Middletown Forum : AGENDA 12-06-2016

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Adkins: A valid question. Yes,...

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:26:10 +0000

Author: whistlersmom
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 21 2016 at 5:26pm

Adkins: A valid question. Yes, we are out of room. Through the recession, we laid off people each year to balance the budget. 20 years ago we had 700 employees. We ended up by 2012 with 362 total employees and one person departments throughout the building.

Please tell us exactly when we had 700 employees.
Why would the city hire more people when overall income is down? A small increase in income tax will result from building AK Steel research and the gas fired power plant. But mostly temporary construction jobs and very few permanent new jobs will be created. No other significant employers have come to Middletown therefore Moody’s downgraded us twice because the city can’t pay it’s bills. Anyway, extra income tax should be used for street repair or debt retirement instead of more employees or for renting unneeded space from cronies.

Adkins: Marty was planning AND zoning with no clerical support. Now we have a City Planner and a City Zoning Official.

If Marty was planning AND zoning with no clerical support it seems that he was doing two part-time jobs so why do we now have separate City Planner and a City Zoning Officials. These are less than part time jobs for which we will pay double and have to provide expensive benefits.

Adkins: The building inspection department was down to the Chief Building Official and his admin. Due to the resurgence in building throughout the city, we’ve had to add two building inspectors to keep up with the volume.

Please tell us where all this building is going on that required a 200% increase in building inspectors.

Adkins: We are adding an Animal Control officer back into the budget in 2017. We are restoring resident services as quickly as the tax revenues allow.

Will this Animal Control officer make nearly $90,000 a year plus benefits like Liz Lucas? Rather than restoring “services” which the city can not afford with tax revenues which have yet to appear, why not live up to your fiduciary responsibility which is safety of the citizens and maintaining infrastructure?

Adkins: Between the loss of the inheritance tax and the reduction in state support from the local government fund, the city now operates with $1.8 million a year less than it was receiving in 2010.

Also the loss of property taxes on downtown property given to non-profits. Also the property tax loss on the 400 properties torn down by the city. Also the loss of administrative fees for running the section 8 program. This says it all. Why is the city trying to find ways to waste our remaining tax dollars?

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Mike:"This Goetz Tower thing...

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 06:03:48 +0000

Author: What A City
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 15 2016 at 6:03am

Mike:

"This Goetz Tower thing should be one that fills that bill. If the City needs more office space, we have the former Senior Citizens building that City Hall wasted our tax money on because they wanted to control downtown property. It is right next door to City Hall!!! The Goetz Tower lease is nothing more than a crony payoff to try to control more downtown property. Why should the former Seniors building go to waste while we waste more taxpayers' money on another white elephant???"

I asked that same question on my post above dated Dec 7 Mike. Mr. Adkins, while answering many questions, managed not to address this question.

Why wouldn't the city use the old Seniors building for the overflow Mr. Adkins, particularly since it would involve no lease and would be in close proximity to the city building?

And I agree with your comparison on the arts crowd size and interest versus the cheeseburger/beer. Been saying this for many years now. This is a blue collar town showing very little interest in the arts. Why do the city leaders insist on making the city what it is not? Totally out of touch with the demographic interests of this town while catering to less than five percent of the population who are interested in the arts. Not logical Mr. Adkins.

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Mayor Mulligan himself said, in...

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 03:22:49 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 15 2016 at 3:22am

Mayor Mulligan himself said, in a Journal article on January 30, 2012, concerning some things that the City supports, that he: "doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.”

This Goetz Tower thing should be one that fills that bill. If the City needs more office space, we have the former Senior Citizens building that City Hall wasted our tax money on because they wanted to control downtown property. It is right next door to City Hall!!! The Goetz Tower lease is nothing more than a crony payoff to try to control more downtown property. Why should the former Seniors building go to waste while we waste more taxpayers' money on another white elephant???

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : spiderjohn wrote:Everyone...

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 03:07:40 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 15 2016 at 3:07am

spiderjohn wrote:

Everyone honestly wants to help in some way, and see our community succeed.

One small disagreement, my friend.

Everyone honestly wants to help with things that will see our entire community succeed!!!

I think that most of us are tired of financing the things that only two or three hundred Middletonians enjoy.

The empirical proof is there every summer. The artsy-fartsy, wine and cheese stuff (much bally-hooed by the Journal and City Hall) never draws more than a couple of hundred. The cheeseburger, beer and rock 'n' roll stuff (with little or no publicity) draws THOUSANDS!!!

If they want the high-brow stuff, I'm all for it...but it's about time they paid for it themselves. After thirty or forty years, the results are in.

How much longer should we put up with the hypocrisy, such as junk car hoods being deemed "historically appropriate" by the kangaroo court Historic Commission? It's no longer laughable. It's sickening!!

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Thanx for the informative and...

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:47:50 +0000

Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 14 2016 at 3:47pm

Thanx for the informative and detailed reply, Mr.A. How it should be. This forum may well be the easiest and best way to pass info and open discussion.

Will the citizens' tax $$ now be paying for this additional space as well as for DMI, or will they be housed together?

You state that this arrangement will enhance admin visibility, but for whom? It is located at the extreme west end of the city, somewhat distant for businesses operating on the east end or in mid-town. Will necessary trips now involve visiting the Donham building also? This arrangement seems already decided but as stated, seems short on $$ and timeline details.

You might give up on the increased city tax rate idea--it might not fly all things considering....

Public safety staffing and infrastructure are fundamental---far more important to a large majority.

I understand your wanting to separate your city manager start from anything/everything that happened prior, however most of the lifers see the timeline as one continuous screenplay. City admin comes and goes frequently, while we remain to continue here.

Any specifics on the 5th/3rd completion date, the Rose completion date, the Manchester complex completion date and subsequent property taxes forthcoming? Time marches on....

Hey--the former downtown area is finally improving, thanx to some very dedicated small business locals. Very encouraging--I enjoy patronizing a few of these places. These faces are hopefully our future leaders.

Most everyone locally(and on MUSA) wants the city to improve and succeed without adding to the tax rate. We ARE all in this together though we often differ on the means of action. At least you realize that those posting here are not the "enemy".

We still need quality retail throughout(rumor that Elder Beerman and eventually Sears are closing). When we have to travel for shopping(esp holiday time!), we often dine and seek entertainment while on the road. This quality of life issue continues to be an admin/ED stepchild imo unfortunately. After reading your comment above, all that I can say is that most of my local small business friends have never been visited.

Please use this forum to keep us informed and alive in the discussion. Everyone honestly wants to help in some way, and see our community succeed.

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Moving the Economic Development...

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 11:00:30 +0000

Author: Douglas Adkins
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 12 2016 at 11:00am

Moving the Economic Development into Goetz has been the leading discussion. I agree with the need to get them more exposure in a more professional office space.

A sub-lease option is a great idea. And I'll keep the market rate lease rate in mind as we negotiate terms. We'll move in as the first floor is ready if we can operate without getting in the way of completing the project.

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Too bad the meeting was unable...

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 10:35:41 +0000

Author: swohio75
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 12 2016 at 10:35am

Too bad the meeting was unable to be recorded.

Doug with regard to the city’s lease agreement, I would hopethe city:

Pays no more than $10 a square foot forrent. This seems to be the going rate inthe downtown area
Has an option to sublease the space if marketconditions warrant. I would hate to see street-level retail space along Centralnot be available because the city has a five year lease.
Considers the space for Econ Development, Communications/PRto help increase visibility

The notes in the staff report were not completelyclear. Does the city’s lease agreementstart when their space on the first floor is completed or when the building’sconstruction is completed. The followingwas vague: “The lease will begin when the construction is completed on thebuilding.”

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : Mr. Adkins:"There was a discussion...

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 10:25:26 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 12 2016 at 10:25am

Mr. Adkins:
"There was a discussion of focusing more on crime, roads, infrastructure to create a better platform for private investment. You're not wrong, but where is the money to pay for these items?"

Where has the millions that have been plowed into the downtown come from? Just seems the city has enough money to fund the downtown dreams sponsored by Mulligan and the S. Main St crowd but the money to put into the streets is extremely difficult to acquire. Your downtown focus is and has been priority one for many years. Don't believe me? Just review the Journal stories the last ten years and tell me where the majority of the article focus has been. There is an overwhelming emphasis on downtown success stories emulating from the pages of the Journal Mr. Adkins. Not nearly that amount concerning concentration on the rest of the city. That is a fact.

Mr. Adkins:
"That doesn't mean we are not supporting other parts of the city"

Then tell us what other parts of the city you are supporting. I don't read very many stories in the Journal about "other parts of the city".

Mr. Adkins:
"I have a different definition of success about Cincinnati State than most. It was recruited to fill a couple needs. One, to renovate and occupy the old Cinergy building. That was accomplished. Second, to fill an educational gap in work force development. It has done that as well. They'll get as many students as they can recruit and as the need is there for training or retraining. They are a stabilizing force in downtown and as far as the city is concerned, I think they are a great success. That's my opinion of course."

Then don't have the Journal print a story about enrollment goals of 5000 in five years or a revision to 3000 when CS saw the numbers would never be met. When you do that, the public has a target of accomplishment and if it is not met, we can judge CS as having failed (or succeeded). To date, the enrollment numbers aren't at the 20% level of initial anticipated enrollment and CS is 3-4 years into operation. The goals were not met in anybody's book Mr. Adkins. You say it is success in your opinion? You have to say that. You are the city manager. If you weren't you would call it, at best, a partial success but not the success as was advertised. And, logically, because the enrollment numbers are well below anticipated, the foot traffic is well below anticipated for patronage for the downtown businesses. That is not debatable. Bottom line.....it hasn't panned out as yet. For once, I would like a city leader to admit what is really happening and not sugar coat a given situation. We can see right through that Mr. Adkins and it makes city officials look very bad to the citizens who are half way observant.

Oh, and the people could have gotten their "work force education" from MUM or Butler Tech which would have met the management or technical job market criteria. CS is just another alternative to these two long established workforce training grounds and is an add-on rather than a necessity and was included mainly to bolster downtown activity and interest as a PR attraction. Let's call it for what it was intended. Foot traffic and the occupation of a city owned Thatcher purchased piece of real estate sitting empty.

Civil, blunt, no frills, to the point and no name calling Mr. Adkins.

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : I'll add one more fact that...

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 08:41:54 +0000

Author: Douglas Adkins
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 12 2016 at 8:41am

I'll add one more fact that makes it hard to operate. Between the loss of the inheritance tax and the reduction in state support from the local government fund, the city now operates with $1.8 million a year less than it was receiving in 2010. For us, like you, in many cases it has been one step forward (record 2016 tax revenues) and one step back (loss of state funding). It's one more reason I believe we need to take our time and slowly build a Middletown that doesn't rely on the state or the feds to be successful. It's a hard transition and a slow one.

AGENDA 12-06-2016 : As long as it stays civil here,...

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 08:21:10 +0000

Author: Douglas Adkins
Subject: 6395
Posted: Dec 12 2016 at 8:21am

As long as it stays civil here, I'm happy to keep responding. Disagreement, even angry disagreement, is sometimes healthy to getting to the best decision. As long as it stays focused on the topics and not the people, I'll keep responding here.

A few things from the posts above...

The contractor installing the cameras in Council chambers did not have them operational by last Tuesday's meeting, so we were again unable to record the December 6th meeting. I genuinely apologize for that. The contractor did not meet their own deadlines.

There was a comment about the Rose Furniture building. It will be rebuilt by the Goetz Tower developer as part of the project. Lower floor retail with upper floor residential.

I have a different definition of success about Cincinnati State than most. It was recruited to fill a couple needs. One, to renovate and occupy the old Cinergy building. That was accomplished. Second, to fill an educational gap in work force development. It has done that as well. They'll get as many students as they can recruit and as the need is there for training or retraining. They are a stabilizing force in downtown and as far as the city is concerned, I think they are a great success. That's my opinion of course.

There was a discussion of focusing more on crime, roads, infrastructure to create a better platform for private investment. You're not wrong, but where is the money to pay for these items? I'm trying hard to do this without significantly raising taxes, etc. We are trying to use economic development to diversify the tax base and bring new jobs and families to the city. The easy answer is to take you all to 2.5% income tax rate and I'll start paving and beefing up public safety immediately. We created at least part of this mess, and I am trying to fix it without tapping out the citizens who stayed during the tough times. We can always talk about speed and where dollars are going to come from, but I'm trying to take the slow, steady, don't tax, and build sustainability road back to success.

The other alternative is to borrow money, throw a flash in the pan, and pave a bunch of roads... once. I won't be able to repeat that and we can pay on the loan for the next 20 years.

Finally, we've had over 100 retention visits this year with existing businesses. I keep hearing that I need to support the rest of the city. I'm not hearing that from the businesses that we are visiting. Some of the most visible things are going on downtown. That doesn't mean we are not supporting other parts of the city. If you know of a business that has a plan to build or expand and they want to talk to the city about how we might help, send them my way. I have yet to tell one business anywhere in town "sorry, we're only doing downtown stuff, we don't care about you." I'll meet with anyone who wants to sit down and talk business.

There are a lot of sound bites in this one post and I've hit a lot of topics quickly and with only a sentence or two. Don't read anything into this post other than trying to get some additional facts into the discussion.

A healthy debate is a good thing.