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All of the proposed budget amendments passed except for a proposal to contract with McFarland for inspection services. The Public Safety Commission will take this proposal up at its December 9 meeting.
2010 Operating Budget Amendments
Passage of the the budget was remarkably swift, but debate on combining the fire chief and EMS Director/Fire Marshall positions was an interminable tangle. I unsuccessfully attempted to table the matter until we had a proposal from the mayor and administration. My first concern is that we are insufficiently clear as to what we want to do. Second, the fire chief will take up the duties of the EMS Director/Fire Marshall one that position is vacant. There was no need to rush to amend the ordinance.
But the council forged ahead with multiple "friendly amendments" to one one main motion. I supported the amendment because on the whole it improved the main proposal, but voted against the proposed ordinance change. Lost that one 5-1. Sausage was made.
The council also approved:
- a payment of $19,000 to Vierbicher. Resolution 09-11-1663 Amendment to Contract with Vierbicher Associates for 2009 Street & Utility Improvements
- a Resolution 09-11-1666 Declaring Redevelopment Area No. 7 a Blighted Area
Exhibit A, Map of Proposed Blighted Area* - a Resolution 09-11-1667 Participation in Membership with Multi Jurisdictional Public Safety Information System
- a Resolution 09-11-1668 Approving a Contract with Schmidt's Auto for Towing and Impound Services
This seemingly contradictory combination occurs because median home values dropped while the total value of property in the city increased.
ReplyDelete????
How can this be? Is this because the "total value of property" includes businesses and that has gone up?
"Is this because the "total value of property" includes businesses and that has gone up?"
ReplyDeleteYes (and also we increased the municipal levy 2.55%; if we had increased the levy more, then at some point taxes would have gone up even for properties whose value had gone down).
Note: If the value of your real estate was unchanged, then your municipal property txes will go up 2.55%.
"Resolution 09-11-1666 Declaring Redevelopment Area No. 7 a Blighted Area
ReplyDeleteExhibit A, Map of Proposed Blighted Area* "
what in god's name would be develped next to the hs besides what we have there now?
Further, to call the MI auto teler "blighted" is a stretch of the imagination. Does it look nice...no, but blighted. If we were to extend that definiation to the rest of Monona drive about 70 percent is "blighted."
Who comes up with the definition of blighted AND/OR are their standards or is at all in the eye of the developer?
You honestly cannot imagine something better across from the high school than the existing uses?
ReplyDeleteAs to what constitutes blight, there is no developer at this point, so there is no 'eye of the developer'. Jeez Louise, some people are suspicious.
Blight declarations are done pursuant to state statute. The definition and findings for this site are included in the report from Vierbicher. The report that we received also included numerous photos that really show the condition of the area.
I sent a response to Jim Guilfoil's letter to the ed and will post it later.
Blight is right! Much of this area is horrible. Much is vacant and neglected. When did Hawaiian Sun go under? We can do better.
ReplyDeleteCan you post a link to Guilfoil's letter?