| Middletown City Managers Weekly Update to Council September 20, 2009 |
| Friday, October 2, 2009 8:31:59 AM - Middletown Ohio |
Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
September 20, 2009
Railroad Crossing Potential Closures
The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) and Norfolk Southern (NS) approached the city about the closure of rail crossings to minimize vehicular‐rail conflicts and improve safety throughout the City. Two potential closures include Waneta Street and Grand Avenue. As you may recall, there was a fatal accident at the Waneta crossing within the last year. We have made initial contact with Cohen Brothers about the possibility of a Grand Avenue closure and will work with them to adress a few issues related to their operation.
ORDC and NS are willing to contribute funding that will be used for safety improvements at other railroad crossings and highwaysafety improvements. A small amount of these funds can also be designated toward neighborhood amenities in the vicinity of the closures. Staff is working on these details and intends to bring a proposal to City Council for consideration in the couple of months.
Miami Valley Hospital Care Flight Visit to Fire Division
Miami Valley Hospital‘s Care Flight ground and air crews were on site with their aircraft at MFD Headquarters station last week. Objectives met were organization and operation familiarization as well as training: Aircraft Safety (landing zone set‐up, patient loading) and Pre‐Hospital Burn Care.
Replacement of Financial Accounting & Payroll/Personnel Software
Information Systems is working with key City personnel on a project to replace the City’s Financial Accounting and Payroll/Personnel application software packages. The primary reasons for this upgrade are:
• Middletown has been using the current application software since 1988.
• The City’s software vendor will drop support of the Finance and Payroll software on December 31, 2010.
• The software will not be modified to comply with new Federal, State, pension and other regulations.
• Newer software applications will streamline departmental workflow and increase efficiency for City personnel.
To make sure that the City’s needs are met, and to obtain the best value for the City, a “Request for Proposals” was released. Proposals were submitted by six different software vendors.
An internal team has been assembled to evaluate the proposals, review the features and functions of the proposed software, and obtain best and final pricing. The anticipated cost of the software upgrade will be $175‐200,000. This is a planned purchased that has been budgeted for in the City’s Computer Replacement Fund. We anticipate having a recommendation to City Council in November.
Cincinnati State, Miami University and the Manchester Inn partnership
The dinner held on Saturday evening at the Manchester Inn was the first of hopefully many great things to come of the partnershp that might also include the City of Middletown. With an eye on bringing more in the way of hospitality management courses to Middletown, we will be working with the above.
Upcoming Events
September 23 EPA Public Hearing on Aeronca Discharge Permit, 6:3p.m., Middletown Community Center, 800 Lafayette Avenue
September 24 Bodyworks Massage & Fitness Grand Re‐opening/ribbon cutting, Noon – 2:00 p.m., 1004 N. University Blvd.
September 25 Farmers Market, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ‐ Central & Broad St.
September 27 Middfest Exhibit Opening, 2:30 p.m., Donham Plaza (City Building)
September 29 Free Workshop – Home Based businesses for Women, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sinclair Community College’s Conference Center (Building 12, Room 12‐282), 444 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
September 30 McGohan Brabender Senior Solutions ribbon cutting‐ 3909 Central Avenue, 12:15 pm
October 1 Chamber of Commerce Monthly luncheon, 11:45 a.m., Senior Citizens Center, 3907 Central Ave.
October 2 Farmers Market, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ‐ Central & Broad St.
October 2‐4 Middfest International Celebration featuring Indonesia, $5 donation (adults only)
October 5 Park Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 2C
October 6 Middletown City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
October 7 Candidates Forum, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
October 9 Farmers Market, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ‐ Central & Broad St.
October 14 Third Ward Town Hall meeting ‐ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Center
October 14 Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers
October 16 Farmers Market, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ‐ Central & Broad St.
October 20 Middletown City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
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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