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
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Comm of Whole 12/5
I attended the COW meeting on 12/5 and here's what I saw
Darlene's request to retire and come back part time after a cooling off period. i think this is good for Village finances and doesn't risk double dipping (still legal in Ohio). Further I think service will be maintained overall. It also allows us to trim slightly the number of full time employees. I think step 1 of creating the job in the salary ordinance is reasonable and I support it.
Cortney
Darlene's request to retire and come back part time after a cooling off period. i think this is good for Village finances and doesn't risk double dipping (still legal in Ohio). Further I think service will be maintained overall. It also allows us to trim slightly the number of full time employees. I think step 1 of creating the job in the salary ordinance is reasonable and I support it.
Cortney
Council 11/14
2/2 failed postings. Again sorry for the delay. Remarks exactly as originally submitted on 12/6
Cortney
-------------
I attended Council on 11/14 and here’s what I saw.
Stop Sign overusage. I think we’ve been too aggressive with placemnt of signs. For my part I’ve always supported, but I need to rethink this going fwd. Stopsigns are cheap and effective, but they’re ugly and pollute the landscape visually. And while I’m not a lawyer, I think our use of them is flirting with inappropriate since they do control speed.
Overnight Parking. I think our enforcement ought to evolve to a paid sticker program. If you want to park on the street, there’s a fee associated. We ought to explore an annual fee that neutralizes the costs to manage the program. Maybe not “profit”, but at least cover expenses.
State resolution opposing centralization of income tax offices. I dislike emergency legislation and am not sure it was necessary. I may have voted differently thinking back. However I think outsourcing the office to a lower efficiency provider is not a smart decision. So I supported the resolution.
New member of ARB. I am glad for Village volunteers, and I am sure Paul Allen will do great. However, I am concerned on how the vacancy was created. The Mayor sent a note to Frank Raeon, 10 years on ARB saying his time on ARB was done. This is terribly concerning for 4 reasons: 1)Frank has more relevant experience in his little finger than all of us on Council COMBINED. 2)we should cherish and celebrate volunteerism when it happens – this is not how you treat volunteers. 3)council should have received a copy of the termination letter in the packet. This was done under the radar. 4)Dissent is necessary, patriotic even. Frank disagreeing with the Mayor is the cause for this, and I think it’s terribly small, petty, and vindictive. Council should be informed. I am frustrated by this – Council, our residents and our volunteers deserve better.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes, as all but the Tax office were procedural in nature.
Cortney
Icrctv.com
Cortney
-------------
I attended Council on 11/14 and here’s what I saw.
Stop Sign overusage. I think we’ve been too aggressive with placemnt of signs. For my part I’ve always supported, but I need to rethink this going fwd. Stopsigns are cheap and effective, but they’re ugly and pollute the landscape visually. And while I’m not a lawyer, I think our use of them is flirting with inappropriate since they do control speed.
Overnight Parking. I think our enforcement ought to evolve to a paid sticker program. If you want to park on the street, there’s a fee associated. We ought to explore an annual fee that neutralizes the costs to manage the program. Maybe not “profit”, but at least cover expenses.
State resolution opposing centralization of income tax offices. I dislike emergency legislation and am not sure it was necessary. I may have voted differently thinking back. However I think outsourcing the office to a lower efficiency provider is not a smart decision. So I supported the resolution.
New member of ARB. I am glad for Village volunteers, and I am sure Paul Allen will do great. However, I am concerned on how the vacancy was created. The Mayor sent a note to Frank Raeon, 10 years on ARB saying his time on ARB was done. This is terribly concerning for 4 reasons: 1)Frank has more relevant experience in his little finger than all of us on Council COMBINED. 2)we should cherish and celebrate volunteerism when it happens – this is not how you treat volunteers. 3)council should have received a copy of the termination letter in the packet. This was done under the radar. 4)Dissent is necessary, patriotic even. Frank disagreeing with the Mayor is the cause for this, and I think it’s terribly small, petty, and vindictive. Council should be informed. I am frustrated by this – Council, our residents and our volunteers deserve better.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes, as all but the Tax office were procedural in nature.
Cortney
Icrctv.com
Council 11/28
pls excuse my delay in posting this. I tried unsuccessfully on 12/6, assuming it went online. Here is a direct Copy/Paste from my remarks on 12/6
Cortney
-----
I missed Council on 11/28 due to a family vacation. However, I read through the minutes, and here’s my take on the Dale Park potential acquisition for a Community Center idea. I was asked by a NKU student for my opinion and here’s what I shared. How did the idea of a community center first come up? IDEA HAS BEEN MENTIONED CASUALLY FOR A FEW YEARS. IDEA BROUGHT UP BY OUR MAYOR IN NOVEMBER.
What are the steps that need to go about to get a community center? FOR ME, IT'S PURELY A COST/EXPENSE EXERCISE (UP FRONT THEN ONGOING), THEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RESIDENTS TO CONFIRM INTEREST AND DETAILS AND WILLINGNESS TO FUND (TAXES). WE AREN'T STAFFED TO WRITE GRANT PROPOSALS, BUT IF POSSIBLE THIS WOULD HELP WITH THE FINANCIALS.
What are the positives and what are the negatives of having one? SAVES AND REPURPOSES AN HISTORIC BUILDING WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND OUR HISTORIC VILLAGE, PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR MEETINGS/ACTIVITIES. KEEPS RESIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE VS HAVING THEIR EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE VILLAGE.
WE HAD A COMMUNITY CENTER AT ONE TIME, AND IT'S NOW A CHURCH. NOT SURE WE NEED GIVEN THE CHURCH'S SPACE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. SCHOOLS ALSO OPEN UP FOR THE PUBLIC.
COST OF MAINTAINING AN HISTORIC BUILDING IS HIGH, AND WE CAN'T BALANCE OUR BUDGET TODAY PRE THIS PROJECT, PRE THE STATE BUDGET CUTS (UP TO 15% OF OUR REVENUE GONE IN 2 YEARS). I AM CONCERNED THIS IS COST PROHIBITIVE GIVEN OUR SHRINKING REVENUE
Why will the school have to give up a part of the building to the city for the center? SCHOOL HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL CLOSE AND VACATE THE SCHOOL IN 2012. WE WILL HAVE A LARGE VACANT BUILDING IN 2012 AND NEED A PLAN FOR IT....
What are your feelings about the center and the complications that come along with it? I THINK IT'S AN INTERESTING IDEA WORTH DISCUSSION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. BUT I FEEL THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE GREAT, AND PROBABLY BE TOO GREAT FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.
Cortney
ICRCTV.com
Cortney
-----
I missed Council on 11/28 due to a family vacation. However, I read through the minutes, and here’s my take on the Dale Park potential acquisition for a Community Center idea. I was asked by a NKU student for my opinion and here’s what I shared. How did the idea of a community center first come up? IDEA HAS BEEN MENTIONED CASUALLY FOR A FEW YEARS. IDEA BROUGHT UP BY OUR MAYOR IN NOVEMBER.
What are the steps that need to go about to get a community center? FOR ME, IT'S PURELY A COST/EXPENSE EXERCISE (UP FRONT THEN ONGOING), THEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RESIDENTS TO CONFIRM INTEREST AND DETAILS AND WILLINGNESS TO FUND (TAXES). WE AREN'T STAFFED TO WRITE GRANT PROPOSALS, BUT IF POSSIBLE THIS WOULD HELP WITH THE FINANCIALS.
What are the positives and what are the negatives of having one? SAVES AND REPURPOSES AN HISTORIC BUILDING WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND OUR HISTORIC VILLAGE, PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR MEETINGS/ACTIVITIES. KEEPS RESIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE VS HAVING THEIR EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE VILLAGE.
WE HAD A COMMUNITY CENTER AT ONE TIME, AND IT'S NOW A CHURCH. NOT SURE WE NEED GIVEN THE CHURCH'S SPACE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. SCHOOLS ALSO OPEN UP FOR THE PUBLIC.
COST OF MAINTAINING AN HISTORIC BUILDING IS HIGH, AND WE CAN'T BALANCE OUR BUDGET TODAY PRE THIS PROJECT, PRE THE STATE BUDGET CUTS (UP TO 15% OF OUR REVENUE GONE IN 2 YEARS). I AM CONCERNED THIS IS COST PROHIBITIVE GIVEN OUR SHRINKING REVENUE
Why will the school have to give up a part of the building to the city for the center? SCHOOL HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL CLOSE AND VACATE THE SCHOOL IN 2012. WE WILL HAVE A LARGE VACANT BUILDING IN 2012 AND NEED A PLAN FOR IT....
What are your feelings about the center and the complications that come along with it? I THINK IT'S AN INTERESTING IDEA WORTH DISCUSSION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. BUT I FEEL THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE GREAT, AND PROBABLY BE TOO GREAT FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.
Cortney
ICRCTV.com
Council 12/12
I attended Council on 12/12 and here's what I saw.
Armed Robbery in the Village. This is very concerning, and unfortunately the Police can't be everywhere. My ask of the citizens - report criminal activity immediately. in this case, it wasn't reported for 1+ hours, and it hurts the Police's chances of finding the bad guys.
Darlene's move to part time. I appreciate Darlene's creative solution to our ongoing budget problems. And this appears to avoid the worry of a double dip scenario. I am supportive of this setup and I think we should take this oppty to keep 1.5 full time equivalents in the tax office vs 2.0 today.
Appointments - lots of volunteering is a great thing for the Village. It's pretty easy to support these instances.
Frank Raeon termination on Arch Review Board. I believe Council should be informed when a volunteer is let go. Volunteers are hard to come by and we should be made aware.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes as they were procedural in nature. Darlene's part time role within the salary ordinance was the exception, however I think part time is a reasonable request and good for the Village.
Cortney
ICRCTV.COM
Armed Robbery in the Village. This is very concerning, and unfortunately the Police can't be everywhere. My ask of the citizens - report criminal activity immediately. in this case, it wasn't reported for 1+ hours, and it hurts the Police's chances of finding the bad guys.
Darlene's move to part time. I appreciate Darlene's creative solution to our ongoing budget problems. And this appears to avoid the worry of a double dip scenario. I am supportive of this setup and I think we should take this oppty to keep 1.5 full time equivalents in the tax office vs 2.0 today.
Appointments - lots of volunteering is a great thing for the Village. It's pretty easy to support these instances.
Frank Raeon termination on Arch Review Board. I believe Council should be informed when a volunteer is let go. Volunteers are hard to come by and we should be made aware.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes as they were procedural in nature. Darlene's part time role within the salary ordinance was the exception, however I think part time is a reasonable request and good for the Village.
Cortney
ICRCTV.COM
Monday, November 14, 2011
Election Results
I was disappointed to see my candidate for mayor defeated on Tuesday. In his defense, I think 42% of the electorate voting for change is an impressive first showing. I like and still support Jeff. His issues remain huge opportunities for the Village. I will partner with any on Council who are willing to work on them.
I have been asked to step down due to my support for Jeff's failed run. I disagree with the thought and will honor my commitment to the Village.
Finally, congratulations goes to Dan for running an effective campaign. I will continue to find common ground and work with the Mayor for the good of the Village.
Cortney
I have been asked to step down due to my support for Jeff's failed run. I disagree with the thought and will honor my commitment to the Village.
Finally, congratulations goes to Dan for running an effective campaign. I will continue to find common ground and work with the Mayor for the good of the Village.
Cortney
Council 10/24
I attended Council on 10/24 and here's what I saw.
Parking - we don't need to spend $200K+ on West Street parking when we can amplify what we ALREADY HAVE for hundreds (maybe few thousand) of dollars. We need wayfinding(physical and virtual signage), we need awareness, we need safe crosswalks. We don't need the nuclear option on West St.
Parking study data. We need to be very careful to not "throw the baby out with the bathwater". That study may have some bias (all studies do), but it's a solid, independent data point. If we go and try to "fix", we risk reducing the study to useless.
Agenda Packets. Denise brought up an important point - we do NOT see much of which comes across the Mayor's desk. I speak mainly to the opinions contrary to the Mayor's POV. This is unfortuante, and it shows serious bias. We need objective information in the packets, not a one-sided opinionated view.
New Dodge Charger. This choice is net neutral in terms of operating costs. I would like to see us choose efficiency as an important variable, instead of a secondary one. We can't keep the General Fund from imploding by not improving efficiencies, one of which is energy costs.
Rumpke 2% - this is better than the 3% we absorbed last year. This is meaningful savings vs 3% on such a large portion of our General Fund.
Bike Route in Lower 80. I look fwd to an update at the next Council meeting. This can be a nice add to the village, if someone (not the Village) maintains it.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes. All were procedural except for the Police Car (above) and the State regulating Wooster Pike signage. I have some reservations here, but I think standard signage is reasonable.
Cortney
ICRCTV.COM
Parking - we don't need to spend $200K+ on West Street parking when we can amplify what we ALREADY HAVE for hundreds (maybe few thousand) of dollars. We need wayfinding(physical and virtual signage), we need awareness, we need safe crosswalks. We don't need the nuclear option on West St.
Parking study data. We need to be very careful to not "throw the baby out with the bathwater". That study may have some bias (all studies do), but it's a solid, independent data point. If we go and try to "fix", we risk reducing the study to useless.
Agenda Packets. Denise brought up an important point - we do NOT see much of which comes across the Mayor's desk. I speak mainly to the opinions contrary to the Mayor's POV. This is unfortuante, and it shows serious bias. We need objective information in the packets, not a one-sided opinionated view.
New Dodge Charger. This choice is net neutral in terms of operating costs. I would like to see us choose efficiency as an important variable, instead of a secondary one. We can't keep the General Fund from imploding by not improving efficiencies, one of which is energy costs.
Rumpke 2% - this is better than the 3% we absorbed last year. This is meaningful savings vs 3% on such a large portion of our General Fund.
Bike Route in Lower 80. I look fwd to an update at the next Council meeting. This can be a nice add to the village, if someone (not the Village) maintains it.
I voted in the affirmative on all votes. All were procedural except for the Police Car (above) and the State regulating Wooster Pike signage. I have some reservations here, but I think standard signage is reasonable.
Cortney
ICRCTV.COM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
