| Middletown City Managers Weekly Update to Council July 10, 2009 |
| Monday, July 13, 2009 9:58:43 AM - Middletown Ohio |
 Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
July 10, 2009
Budgetary Issues
We are creating a plan for council to consider for the 2010 budget. For the July Finance Committee meeting, we will have the outline of the plan, probably with a couple of options. Staff all agrees that we need to make strategic reductions rather than limp along year after year. We are formulating a plan to that effect. We have eliminated about $750,000 out of this year’s budget; we may be eliminating nearly twice that amount for 2010. No small feat. Tough times.
Pioneer Cemetery
I met with a relative of the Tytus’ who initially expressed interest in the cemetery vault project. She is talking with her relatives about assistance for the vault, but first indications are that she believes that we have other projects around town that are more important. We are going to hold off on the demo for 1 month to see if she can garner any interest.
Passenger Rail Service
We had a good meeting in Columbus with the Ohio Rail Commission. This project needs to jump through several more hoops before the funding is determined. Passenger Rail Service would be a great benefit to our city and conversely, we have a lot to offer as a stop. Proponents of the project seem to fall under the category of “why take from our limited funds for state highways and give to the railroad project?” Good points, all the way around. We will keep fighting for the rail service in Middletown.
Community Foundation Funds Mural
We have been awarded another grant by the Middletown Community Foundation. This grant is for an outdoor mural for the Community Center. We are deeply appreciative of the Community Foundation’s support.
Retirement
Police Sgt. Will Rogers retired last week. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement. Rumor has it that he is coming back to volunteer for the police division!
Second Hand Stores
We have this item scheduled for discussion at the July 21 Council meeting so that we can get input from council. We are concerned with those stores that operate during off hours (thus serving as an easy conduit for stolen goods), those who do not keep records of their transactions, in addition to the signage of these establishments. We are attempting to regulate the signs within our current ordinances; the store owners are getting creative when it comes to bypassing our codes.
Upcoming Events
July 10 Farmers Market, Central & Broad St., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
July 10 First Friday Noon Concert, 12:00 noon, First Methodist Church, 120 S. Broad St. (free concert – Steel Drum Dave)
July 15 Broad Street Bash, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Central & Broad (Stagger Lee)
July 17 Farmers Market, Central & Broad St., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
July 17 – 19 MidFirst Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival, Smith Park Friday 4-10:00 p.m. Saturday morning 7-11:00 a.m. - free admission Saturday 4-10:00 p.m. Sunday morning 7-11:00 a.m. - free admission
July 21 City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
July 24 Farmers Market, Central & Broad St., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
July 24 - 26 Greek Festival, 2500 Grand Ave. Friday 5 – 11 p.m.Saturday Noon – 11 p.m. Sunday Noon – 6 p.m.
Links for additional information:
City Manager’s Weekly Update: www.cityofmiddletown.org
Middletown Community Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/middletowncalendar
Pothole Patrol: www.cityofmiddletown.org or call 727-3691 (Option 2)
Have a great week! Judy
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