Tuesday, January 31, 2012

1/23/2012 Council

I attended Council on 1/23 and here's what I saw

New Tot Lot Playground Equip. I have seen the deterioration first hand and think the request is reasonable. I also appreciate MPPG's financial commitment. I look fwd to discussing in Committee.

New Windows in Admin Bldg. Efficiency investments are a great idea. I do not support additions to the building (save an elevator-sized one) but think we should invest in lowering our General Fund liabilities like energy bills.

Pool Board - I will not support Pool Board expansion unless I see verbal or written evidence of this body requesting the change.

Parks Board - Since they've asked for expansion, I will support their request.

New Mowing Vendor and Contract - I am thankful for Grass Cor's service to the Village and look fwd to 4 Seasons service in 2012.

I voted in the affirmative on all since they were procedural in nature. The one exception: Mowing contract. We'll save $5000 annually vs 2011 and I trust John S.' affirmation of 4 Seasons ability to execute the contract.

Cortney

ICRCTV.com

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Council 1/9/2012

I attended Council on 1/9 and here's what I saw

Interest Rates - I'm glad Tony and Andy are already considering other options for our sizable balances. There's money to be made that we're forgoing today.

December missed payments - this is a big deal, regardless of cause. As I see it, there was either a purposeful act or an accidental one. I have no evidence of purposeful, so as I've learned over the past couple years (the hard way), I won't pursue concerns/accusations without evidence. So I'll assume accidental. However, this delay of payment creates a shocking choice in the narrative of our Village's finances: "Mariemont has experienced deficits in 4 out of the last 5 years" OR "Mariemont has experienced 2 surpluses in a row". Which is true? The choices could not be more different. I think regardless of our final-final balance in 2011, the former appears true. And unless I'm shown a mistake in my logic, I'll communicate this as I talk with Residents. We must do more to solve our ongoing financial problems ahead of the State's reductions Village revenue beginning in 2013.

December missed payments part 2 - I think Jeff's comments were fair and reasonable. I appreciate his detailed study of the issue (I didn't notice the discrepancy). Irregularities in our income and/or in our expenses are examples of topics that should be ok to to be discussed real-time in public. At the end of the day, I like some back and forth, and some debate and disagreement during Council is a good thing.

December missed payments part 3 - Andy K's comments gave me an idea (and as I learned later, Andy had this idea too) - why not implement a delayed payment program, especially if we can improve the interest rates? I would support implementing a process for staggering payments. The longer we hold onto $$, the more that we can make in interest....

Andy B as Vice Mayor - Andy's done a nice job, and I happily support him.

I voted in the affirmative on all votes as they were procedural in nature.

Cortney

ICRCTV.COM

Monday, January 16, 2012

Public Works Report 1/16/2012

Here is our Committee Report for Mowing in 2012.

Cortney
-------------
Public Works and Services met on Jan 16, 2012 to discuss Mowing Bids. The committee makes the following recommendation: accept 4 Seasons bid of $43,338 for 2012, a savings of approx $5000 vs 2011.

Cortney Scheeser
Denise McCarthy
Jeff Andrews

(text may be modified as necessary to meet formatting/style standards)

Public Works Minutes 1/16/2012

Meeting came to order 7PM on Monday Jan 16. Attending were Jeff Andrews, Denise McCarthy, John Schirpenberg, and representatives from bidding companies.

Cortney asked for a recap of the bids. John called them very good bids, all close. 6 returned, one new comer. 4 Seasons is new and lowest at $43K. all 6 are capable and have met requirements.

$49,500 in 2010, 0% increase in 2011. 2011 same. Eventually $48100K w lower acreage in 2011 (Dale Park elimination).

John's recap of Grasscorp: ups and downs as to be expected. Bagging concerns (Wooster Island) in 2011. Used sometimes, other times did not. Bagged for safety more than aesthetics. Very good working w Village, Bills on time. Extra work performed outside contract. They have done "nice job for us".

Jeff asked about accumulated incidents that would prohibit them from doing the job in 2012. None. Cortney asked if Leasing guys vs traditional employees an issue. Non issue.

Jeff asked about the companies without $ values. John said bids not returned. Cortney asked if the bidders present wanted to speak.

Four Seasons - 3 yrs in business, parent business since 1940. Maintenance, hardscape, pesticide, fertilizer, treework. Have heavy construction equipment. Parent company doing Mariemont Schools work now. 25-30 employees seasonally. American equip. Employees ok to work in the US. Bid job aggressively. Same crew each week. HQ on Fields Ertel near 71. Mariemont not biggest job, but would be only municipality. Lots of HOA/POA work.

Swisher - not the lowest bid, however only based out of Mariemont, paying Corp tax here. Mariemont should support local businesses. Comparable quality work vs other vendors.

Lawnscapers - not the lowest, we will follow the contract. Misses in 2011: stick edging not done, bagging not done. Owner lives in Mariemont, hire local college kids. Low bid makes sense to look there first. 18 employees peak season.

Blue Sky - multiple bids. All very capable, experienced. Not lowest bidder. Any extra money has disappeared - concerned about $ vs service. No fat left. Not much room to lower further.

Cortney said a lot like 2010. Successful incumbent, faced with newer to business Vendor. I supported lowest and best. Similar today. Some issues with Grass Corp. Some exceed, some misses. Lowest and Best on the page is 4 Seasons.

Denise similar place, supports, Cortney's leaning. Financial environment requires it.

Jeff asked about 2010 difference: $4K-$5K lowest vs 2nd. Same timing as Deficit roadmap, employee austerity There is value in continuity. Local vendor is preferred. What is cutoff? Asked John - is there more work for a new vendor.

John - 1 sq mile, not a huge concern of helping their learning curve.

Cortney said Alex at Grasscorp made admirable effort. Some nagging misses, "wasn't perfect". No overt loyalty for a good job vs a "wow" job. If Alex low bidder I would support continuing with Grasscorp. 10% revenue goes away before the contract ends due to state Cuts. Savings wherever I can find it. $2000 savings is a good steward of our finances.

Cortney asked about oversight. Is there a need for the Committee to meet quarterly for instance throughout the year? Village resident input, John quick learning curve? Stay closer to this? Should we take a more hands on role?

Jeff asked about learning curve. John said not a lot of time w Grasscorp. Hours, not days.

Cortney asked if we had alignment? Jeff has concerns but financial situation is significant. However, so is local levels of service.

Cortney asked about getting out if poor service? John said Bid Bonds aren't kept, they're returned. Never has been an issue. 4 Seasons offered 30 day cancellation because they are confident in their work.

Denise asked why we don't keep the bonds. John said wasn't worth Council's trouble - setup escrow required. Don't do with Garbage either.

Jeff asked 4 seasons which is most difficult part. High level of service is unique. No unlike Condo Association. Offer all customers 30 day cancellation clause. Issues will arise, oppty is how to deal with it.

Cortney said 3 areas to watch out for: island bagging, stick edging, fall leaf. Challenge 4 seasons to have watchful eye. 4Seasons: drive back is long so want to do job right 1st time. callbacks are inefficient.

Jeff asked if timing, equip similar for residents? John said yes

4 seasons: uniforms, new john deere equip.

Committtee agreed lowest and best is 4 seasons.

Ongoing oversight. Cortney would like ongoing touchpoint. Jeff suggested no meeting needed, ongoing communication, quarterly, 1/monthly during season. Cortney said he likes John's ongoing log of issues and asked if John would share. John agreed. Denise suggested monthly. John agreed. Cortney said overcommunicating is good, both ways.. Meetings unnecessary, monthly emails would be ideal.

Denise asked if foreman - 4seasons said yes.

Meeting adjourned 7:40PM


Cortney Scheeser




Cortney

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Council 12/27

I attended Council on 12/27, and here's what I saw.

Pool Board expansion. I think changing this setup does not benefit the Village. The Board themselves told the Mayor in Nov/Dec that they thought 7 was right. We have a good number @7, and there is no data, no rationale for this change. I support diversity, for sure, and I challenge the Mayor to manage that with his appointments.

Scott McIntosh being left off the Board. Scott did a nice job in his short tenure, and I think he should be allowed to continue. Considering all his work on the Board this year, this action feels partisan. As Andy Black shared with me last year, volunteers are hard to come by and you take them when you can get them. Let's keep Scott.

Jeff Andrews action to override the decision. I support leaving the Board at 7, and I support Scott M. So it's a no brainer that I would try to preserve both. And with a 5-0 vote, it's not a minority position. Well done, fellow Council members.

Parks Board expansion is also concerning. With the information provided, I don't support a change. I understand the need for more sleeves-rolled-up-work vs Pool Board, but there is nothing wrong with deputizing volunteers as needed. There are many would-be volunteers that are unaware of opptys to serve. To that end, why don't we drive awareness when boards have vacancies, when volunteers are needed. It's unfair to the handful of folks who volunteer for nearly everything. Let's open this up to all!

South 80 Trail. I don't support implementation before Council & Public review (Denise brought up this point and I share some of these concerns), but a staked layout is appropriate as a next step. I look fwd to this pre-step.

Jeff Travers resignation. I'm a fan of Jeff and I'm sorry to see him go, but I understand the difficulty of 2 full time jobs simultaneously. Good luck Jeff. Related, I've been a fan of Tim Feichtner for a while. I know he'll do a good job. Of interest - we only have 1 full time firefighter (+ Rick the Chief) on the fire side. It's an interesting model and worth trying. The savings are nice if it works.

I voted in the affirmative on everything as all votes were procedural except for the spending ordinance. This is common late in the year and it seemed reasonable. Also of note was the mowing ordinance, which again is reasonable and only lets us advertise for bids.

Cortney

ICRCTV.COM