MM is one of 2 municipalities (Glendale other one) that has rear yard pickup. This service costs us in 2 ways:
-addl $36K
-no competition for bidding
(obviously there is upside in terms of aesthetics)
I would like to field a survey at the beginning of 2010 to see if this cost is worth paying, considering many place at curb today.
I would also like to get bids if the front yard pickup were ok'd.
Additional $18K savings by going to a std barrel, but unclear of details.
I would support raising trash fees less (or maybe not at all) if the above is ok with Community.
Cortney
Letter follows:
------------------------
December 14, 2009
Attn: Sue Singleton
Village of Mariemont
6907 Wooster Pike
Mariemont, OH 45227
Dear Sue:
Per our discussion, should the Village of Mariemont choose to change the level of service from rear door to curbside for both waste and recycling collection, your monthly savings would equate to $3010.00 or $36120.00 annually.
Should the Village choose to utilize a cart program for curb side waste or recycling collection that monthly savings would equate to $1505.00 or $18067.00 annually. With the cart program, all residents would receive a 95 gallon waste container or the Village could choose to provide the residents with a 65 gallon recycling container. With this option, all residents would receive one of the options but the Village would have to agree to which of the options the residents would receive.
A third option would result in no savings but if would allow all residents to place both waste and recycling at the curb in a 95 gallon waste container and a 65 gallon recycling container.
The collection days would remain as they are current collected.
In addition, we would be happy to work with Village staff and council to develop a mailing to communicate the changes as noted above.
Thank you for your time and consideration! We aspire to be of service to you and we value our long-standing relationship with the Village of Mariemont. If you have any questions or if you need further explanation, please feel free to contact me at 513-200-0881.
Sincerely,
Rumpke of Ohio
Tom Turchiano
Municipal/Public Sector Manager
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Clerk meeting after Council
I asked Paul to help me prepare for the Jan 11 vote to approve deficit budget forecast. I don't want to vote on anything in which I haven't done some research.
Paul gave 3 new Council members a quick tutorial. In Jan the year starts out confirming we have money, appropriating that money and spending that money. The only hard and fast rule is you can't overspend the appropriation. 1/11 vote kicks off this process.
As it stands now, -$316K will be the published Budget number, same as what was forecast in Jun2009. There is financial upside to this number:
-chief retires
-2 laid off firemen
-1 laid off maintenance
-Police vacant
-slightly better numbers in Jul-Dec.
Thanks Paul for the time on Monday.
Cortney
Paul gave 3 new Council members a quick tutorial. In Jan the year starts out confirming we have money, appropriating that money and spending that money. The only hard and fast rule is you can't overspend the appropriation. 1/11 vote kicks off this process.
As it stands now, -$316K will be the published Budget number, same as what was forecast in Jun2009. There is financial upside to this number:
-chief retires
-2 laid off firemen
-1 laid off maintenance
-Police vacant
-slightly better numbers in Jul-Dec.
Thanks Paul for the time on Monday.
Cortney
Council Mtg 12/14
Very contentious Council Meeting this past Monday. Council made the layoffs official (4 votes for). Fire Chief said he will retire on 1/15. Very sad to have gotten to this point.
Lots of public discussion. Each side brought out their most eloquent backers. Lots of non MM Fire guys in the room.
Melissa Schmit brought great ideas to Council and pushed hard for them.
------------------------------
This is a broad base set of interventions that shares the sacrifice fairly, across all departments and all residents.
1). Maintain lower department spending…………….in base
2). Keep police role vacant…………………………..in base
3). Keep reduced hours building inspector…………..in base
4). Zero salary increase for 2010…………………….in base
5). Layoff one maintenance employee……………….55,000 Re: largest group with non-emergency responsibilities.
6).Furlough all employees 10 days in 2010…………...60,000
7). Trash fully funded…………………………………110,000
*stickers $1 to $2
*annual household $55 to $90/Rental $35 to $60
Trash numbers may change. Waiting on estimate of savings on curbside pick-up.
8). New properly tax proposed at .75 mills……… …...100.000 ($68 per 300K home)
Total $325,000
---------------------------
I provided some of these ideas to Finance Committee in November, so I was concerned when objection raised of "too late".
Another objection: Garbage rate hike is a tax increase. I disagree. This is simply passing through Rumpke's rate hike in Aug. Trash needs to be self funding just like other amenities like the Pool. And with comprehensive education to reduce waste, increase can be offset.
Another objection: furloughs are not sustainable. That is true, but they are more flexible as the economy improves. Better income next year? Don't need to do them again. Layoffs are so much more permanent.
Melissa's recos will be the starting point for our work in 2010. Unfortunately, we're only about 1/3 through the deficit with the above.
Well done Melissa.
Other topics of note:
Dennis Wolter is head of Safety Committee
Village will end 2010 -$250K, w $1Million in the General Fund
Cortney
Lots of public discussion. Each side brought out their most eloquent backers. Lots of non MM Fire guys in the room.
Melissa Schmit brought great ideas to Council and pushed hard for them.
------------------------------
This is a broad base set of interventions that shares the sacrifice fairly, across all departments and all residents.
1). Maintain lower department spending…………….in base
2). Keep police role vacant…………………………..in base
3). Keep reduced hours building inspector…………..in base
4). Zero salary increase for 2010…………………….in base
5). Layoff one maintenance employee……………….55,000 Re: largest group with non-emergency responsibilities.
6).Furlough all employees 10 days in 2010…………...60,000
7). Trash fully funded…………………………………110,000
*stickers $1 to $2
*annual household $55 to $90/Rental $35 to $60
Trash numbers may change. Waiting on estimate of savings on curbside pick-up.
8). New properly tax proposed at .75 mills……… …...100.000 ($68 per 300K home)
Total $325,000
---------------------------
I provided some of these ideas to Finance Committee in November, so I was concerned when objection raised of "too late".
Another objection: Garbage rate hike is a tax increase. I disagree. This is simply passing through Rumpke's rate hike in Aug. Trash needs to be self funding just like other amenities like the Pool. And with comprehensive education to reduce waste, increase can be offset.
Another objection: furloughs are not sustainable. That is true, but they are more flexible as the economy improves. Better income next year? Don't need to do them again. Layoffs are so much more permanent.
Melissa's recos will be the starting point for our work in 2010. Unfortunately, we're only about 1/3 through the deficit with the above.
Well done Melissa.
Other topics of note:
Dennis Wolter is head of Safety Committee
Village will end 2010 -$250K, w $1Million in the General Fund
Cortney
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Committee of the Whole "After Meeting"
There was a lively, sometimes heated discussion out front right after the meeting on Mon. I stayed for 20-30 mins. In no particular order, I heard a lot of things:
-too much disrespect flying both ways. We've got to reign this in. I'm guilty of this in the past, to be fair, but we've all got to do better. Don't like the Mayor? Don't like a Resident? Don't like a Department? Too bad. We're all in this together, and bickering does not advance our Village, nor do anybody any good (even though it often feels good to zing somebody).
-Akron Fire Department moved to a more part time force (40+ Full Timers affected) and saved ONLY $21,000 ($500 per head). This needs to be verified. This savings idea needs further scrutiny.
-Assuming Full Time guys will come back as Part Time is unrealistic. We'll not keep continuity from the 2 affected folks. They will take their experience elsewhere.
-What am I going to do about Fire down 2 full time. I'm sensitive to this, but I'm a citizen only for 22 more days. I've said what I believe publicly (I believe Andy said the same thing one:one w Council) but it's not my fight yet. That said, I won't go and unravel a decision on day one. While it could be re-built, employees have already been affected. And they'll be working on new full time opptys. I will revisit but not right away.
-Department owners should manage their $$$. I love this idea for so many reasons. Pushes decision making down to intimate level. For instance Chief Phifer can retain a full time guy at the expense of equipment. He's the right "decider". Frees up Council's time to work on bigger fwd-looking issues. We're all part time and more focused time is a good thing. Percentage-based approach means Improving Economy, Souring Economy are handled (concern of Resident brought up during mtg)-like an accordion....
-Lack of Communication. I committed and do commit to telling you what I'm going to do before I do it. Employee perceived surprises don't build loyalty. Resident perceived surprises don't build loyalty.
We have lots of work to do in the New Year. And with all the difficulty, I'm still jazzed about rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.
Cortney
-too much disrespect flying both ways. We've got to reign this in. I'm guilty of this in the past, to be fair, but we've all got to do better. Don't like the Mayor? Don't like a Resident? Don't like a Department? Too bad. We're all in this together, and bickering does not advance our Village, nor do anybody any good (even though it often feels good to zing somebody).
-Akron Fire Department moved to a more part time force (40+ Full Timers affected) and saved ONLY $21,000 ($500 per head). This needs to be verified. This savings idea needs further scrutiny.
-Assuming Full Time guys will come back as Part Time is unrealistic. We'll not keep continuity from the 2 affected folks. They will take their experience elsewhere.
-What am I going to do about Fire down 2 full time. I'm sensitive to this, but I'm a citizen only for 22 more days. I've said what I believe publicly (I believe Andy said the same thing one:one w Council) but it's not my fight yet. That said, I won't go and unravel a decision on day one. While it could be re-built, employees have already been affected. And they'll be working on new full time opptys. I will revisit but not right away.
-Department owners should manage their $$$. I love this idea for so many reasons. Pushes decision making down to intimate level. For instance Chief Phifer can retain a full time guy at the expense of equipment. He's the right "decider". Frees up Council's time to work on bigger fwd-looking issues. We're all part time and more focused time is a good thing. Percentage-based approach means Improving Economy, Souring Economy are handled (concern of Resident brought up during mtg)-like an accordion....
-Lack of Communication. I committed and do commit to telling you what I'm going to do before I do it. Employee perceived surprises don't build loyalty. Resident perceived surprises don't build loyalty.
We have lots of work to do in the New Year. And with all the difficulty, I'm still jazzed about rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.
Cortney
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Committee of the Whole recap
Attended the mtg last night - very well attended. Both andy and joe attended which was good to see. I chose not to speak since my comments were already registered.
Rex kicked it off w a helpful 1 pager on options.
Lots of public comments, about 1/3 said act now. Others didn't address or said act in 2010. Some interesting pov's: treat fire and police same, treat police and fire differently, how to avoid budget problems next time, layoffs are litigation risk, garbage stickers are fair game, garbage stickers are a tax increase, beware of taxing to oblivion, less full time is less convenient but no less safe, full time fire is bedrock of dpt.
(Not a full recap just what I jotted down)
My takeaways: part of gap only, we have lots to do regardless. Public by some margin wants to wait.
Then council discussion
Melissa wanted a number and paul had the data but couldn't boil it down due to complexity. Mayor talked about part time police too. 2010 is year of rreconing. Future exec session to discuss details. Vote on monday.
My takeaways: 1)Heard talk about part time cops which feels fair. Every dpt + residents need to chip in. 1)Heard talk about dpt heads owning their budget and love this. Chief your number this year is x down y percent. Make the tough choices - we trust you, you're the most qualified. Push down decision. 3)we need lego building block detail on all ideas. Best case, worst case, 50/50 risk adjusted. I think we're close w all pauls work. 4)we need to act fast! Times a wasting. 4)a resident was cutoff from a 2nd comment and I think it sent wrong message. 4)decision had appearance of being pre-made. Could have gone differently, as simple as add in no xmas bonuses and garbage rate hike same as rumpkes. 5)visual aids are a huge help and a good pr move.
Final decision: 5 to 3 full time fire, maint down 1, no filling vacant police spot.
Lively after meeting w lots more perspsective - more to come.
Cortney
Rex kicked it off w a helpful 1 pager on options.
Lots of public comments, about 1/3 said act now. Others didn't address or said act in 2010. Some interesting pov's: treat fire and police same, treat police and fire differently, how to avoid budget problems next time, layoffs are litigation risk, garbage stickers are fair game, garbage stickers are a tax increase, beware of taxing to oblivion, less full time is less convenient but no less safe, full time fire is bedrock of dpt.
(Not a full recap just what I jotted down)
My takeaways: part of gap only, we have lots to do regardless. Public by some margin wants to wait.
Then council discussion
Melissa wanted a number and paul had the data but couldn't boil it down due to complexity. Mayor talked about part time police too. 2010 is year of rreconing. Future exec session to discuss details. Vote on monday.
My takeaways: 1)Heard talk about part time cops which feels fair. Every dpt + residents need to chip in. 1)Heard talk about dpt heads owning their budget and love this. Chief your number this year is x down y percent. Make the tough choices - we trust you, you're the most qualified. Push down decision. 3)we need lego building block detail on all ideas. Best case, worst case, 50/50 risk adjusted. I think we're close w all pauls work. 4)we need to act fast! Times a wasting. 4)a resident was cutoff from a 2nd comment and I think it sent wrong message. 4)decision had appearance of being pre-made. Could have gone differently, as simple as add in no xmas bonuses and garbage rate hike same as rumpkes. 5)visual aids are a huge help and a good pr move.
Final decision: 5 to 3 full time fire, maint down 1, no filling vacant police spot.
Lively after meeting w lots more perspsective - more to come.
Cortney
Prep for 1/11/10 council meeting
email sent to the Village Clerk re need to vote on "Deficit Appropriation" on 1/11/2010. It's very important to me to be versed on a topic beforehand....
Cortney
-----------
Hi paul,
Could you help me collect the info necessary to make an educated "deficit appropriation" decision on 1/11. I want to familiarize myself beforehand.
Any docs or recos on who to talk with would be great.
I'm glad you've been so diligent in this - providing details by dept is hard work but is vitally important.
Btw-I'm trying to share all village type work with my blog. So I'll share a copy of this email.
Cortney
Cortney
-----------
Hi paul,
Could you help me collect the info necessary to make an educated "deficit appropriation" decision on 1/11. I want to familiarize myself beforehand.
Any docs or recos on who to talk with would be great.
I'm glad you've been so diligent in this - providing details by dept is hard work but is vitally important.
Btw-I'm trying to share all village type work with my blog. So I'll share a copy of this email.
Cortney
Sunday, December 6, 2009
side conversation at Ham Country Planning Mtg
I met with a previous Village official about the planned roundabout on Plainville. I like the idea and would support it assuming it's not a financial burden on the Village. We talked about a gateway oppty, and it can make a real statement. What a front door! I would like to rework the boulevard west of the intersection as well. Maybe an oppty to increase scope. A bermed landscape boulevard with the bike trail running through it would be a real asset to the village.
Cortney
Cortney
attending Ham Cty Regional Planning meeting
I was invited to attend a 2 hour meeting downtown this past Saturday, put on by the Hamilton County Trgional Planning Commission. It was very informative. We heard about toolkits for common issues, library-like information, etc. And my takeaway was share and reapply is possible. Some local municipality somewhere has gone through the same issue. The only requirement is that Mariemont be a member. I know they were, but not sure they are today. Does anybody know?
My hot button issue I need educated on is Eastern Corridor. Lots to gain/lose for Mariemont. And this is the organization to tap into.
Cortney
My hot button issue I need educated on is Eastern Corridor. Lots to gain/lose for Mariemont. And this is the organization to tap into.
Cortney
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