COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 18, 2009 7:00 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY ALL IN ATTENDANCE.
PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY MAJOR BRENDA PITTMAN, SALVATION ARMY.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ROLL CALL:
SANDY YORK PRESENT
ANGIE GOODMAN PRESENT
JAMES KIDD PRESENT
MARY MALONE PRESENT
MARK KOGER PRESENT
VAUGHN REID PRESENT
RICHARD HAHN PRESENT
MR. MAURIE GOODWIN, PRESIDENT OF THE AVIATION BOARD OF NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY, STATED HE WAS THERE ASKING FOR COMPENSATION FOR OPERATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,473.00 WILL BE THE CITY'S SHARE. THIS WILL BE IN THE 2010 BUDGET.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID THERE WAS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT ON THE AGENDA BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY CONCERNING FEDERAL STIMULUS JAG FUNDS.
PRESIDENT YORK READ THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE AND HENRY COUNTY, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA, THE 2009 BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM AWARD WAS READ IN FULL BY SANDY YORK
POLICE CHIEF NICHOLSON SAID THE AGREEMENT HAD TO BE PASSED AND FAXED TONIGHT. THE CITY WOULD RECEIVE THE MONEY AND WOULD GIVE HALF TO THE COUNTY.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE AND HENRY COUNTY. COUNCILMAN KOGER: SECOND. ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK READ THE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NEW CASTLE, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER 1 APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS TO THE INDIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND RURAL AFFAIRS AND ADDRESSING RELATED MATTERS.
MR. McDaniel's EXPLAINED THE RESOLUTION. HE SAID THE OCRA GRANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUNDS FOR EXPENDED REPAIR OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBRIS REMOVAL IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SEVER WEATHER OF 2008. THIS WOULD INCLUDE TO EXECUTE AND ADMINISTER A RESULTANT GRANT INCLUDING GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE INDIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND RURAL AFFAIRS AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE #3569
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #3449 WAS READ ON THIRD READING BY TITLE ONLY BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILADY GOODMAN: SECOND.
ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3570
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #3309 WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON THIRD READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3571
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 97 OF THE NEW CASTLE CITY CODE WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON SECOND READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN KOGER: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND READ ORDINANCE #3571 ON THIRD AND FINAL READING. COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND. ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. SUSPENDED.
ORDINANCE #3571
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 97 OF THE NEW CASTLE CITY CODE WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON THIRD READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND.
ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE HAD RECEIVED PICTURES OF THE CEMETERY. SHE SAID THE GRASS IS APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES TALL. THE PICTURES WERE PASSED AROUND TO THE OTHER COUNCILPERSONS. SHE SAID WE ARE FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS BUT SHE PROMISED TO BRING THIS FORWARD. SHE SAID SHE HOPED IT WAS CORRECTED AND WON'T HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. SHE WAS PROUD TO HEAR SOMEONE SAY WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CEMETERY AND PARKS.
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE WENT WITHOUT OR GEO PEOPLE AND NOW HAVE THEM BACK AND A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO. ALL THE GEO WERE CALLED BACK IN TO RE-EVALUATE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE NOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED AT THE PRISON AND KNOW WHAT TO DO.
COUNCILMAN KIDD ASKED ABOUT VOLUNTEERS.
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH WESTMINSTER TO LEASE THE PROPERTY OVER TO THEM. THIS IS WHAT WE DO TO THE SOFTBALL DIAMONDS. THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WILL MAINTAIN THOSE PROPERTIES. HE SAID WE WOULD WELCOME ANY ORGANIZATION THAT WANTED TO VOLUNTEER.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE KNEW A LOT OF FAMILIES TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN GRAVE SITES.
COUNCILADY GOODMAN SAID SHE KNEW OF SOME BUILDINGS WITHIN A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM DOWNTOWN THAT NEEDED WORK. SHE SAID THE 1ST BAPTIST CHURCH, SOUTH 14TH ST., THE WINDOWS ARE BROKEN OUT. SHE SAID WHEN YOU DRIVE BY THE OLD YMCA, THE WEST SIDE, 10 WINDOWS HAVE PANES ARE GONE. BIRDS ARE FLYING IN AND OUT. IT IS IN BAD SHAPE.
MAYOR SMALL SAID HE COULD NOT SPEAK FOR THE CHURCH BUT THE YMCA, THE HENRY COUNTY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE OWNS THAT NOW. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RE-HABITING THE FIRST FLOOR.
COUNCILMAN REID A HOUSE AT NORTH 17TH ST. AND WOODWARD HAS BEEN BURNED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE DEMOLISHED. OWNERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED. HIS CONCERN WAS AS OPEN AS IT IS, AND AS UNSAFE AS IT IS, HE WAS AFRAID SOME KIDS WOULD GET HURT.
MAYOR SMALL SAID IT TAKES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO TEAR A HOUSE DOWN.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FIRE CHIEF AND SHE WANTED TO ENTERTAIN WITH THE COUNCIL THAT THEY IMPLEMENT SOME SORT OF ORDINANCE BE BROUGHT FORTH GIVING A TIME FRAME OF WHEN A BURNED OUT HOUSE MUST BE DEMOLISHED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT ONCE A HOUSE BURNS, IT IS A SUBSTANDARD HOME AND WE CAN MOVE ON IT RIGHT AWAY. THE ONLY WAY WE COULDN'T WOULD BE COURT PROCEEDINGS OR FINANCIAL REASONS.
CLERK ANITA ABRELL, BUILDING INSPECTOR'S OFFICE SAID 3 HOUSES AND A GARAGE HAVE BEEN TORN DOWN THIS YEAR. THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY IN THE FUND TO DO ANYTHING NOW EXCEPT TAKE THEM TO COURT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE TITLE SEARCH HAS TO BE DONE FIRST AND THEN DO SOMETHING. IF THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT A CERTAIN BURNED OUT HOUSE, IT MAY TAKE PRIORITY IN BEING TORN DOWN.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED FOR A CRITERIA. WE HAVE SO MANY HOUSES EMPTY THAT MAY BE SOUND OR DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN DOWN. HE SAID THE MARCH BILLING FOR THE UTILITIES WAS 7,412 BILLS SENT OUT SO WE ARE DOWN ABOUT 1,000 TO 1,500 ACTIVE ACCOUNTS. WE HAVE BETWEEN 800 AND 1,000 EMPTY HOUSES. IT'S JUST THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF WE WERE COLLECTING OUR MAXIMUM LEVIES OF ALL OUR VARIOUS FUNDS.
THE ANSWER WAS YES.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE MADE A MOTION TO PUT A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION ON THE TABLE.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID THAT IS THE NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID WE ARE COLLECTING ALL THE MAXIMUM TAXES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT THIS YEAR, WE ARE CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM OF CCD. NEXT YEAR, UNLESS SOME ACTION BY THE COUNCIL, IT WILL DROP DOWN
1%. A RESOLUTION WILL BE COMING FORTH TO ASK FOR 5% ON CCD AGAIN FOR NEXT YEAR.
COUNCILMAN HAHN TALKED ABOUT A HOUSE ON NORTH 17TH WHERE THE GRASS IS ABOUT A FOOT HIGH. HER ASK IF THEY WERE HAVING STUDENTS MOWING AGAIN THIS YEAR.
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE HAD PART TIMERS LAST YEAR. WE DO NOT HAVE THEM THIS YEAR.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF THE HOUSE IS VACANT, WE WILL MOW AND CHARGE TO THEIR TAXES. IF SOMEONE IS LIVING THERE, AND DON'T MOW, THEN TAKE THEM TO COURT.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE WAS GOING TO OPEN THE FLOOR IN REFERENCE TO WHAT COUNCILMAN REID HAD MENTIONED. IT WAS NOT FORGOTTEN.
COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID IT WAS STATED LAST TIME, THESE FIGURES WERE A YEAR OR TWO OLD. HE SAID THAT HIS DATE OF EDC WAS 1979. THOSE ON THE COMMISSION WAS BUD AYERS, PAUL PRYOR, AND SCOTT HAYES, TO MENTION THOSE WHO GOT THE EDC GOING. THE CITY AND COUNTY WORKED TOGETHER TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE INDUSTRIAL PARK GOING SOUTH. THE SOIL CONSERVATIONIST GAVE HIS OPINION ABOUT THE LAND 15 YEARS AGO. WE LOST FACTORIES BECAUSE OF THE SOIL THAT YOU COULD NOT PUT HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR CEMENT SLABS DOWN FOR THEY MIGHT SINK. HE SAID, "UNITED WE STAND, ALONE WE FALL." IF WE WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY AND HENRY COUNTY, AND IT WAS GOOD FROM 1779 TO 2008, LET'S DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL.
COUNCILMAN REID READ 3 LETTERS ONE DATED MAY 14TH, 2009, FROM MAYOR JIM SMALL, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JEROME GASTIN AND AN E-MAIL THAT COUNCILMAN REID SENT TO ALL COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION. THE LETTERS ARE ATTACHED TO THESE MINUTES.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE GAVE FACTS:
1. ACCORDING TO THE COURIER TIMES, THE CITY HAS SPENT THIRTEEN THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO DOLLARS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR. OUT OF THE ORIGINAL $75,000.00 PULLED FROM THE EDC, THIS LEAVES A BALANCE OF $61,838.00.
2. THE COMBINED EDC HAS ALWAYS FOCUSED ON GETTING INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING JOBS TO LOCATE INTO THE COUNTY. ACCORDING TO CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EDC BOARD MEMBERS, HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THEY HAVE LOST RETAIL BUSINESSES OUT OF THEIR FOCUS. THE EDC FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S JOB AND BECAUSE THE EDC HAS THE FUNDING TO PURSUE LEADS. THEY FELT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL IS MORE IMPORTANT ASPECT.
3. THE CITY HAS TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE EDC'S BOARD, THE MAYOR AND ONE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
4. THE COUNTY HAS THREE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE EDC BOARD, A COMMISSIONER AND TWO COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
5. THE COUNTY PROVIDED THE EDC WITH A STAFF PERSON THAT WAS KEPT ON THE COUNTY'S PAYROLL TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL LAW SUIT BECAUSE OF THE PHASE OUT OF THE COUNTY ASSESSOR'S POSITION, DUE TO STATE LAW.
6. EDC BOARD MEMBERS STATED AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDED $37,000.00 CASH THIS YEAR.
7. THE COURIER TIMES ALSO STATED THAT THE CITY HAS SPENT EIGHT THOUSAND TO PURCHASE MEMBERSHIPS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THIS YEAR. IT IS SAFE TO ASSUME THAT THE OTHER EDC, THE COUNTY, HAS SPENT A SIMILAR AMOUNT.
8. BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY HAS SUFFERED BUDGET CUTS THIS YEAR. OF THE TWO ENTITIES, THE CITY'S CUTS HAVE BEEN MORE SEVER.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THAT HIS OPINION ABOUT THE EDC WAS:
1. HE BELIEVED THAT NEW COMPANIES COMING TO TOWN SHOULD BE GREETED WITH THE UNITED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT. WHEN OUT OF TOWNER'S SEE TWO POORLY FUNDED COMPETING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, HE WAS SURE THAT IT LEFT A NEGATIVE IMPRESSION OF THE COMMUNITY, IN THE COUNTY, AND HELPS SCARE THE POTENTIAL BUSINESSES AWAY. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AND PRESENT A UNIFIED FRONT WHEN A POTENTIAL LARGE EMPLOYER LOOKS INTO LOCATING A COMPANY IN THE AREA. THE FACT THAT WE NOW HAVE TWO COMPETING ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT A BENEFIT TO ATTRACT THESE KINDS OF EMPLOYERS. IN ADDITION, A DIVIDED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT LEADS TO REDUNDANT EXPENDITURES, WHEN INFORMATION SHOULD BE SHARED. FOR EXAMPLE, LOOK AT THE EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS OF TAX PAYERS MONEY, THAT EACH, THE CITY AND COUNTY HAS SPENT THIS YEAR FOR MEMBERSHIPS. BECAUSE THESE TWO ENTITIES WERE COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER, AT LEAST EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS WASTED. HE SAID THERE WERE OTHER REDUNDANCIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED IF EVERYONE WAS ON THE SAME PAGE.
2. HE ALSO THOUGHT THAT THERE ARE SOME LEGITIMATE ISSUES AND CONCERNS WITH THE SINGLE EDC MODEL HAS OPERATED. THE CITY NEEDS TO HAVE THE SAME ELECTED AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS ON THE EDC'S BOARD AS THE COUNTY'S GOVERNMENT. THE CITY'S COUNCIL EDC BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE ELECTED ANNUALLY BE THE MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THOSE MEMBERS SHOULD REPORT BACK TO THE FULL COUNCIL ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AT EDC. ONE OTHER THING, THERE NEEDS TO BE A FOCUS ON TRACKING AND RETAINING SERVICE AND OTHER NON-INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES. FOR THE MOST PART, THE HEAVY MANUFACTURING IS GONE. IT IS NOT COMING BACK. IF WE NARROW OUR FOCUS ON THOSE ONLY TYPES OF ENTITIES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FALL BEHIND. THERE NEEDS TO BE FOCUS ON LOCAL BUSINESS IN KEEPING OUR CITY AND COUNTY EXISTING BUSINESSES.
3. REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE CITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT MAY WANT TO DO WITH FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS BOTH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ARE QUICKLY RUNNING OUT OF MONEY TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES. OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MAY BECOME AN ITEM THAT THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN NOT AFFORD. IF IT COMES DOWN TO KEEPING THE ROADS CLEAR FROM SNOW OR POTHOLES AND THE FIRE, EMS AND POLICE ANSWERING CALLS OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES MUST CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED, NO MATTER WHAT.
COUNCILMAN REID ADDED A COMMENTARY. HE SAID, THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS SPRINGLING LOCAL GOVERNMENT. HE THOUGHT THE END RESULT WAS THAT THE STATE WANTS TO DO AWAY WITH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND POSSIBLY HAVE A COUNTY ONLY GOVERNMENT, OR POSSIBLY DO AWAY WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT. UNTIL THE STATE KEEPS TRYING TO STRANGLING US OUT OF EXISTENCE, WE ARE GOING TO, AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES, CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS PROVIDING SERVICES. WE HAVE HIT THE WALL. WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN'T SUPPLY ESSENTIAL SERVICES. CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ARE IN A MASSIVE CRISIS.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID IN CONCLUSION, WITH THE FACTS ABOVE AND THREE TRAINS OF OPINION, THE FOLLOWING IS A REASONABLE COURSE OF ACTION. MERGE THE UNIFICATION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY EDC EFFORTS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NEW MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES. THE GOAL HERE IS TO HAVE CITY ENTITY THAT DOES NOT DUPLICATE ANY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CARRIED OUT BY THE COUNTY EDC. URGE THE SHARING OF MEMBERSHIP DATA BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY EDCS. REDUCE THE TAX DOLLARS BEING WASTED ON HIGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEMBERSHIPS. CONTINUE THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LOCAL, SMALL BUSINESS AND SERVICE BUSINESSES AND EXPAND THE CITY'S EDC EFFORTS TO INCLUDE MORE THAT JUST THE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS. URGE THE CITY'S EDC TO WORK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO MODIFY THE CITY'S EXISTING ORDINANCES AND ZONING TO MAKE THE CITY LESS HOSTILE TO NEW BUSINESS AND SMALL BUSINESSES. URGE THE ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE THE COUNTY EDC WITH $35,000.00 THIS YEAR, CONTINGENT TO THE COUNTY EDC PROVIDING THE SAME NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS SPOTS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS THE COUNTY HAS. URGE THE ADMINISTRATION TO STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE COUNTY EDC WITH AT LEAST $45,000.00 OUT OF NEXT YEARS BUDGET. WE MAY NOT HAVE THAT LEFT IF THE STATE KEEPS CUTTING. URGE THE ADMINISTRATION, CITY EDC AND COUNTY EDC, TO QUIT FIGHTING AND SET ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND ENGAGE A TRUE ACTIVITY THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE, HENRY COUNTY. HE SAID HE TRIED TO STRIKE A NOTE IN THE MIDDLE. GET A COMPROMISE GOING AND GET SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK FOR EVERYBODY.
COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN DEALING WITH A LOT BIGGER PROBLEMS THAT THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC. WITH SEVERAL EMPLOYEES THAT HAS BEEN LAID OFF AND MORE POSSIBLY, THIS HAS BEEN A HUGH DISTRACTION. WE AS A COUNCIL HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF KEEPING OR HOLDING $75,000.00 FROM THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC CORPORATION. AS YOU ALL KNOW, IT WAS NOT THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WITHHELD THE MONEY, BUT MAYOR SMALL. MAYOR SMALL IS USING THAT $75,000.00 FOR THE CITY'S OWN EDC. IN HIS OPINION, THIS IS A PERSONNEL ATTACK ON THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC CORPORATION FROM MAYOR SMALL AND THERE IS NOT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC MEMBERS AND BOARD. THE MAYOR SINCE THEN HAS CHOSEN TO CRIPPLE THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC IN WITHHOLDING THE $75,000.00 FROM THE CITY. HE SAID HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER, 2008. THE BUDGET HAD ALREADY BEEN SET. WHEN THE MAYOR ADDRESSED THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE STATE OF THE CITY IN 2008, HE NOTIFIED US THEN OF HIS INTENTION TO FORM HIS OWN EDC. HE SAID HE QUESTIONED THIS AND WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THE COUNCIL COULD DO ONCE THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED. SO, HE SAID HE ASKED TO BE APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE NEWLY FORMED EDC. AT THE VERY LEAST, HE COULD STAY ABREAST OF THE PROGRESS AND EXPENDITURES OF THE NEW CASTLE EDC. IN THE PASS 5 PLUS MONTHS, HE FELT THAT THE NEW CASTLE EDC HAS MADE SMALL STRIDES. WITH SUCH A BAD ECONOMY AND LOW EMPLOYMENT RATE, THAT TASK IS VERY DIFFICULT. JENA DAVIS HAS WORKED VERY HARD ON SEVERAL PROJECTS AND IS CONTINUING TO SHOW PROGRESS ON SEVERAL OTHERS.
WITH THAT SAID, HE FELT THAT WE SHOULD GET BACK TO ONE EDC IN HENRY COUNTY. ONE THAT IS VIBRANT, STRONG AND UNSELFISH, IN A WAY THAT IT PROMOTES BOTH THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE AND HENRY COUNTY AND BRING US BACK TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE. HE SAID IN CLOSING, HE COULD ONLY HOPE THAT THE SELECT FEW EDC MEMBERS THAT APPROACHED THIS CITY COUNCIL ON THIS CRITICAL ISSUE WILL GIVE THE TAX PAYERS OF NEW CASTLE THE SAME SPIRIT ENTHUSIASM TO BRING QUALITY JOBS AND INDUSTRY TO THE CITY HE LOVES.
COUNCILADY MALONE SAID THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT SHE SAYS OR RECOMMENDS, THE MAYOR HAS THE FINAL SAY WITH THE EDC. SHE SAID SHE MADE A COMMITMENT FOR ONE YEAR TO SEPARATE THE CITY FROM THE COUNTY'S EDC. SHE SAID AS OF TONIGHT, SHE WILL STAND BY HER COMMITMENT. HOWEVER, SHE DID AGREE WITH VAUGHN ON A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT HE MADE. SHE IS DISAPPOINTED TO THE FACT THAT THE EDC FEELS THAT IT ISN'T IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON LOCAL RETAIL BUSINESSES. AT ONE TIME, WITH CHRYSLER AND INGERSOLE STEEL, WE THRIVED ON RETAIL BUSINESS. SHE FELT IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF SOME THING BRINGS IN 10 JOBS OR 100 JOBS. THOSE JOBS ARE IMPORTANT. SHE AGREED WITH VAUGHN, WITH THE EDC, IF WE PAY $75,000.00 WHY DO WE ONLY HAVE TWO SEATS AND THE COUNTY HAS THREE? EVERYTHING SHOULD BE EQUAL. SHE SAID SHE WILL RECONSIDER WHEN THE NEW BUDGET TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC. AT THIS TIME SHE WAS NOT SUPPORTING IT.
COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID HE HAD MADE A COMMITMENT TO MAYOR SMALL TO STAY FOR ONE YEAR. HE WILL KEEP HIS COMMITMENT. IF THEY EVER GO BACK, MAKE EVERYTHING EQUAL.
COUNCILADY GOODMAN SAID SHE WASN'T AWARE THAT SHE HAD MADE A COMMITMENT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. SHE SAID SHE DID APPRECIATE THE LETTER MAYOR SMALL HAD PUT TOGETHER ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND THE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY MAYOR SMALL AND JENA DAVIS. HER BIGGEST CONCERN WAS HOW THE WHOLE SITUATION WAS HANDLED. THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND BEING TOLD THAT THE COUNTY HAS THREE MEMBERS AND THE CITY TWO. THE BOARD IS TOO LARGE. SHE WANTS TO WORK TOWARDS THE REFORMATION OF THE ORGANIZATION. SHE WANTED THE UNIFICATION, SOMETHING CLEARER AND UNDERSTOOD.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID AT THE TIME THAT THEY GAVE THEIR WORD TO MAYOR SMALL, THAT WE WOULD GIVE IT ONE YEAR, SHE HAS REMINDED MAYOR SMALL AND MS. DAVIS OF THAT. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT IT AT THE 2010 BUDGET PROCESS TO SEE IF WE WANTED TO CONTINUE. THE 2010 BUDGET PROCESS IS JUST GETTING STARTED. WE ARE JUST GETTING FIGURES TOGETHER. WE'RE NOT SURE OF WHAT MONIES WILL BE IN THE BUDGET FOR 2010 FOR EDC OR ANYTHING ELSE. WITH THE 2009 CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, AND THE LAY OFFS THE CITY HAS OCCURRED, SHE WASN'T SURE OF THE REMAINING $61,838.00 WILL BE IN THE BUDGET WHEN 2009 ENDS. WE HAVE REDUCED BUDGETS ALONG THE LINE. SHE REMINDED EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE AN OFFICE THAT WE SUPPLY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE RENT HAS BEEN REDUCED. THEY DO NOT PAY UTILITY BILLS FOR THAT BUILDING. SHE WAS CONSIDERING NOT TO CHARGE FOR THE OFFICE SPACE. ALSO, SHE WANTED TO CONCUR FOR YEARS WE CONTRIBUTED $75,000.00 AND THE COUNTY $50,000.00. THE COUNTY HAD MORE SAY THAN THE CITY. SHE WANTED EQUAL REPRESENTATION. SHE WANTED TO CONCUR THAT THE BOARD WAS TOO LARGE. NOTHING GETS ACCOMPLISHED. SHE SAID WE HAVE MADE CUTS ALONG THE WAY AND JOBS HAVE BEEN LOST. ADDITIONAL CUTS ARE NO MAYBES, IT'S A FACT. SHE SAID SHE RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL TO GIVE $10,000.00 TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION. SHE SAID SHE WOULD LOOK AT THIS VERY STRONGLY AT 2010 BUDGET PROCESS WHETHER OR NOT TO UNITE AFTER SOME THINGS ARE IRONED OUT.
COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID HE WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THE $10,000.00 THIS YEAR. $20,000.00 TO $30,000.00 NEXT YEAR. NO MATTER WHAT WE RECOMMEND, THE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY HAS THE FINAL DECISION. SOME MONETARY VALUE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE COUNTY EDC. SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS. HE SAID WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TOGETHER IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE.
MAYOR SMALL SAID HE APPRECIATED THE MEETING THAT HE HAD WITH COUNCILMAN HAHN LAST WEEK. HE SAID IT WAS EDUCATIONAL AND HE RECOMMENDED TO PRESIDENT YORK THE RECOMMENDATIONS COUNCILMAN HAHN HAD MADE. HE SAID HE GOT THE FEELING THAT THE COUNCIL WAS BEHIND GIVING $10,000.00 TO THE HENRY COUNTY EDC THIS YEAR TO HELP. HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION TOTALLY. HE SAID THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN BE EVIDENCED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. A UNIFIED EDC, WHERE WE HOPE WE GET OR FAIR SHARE OF THE PIE. THE OTHER WAY IS LIKE MANY CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE GOING TO, SOMETHING HE HAD OFFERED TO THE EDC, AN ALLIANCE. MANY COUNTIES AND CITIES HAVE ALLIANCES. THERE THEY WORK TOGETHER. HE SAID WITH THE ALLIANCE THAT IS THE BEST WAY OF SHOWING THE OUTSIDE WORLD, THE COOPERATION.
MAYOR SMALL SAID TO COUNCILMAN REID THAT HE SUGGESTED DUPLICATION OF FUNDING. THE CITY GAVE $4,000.00 TO THE SBCD. NO ONE ELSE DID. THE IEDD FUNDED TO THE DEGREE OF $12,000.00 BY THE CITY AND COUNTY TOGETHER AND THE CITY GIVES $4,000.00 TO IEDD AND THE COUNTY GIVES FREE RENT SPACE ON 12TH STREET EQUAL TO $5,000.00 AND $3,000.00 IN CASH. THERE IS NO DUPLICATION OR REDUNDANCY.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID WE AS A COUNCIL WANTS TO SEE SOME SORT OF MONEY GIVEN TO THE EDC TO HELP WITH THE OPERATIONS THIS YEAR. HE THOUGHT THAT SEVERAL OF THE COUNCIL LIKED THE IDEA OF POSSIBLY REDUCING THE EDC RENT TO NOTHING FOR THE USE OF THE OFFICE IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER. TWO OTHER THINGS THAT HE SAW WAS THAT HE HOPED BOTH CITY EDC AND COUNTY EDC DID NOT GO OUT AND PAY TO JOIN AN ORGANIZATION, SHARE THE INFORMATION. MONEY IS TIGHT AND GOING TO GET TIGHTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TWO COMPETING EFFORTS TO GO AFTER COMPANY AN OR COMPANY B OR COMPANY C. THEN THEY WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. HE SAID A LOT OF US, AT THE CITY LEVEL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEVELING OF GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION ON THE NEW CASTLE EDC'S BOARD AND EXECUTIVE BOARD, SO THERE IS EQUAL REPRESENTATION BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY.
MR. GASTON, PRESIDENT OF AMERIANA BANK AND ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE EDC, SAID BECAUSE OF A BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO CREATE JOBS, NEED TO STIMULATE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE DOWNTOWN AND FOCUS OUR EFFORTS IN BEAUTIFYING FRONT AND MEET OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. WHEN THE EDC WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTITUTED, IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE A 30 MEMBER COMMISSION. MOST DECISION ARE MADE IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND NOT IN THE FULL BOARD. HE COULDN'T COMMENT ON THE EQUALIZATION OF CITY AND COUNTY. WE GO BY-LAWS AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS SET BY THEM.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THE OTHER THING THAT HE HEARS OTHER THAN EQUAL REPRESENTATION IS, WE WANT TO HAVE SOME FOCUS ON THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT. THE HENRY COUNTY EDC GOES OUT AND SEEK INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING FIRMS. THAT WAS HIS IMPRESSION. HE SAID WE ARE GLAD OF THE MOMENTUM COMING FROM THE DOWNTOWN AND THE STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THAT DIRECTION. THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT CAN BE DONE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES.
RECAP: A NON-TRIBUTE CONTRIBUTION TO THE HENRY COUNTY EDC.
ADJUST THE RENT DOWN TO ZERO AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY EDC,
EQUAL REPRESENTATION ON THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY CO EDC BOARD.
CONTINUING EFFORT BY THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK TO
DEVELOP THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT SERVED BY THE EDC.
HE SAID MOST WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS. WE SHOULD MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DUPLICATING OUR EFFORTS. WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS COUNTY TO DUPLICATE. BECAUSE HE STATE IS TRYING TO STRANGLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF EXISTENCE, OUR TAX MONEY IS TIGHT AND GETTING TIGHTER. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE AT THE STATE LEVEL OR WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO FORGIVE THE RENT TO THE EDC OFFICE SPACE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT IT AGAIN FOR 2010. SHE SAID THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDS THE MAYOR CONTRIBUTE $10,000.00 TO THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE HAD A QUESTION. HE SAID, WORKING AT THE SENIOR CENTER, MANAGING IT FOR A FEW YEARS, THIS WON'T HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON OPERATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER
ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
CITIZENS SPEAK:
MR. GASTON THANKED THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THE $10,000.00 CONTRIBUTION. IT WILL HELP TO DO ADDITIONAL MARKETING. HE SAID HE HOPED FOR REUNIFICATION.
DAN WELLS, PRESIDENT OF J TECH, SAID THEY HAVE DEALT WITH THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC AND ARE NOW WORKING WITH THE NEW CASTLE EDC. HE SAID LOOKING AT THE OVERALL SITUATION, THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THE EDC, BE IT NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC OR NEW CASTLE EDC. HE SAID THAT HENRY COUNTY BROUGHT HIS FIRM HERE AND THE CITY HAS KEPT US HERE. HE SAID IT WAS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT. HE SAID HE DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CUTTING A LINE BETWEEN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE HAS BEEN THE HEART OF INDUSTRY IN HENRY COUNTY. HE SAID WHEN A COMPANY COMES IN TO HENRY COUNTY AND WANTS TO TAKE BUSINESS OUT IN THE COUNTY INSTEAD OF THE CITY, HE SAID THAT WAS A SHOW OF WEAKNESS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS. THERE ARE STRONG FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE. METALDYNE HAS A TREMENDOUS INDUSTRIAL BASE. UTILIZING THAT SPACE AND MAKING IT AN ECONOMIC PLUS, NOT ONLY FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE STARTING UP. HE SAID METALDYNE ON its PRESENT COARSE, MAY NOT MAKE IT. HE BELIEVES NEW CASTLE IS DOING EVERYTHING POSITIVE.
CATHY HAMILTON, THE CITY IS MUCH CLEANER. VOLUNTEERS HELPED LAST SATURDAY AND PICKED UP 9,300 POUNDS OF TRASH. SHE SAID THEY SAW LOTS OF LOTS THAT NEEDED TO BE MOWED AND GRAFFITI. SHE SAID HAROLD FRAME ESTIMATED THAT 50% OF THE VACANCIES WERE OWNED BY PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN. MOST OF HOUSES THAT HAVE BEEN ABANDONED ARE UNSAFE. A HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN BURNED, TEAR THEM DOWN OR TAKE THEM TO COURT. THE OLD YMCA SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR THE WINDOWS. SHE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE UNIFICATION OF THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC.
TRISHA FLOOD, OWNER OF THE CHOCOLATE SHOPPE, STATED SHE WAS VERY EXCITED OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE DOWNTOWN OF NEW CASTLE. SHE SAID SHE WAS READY TO BRING HER BUSINESS THERE.
EDDIE HAGER COMMENTED ON THE UNIFICATION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY EDC AND THOUGHT THEY SHOULD COME TOGETHER. HE WANTS PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER. HE COMMENTED ON VOTING, THE BI-PARTISAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE CUTTING OF THE BUDGET TO KEEP THE CITY ABLE. HE ASKED THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WORK TOGETHER.
CAROL GOODWIN SAID SHE CARES ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. SHE SAID THAT GOOWIN'S AUTO IS GOING TO STAY AS AN AUTO DEALER IN NEW CASTLE. THEY ARE CELEBRATING ITS 100 ANNIVERSARY WITH THE HELP OF THE NEW CASTLE EDC AND JENA DAVIS, DIRECTOR. MRS. GOODWIN IS IN FAVOR OF UNIFICATION OF EDC. SHE SAID NO ONE TRIED TO DO ANYTHING BEFORE THE SPLIT. THE DOWNTOWN USE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE STORE OWNER. SHE COMMENTED ON THE FLOWERS THAT WERE PLANTED ON BROAD STREET. SHE SAID THEIR BUSINESS IS ALWAYS CLEAN AND MOWED. QUESTIONS WERE ASKED BY MRS. GOODWIN PERTAINING TO THE UNIFICATION. AND NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
MAURIE GOODWIN, OWNER OF GOODWIN'S AUTO, THANKED THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF $10,000.00 TO THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY EDC. HE IS THE TREASURER OF EDC AND WILL USE THE MONEY TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY. HE ALSO HOPED FOR UNIFICATION.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED FOR ADJOURNMENT.
COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
