| Middletown City Managers Weekly Update to Council June 14, 2009 |
| Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:16:25 AM - Middletown Ohio |
CSO update
Things are rolling again with the USEPA. Our environmental attorneys and consulting engineers have been working with staff and the USEPA on consent decree discussions – the legal document that will dictate our fix to the Combined Sewer System issue. In 2000, 2004 and 2007 we submitted plans/updates for resolution of the issue, none of which were approved by the EPA. The EPA solution was upward of $100 Million; clearly not affordable. While we will be paying out a great deal of money to consultants, when the stakes are at $100 Million, we need to ensure that we have negotiated the best deal for our community. The fix will be paid for by our sewer customers, although legislation has been introduced to offset some of the costs through stimulus funds.
The major cities in Ohio have been through this experience; some have settled with the EPA for improvement projects in the Billions. We will do our best to negotiate the best and most affordable solution for our community.
Water Rescue
Last week, fire crews were dispatched to a call for a man stranded on a sand bar in the middle of the Great Miami River near the Germantown Bridge. The man had been fishing when water level rose due to recent rains preventing him from being able to self egress. The Butler County Sheriff’s water rescue team affected the rescue while MFD stood by as back-up/safety team with Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) and water rescue throw-bags. The man was rescued without incident. Thanks to all involved with this successful rescue!
Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Part Two
We will be discussing tomorrow night with Council the concept of a consortium with other entities in Butler County to pursue a very large NSP2 grant. The applications are very heavily weighted towards consortiums. Doug Adkins has gotten the City of Hamilton, Butler County, Neighborhood Housing Services, and Butler Metropolitan Housing together to discuss a joint project application.
As with all of the stimulus money, timing is tight. We will introduce our proposal tomorrow night and then if Council is amenable, we will request ordinances be passed at the next meeting so that we can have our application into Wash DC by July 13. We have agreed to be the lead agency in the grant application and administration. We hope to apply for $8-10 Million in funding.
Trees on Clinton
The City, with the expertise of the Tree Commission, has been working on an overall tree program strategy. Unfortunately, the trees along Clinton had become too large for the space and were causing problems with the Duke power lines, the concrete sidewalk, and several businesses. Fortunately, Duke offered to partner with the city to pay for most of the cost of removal the trees. Our Tree Program includes inventory, trimming, new planting, and in some cases, removal of trees that either pose a hazard to the public, or were the wrong species in the wrong location that have outgrown their space. Diversification of our tree canopy is also important. Thanks to our city staff and our volunteer Tree Commission for all of their hard work on this program.
HUD Monitor of CDBG Program
Last week we had HUD in for a review of our CDBG books and programs. Overall, they were pleased. We have made improvements in our system, which they liked. We may have 2 findings – one regarding accounting of interest earned – we pay HUD interest now on the funds, but they claim it may not have been the full amount due. The second issue is regarding a monthly form that was discontinued and then reinserted in the process. We stopped filing the form manually years ago and did it electronically, as did many jurisdictions, but it is technically required by HUD to have a hard copy even though we file the info electronically.
Neither issue is significant with regard to our programs; they are housekeeping in nature, but when you are dealing with a great deal of funds, it is important to ensure accuracy. We will receive a written report from them in the next 30 days which I’ll forward to Council.
Task Force on Adult Entertainment
Not only have we established a staff Task Force on 24 Hour businesses – pawn shops and the like, but we’ve also established a staff Task Force on Adult Entertainment. Mayor, Council and staff spent quite a bit of time discussing and crafting the current Adult Entertainment Ordinance a few years ago. We want to revisit this issue to ensure that we are up-to-date legally on what we can legislate. We will be bringing this issue before Council when staff has finished our review.
Upcoming Events
June 13 Multicultural Parade and Festival, 10:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. Douglass Park
June 16 Amanda/Damon Park Place Matters Team meeting, 4:00 p.m., Salvation
Army Damon Park Outpost
June 16 City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
June 17 Broad Street Bash, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Central & Broad (After Midnight)
June 19 Middletown Farmers Market, Central & Broad, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
June 20 Summer Bazaar, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Middletown Area Senior Center, 3907 Central Ave.
June 20 Summer Sound Concert Series, Blues Fest, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Smith Park
June 26 Middletown Farmers Market, Central & Broad, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
June 26 – 28 Fenwick Festival, 4855 W SR 122, Middletown OH 45005
July 1 Broad Street Bash, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Central & Broad (The Menus)
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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