1999 Middletown City CouncilMembers that voted for an increase in the Section 8 Vouchers

1.Armbruster
2. Banks
3. Hill
4. Nenni
5. Schiavone
6. Sennet
7. Smith

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO
January 6, 2009

 ROLL CALL

Mayor Mulligan called the City Council Meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers on the lower levelof the City Building,One Donham Plaza with a moment of meditationfollowed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Members

Present: Armbruster, Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi,Mulligan, and Schiavone.

Staff Present: City Manager Gilleland, Asst. Law Director S.Mills, Clerk Parr, G.

Smith, R. Carolus, M. Kohler, D. Duritsch, V. Hamilton,C. Strayer, C. Botts, D.

Hamet and C. Dennis.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Barbara Armentrout, 1609 Orchard Streetspoke regarding the Section 8

B. Armentrout Administration issues. She explained thatratings had never been given to CGI and Nelson & Associates as the highperformance ratings given to CONSOC. They have never been rated by HUD becausethey have never run a Section 8 program. She

said they shouldn’t learn on the City’s nickel.

E. Short Ed Short, 1601 S. University Blvd., said he runs the Chamber ofHorror Haunted

House. They employ about 50 employees per season and heasked council if they

could get some signs, similar to Light Up Middletown signs.

 Ms. Gilleland willcall and talk to him.

MANAGER REPORTS
Ms. Gilleland wished everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. She reported:

 · the City has wonits twenty-second Excellence Award for Financial Reporting.

 · a Charter ReviewCommittee will be appointed to comply with the City’s Charter

that mandates a review every ten years.

 · staff interviewedfive candidates for the Economic Development Director

position. She will have a recommendation by the January 20thmeeting.

 · two businessclosings, Chic Filet and Score.

 · Towne Mall is apriority and staff will continue to work toward resolution of

issues at Towne Mall.

 · $150,000,000 for awhole new front door to Renaissance District and Mall area.

 · CongratulatedBetter Built Construction who just landed a large contract.

Airport Update

David Duritsch explained the City purchased the airportinterest and hired B& B

Aero. B&B would like to update Council on 2008 eventsand announce some events

upcoming in 2009. He introduced R. Jack Wolf.

Mr. Wolf wished all a Happy New Year. He reported it will beone year next month

since they took over management of the airport. In as muchprogress as has been

made, there is no way they could have done that on theirown. He acknowledged

assistance from staff and thanked Chief Botts, ChiefSchwarber, and Mr. Duritsch.

He felt it important to mention Scott Tadych, Ron Phelps,and Harry Willoughby at

the garage, stating some of these employees never get namerecognition. He really

appreciates staff for all they have done. Even theSuperintendent from Weatherwax,

Dean Gerdeman and some Golf Course employees volunteered andweed-eated

every building, every fence, every light at the entire fieldat the airport. And they did

this on their own time. He thanked all these employees. Hereported that already to

this date 14 aviation events are planned for the Airport.New groups located at the

field, including a military air force company. They havefour aircraft here now. Civil

Air Patrol has a very active presence at the field. Businessat the airport is good, the

hangars are full. He would like to see some activity tobuild new hangars. They will

be having a business locate at the field with the type ofactivity that has never been

seen at the airport before. It will bring in some highpaying jobs and an aircraft that

you usually see in Daytonand/or Cincinnati. He spoke aboutlocating Police Swat

equipment on the field, the SWAT equipment that was keptoutdoors at the Municipal

Garage will now be housed inside at the airport. Also,Captain Spaulding was

introduced to speak about a couple of pieces of equipmentwith involvement with

BCEMA that will be housed at the airport. It’s very excitingin promoting better fire

protection for aircraft at the airport. He wants a ratingthat opens up many

opportunities at the airport.

Captain Spaulding explained that through a Federal Grantthere were 12 trailers

purchased in Butler County. Two trailers here are theonly ones in Butler County,

one is a mass decontamination trailer – locations where youmight see this type of

equipment would be schools, universities, etc. and a masscasualty device that can

provide first aid and medical treatment for events such as anatural disasters. These

two trailers will be a great asset to Middletown.

Mr. Wolf explained they have a professional grant writerworking on her own time

toward that ARF index. He is proud of what we’re doing atthe Airport. 

Mr. Mulligan stated appreciation for his efforts and saidit’s good to hear accolades of

City Staff.

CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda was amended to move the Board and Commission

Appointments to a Motion Agenda Item for further discussion.Matters listed under

the amended Consent Agenda were presented:

 Approve City CouncilMinutes: November 18, 2008

Receive and File Board/Commission Minutes: Civil ServiceCommission

 November 13, 2008

 Receive and File Oathof Office: Roger Lovill

 Confirm PersonnelTransactions: Appointments:

Equipment Operators – Charles Coyle, Richard Clark,

 Timothy Theiss andMichael Cope

 Squad Person – JohnHoward

 Fire Lieutenant –Ronald Douglas Bronnenberg

 Fire Captain – ToddDay

 Proclamations: MartinLuther King, Jr. Day – January 19th, 2009

 School BoardRecognition Month – January, 2009

MOTION
Mr. Marconi moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Ms. Scott

Jones seconded and the motion carried. Ayes: Armbruster,Becker, Ford, Scott

Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

PINNING CEREMONYChief Botts congratulated John Howard on his appointment to Squad Person. John

FIRE PERSONNEL
could not be at the meeting this evening.

 Chief Bottsintroduced Fire Lieutenant Bronnenberg recognizing that Bronnenberg is the first in history of this department to start as anapparatus operator and move on up through the ranks to the position of Lieutenant. He has15 ½ years of service and Chief Botts recognized his many accomplishments. Mr.Bronnenberg was pinned by his daughter.

 LieutenantBronnenberg thanked Council, the City Manager, his brothers in the Division of Fire, Chief Botts and especially his family.

 Chief Bottsintroduced Todd Day who has 16 ½ years of service. They now have a chaplaincy in the Divisions of Police and Fire and Toddshowed the leadership tomake it happen. He outlined many accomplishments over theyears and wishedcongratulations to Captain Day. He was pinned by his wife.

 Captain Day thankedcouncil for confirming the appointment. He said public serviceas a whole is about people. He expressed a high calling forwhat firefighters do andhe plans to be dedicated in the training of the crews. Hefeels he is here for apurpose and in that position for a purpose. He thanked hisminister for also being inattendance.

PRESENTATION
Mayor Mulligan read and presented two proclamations to School Board President

TO SCHOOL BOARD
Reverend Gregory Tyus declaring January 2009 as School Board RecognitionMonth, one proclamation from the City and one from theGovernors’ office.

 Rev. Tyus thankedcouncil on behalf of his colleagues on the School Board. He said

they take their responsibility very serious. The Board ismeeting challenges head on

and not shirking their responsibilities.

Citizen Comment
Although late for the meeting, the Mayor allowed comments from Wanda Glover,

W. Glover 1106 Calumet, who statedthe Second Ward Community Council wants to make sure the Second Ward is notslighted when the Federal Funds are received. There are other wards that areflourishing more than the second ward. She said the City did a

nation wide search to get Nelson Self, and it’sdisheartening to know that he has

been stripped on most of his authority. She commented thatMs. Smith wrote an

article that she isn’t qualified yet to make these decisionsand Mr. Self was. She

doesn’t understand why responsibilities were taken from him.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONAt 6 p.m. Mr. Marconi moved to gointo executive session under the authority of O.R.C. 121.22(G)(1) To considerthe appointment, employment or compensation of a public employee or official.Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motion carried. Ayes: Armbruster, Becker,Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

 At 7 p.m. Mayor Mulligan declared the meetingreopened.

MOTION Mr.Marconi moved to amend the agenda to include the addendum regarding the appointmentsto Boards and Commissions and Council Representatives and the

addendum is before council. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and themotion carried.

Ayes: Armbruster, Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi,Mulligan and Schiavone.

MOTION AGENDA
To confirm the Board and Commission Appointments and name Council

Representatives to certain Boards and Commissions as listedon an addendum

added to this agenda.

ADDENDUM

 Airport CommissionTom Anderson Don Cole

 CVB Ann Mort KentBradshaw

 Nadine Begley NancyRomero

 Eric Melbye

Landmarks & Historic Districts Bonnie Daniel

Park Board Merrell Wood Ralph Connor

Planning Commission Perry Thatcher Jack Wolf

Tree Commission Martin Kontnier

COUNCILREPRESENTATIVES

Airport Commission – Bill Becker

Architectural Review Board – Tony Marconi

Board of Health – Larry Mulligan

Board of Library Trustees – Leslie Ford

Citizen Advisory Board to the MiddletownDivision of Police – Tony Marconi

(Alternate Anita Scott Jones)

City Planning Commission – Tony Marconi (Alternate AnitaScott Jones)

Consolidate Plan Committee (5 yr. Block Grant) – Leslie Ford

Convention and Visitors Bureau – David Schiavone

Emergency Management Advisory Council – Larry Mulligan

Finance Audit Committee – Bill Becker

Golf Course Commission – Jim Armbruster

Keep MiddletownBeautiful – Jim Armbruster

Master Plan Implementation Committee – Larry Mulligan, DavidSchiavone

MiddletownMoving Forward – Larry Mulligan, Tony Marconi (Alternate David

Schiavone)

OKI Regional Council of Governments – Larry Mulligan (AlternateTony Marconi)

Park Board – Jim Armbruster

SELF Board – Leslie Ford

Tax Incentive Review Committee – Bill Becker

Tree Commission – Jim Armbruster

TV Middletown – Anita Scott Jones

MOTION Mr.Marconi moved to approve the motion agenda item naming board, commission andcouncil representatives. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motion carried. Ayes:Armbruster, Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

COUNCIL COMMENTS
Ms. Scott Jones announced a Life Skills event, acknowledged a letter from Mr.

A. Scott Jones Curliss and remarked on an upcoming trip to Washington, DC. She hopes to come back with some usefulinformation and she is working toward her Doctorate.

D. Schiavone Mr. Schiavone thanked the Mayor and Vice-Mayorfor their leadership in 2008. Hopefully council will map out the goals for 2009and address a lot of issues. He

looks forward to this upcoming year with some positivethings going on in

Middletown.There are also positive outlooks in Washingtonthat hopefully the new

President will be successful and policies will help us all.

L. Ford Ms. Ford said before she was elected to council sheused to read a lot of blogs and knows that a lot of people are worried andfrustrated. She said Council is not

delusional to their challenges. When addressed withchallenging situations, they

have to maintain a positive outlook. We are confident thatwe will address the

issues, and confident in the future of the City.

L. Mulligan Mr. Mulligan reported on the upcoming CharterReview. Council will be submitting names and searching for persons to voiceconcerns. The Charter sets the forms for government and this committee’s workis an important function. He invited

participation and suggestions. He reported the EconomicDevelopment Director

selection is important. He also said the City is veryfortunate to have received the

financial reporting awards for all these years. He did hearabout some good things

happening in the City. He mentioned Light Up was a greatevent. The Middletown

Community Foundation is a great asset. It takes a communitywide effort to move

forward with some calls to action. He mentioned MLK weekendfestivities upcoming,

with more information forthcoming and he invitedparticipation. 

Ord. No. O2008-105
Ordinance No. O2008-105, an ordinance reenacting and amending the Downtown

Façade Renovation Façade Renovation Program as enacted inOrdinance No. O2002-120 and amended by Ordinances No. O2005-11 and O2008-24 waspresented for second reading and action.

 Mr. Marconi moved forthe adoption of O2008-105. Ms. Scott Jones seconded

and the motion carried. Ayes: Armbruster, Becker, Ford,Scott Jones, Marconi,

Mulligan and Schiavone.

Ord. No. O2008-106
Ordinance No. O2008-106, an ordinance authorizing a contract with the Board of

School Crossing Education of the Middletown City School Districtpertaining to School Crossing Guards Guards was presented for second readingand action.

 Mr. Marconi moved forthe adoption of O2008-106. Ms. Scott Jones seconded

and the motion carried. Ayes: Armbruster, Becker, Ford,Scott Jones, Marconi,

Mulligan and Schiavone.

Ord. No. O2009-01

Ordinance No. O2009-01, an ordinance amending Section 288.01(Airport

Amend Sec. 288.01 Commission, Establishment; Composition;Terms of Office) of the Codified Ordinances and declaring an emergency waspresented.

 Mr. Marconi moved thatthe Charter provision requiring reading on two separate

days be suspended and the ordinance be declared an emergencymeasure and read

one time only. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motioncarried. Ayes: Armbruster,

Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

 The ordinance wasread one time only.

 Mr. Marconi moved forthe adoption of Ordinance No. O2009-91 as an

emergency. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motion carried.Ayes: Armbruster,

Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

Fiscal OfficersFiscal Officers Certificate, in regards to the Industrial DevelopmentRevenue Certificate Note, Series 2009, Bender Tract Project.

 Mr. Marconi moved toreceive and file the fiscal officer’s certificate. Ms. Scott

Jones seconded and the motion carried. Ayes: Armbruster,Becker, Ford, Scott

Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

Ord. No. O2009-02

Ordinance No. O2009-02, an ordinance providing for theissuance and sale of a

$2,056,916 Note $2,056,916 Industrial Development RevenueNote for the purpose of acquiring certain property known as the Bender Tract,providing for the security for such note and declaring an emergency waspresented.

 Mr. Marconi movedthat the Charter provision requiring reading on two separatedays be suspended and the ordinance be declared an emergencymeasure and readone time only. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motioncarried. Ayes: Armbruster,Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

 The ordinance wasread one time only.

 Mr. Marconi moved forthe adoption of Ordinance No. O2009-92 as anemergency. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motion carried.Ayes: Armbruster,Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

Res. No. R2009-01
Resolution No. R2009-01, a resolution to make adjustments to appropriations for

Adjustments Approp. current expenses and other expendituresof the City of Middletown, counties of Butler and Warren, State of Ohio, forthe period ending December 31, 2009 and to declare an emergency (General Fund)was presented.

 Mr. Marconi movedthat the Charter provision requiring reading on two separate

days be suspended and the resolution be declared anemergency measure and read

one time only. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motioncarried. Ayes: Armbruster,

Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan and Schiavone.

 The resolution wasread one time only.

 Mr. Marconi moved forthe adoption of Resolution No. R2009-01 as an

emergency. Ms. Scott Jones seconded and the motion carried.Ayes: Armbruster,

Becker, Ford, Scott Jones, Marconi, Mulligan andSchiavone. 

Ord. No. O2009-03
Ordinance No. O2009-03, an ordinance authorizing the submission of anapplication

CDBG Application for federal assistance, a Consolidated Planand a Projected Use of Funds, under Title I of the Housing and CommunityDevelopment Act of 1974, as amended, for Program Year 2009 was presented forfirst reading.

 Ms. Smith explainedthis is the last year of the five-year consolidated plan. The

submission of the application will extend the current planthrough 2009. Regarding

the comment that Ms. Glover made that she did not involvethe Housing

Subcommittee, Ms. Smith said there is a thirty day publiccomment period and two

public hearings per year per fiscal year. She trulyappreciates the subcommittee’s

work on some matters. There are issues that involve staff.That committee used to

meet once a month and there is no reflection on thesevolunteers, they are genuinely

appreciated, but staff had to get back to the business ofthe day without meeting

constantly. There are responsibilities of staff.

 Ms. Scott Jonesstated this legislation is not for a vote this evening and she

asked if council would see the application, or is councilgiving the manager the

authority to sign off and if that application delineateswhere the funds go.

 Ms. Smith respondedthere is no action tonight; but until we receive the funds we

don’t know the total amount of monies we’ll receive. Theplan will be on file at the

library by February 10.

 Mr. Mulligan asked ifthe plan, and or goals had changed much.

 Ms. Smith said no,they are not eliminating any service that has been provided in

the past. Mr. Self was meeting with the Housing SubCommittee and relying on

them for direction on things that sometimes belonged tostaff. Not faulting anyone,

every leader is different.

 Ms. Scott Jones saidCouncil needs to define that committee’s role as well as

others.

 Mr. Marconi asked whois going over the organizations that submit proposals for

these funds.

 Ms. Smith respondedthat especially in light of this continuation, they have met

with staff and gone over requests and are makingrecommendations. They will meet

with the Consolidated Planning Committee. This is not arequirement of HUD, but it

is something they want to do. The posting and 30 day publicinput period is

mandated by HUD.

 Mr. Marconi asked ifthe down payment assistance program and the rehab

program were in a holding pattern.

 Ms. Smith said no.Mr. Schiavone had contacted her and with the interest rates

as low as they are, they decided to continue with that program.It hasn’t been

touched and is the same as 2008.

 Mr. Marconi advisedthere is so much misinformation, mistruths, etc. This

program is very complicated and there are a lot of issueswith foreclosures. His ward

has been affected and he wants his share of the money too.

 Ms. Smith wanted tomake it very clear that she and staff are looking to help the

entire city. No section of the community will be slighted.

INTERVIEWS FORSECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

 Mr. Chapman, theCity’s consultant, outlined the process to this date. After these

interviews, the options are to discuss, deliberate anddecide on the preferred vendor

and an alternate administrator for the plan, to authorizethe City Manager to begin

negotiations with a preferred vendor and an alternativevendor. If Council needs

more time, he would suggest putting it on the next councilagenda and pending the

decision, the current contract would have to be negotiatedfor an extension.

 The order of theinterviews was pre-determined by drawing straws. Council

interviewed three prospective vendors for administration ofthe City’s Section 8

Housing Choice Voucher Program. The three companies were:

 CGI, 1001 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

 Mr. Panos Kyprianou,Director

 Mr. Kyprianou thankedcouncil for the opportunity make a presentation. He

introduced Yolanda Curry and Kristen Howe. He alsodistributed paper copies of the

PowerPoint presentation. After the presentation, Councilasked several questions.

Break At 8:25 p.m.Council took break with the meeting reconvening at 8:45 p.m.

CONSOC (theCity’s current administrator)  HarrisonJoseph, Sr., Director

 Mr. Joseph thankedcouncil for the opportunity to appear and present their

position. After the presentation, Council asked severalquestions.

Break At 9:40 p.m.Council took a break with the meeting reconvening at 9:55 p.m.

NELSON ANDASSOCIATES, INC.

 Cincinnati, Ohio

 John Hurt, ProjectDirector

 Mr. Hurt also thankedCouncil for the opportunity to make a presentation. He

introduced the Nelson team present including Elaine Menifeeand Sharon Harper.

After the presentation, Council asked several questions.

Break At 10:37the interviews concluded and Council took a break with the meeting

reconvening at 10:45 p.m.

 SUMMATIONS

 Each company wasgiven five to ten minutes for closing statements.

 At 10:55 p.m. Mayor Mulligan asked if Council wasready to make a

recommendation, if they had questions for follow up. Doescouncil want to wait or

move forward?

 Ms. Gilleland advisedcouncil they could take the next few days, up until the next

council meeting if they wanted to review this meeting on TV,or call her or Mr.

Chapman with any questions. Staff could put this on the nextagenda.

 Mr. Marconi didn’tfeel anybody would change their minds in two weeks. He said

they’d horsed around with this for a year and a half orlonger and asked why prolong

it. He is not comfortable with choosing either of the twoover the current

administrator.

 Mr. Mulligan askedabout appointing an alternate for negotiations. It could keep

both companies openly negotiating.

 Ms. Scott Jonescautioned carefulness in what is said here. She personally

doesn’t want to insinuate effort is not going to be putforth. She doesn’t have a

problem with having a backup or alternative.

 Mr. Marconi said froma business standpoint you choose who you choose.

 Ms. Scott Jonesthanked all three agencies for their time and spending six hours

with Council during these interviews. She stated she feelsthey did the right thing.

MOTION
Mr. Marconi moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contractwith

CONSOC for the City’s Housing Choice Voucher Program and Mr.Becker seconded.

DISCUSSION

Mr. Beckerstated this has been an interesting six hour process. He said if the City waslooking at a new program or having problems with the current program, he would lean more toward a change. The City has a company thathas been here 19 years and to change horses when he doesn’t see anythingflagrant that can’t be fixed, he doesn’t agree with. 

Mr. Schiavone agreed with Bill. He said to this date they hadnot received any phone calls with voucher holders complaining or landlordscomplaining. Transition is another issue. He hasn’t heard anything that haschanged his mind about switching vendors. He appreciates all three companiescoming in. Things seem to be running well with the current vendor.

 Mr. Armbruster saidhe has learned a lot this past year regarding Section 8 and

learned there is a true need in this community for housingassistance. He is walking

out tonight with a great learning experience and he feelscomfortable talking or

explaining it to someone.

 Mr. Mulligan statedhis appreciation to all three for making presentations. They

aren’t debating the merits of the program andappropriateness of the program. They

were interviewing an administrator for the program. Changeis never easy. To some

degree and it’s a fact of life, the technology side maybehasn’t been looked at in a

couple of years. He did see some good use of technology byother providers. The

City has been over 17 years with the current vendor and hewonders if it’s a good

time to change. He appreciates what CONSOC has done, he hasreservations about

awarding the contract to just one, and having just oneselection is a problem. There

may be challenges but also opportunities, leveragingtechnology today could free up

more of those administrative dollars like more for police.There are programs out

there that would free up more administration money andthat’s important. CONSOC

is a good firm but they are the highest bidder in thisprogram. Council needs to

consider that in this economic time. The City has seenrevenues decline and the

program grow immensely.

 Ms. Scott Jones saidshe tries to look at all aspects, what is right and what is fair

and Council have talked about these agencies like theyweren’t sitting here. She

doesn’t have a dog in this fight, and doesn’t care who getsthe contract. The highest

bidder that has done this for 19 years maybe knows what ittakes to run the program.

There is some obvious tension here and Council needs to becareful in our

deliberations.

MOTION CARRIED
The motion to negotiate a contract with CONSOC carried. Ayes: Armbruster,

Becker, Marconi, and Schiavone. Nays: Ford, Scott Jones andMulligan.

MOTION ScottJones moved to name Nelson and Associates as an alternative for

negotiations. Mr. Marconi seconded and the motion failed topass. Ayes: Ford, Scott

Jones, Mulligan. Nays: Armbruster, Becker, Marconi andSchiavone.

ADJOURNMENT At 11:45 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

 ______________________________

 LawrenceP. Mulligan, Jr., Mayor

 Attest:________________________

 Clerk of Council

STAFF REPORT
September 8, 1999

Ref: A- 1123

TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager

FROM: Neal A. Barille II,Development Director

Prepared by: John A. Sivy, SeniorPlanner

4. Name and population of each city, village, or township included in theproposed zone:

City of Middletown, 1990 U.S. Census population:46,022

July 1, 1999estimate: 54,766

5. Total population ofproposed zone (itemized by each participating local jurisdiction):

17,175 (See population exhibit)

6. Enterprise Zones proposed in MSA Central Cities and Appalachian Countiesneed   only document one of the followingdistress criteria; all others must document two. Please identify which of thedistress criteria the proposed zone meets:

   5709.61 (A) (1) (c) - concentrated unemployment - at least125% of the state

   average over the past 12 months.

   5709.61 (A) (1) (d) - prevalence of commercial orindustrial structures that are

   vacant or demolished or arevacant and tax delinquent.

    5709.61 (A) (1) (e) - population loss of at least 10%between 1970 and 1990.

X  5709.61 (A) (1) (f) - concentrated low-moderate income area. 51% of residents

    have incomes lessthan 80% of area's medium income.

   5709.61 (A) (1) (g) - specific vacant industrial facilities.

   5709.61 (A) (1) (h) - tax capacity of school district is less than 70% of the state

   average weighted for per capita income.

Source documentation verifying theproposed zone meets the specific distress criteria

must beattached. Please review the attached ODOD Distress Criteria Worksheet.

This was before the Section 8 voucher increase. Also notice the population of Middletown July 1, 1999 estimate: 54,766 

Wehave had many heated discussions on this blog about the Section 8 Program overthe past several years concerning who did what when and why.
No matter how you feel about this program what you really need to remember is….CITYHALL & CITY COUNCIL requested ALL the increases of Section 8 vouchers overa five year period as stated below.

When City Council hired Mr. Adkins as Community Revitalization Director
the priority became the reduction of Section 8 vouchers however HUD said NObecause of the great need in this area.

So after HUD said NO….Mr Adkins and City Council came up with their own plan toreduce the vouchers.

My research has revealed some very disturbing documents. They describe indetail how Mr. Adkins is going to rid Middletown of THOSE PEOPLE…
A step by step plan to systematicallyremove a group of people from the city limits of Middletown…and all with theblessing of City Council. I must tell you reading all this made my skin crawl. 

It doesn’t matter how you feel about this program…what does matter is your citygovernment is using your tax dollars and the power of their office to target realestate investors to put them out of business to cover up their royal screw upof increasing Section 8 by nearly 900 vouchers years ago..

Not only is this behavior immoral and unethical….it’sillegal

Posted: 12:00 a.m. Sunday, March 10, 2013

How much is too much Section 8?

By Michael D. Pitman

Staff Writer

    MIDDLETOWN — Middletown had a total of 774 Section 8 housing vouchers at the end of1999 and over a six-year span more than doubled that number, according to cityrecords.

    Today, this Butler County city of 48,962 has more subsidized housing per capita thanany municipality in Ohio.

    That’s a statistic that Middletown officials have been anxiously working to change in recentyears. Reducing Section 8 housing has become such a priority that the cityadministration and City Council are willing to risk the ire of and legal actionfrom the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by eliminating 1,008vouchers and falling out of compliance with the agency’s regulations.

    Fourteen percent of thecity’s housing stock, or 3,300 units, is subsidized housing, said CommunityRevitalization Director Doug Adkins. Too much Section 8 “is not the root of ourproblems,” he said, but it can impact the overall image of the city and hinderprogress and economic development.

    “The city can only support654 housing choice vouchers within the (Middletown Public Housing Authority) program,”Adkins said. “Any further saturation would … cross a tipping point where theadditional subsidized housing creates more problems than benefits to the cityas a whole.

    “At that point, families ofall incomes suffer because the city cannot provide adequate services to itsresidents,” he said.

    But landlords like JeffFaulkner, who rents several of the properties he owns to Section 8 tenants,disagree. They say Section 8 is big business in Middletown, bringing in millionsof dollars to the city and serving hundreds of vulnerable, low-income andelderly residents who need decent, affordable housing.

    The city pays about $10million in funds it receives from HUD to the hundreds of landlords who rent toSection 8 voucher-holders. The city’s proposed voucher cuts would eliminate $6million in payments to those landlords.

    Faulkner said Middletown’s Section 8 program had“always been a strong, community-friendly program” until the city terminatedits former administrator, Consoc Housing Consultants, and replaced them withCleveland-based Nelson & Associates in March 2011. Since assuming morelocal control, he said, City Hall has been “beating up” Section 8 landlordswith its strenuous property inspections and regulations.

    Faulkner the city’s planwould not only run hundreds of low-income residents out of the city, it wouldalso create an almost equal amount of vacant housing. That’s why he and otherlandlords favor transferring the program out of the city’s control.

    “I think the Section 8program needs to be moved to Butler County,” he said.

HUD had made a similar suggestion to Middletown officials in response to the city’s proposal to reduce itsvouchers from 1,662 to 654. The federal housing agency objected to the city’splan in a Dec. 18 letter, telling officials to fill 95 percent of its availablevouchers, transfer its voucher program to the Butler County MetropolitanHousing Authority or face possible legal action.

    The Middletown Public HousingAuthority, which is made up of all seven city council members and the citymanager, has told HUD it intends to proceed with its plan. About 1,300vouchers, or less than 80 percent of those available, have been issued to date,and that number will continue to decrease through attrition over the next fiveyears, officials have said.

    Adkins said the data showsthat — outside of the low-income housing tax credits — Middletown has almosttwice as many subsidized housing units as Hamilton County and more than fourtimes as many as other southwest Ohio housing agencies. He added that Middletown also has almost four times the state average.

    “The city suffers from anoverabundance of rental property, beyond what the existing market can supportand a corresponding lack of home ownership in distressed neighborhoods,” Adkinssaid. “During the past 10 years,the city implemented a policy of increasing the number of Section 8 vouchers toassist low-income residents.”

    Before Dec. 1, 1999, the city had 774 Section8 vouchers. But because the city wanted to reduce the vacancy rates of olderand less-desirable homes, and to ensure that housing remained in compliancewith city code,Middletown officials began to accept additional vouchers, Adkinssaid.

    The city added 888 overthe next six years, with 56.9 percent of the vouchers having been added in 2000and 2001. The last increase came on Oct. 1, 2005 when they accepted 108 vouchers.

    In March 2011, Middletown terminated its contract with Consoc, which had managed theSection 8 program since 1996. The change happened because of 13 deficienciesrelated to operation of the program.

    At about the same time thecity was changing program administrators, the Middletown Division of Police andthe Office of the Inspector General started an ongoing investigation of Section8, which has so far resulted in the arrest of 10 landlords — five in 2011 andfive in 2012 — after they uncovered tens of thousands of dollars in allegedimproper rental payments made on behalf of voucher-holders, said policespokesman Lt. Scott Reeve.

    The investigation, which isbeing lead by Middletown police Detective Ken Rogers, and tighter controls on theSection 8 program have had a positive effect, Reeve said.

    “Crime was down last year forthe first time in a few years, and I think the Section 8 investigation hassomething to do with that,” he said. “The program was not supervised at all formany years, and when Doug took over the program, he enlisted our help to cleanit up.”

    Some of the charges includedlandlords living in properties where tenants were to be living, or collectingSection 8 money when the property was vacant, Reeve said.

“There was a lot of abuse going on, in additionto the fact we have a disproportionate amount of Section 8,” Reeve said. “Ithurts the crime rate, it hurts the school system, and it’s difficult to talkabout because it comes across that we’re anti-poor. We’re not anti-poor, but weshouldn’t be disproportionate.”

    Real estate, rental andleasing is the largest private sector service industry in the state, Adkinssaid. And while home sales were on the upswing in the Cincinnati MetropolitanArea, according to 2012 and 2011 data, Middletown has not benefited from positive home growth, he said.

    “In the wake of the housingmarket collapse and the decrease in available credit, the city of Middletown suffers from a substantial oversupply of vacant, undesirablehousing, leading to almost complete disinvestment in many neighborhoods,”Adkins said.

Councilman A.J. Smith, who cast the lonedissenting vote on the city’s plan to cut vouchers, agrees there is a need tofix the Section 8 program. But he disagrees with the way the city is goingabout doing it.

    Smith said Middletown will likely see some decline in the number of vouchersbecause of sequestration, the across-the-board federal spending cuts enactedMarch 1. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan testified last month before Congress thatthe sequester would result in about 125,000 vouchers losing funding.

    “But I don’t think it(voucher reductions) should be initiated by us,” he said. “I think we have anobligation to care for our constituents, and we should care for those who can’tcare for themselves.”

    Smith said the city’s Section8 vouchers should be spread out better. While vouchers are peppered throughout Middletown, the highestconcentrations are in the western and central portions of the city. Many of thevouchers are in the city’s 2nd Ward, which Smith represents.

    “The way we’re doing (voucherreduction) is by any means necessary,” Smith said. “I don’t think we’re takinga very diplomatic approach.”

    Smith said he doesn’t think Middletown should bear the burden of allButlerCounty’s low-incomehousing, but he worries about the public perception of the city’s currentactions.

    “I don’t think our messageshould be to get rid of all the poor people,” he said. “That is what thecommunity is feeling City Hall is trying to do.”

This is the first of a three-part series lookingat the past, present and future of Section 8 in Middletown.

Showing its age

Middletown has some of the oldest homes in Butler and Warren counties:

Middletown:

52.7 percent of the city’s homes were builtbefore 1960

11.4 percent of the city’s homes were builtafter 1990

ButlerCounty:

31.2 percent of the county’s homes were builtbefore 1960

32.3 percent of the county’s homes were builtafter 1990

WarrenCounty:

16.6 percent of the county’s homes were builtbefore 1960

51.9 percent of the county’s homes were builtsince 1990

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Residential sales

Here is the 2011 and 2012 sales data on ButlerCounty:

2011 | 2012|% change

No. of sales: 3,259|3,812|14.51%

Average home price:$134,464.00|$136,675.00|1.62%

Median home price: $122,000.00|$125,000.00|2.40%

Source: Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati

Posted: 5:13 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2014

Firm wants Middletown to disclose publichousing information

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

    MIDDLETOWN — Attorneys representing a Middletown landlord and Merg Properties LLChave filed a lawsuit to compel the city of Middletown and the Middletown Public HousingAgency to disclose information regarding their efforts to remove landlords fromparticipating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Journal-Newshas learned.

    The four-page document was filed Wednesdayafternoon in Butler County Common Pleas Court, said Dwight A. PackardII of the law firm Sams, Fischer, Packard & Schuessler.

    The law firm is asking the city to presentall correspondences between city officials, city staff and third partiesreferring to Dan Tracy, a Middletown landlord, and/or Merg Properties from 2009to present; all communications between Community Revitalization Director DougAdkins and the Middletown police department from 2009 to present in regards toTracy; all communications between Adkins and the police regarding the Section 8program; and a copy of the analysis completed by the police department withassistance from the University of Cincinnati, Department of Criminal Justice inregards to calls for service by households in 2009 and referenced in the city’sSection 8 analysis in 2010.

    Les Landen, the city’s law director, saidon Wednesday night he heard “through the grapevine” that documents were filed,but he hadn’t seen them. He didn’t want to comment until the complaint wasfiled or he had read the documents.

In2008, Middletown officials made publicstatements “making it clear that a new priority” for the city was reducing thenumber of low-income housing vouchers available to residents, Packard II wrotein the suit.

    Four years ago, the city released its“Section 8 Analysis” that described various ways the city could reduceavailable housing vouchers, and notes that federal regulations significantly“tie your hands” on what the city could do to reduce vouchers, the lawsuitstates. Ultimately, the city’s analysis recommended reducing the availableunits by removing landlords from the program, even going as far as to provide alist of landlords “to target,” which included Tracy, according to the suit.

    Since then, the law firm said, severallandlords, including Tracy, have been “targeted”by the Middletown Division of Police for “vague” criminal investigations andprosecution as part of the effort to eliminate the landlords. Tracy, the law firm said, hastried unsuccessfully since July 2013 to obtain public records from the cityregarding its investigations and prosecutions.

    Since the city can’t go after the tenants,Packard II said he believes Middletown police are using“questionable tactics” to eliminate some of the landlords from the program. Ifthe landlords are ineligible for the program, that would reduce the number of“affordable housing options” in the city, he said.

OVER THE HILL

Dougie must not have read that chapter in his law book.
He stood before council and stated all the above on several occasions LIVE
on TV Middletown....mercy me
This entire thing with HUD is about to explode.
I have heard that HUD will testify against city if all this ends up in court.
HUD will eat Dougie alive...no way to stop it now!