacted they can contact the city (website and phone number was shared earlier on the blog.) For fun she said, she scheduled her budget hearing at Whitmer High School on Monday the 29th at 6:00 p.m. She’s sure what will be immediately before them will be much discussed and she wished McNamara a happy birthday.

Collins said he asked some time ago from Herwat as to the parking permit numbers and Herwat said he’d have that for him Friday, Collins wanted to know what we pay for. Herwat said he would have that. Collins said his budget meeting will be on Thursday night at Bowsher – he then said, “Erin go bragh.”

Brown reminded council on the committee of the whole, she then read a prepared statement. On March 30, 2010 Toledo City Council members will have a tough decision to make, do we vote no on the tough choices we have to make, do we fight every solution that Mayor Bell suggests with no solutions to fill the gap or do we stand up and do the job that we were elected to do and save our city. We must also set an example for the other city employees by giving our share to balance the budget. We can no longer pick and choose, the clock is ticking. The news media has stated that city council’s vocabulary appears to be limited to the word no, I’m hoping that a united council, those that are pursuing other offices and those of us who must stay and fight the good fight for what we were elected to do will place the fate of this wonderful city in front of all other ambitions and pressures. We can no longer sit back and wait for someone to solve our problems, I would much rather solve them than have the State tell us how to run our City. As your council president I intend to vote to save the City.

Meeting adjourned…