| Weekly Update to City Council from the City Manager March 8, 2009 |
| Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:04:21 PM - Middletown Ohio |
Police Sting Operation
The Police Department conducted a prostitution sting last week in the downtown area which netted a total of 7 arrests, 5 for solicitation (M-3) of our undercover officer, 2 others were arrested also for soliciting. The men who were arrested are mostly in the 50-70 year old age range.
First Time Supervisor Training for Fire Personnel
Due to our limited budget, we have many supervisors in the organization who have received little training on supervisory skills. It is important for supervisors to be properly trained to ensure a quality work force. The Fire Department was able to take advantage of some training dollars to provide group supervisory training. Course material included: time and project management, communication, leadership and accountability. The training was held at the Atrium Medical Center and shared with Emergency Room Staff.
Tree Trimming/Removal at Sunset Park
Keep Middletown Beautiful, Inc. has partnered with local horticulturist Steve Lewis, owner of Lewis Horticultural Services and recruited many professional tree trimmers to begin the process of trimming, pruning and removing dead and dying trees at Sunset Park. The goal of this undertaking is to bring in experienced professionals and perform the heavy work followed by groups of non-professionals to begin mulching and general cleanup of Sunset Park during Community Pride Week, April 18th – 25 .
Thanks to the volunteer work by these local arborists, the City of Middletown will save thousands of dollars of inevitable tree removal and reduce the costs of storm-damage cleanup in the coming years. To volunteer as an individual or group during Community Pride Week call Keep Middletown Beautiful, Inc. at 425-7750.
Stimulus Funds in Middletown
Senator Sherrod Brown announced that we will receiving about $1.6M in transit funds to be used toward purchasing two light transit vehicles; preventive maintenance for the buses; a bus lift/hoist; a bus wash facility; rehabilitation of the transit garage; vehicle reabilitation/maintenance; and ADA paratransit services.
An announcement was also made that the Middletown National Guard Armory will receive $125,000 to overhaul its plumbing system and save energy.
Section 8 Negotiations
We have been making very good progress with CONSOC on the new contract. We have agreement on most of the procedural items; we are still negotiating the CONSOC fee. As you know, my intention was to have a fixed fee for the contract thus not providing an incentive for CONSOC to increase the number of vouchers. After conversations with CONSOC, we are willing to consider a fee based upon the number of vouchers. But we have included language in the proposed contract that our intention is to reduce the number of vouchers by 10% a year until we reach a total of 800 vouchers. This reduction would only be through attrition - as voucher holders left the program, their voucher would be given back to HUD. Of course, HUD could reassign to Butler or Warren County, but we are concerned at this point about ensuring our program is under control. While this language of intent to reduce is included in the contract, Council will need to also discuss as the Housing Authority while reviewing the Administrative Plan. If any Council member does not agree with the approach of reducing the voucher number, please let me know as soon as possible.
Upcoming Events
March 8 Daylight Savings Time begin – Move clocks forward 1 hour
March 10 Board of Health Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Conference Room 2C
March 10 State of the City address, 6:00 p.m., Atrium Medical Center, 5th Floor
March 11 Open House Reception, The Inn at Renaissance Village, 4 – 7 p.m., 4375 Union Road (1/2 mile north of the Atrium Hospital). Ribbon cutting 4:15 p.m.
March 11 Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers
March 13 Louella Thompson Dream Center Gala, 8:00 p.m., Manchester Inn. Tickets are $40. For tickets and to RSVP, contact Stephanie Thomas at 423-4272.
March 17 City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
March 19 Tree Commission Meeting, Noon, Miami University, Middletown Levey Hall Room 108
March 20 First Day of Spring
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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