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AGENDA 4-15-2014

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Vivian Moon View Drop Down
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    Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 3:05pm

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014

BUSINESS MEETING- 5:30 pm – COUNCIL CHAMBERS – LOWER LEVEL
1. MOMENT OF MEDITATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

2. ROLL CALL

3. Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Wilson-Schramm- Spaulding Funeral Home

4. CITIZEN COMMENTS, GUESTS, ORGANIZATIONS’ REPORTS

5. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Information on Support of State Issue 1 – Scott Tadych

6. CONSENT AGENDA. . . Matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be
routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote of consent. There will be no
separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed
and considered separately.
(a) Approve City Council Minutes: April 1, 2014
(b) Receive and File Board & Commission Minutes:
Convention & Visitors Bureau- November 14, 2013 & January 27, 2014
Planning Commission- February 14, 2014
Historic Commission- February 20, 2014
Park Board- March 3, 2014
Citizens Advisory Board- March 19, 2014
(c) Receive and File Oath of Office:
Rachel Combs
(d) To authorize the purchase approximately 500 water meters from Badger Meter,
of Milwaukee, WI, in the amount of $58.95 each.
(e) Proclamation: April Fair Housing Month

7. MOTION AGENDA
(a) To authorize a change order of $7,165 to the $67,189 Middletown Paperboard
assessment contract with Cardno ATC. The project is funded through the USEPA
grant contract with Cardno ATC of $387,000.

(b) To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with LJB, Inc. for
engineering services associated with improving Yankee Road between Oxford
State Road and Lafayette Avenue.

8. COUNCIL COMMENTS


MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (2) To consider the purchase of property for
public purposes, or for the sale of property at competitive bidding, if premature
disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage.

LEGISLATION
1. Resolution No. R2014-13, a resolution to authorizing the City Manager to enter a
contract with the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of a
portion of State Route 4 and a portion of state Route 122 and declaring an emergency.

2. Ordinance No. O2014-18, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a
contract between the City and Toast of the Town Events, LLC. for the sale of City owned
property and declaring an emergency.


3. Ordinance No. O2014-19, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a
professional services contract with CH2M Hill for the purpose of providing services to
remediate contamination of the former Aeronca property. (2nd Reading)

4. Ordinance No. O2014-20, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a
contract between the City and the Sorg Opera Revitalization Group for the transfer of
City owned property. (2nd Reading)

5. Ordinance No. O2014-21, an ordinance authorizing a development agreement with
Manchester LP and declaring an emergency.

6. Ordinance No. O2014-22, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a
lease of certain real property to Mark Kakaris DBA Mark’s Towing. (1st Reading)

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22 (G) (4) Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing
negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their
compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment. 

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Vivian Moon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 3:17pm

ORDINANCE NO. O2014-18

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR AND AUTHORIZING A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND TOAST OF THE TOWN EVENTS, LLC
FOR THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.


WHEREAS, the City owns certain real property more commonly known as the
Bank One Building, located at 2 South Main Street; and

WHEREAS, Toast of the Town Events, LLC has offered to purchase said
property; and

WHEREAS, the City is willing to sell the property at the offered price;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of
Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that:

Section 1

The City Manager, without complying with the procedures of Chapter 721 of
the Ohio Revised Code or the procedures set forth in Ordinance No. 02002-87, is
hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Toast of the Town Events, LLC for the
sale of the real property located at 2 South Main Street known as the Bank One
Building. The contract shall be in a form substantially similar to Attachment “1”
hereto, and shall be acceptable to the City as approved by the Law Director and City
Manager.

Section 2

This Council hereby determines that the procedure to be followed in the award
and execution of the aforesaid contract shall consist solely of the procedure set forth
in this ordinance and the provisions of Chapter 721 of the Ohio Revised Code and
Ordinance No. 02002-87 shall not be applicable to the award and execution of the
aforesaid contract.

Section 3

The City Council hereby determines that the property to be transferred by the
City is not presently needed for any municipal purposes.

Section 4

It is hereby determined that the subject matter of this legislation is not of a
general and permanent nature, does not provide for a public improvement and does
not assess a tax or payment.

Section 5

This ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to wit: to
permit the prompt transfer so the purchaser can begin renovation as quickly as
possible, and shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest time
permitted by law.


______________________________
Lawrence P. Mulligan, Jr., Mayor


Adopted:___________________


Attest:_____________________
Clerk of City Council
H:/Law/leg/2014 Leg/O Sale of Property to Toast of the Town Events (Bank One).doc
Secti

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 3:18pm
S T A F F  R E P O R T

For Business Meeting: April 1, 2014  
 
DATE: March 19, 2014 
 
TO: Judy Gilleland 
 
FROM: Doug Adkins, Director, Community Revitalization 
 
Sale of Bank One Building 
 
PURPOSE 
To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract to sell the Bank One building to Toast of the 
Town Events, LLC.. 
 
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS 
As you are aware, staff received an unsolicited offer to purchase the Bank One building from local 
artist and businessman Chris Walden. He would be purchasing the building under the business name 
of Toast of the Town Events, LLC. 
 
The offer is: 
1. Purchase price of $135,000. (The Auditor’s value for the property is $137,980.) 
2. Mr. Walden may exercise a 60 day rescission period to conduct due diligence. Mr.
 Walden is aware of repairs made to date and wants to fully explore if there are other 
major repair expenses coming. City staff is not aware of any long term repairs needed beyond 
 completed renovations. 
3. Mr. Walden takes possession at closing. 
4. The lease with MUM will be honored. The Middletown Historical Society, which leases 
 storage space in the basement, and AAUW may or may not have to be relocated for 
 renovations. Mr. Walden will assist with any needed relocations. 
 
This offer makes sense from a purchase price and an operations perspective. 
 
Purchase Price: 
 
The City paid $275,000 for the Cinergy Building, First National building, Masonic Temple, and 
the Bank One building. The City received $202,000 from Higher Education Partners for the 
purchase of Cinergy. The sale of Bank One more than recoups taxpayer money used to fund the 
initial purchase of all of these buildings. 
 
Original Purchase Price by City: $275,000 for all buildings 
Less Cinergy purchase by HEP: -$202,000 
Deficit: ($ 73,000) 
Purchase price to City for Bank One: $ 135,000 
SUBJECT 
 1  
Net to City from all purchase/sale transactions: $+62,000
 
Operations: 
 
On a rental revenue vs. expense analysis since purchase, the City ends up with approximately 
$51,000 positive cash flow from this deal: 
 Rent Received Expenses 
Ongoing monthly revenues/expenses: $ 5,767 ($ 2,370) 
 
 
 Rental Revenue Expenses 
From Purchase to 12/31/13: $173,318 ($122, 299) 
MUM repairs in process: ($ 16,850) 
2014 rent/expenses to closing $ 28,835 ($ 11,850) 
(assumes 5/31/14 closing) 
Balance at time of transfer: $202,153 ($150,999) 
 
Net Cash Flow Operations since purchase: +$51,154 
 
Positive Net Cash Flow to City from Sales and Operations: $113,154 
 
This bid would be accepted without an invitation to bid publicly. While a few individuals have 
previously expressed interest in the building, Mr. Walden actually submitted an unsolicited offer 
which appears to meet all of Council’s long term objectives. 
 
First, the accepted bid recovers taxpayers funds used for both purchase and ongoing expenses. 
We will eventually have all of the Thatcher buildings in this purchase back in productive use 
with no net taxpayer dollars used to drive the economic development. This is a good deal for the 
City and the residents. 
 
Second, there is value in having a number of developers working downtown. Mike Robinette’s 
group has several downtown properties in development, and we are working with the current 
bidder on this property, Mr. Grau on the Manchester Inn/Sonshine deal and also have the Sorg 
Opera group, etc. There is value to not placing all of our development eggs in one basket so that 
in the case any individual development fails, the remainder continue our progress downtown. We 
have offered our support to historic tax credits, etc., to all groups downtown and will continue to 
offer City support where appropriate to all developers working to revive downtown. 
 
Third, this use is consistent with the arts and education focus of downtown. The proposed use 
as a gallery and small events location keeps MUM as a tenant while offering additional 
productive use of the bank atrium with events, new economic impact and new limited 
employment opportunities. 
 2 Finally, Council previously stated that the City should not be in the landlord business on a long 
term basis. With the sale of Bank One, all of the above purchased buildings will be out of the 
City’s title and into productive use by other parties. 
 
ALTERNATIVES 
Do not authorize the sale. The City will continue to collect rent and operate the building. 
 
FINANCIAL IMPACTS 
Positive cash flow to the City for other projects. 
 
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY 
Conforms to City Policy 
 
RECOMMENDATION 
Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract to sell the Bank 
One building as discussed above. 
 
EMERGENCY/NON EMERGENCY 
The Purchaser would like to start renovations as quickly as reasonable. I request that this be enacted 
as a second reading Emergency to keep the process moving. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 4:08pm
Let's RETHINK this issue shall we? I am not a CPA, I just play one occasionally on tv. 

FACTS

Monthly positive cash-flow after expenses (quaisi EBITDA)- 2370/ mo./ 28,440/ annualized

Receipt of additional cash > 65,000 the offer on table, deal.

No expected loss for city within 3-6 months.

THEN WHY?

Is this an emergency, and closing needed to be done by May 31, 2014?

Does Robinette's group deviate from usage goals? Arts, et al? No.

Diversification of the investment portfolio. Why? How is the entity established a month ago financially stronger than any that have not placed bids? No.

Is the valuation at least 100,000 too low with positive cash flow over years? Probably.

MEMO TO COUNCIL

Pull back, open up bids 30-45 days, accept highest offer.

With this sense of urgency by Mr. Adkins.....how soon is the city selling Hook Field- June 01? No, there is no urgency to divest. 

'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike_Presta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 4:16pm
Originally posted by Vivian Moon Vivian Moon wrote:

S T A F F  R E P O R T 

CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY 
Conforms to City Policy 
 
LOL LOL LOL
Well, that is certainly a joke!!!

To accept a single unsolicited bid, especially when other potential bidders have been told that the property is "NOT FOR SALE" definitely does NOT "conform to City Policy"!!!

City Policy is to advertise for sealed bids on City property valued at over $5,000!!!

In fact, this is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC 721.03) which requires advertising for sealed bids!!!

How can Adkins, an attorney, state that this "conforms to City Policy" and recommend this sale when it violates state law???

How can the City Law Director Sit idly by and let City Council vote on this, violating state law???

How can the attorneys, and others claiming to be educated in the law, on City Council stand for allowing city staff to let this get this far without calling for the disciplining of the responsible staff members??? 
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 4:20pm
If this is enacted then it is pretty clear that procedtures should be considered to have council investigated or removed, at least the immediate removal of our city manager and community development director and an investigation of our law director for again ignoring city ordances and state law.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 4:37pm
How?

By violating what you have described, and  4.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct.

Why?

Supposition. A parting gift for those leaving the city position(s) soon? Share the wealth?

Faulty calculator?

Missing eye glasses and couldn't read ORC and ordinances?

Desiring to adhere to citizens wishes to get out of real estate business, no more Donald Trump role playing?

Fixed Annuity?

Legacy?

"You owe me one."

"He will be my best man at the wedding"?

For the people.
   


'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:17pm

Doug Adkins could easily be disbarred for his lie

Here's the Canon of Conduct- if they do nothing, they are truly making a mockery of ethical behavior.

 
IV. TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS

RULE 4.1: TRUTHFULNESS IN STATEMENTS TO OTHERS

In the course of representing a client a lawyer shall not

knowingly do either of the following:

(a) make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person;

(b) fail to disclose a material fact when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting an illegal or fraudulent act by a client. Comment Misrepresentation

[1]

A lawyer is required to be truthful when dealing with others on a client’s behalf.

A misrepresentation can occur if the lawyer incorporates or affirms a statement of another person that the lawyer knows is false. Misrepresentations can also occur by partially true but misleading statements or omissions that are the equivalent of affirmative false statements. For dishonest conduct that does not amount to a false statement or for misrepresentations by a lawyer other than in the course of representing a client, see Rule 8.4.

Statements of Fact

[2]

This rule refers to statements of fact. Whether a particular statement should be regarded as one of fact can depend on the circumstances. Under generally accepted conventions in negotiation, certain types of statements ordinarily are not taken as statements of material fact.

Estimates of price or value placed on the subject of a transaction and a party’s intentions as to an acceptable settlement of a claim are ordinarily in this category, and so is the existence of an undisclosed principal except where nondisclosure of the principal would constitute fraud.

Lawyers should be mindful of their obligations under applicable law to avoid criminal and tortious misrepresentation.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 8:45pm
Well hasn't Dougie broken rule: 4.1 on several occasions. I don't think he can help himself he does it so much it's like breathing it just comes naturally.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:01pm

Purchase Price: 

The City paid $275,000 for the Cinergy Building, First National building, Masonic Temple, and 

the Bank One building. The City received $202,000 from Higher Education Partners for the 

purchase of Cinergy. The sale of Bank One more than recoups taxpayer money used to fund the 

initial purchase of all of these buildings. 

OOOPS…Once again City Hall has forgotten what really happened with this deal of desperation. City Hall also gave Cincy State the Senior Citizen Building that was valued at $350,000 with the hope of a smaller Culinary School here in Middltown. Then later City Hall gave Cincy State the First National Bank Building. What was the value of this building?

Original Purchase Price by City: $275,000 for all buildings 

Less Cinergy purchase by HEP: -$202,000 

Deficit: ($ 73,000) 

Purchase price to City for Bank One: $ 135,000 

SUBJECT  1  

Net to City from all purchase/sale transactions: $+62,000 Wacko
+ $62,000?…Well this logic and math magic explains why Middletown is going broke

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 9:18pm
Speaking of HEP, how are they taking the reduction in the student forecast to be less than 3,000 5 years out, when they needed 5000 for break-even? State augmenting their loss.

Bid high and often tomorrow; CET; Middletown.
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2014 at 10:28pm

Speaking of HEP, how are they taking the reduction in the student forecast to be less than 3,000 5 years out, when they needed 5000 for break-even? State augmenting their loss?

Now now Acclaro
I’m sure that City Hall can do some more magic math to explain this little shortage of students from 5,000 to 3,000. 
After all HEP has not even finished the rehab of the CG&E building yet.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 12 2014 at 6:55pm
There is no pity....nor respect, to those who refuse to step in the ring or have others fight their battles for them. As Teddie Roosevelt said-

'It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.'

Toast prevails.


 
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 13 2014 at 6:40am

OATH OF OFFICE

       I, ___________________________________, do solemnly swear that I support the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Ohio, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Middletown; that I will not make or authorize expenditures of public money other than for adequate consideration and efficient service; and that I will in all respects faithfully discharge the duties of my employment or office for the City of Middletown, Butler / Warren Counties, Ohio

Maybe those at City Hall should read their Oath Of Office again before they vote for the sale of the Bank One Building as Emergency Legislation at the next council meeting.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike_Presta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 12:59am
Originally posted by Vivian Moon Vivian Moon wrote:

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014


5. Ordinance No. O2014-21, an ordinance authorizing a development agreement with
Manchester LP and declaring an emergency.

This ordinance passed with absolutely no questions asked by members of council!!!

Bearing in mind that the City of Middletown is projecting deficit spending as far as can be seen into the future, and we are constantly being told that no money is available for anything--not even police or fire personnel--let alone road paving or the like, how can council pass this without asking where the money is coming from to meet the City's obligations under this deal???

Included in this deal:

1.  The City shall cause, at its sole expense, the Hotel and Sonshine building(s) to be listed on the historic register

2.  The City shall commit an amount not to exceed Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for the redevelopment of the street-scape surrounding the Hotel to match the way it was in the 1920s.

How can this council approve deals like this and never ask where the money is coming from???

(I suppose that this money will be found "tucked away in one of our other funds"!!!)
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 2:20am
Mike
I believe these items would be paid for from the Downtown Fund or the Community Redevelopment Fund.

What is City Hall going to do in June when all the HUD money is transferred to Warren and Butler counties?
Yep that deficit is going to get even greater.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 6:57am
Well, it would seem that some folks were "caught with their pants down" on this deal.

Bank building deal pulled from council’s agenda

MIDDLETOWN —
A proposed sale of the former Bank One building was pulled from the agenda just hours before it was to be considered by Middletown City Council.

“This action in no way is a reflection on the creative proposal we received from Chris Walden and his associates,” said City Manager Judy Gilleland in a email to the Journal-News late Tuesday afternoon. “In fact, staff and City Council was excited to work with Chris on this project because of his world-class artistic talent and his vision of an art gallery and event center for the building.”

OR, MAYBE THEY RECONSIDERED WALDEN'S ABILITY TO PAY AND MAINTAIN THE STRUCTURE AFTER PURCHASE PERHAPS? HEY JUDITH, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE AFFORDABILTY ASPECT OF THIS DEAL BEFORE WE GO OFF ON A TANGENT AND TELL US HOW WONDERFUL THIS GUY IS WITH HIS "ARTISTIC TALENTS" AND "VISION OF AN ART GALLERY" CRAP. THAT'S IMMATERIAL RIGHT NOW AND NOTHING BUT SURFACE FLUFF.

The legislation to approve the sale of the downtown building was on tonight’s council agenda before it was pulled from consideration.

“The rebirth of downtown Middletown has created a demand for space and we have received a few inquiries about the building in the last several weeks,” Gilleland said. “As such, we have decided that it is appropriate to gauge the public interest in the building.

THE "REBIRTH" HAS "CREATED A DEMAND FOR SPACE?" IF THAT IS SO, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN ALL THE EMPTY STOREFRONTS DOWNTOWN? I DON'T SEE ANY "EXPLOSION OF GROWTH" DOWN THERE......THAT IS, GROWTH THAT HASN'T BEEN FORCE FED BY YOUR LITTLE GROUP HEADED BY THE MOORMAN'S. AND SOME OF THE GROWTH CAN BE GAUGED AS SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL BY THE STORIES OF OPENING AND CLOSING ON A FREQUENT BASIS WITH A NAME CHANGE THROWN IN AT TIMES. YOUR LITTLE COLLEGE DOWN THERE HASN'T MADE THE IMPACT THAT YOU CLAIMED IT WOULD. ENROLLMENT NUMBERS ARE HARDLY EYE-OPENING. FOOT TRAFFIC IS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. WHAT'S ALL THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT JUDITH?

Gilleland also said city staff would be meeting in the near future to discuss the next step, which will likely include a request for proposal. She anticipates the process to be accomplished in the short term.

HOW ABOUT A MEETING IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO DISCUSS FOLLOWING THE BIDDING PROCESS AND THE LAWS OF THE CITY AS TO ENFORCING THE RULES? GOOD START, RIGHT?

In an email sent by investor Mike Robinette to Mayor Lawrence Mulligan, Robinette asked that tonight’s discussion and vote on the city-owned Bank One building be tabled. Robinette, Middletown’s former economic development director, is part of an investment group, Geo CRE, which already owns the Goetz Tower and the Rose Furniture building in the downtown.

At the last council meeting, members were told Toast of the Town Events, LLC, offered $135,000 for the Bank One building at 2 S. Main St., and artist and owner Chris Walden planned to convert the building into an art gallery and event center. Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization, told council Toast of the Town Events’ offer was unsolicited and that it made “good sense” because it generated revenue, fit the downtown business plan and got the city out of the landlord business.

WHY WASN'T COUNCIL TOLD THERE WERE OTHER BIDS, HIGHER THAN WALDENS? WHY DIDN'T DOUGGIE DISCUSS THE ENTIRE SCENARIO WITH COUNCIL? DID HE MENTION ROBINETTE'S BID?

Robinette has said that he was interested in buying the building, but was told by city officials that it wasn’t for sale, since it was being leased to Miami University Middletown. But when Robinette learned that Toast of the Town Events had made an offer, he made two offers: one for $185,000, and a second for $202,500, or $67,500 more than the offer the city is considering.

Robinette wrote that the city should conduct a competitive process for the sale of this property. He said the Bank One property is significantly more valuable than the negotiated price of $135,000.

“We believe it is important that the city thoroughly evaluate all offers for the purchase of this property, considering their track record of success and ability to successfully complete and sustain the project,” he wrote.

The building is valued at $137,980, according to the Butler County Auditor’s Office.

In an email response to Robinette, Mulligan said council was interested in a selling the properties to “a broad, diverse group of investors and owners that can help move these properties forward.”

SO, WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED FROM MULLIGAN'S BULLCRAP, WALDEN WAS THE ONLY ONE OFFERED A CHANCE TO BUY? ROBINETTE'S GROUP WAS INCAPABLE OF "MOVING THE PROPERTIES FORWARD" ACCORDING TO MULLIGAN?

Mulligan said there are examples where single ownership and control works well, but in the city’s case, he believed “diversification is better.”

The city paid $275,000 in December 2010 to the Perry Thatcher estate for several downtown properties: CG&E Building, First National building, Masonic Temple and the Bank One building, Adkins said. He said the city received $202,000 from Higher Education Partners for the purchase of the former CG&E Building that is being used by Cincinnati State Middletown. If the Bank One building is sold, the city would make $62,000 off its investment.

City Council has donated the First National building to Cincinnati State Middletown and the Masonic Temple building to the Art Central Foundation

BOTTOM LINE: BEFORE THIS MADE THE PAPER, MULLIGAN, GILLELAND AND THE OTHER LITTLE CREW MEMBERS WANTED TO SELL IT CHEAP TO WALDEN, WHO WILL MAINTAIN IT AS AN ARTZY PLACE MATCHING THEIR THEME FOR THEIR LITTLE DOWNTOWN DREAM. WITH ROBINETTE, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WILL BE AN ARTZY PLACE. THEY CAN CONTROL WALDEN'S PLANS AFTER THE SALE AND ASSURE IT COINCIDES WITH THEIR LITTLE WORLD. INCREDIBLY EGOTISTICAL AND SELF IMPORTANT PEOPLE RUNNING THIS CITY.

PUBLIC HANGINGS ARE IN ORDER. WE DON'T NEED ARROGANT TYPES OF PERSONALITIES RUNNING THIS CITY.
I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 8:04am
Originally posted by Mike_Presta Mike_Presta wrote:

Originally posted by Vivian Moon Vivian Moon wrote:

MIDDLETOWN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014


5. Ordinance No. O2014-21, an ordinance authorizing a development agreement with
Manchester LP and declaring an emergency.

This ordinance passed with absolutely no questions asked by members of council!!!

Bearing in mind that the City of Middletown is projecting deficit spending as far as can be seen into the future, and we are constantly being told that no money is available for anything--not even police or fire personnel--let alone road paving or the like, how can council pass this without asking where the money is coming from to meet the City's obligations under this deal???

Included in this deal:

1.  The City shall cause, at its sole expense, the Hotel and Sonshine building(s) to be listed on the historic register

How can this council approve deals like this and never ask where the money is coming from???


I believe the staff report answers this question:

In preparation for this, the City engaged Hardlines Design to complete a registration form to place the Manchester Hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. This was completed in time for the March 31 deadline. The city obtained a Pipeline grant from the Ohio Preservation Office to help fund the application work. Hardlines also submitted a Preliminary Questionnaire to the Ohio Historic Preservation office for the Sonshine building, which is the first step to submitting for nomination to the register.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spiderjohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 8:13am
What is historic about the Sonshine building?
Or the Rose building?
Or the Masonic building?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 9:34am
Historic Significance? Sarah Palin slept here.

Others? None.

Firewall.

Stretch for all to meet NHR criteria. Eyes off econ development, while building firewall. Hello....anyone up making coffee?
 
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Mike_Presta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 10:02am
Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

That kangaroo court known as the Middletown Historic Commission is hassling the owners of the former Knights of Columbus building on First Avenue, trying to force them to spend a fortune to "restore" their property.  (You can read about this in the workbook for last night's council meeting.)

Yet neither the Historic Commission nor any of the other historic buffs in town seem a bit concerned about the truly historic building right next door and the Board of Education's plan to demolish it.  Does anyone else see the hypocrisy here???
“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 10:10am
Yes. But....what can we expect. Its Middletown, where lies are truth, and old is new.

And....paying off the BMW, and replacing it with the paid off mortgage is not the new status symbol.


'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over the hill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 11:31am
It seems funny they can hassle them to get moving on the restoration of that building but what has been done to the Rose furniture building. The damage to that building has impacted the useablity of the building next to it. Might want to call your attorney?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 12:52pm
Originally posted by Mike_Presta Mike_Presta wrote:

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

That kangaroo court known as the Middletown Historic Commission is hassling the owners of the former Knights of Columbus building on First Avenue, trying to force them to spend a fortune to "restore" their property.  (You can read about this in the workbook for last night's council meeting.)


This is a bit of a distortion Mike. The owners constructed a recent addition WITHOUT zoning or building permits.  It has nothing to do with "restoring" their property but the appropriateness of the addition and use of materials of the addition.

Here's the information taken from the minutes for folks to here to make their own judgement about what's occurring.

URBAN CORE DISTRICT

BUILDING ADDITION

1402 FIRST AVE

Ms. Romero introduced the case. Mr. Kohler explained that this building is at the corner of First

Avenue and Curtis Street, being used as a social club. It was formerly a Knights of Columbus meeting hall, originally built as a single family residence.

There is a large auditorium addition on the rear. The current owner has constructed a room addition on the east side of the building with no zoning or building permits or approval from this Commission. A key issue is that they have used vinyl siding as a primary exterior building material. Vinyl siding is allowed in this district but not as a primary material. The auditorium addition was resided some years ago in vinyl siding so there is a substantial amount of vinyl on the building. The owner has not yet provided stamped drawings by a registered architect or engineer as required by the City’s Chief Building Official because this is a commercial building.

The initial examination of the building addition indicates that it may not meet commercial standards.

The question is whether this group can approve the vinyl material, windows, and design. We now have only photographs that do not show much because the building is behind a privacy fence. There is a sliding glass door on the east side and a window on the north side. Ms. Romero suggested tabling this case until there is more information on materials, design, specifications.

Mr. Kohler would like feedback from this group. Ms. Romero said the addition looks like a trailer parked up against the building, it is not in keeping with the style or quality of the building at all. Mr. Kohler wants to be able to relay to the owner the kinds of expectations this group has before he hires an architect. Ms. Romero would like to see a design more in keeping with the building than the addition as built. The first addition, the auditorium, is not up to current district standards either. But it is not visible from the front. Mr. Sauer wondered whether the auditorium addition was originally concrete block. Nobody else recalls what the original material was. Ms. Romero asked whether Mr. Kohler had enough information from this group to take to the owner. Mr. Kohler replied affirmatively. He would mention that the design and the material need to be more sympathetic with the original building, the window and door styles also more in keeping with the original building, the heights of the door and window need to be the same or at least related. Mr. Kohler felt that he needed to get some specific comments from this group to take to the owner before he goes to the expense of hiring an architect. Ms. Romero asked for a motion to table this case. Mr. Sauer made that motion. R. Taylor seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 16 2014 at 1:02pm
Originally posted by spiderjohn spiderjohn wrote:

What is historic about the Sonshine building?
Or the Rose building?
Or the Masonic building?


I believe they are trying to use the fact that the Sonshine building was one of the first Ford dealers in Ohio as one of the qualifiers, but if you ask me as a stand-alone building, the argument is weak.  I could see it being included as part of district, but  I'm having a hard time seeing it listed as a stand-alone--which is the route they are taking.

Both Rose and Masonic are conforming structures in a larger historic district.  The age of the structures, their architectural styles and the historical significance of the entire district (in terms of it's place in the community) lend to argument of the listing.

Manchester, as a stand alone qualifies based on:

* Age of structure
* Historical significance of the structure in terms of the place it served in the history of Middletown PLUS  who's stayed and/spoken there (not just Sarah Palin)
* Architect of the building (Frank Packard) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Packard


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