by Judy Gilleland, City Manager

Joint City-School Board Meeting

Steve Price of Middletown Schools and I have talked about a joint city council – school board – Miami U. meeting on Tuesday August 5.  Miami U. will hopefully host.  Please let me or Betsy know if you are available that date. 

More on scrap metal issues from
the International City Management Newsletter:
Long Island men arrested for stealing aluminum light poles for scrap sale.
The AP (5/14) reported that police on Long Island, N.Y., have arrested two men for allegedly cutting up aluminum light poles to apparently sell them for about $150 a piece as scrap metal. The poles, however, cost the village of Mineola about $1,000 a piece. According to Nassau County Police, the two men were seen using a cordless power tool to cut the poles. They were charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. The AP noted that police said there "are growing efforts to crack down on such metal thefts."

Retail Recruitment
A reminder that the Mayor, Bill Murphy, Ken Cohen and I will be at the Retail Recruitment conference – ICSC – this week.  We have meetings lined up with developers and individual retailers.  I think it will be a productive trip.

Council meeting rescheduled to May 27

City Staff Reorganization

I’m excited!  We are at the point where we can begin to pin down some details.  The reorg has been approached with the following goals in mind:

Focus on city priorities – Agenda 2008
Streamline processes
Create more accountability for city priorities
Build upon the skills and strengths of city staff
Remain within budgetary limits

As such, following are the major areas of focus for staff; specific details will be coming in the next two weeks:  

Economic Development – Bill Murphy
Community Revitalization – Ginger Smith
Downtown Redevelopment   – Marty Kohler
Street Improvement – Dave Duritsch
Public Safety – Chief Schwarber, Chief Botts
Long Term Finances – Russ Carolus
Public Housing/Section 8 – Marty Kohler

In addition, the Personnel function will report to the Law Department.  Items to note:   some changes will need to be ratified by City Council; over the next two weeks, personnel will be aligned to support these focus areas; there may be office location changes; this reorg is not about cutting back operations/functions / departments, if necessary, that will be addressed later in the year.   There are no changes to Police, Fire, Courts, Clerk’s Office or Health Department.

Section 8 Housing
We have a presentation on our recommendation planned for the June 3rd Council meeting.  Our consultant will be present.   Council members may be getting calls from property owners of units rented to Section 8 voucher holders.  While the staff presentation will cover the pros and cons of our recommendation, it is worthwhile to hear firsthand from the property owners how the proposed changes will affect them.  Marty and I have met with a property owner who provided some very good information to us.   This is a complex issue, but Marty and I believe our recommendation will be in the best interest of the city and the Section 8 voucher holders.

Meetings/Events attended this week:
Gary Barge – Hydraulic Canal
Congressman John Boehner
Bidwell Surgery Center Ribbon Cutting
Trenton City Manager
Dr. Steve Price – discussion of Agenda 2008
Miami Middletown Downtown – Gregg Clark Band
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class – discussion on volunteerism
Street Improvement Committee
Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee

Regional Partnerships
In our ongoing regional efforts, the Mayor and I met with Warren County officials last week; it was a productive discussion.   We will be planning a work session between City Council and the Warren County Commissioners to discuss plans for I-75 corridor, Towne Mall and the Renaissance District.  

Have a great week!  Judy