Council Agenda Items
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Council
Forum Description: Discuss individual members and council as a legislative body.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2922
Printed Date: May 19 2024 at 3:17pm
Topic: Council Agenda Items
Posted By: randy
Subject: Council Agenda Items
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 11:19am
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7. Resolution No. R2010-08, a resolution declaring the necessity of repairing certain sidewalks, curbs, gutters and driveway aprons in the City of Middletown, requiring that abutting property owners repair the same, and declaring an emergency.
To read the entire agenda see http://www.middletownusa.com/view_news.asp?a=4972 - Middletown City Council Agenda For Tuesday, April 20, 2010 ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Replies:
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 12:11pm
"Declaring an emergency" for sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveway aprons? Do these repairs require emergency legislation? Why, do we have some VIP's coming to town? What's the rush? Why is EVERYTHING an emergency? How 'bout cha Leslie!  Mr. Laubach, Mr. Smith, Ms. Scott-Jones, could you explain this?
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 12:24pm
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Concerning the Master Plan Steering Committee- are the folks being appointed representative of all the disciplines (public service/private business/private citizens. etc.) in town and represent all areas of town to allow input from all areas as to this plan? Or, are these folks pre-planned, pre-contrived members of some of the friends of the city? Looks like some familiar names that appear quite often when selections are made. The city must not trust anyone outside the parameters set forth as to selection.
Looks like Mr. Michel is "moving up to the east side"! Are there others that are "city-owned"?
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 12:43pm
| Regarding the sidewalks, curbs, etc. There are some streets that have already been marked (spray painted) showing where repairs will need to be. Maybe that is why there is an emergency - they have already marked the areas to be fixed. But really isn't it ironic they want the curbs and sidewalks fixed - yet our roads look horrible. |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 1:59pm
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VietVet wrote:Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 3:59pm
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Looks to be the usual suspects for the most part on the Master Plan Steering Committee. No wonder changes are slow coming in this town.
Emergencey on the Gutter, Sidewalks etc. was explained at the last meeting I believe. Basically a timing issue to get work done on a schedule, don't see much wrong with that as the residents foot the bill for those repairs unfortunately.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 5:00pm
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hey wasteful--I resemble that remark!
yep swohio, sj's mentor made the cut.
So the musa forum has a voice.
I will try to keep you as informed as possible, and throw the issues your way for your thoughts(as if I don't know them already).
looks predictably slanted in the dark siders' favor, though a good number of moderate open minds(including a few that surprisingly MIGHT swing over on a few issues).
We shall make the best of it, and hopefully make the right choices, though recently admin/planning/ed has conveniently tossed the master plan out the window as to their actions.
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Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 19 2010 at 10:33pm
| LOL...emergency legislation for property owners to fix sidewalks and aprons..I had 3 flat tires related to potholes last year and the City is responsible and only patches the holes but "EMERGENCY LEGISLATION" for sidewalks and aprons? |
Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 1:52am
| What are the criteria that sidewalks and apron be repaired? Are they looking for consistency, such as the flat aprons? Or only repair any damage? Is this City wide or just certain areas? Why not throw in some mandatory landscaping too? ;) |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 8:11am
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In addition to the University and Sutphin projects (Thanks, Obama!), the city is spending a couple million dollars on local and residential streets in 2010.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 10:41am
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disappointed by the lack of active business owners from this master plan list. Council continues to ignore this very important segment of our community that actually puts their $$ on the line and employs locals. Why aren't the man that owns Stefano's/surrounding properties and the owner of Java Johnny's on this list? They are young and aggressive + care very much about the community where they were born, continue to live, and have invested big time while making significant improvements to their local properties(also employing locals). Also they operate in the CENTER of the town, which has been ignored by virtually eveyone in Council/Admin. |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 11:15am
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SW
I did read it. I stand by what I said. They are asking the individuals to have there sidewalks and aprons fixed on the roads they are working on. Holly is not a major road - why does it need to be fixed - as well as the sidewalks and aprons. Should they not be focusing on roads and sidewalks on major roadways?
Repair work is costly for some individuals - if they are having issues with money, where will they come up with the funds to fix this. I know they can have it put on their property taxes - but then they will be paying it over years and it cause their mortgage payment to increase. Also brings in the fact that if they go to sell the house - it is harder because of the taxes.
I feel they are asking individuals to spend money, when a lot of people do not have it.
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Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 11:37am
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As crazy as it is Bobbie that is Ohio and Middletown Law. I persoanlly have never lived in a state that required residential landowners to repair Public Sidewalks and street gutters and curbs but they do in Ohio. Another crazy Ohio law.
You can either hire your own private company to do the repairs or the city will do the repairs send you a bill and you can pay it in full or they will put it on your tax bill and you make payments over 5 years.
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 11:43am
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I know it is the law - but timing is not the best for this project. I also know you can not hire just anyone for this work - they have to be approved and bonded to do this work. So there is no cheap way for this to be done.
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Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 4:50pm
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I haven't read it nor do I intend to. Too many other things to worry about. When I was walking on Holly the guys spray painting said they were with Duke preparing for some work. Said nothing about being with the City. Didn't see any City trucks.
I'm really surprised it took this long. Monroe did this a couple of years ago.
Thought the Obama money was rejected?!? Don't must cities run on a 5/10 year plan and should have had plans to repave roads even before this money became available??
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Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 20 2010 at 11:43pm
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Not only are they mostly all the "usual suspects" on the Master Plan list (except, of course, for our very own SJ) but there also seems to be at least a tinge of nepotism!!! ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 7:39am
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I pretty much like the variety of participants.
MUSA has a voice at the table.
Hopefully everyone here will stay informed, and any reasonable ?s put forth here will be raised.
Maybe a few unreasonable ?s if they fit the discussed situation or topic.
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Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 8:16am
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Sam Ashworth, Doug Bean, Torri Colts, Steve Dillman, Dane Donham, Leslie Ford, Carl Gaston, Michael Kessenich, Jeff Michel, Saundra Pearce, Noah Powers, Michael Saunders, Mike Scorti, Bob Stacy Come on Spider, is there a committee that Ashworth, Bean, Scorti, Ford, Powers, Michel aren't on. I mean come on their are more than these same 6 people for every committee the city comes up with. Then we have this Dillman Dude......what the hell.
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 9:23am
| There should be a limit on how many committees that one should be on. Not to mention it should diversified between job, area you live in and age. |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 9:27am
| By the way Duke would not be spray painting sidewalks, curbs and aprons. Besides Duke finished their work on Holly years ago when they replaced the gas lines. I am afraid someone may have told you wrong so they did not cause problems. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 9:37am
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Somhow, it just doesn't seem right to have a sitting Commom Pleas Court judge on this committee.
Same for "special friends" of top level city officials. ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 9:56am
| Bobbie, do we really want to limit volunteers in this town? Most people claim we don't have enough of them as is. And no way they set up requirements on age, area, etc. |
Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 11:00am
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Isn't that the same Court that magically created an emergency position for Schiavone? That nobody was even knew about so they could apply/to be considered?
As far as the sidewalks, just what I was told. Also said they would be coming around to cut some branches, which is what they did. I wonder why only they aprons/curbs etc on Holly and not the rest of the neighborhood. Seems silly just to do one street and have all the rest all jacked up, especially with some of those sidewalks in that area. Oh wait, City of Middletown is making decisions, par for the course.
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Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 11:29am
| Bill--"They Claim" being key words...It does seem that the same people are on every committee. The ones that will not disagree with "The Master Plan" or butt heads with "the chosen few". |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Apr 21 2010 at 11:36am
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Bill - I do feel it needs to be diversified. This town is going no where with what they have currently. New ideas, new faces and different backgrounds can not hurt. When you get a group of people together diligently working for a purpose - they can feed off each other and bring many ideas to the table. Maybe you really don't know - but there was a request that to be placed on any committee an application is required. It will then be decided who is to sit on the committee. This happened back when the city manager was working really hard to dismantle one group that did not see eye to eye with her. She at that time hand picked a committee that would see eye to eye with her. There are more volunteers out there then what you think - but some will not welcomed. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 22 2010 at 6:38am
I know I'd be welcomed on any committee by my peeps in the city building!   Was made to feel right at home on the Beckerman's committee. He's a good one! They're crazy about my attitude. and have asked me back several times.
Spider- read your earlier post about wishing there were more business people on the Master Plan Committee. Then, read your most recent post that you thought the mix was ok. I'm  Do you like the mix or not?
I agree with you Pacman on this Dillman person. Is he the same Dillman who owns all these grocery stores? Seems to be involved with alot of committees and the mucky-muck high rollers in town. Seems to be "outspoken" at times and occasionally "strays" from the city's message to the people. Can he be trusted by just us "common folk"? Wish he would just go along with the city's vision a little more.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 22 2010 at 7:10am
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I am comfortable with the mix, Vet.
Still--never much of a business perspective involved.
As we know--what we like and what we get are two different things.
You may like what I do or say--you may not.
Same with my thinking towards you and everyone else.
Thought you came off well in the MJ--not that I agree or disagree with your thinking.
It is YOUR thinking.
I speak for myself--you speak for yourself.
Master plan doesn't seem to matter much any more anyway, when planning/ED/Admin wants to stray.
Just gonna try to make something constructive and beneficial to the entire community.
Anyone going to the NAACP event Saturday evening?
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Apr 22 2010 at 8:51am
| Did Scorti own his own business at one time? |
Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 27 2010 at 3:58pm
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Is there a list of streets where the residents are going to be required to make these repairs somewhere?
How soon should we be looking to receive these letters?
I looked a little bit on the City Website, found nothing listed so far...
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 27 2010 at 4:15pm
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PUBLIC SAFETY LEVY
When this was passed, we were guaranteed that the city would maintain the current level of police and fire, and that 100% of the levy revenue would go towards public safety.
I believe that the public safety levy tax revenue has gone into the general fund.
Has any of this public safety revenue been used for other purposes?
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Apr 27 2010 at 9:16pm
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In addition to both University and Sutphin, which are the major resurfacing projects, the following are also scheduled for 2010:
Aberdeen Drive ................. Central Avenue to Inland Drive Bellemonte Street .............. Central Avenue to Elmo Place Berwick Lane ..................... Manchester Road to Wicklow Drive Cambridge Drive ............... Manchester Road to Wicklow Drive Holly Avenue ..................... Marshall Road to Vancouver Street Jackson Lane .................... Roosevelt Boulevard to Grand Avenue Lafayette Avenue .............. Main Street to Verity Parkway Lamberton Street ............... Corta Via to Lefferson Road Ronald Drive ...................... Marshall Road to Arcadia Drive Stanley Avenue ................. Alameda Circle to Roosevelt Boulevard Wicoff Street ...................... Woodlawn Avenue to Roosevelt Boulevard Woodlawn Avenue ............ Sutphin Street to University Boulevard Yankee Road ..................... Main Street to Verity Parkway |
Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Apr 27 2010 at 9:42pm
| Thank you SWOhio75 |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 27 2010 at 11:53pm
------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Apr 28 2010 at 7:05am
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I have been hearing rumblings the last week or so about the funds inthe Public Safety fund being used elsewhere, are they true I have no clue at this point. I also hear the Finance Committee meeting was a barn burner. If this is so and the people in the know have the documentation, the next council meeting ought to be interesting. I would say the Public Safety fund needs to be audited.
As far as the promise to maintain the status quo with the funds from the Public Safety levy, you can't hire and pay for what you don't have. I see the Sheriff has laid off another 10 employees. Middletown should be developing such a plan now that will include layoffs of Police/Fire if the levy doesn't pass and also if there are anymore more demands by the Unions for Pay and benefit increases which the city can not afford at this time.
The people are getting tired of these 3% raises while most of them are getting no raises or pay cuts. People are getting tired of these retirement benefits which are straining the cities budget and also heath care costs which continue to escalate. Personally I don't see the Public Safety levy passing in 2012 and the time to act and plan for it is now, not after it fails.
The city can start with the upcoming Fire Fighters contract negotiations and hold the line on pay increases etc. to nil at this point. If the union can't do the math then you develop a list of those that will be laid off to pay for the increase costs of those that remain. Until you say enough is enough under the current conditions the City is in, the Unions are going to bleed this city dry.
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Posted By: Nick_Kidd
Date Posted: May 02 2010 at 7:23pm
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Income Tax Increase Proposal On August 21, 2007, the Middletown City Council unanimously voted to place a .25% income tax increase on the Novemberballot. This tax would be designated for public.safety with a five year sunset clause. ...~ Passage of this .25% tax would not increase fire or police services but it would allow the City to avoid further cuts. The City is currently projecting a $2,382,845 General Fund deficit in 2008. Public Safety services make up 69% of that deficit. The proposed tax would offset that deficit as well as provide for additional inflation-based expenses for the future. The short term non-publicsafety portionof the deficit ($742,836)would be covered by administrative support fees from local and federal programs, the elimination of vacant positions,as well as continued efforts to improve the cost-effectiveness of city operations This smaller tax increase (than the .75% which was proposed last year) reflects Council's recognition that the community has not yet recovered from the effects of the AK lockout. It is likely that an additional .25% will be sought in the future for non- public safety needs and/or ~reet improvements. The City has already undergone significant reductions in manpower and other costs associated withthe General Fund. Increasing the City's income tax by .25% would increase the expense to a household earning $40,000 per year by approximately$1.92 per week, Pensions and interest earnings are not subject to the city income tax. Additional information is available on the city's website at http://www.ci.middletown.oh.us - www.ci.middletown.oh.us . ------------- Government is not the answer to problems, government is the problem. |
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: May 02 2010 at 8:03pm
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Nick whether it is a .25% renewal of the current Public Safety Levy or if they increase it to .50% that will be a no vote.
The School Levy is the last Levy that I will vote "yes" on until I as a resident and business owner see some turn around in this city from it's current downward spiral. Unfortunately that does not look like it is going to happen anytime soon.
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Posted By: rngrmed
Date Posted: Sep 04 2010 at 5:40am
Off of this list what has been completed? Hell, even started? Were these not to be completed this year?
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Posted By: 409
Date Posted: Sep 04 2010 at 9:17am
| Don't know about the others, but I drove down Bellemonte the other day and curbs & sidewalks were being replaced. |