New Philadelphia City Council met last night, March 22, 2010, and was given good news by Mayor Taylor, who met, at the request of Council, with the Clerical Union and, after some discussion, reached a tentative agreement on the Union's pending contract. The Clerical Union, Mayor Taylor reported, was willing to accept the City's offer of a one percent wage increase for the coming year. As readers may recall, the original contract called for a one-and-a-half percent increase, a figure which Council considered excessive. We appreciate and commend the effort and cooperation displayed by the Union and the Administration in helping to keep the city budget under control in these troubled times. Another negotiating meeting is scheduled to firm up the tentative agreement.
The Clerical Union has shown an understanding of the City's, and nation's dire financial positions. Of the four union units with which the Mayor has negotiated, only the Clerical Union did not put self-interest above that of New Philadelphia's citizenry. The other three demanded, and received, wage and benefit increases out of proportion with the City's budget requirements. That the economic crisis facing cities is severe was best illustrated last night when Safety Director Popham reported that there were 56 applicants who applied for the position of fire fighter being offered in New Philadelphia, all of whom passed the written exam. What he didn't say was that these applicants came from as far distant as the Cleveland area. The experience, and number, of the applicants is the result of other communities laying off personnel because of their cities inability to meet payrolls, a situation which may occur in New Philadelphia if the economy continues to worsen. Thanks again to both the Mayor and Clerical Union for their insight and concern.
Street paving and reconstruction filled much of the evening. A presentation was made by representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding the widening of West High Street between Seventh Street, NW, and the railroad tracks. The plan presented last night, at the request of the City, is the addition of a third lane to be used as a turn lane. This would, according to ODOT, decrease the number of accidents which occur on that stretch of roadway, which average about 50 a year. The right-of-way would need to be widened approximately ten feet to accommodate the turn lane. This would require moving of sidewalks and the obtaining, by the city, of private property, some of which, possibly, by eminent domain. The project cost is estimated at $2,380,900, of which the City would be responsible for 20%. If approved, the proposed starting date would be sometime in 2013. It was proposed by ODOT spokesmen that the City could finance its costs through the State Infrastructure Bank, a State Of Ohio owned bank designed to loan money to municipalities for such projects. The loan would be for ten years at approximately three percent.
Other projects discussed were the widening of University Drive, installation of traffic lights at Fourth and Front, SW., and Wabash and Bowers, NW., and repainting of the downtown lamp posts.
Mr. Jim Zucal, Service Director, told Council that he was putting together a list of streets and alleys which needed resurfacing and requested suggestions from council members. If you know of streets or alleys which need repaving, contact your council representatives or call Mr. Zucal direct at 330-364-4491, extension 240. As the paving list is being compiled now, your promptness in calling is suggested. Mr. Zucal also reported that a new chain link fence was being installed around Springbrook Pond on the South Side, completing the cleaning and dredging project begun there last fall.
The public meeting with Quicksal concerning the revision of water rates, which was scheduled for March 31 has been rescheduled for April 6, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., in Council Chambers. This meeting will not only discuss changes in water rates. The quality of water the city provides will also be discussed. This meeting will be open to the public. If you have concerns about the water department, prices, quality of water, or questions of any sort, attend this session. It is your opportunity to find out what is going on and present your concerns.
Mr. John Zucal's Special/Contact Committee discussed, again, the Job Description for the Clerk of Council. By a vote of two yeas and one nay, Ms. Walker dissenting because of disagreement over wording as to who may direct the activities of the Clerk, Council or other city personnel, the issue was given to the Law Director to draw up a resolution approving the description for presentation to Council at the next meeting. Also discussed was a request for a liquor license for the Fuel Depot on East High Street. A request for a liquor license was assigned to the Special/Contact Committee for Dee's Restaurant, on Bowers NW., and will be considered prior to the next council meeting.
The next meeting of City Council is scheduled for April 12, 2010.
The Clerical Union has shown an understanding of the City's, and nation's dire financial positions. Of the four union units with which the Mayor has negotiated, only the Clerical Union did not put self-interest above that of New Philadelphia's citizenry. The other three demanded, and received, wage and benefit increases out of proportion with the City's budget requirements. That the economic crisis facing cities is severe was best illustrated last night when Safety Director Popham reported that there were 56 applicants who applied for the position of fire fighter being offered in New Philadelphia, all of whom passed the written exam. What he didn't say was that these applicants came from as far distant as the Cleveland area. The experience, and number, of the applicants is the result of other communities laying off personnel because of their cities inability to meet payrolls, a situation which may occur in New Philadelphia if the economy continues to worsen. Thanks again to both the Mayor and Clerical Union for their insight and concern.
Street paving and reconstruction filled much of the evening. A presentation was made by representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding the widening of West High Street between Seventh Street, NW, and the railroad tracks. The plan presented last night, at the request of the City, is the addition of a third lane to be used as a turn lane. This would, according to ODOT, decrease the number of accidents which occur on that stretch of roadway, which average about 50 a year. The right-of-way would need to be widened approximately ten feet to accommodate the turn lane. This would require moving of sidewalks and the obtaining, by the city, of private property, some of which, possibly, by eminent domain. The project cost is estimated at $2,380,900, of which the City would be responsible for 20%. If approved, the proposed starting date would be sometime in 2013. It was proposed by ODOT spokesmen that the City could finance its costs through the State Infrastructure Bank, a State Of Ohio owned bank designed to loan money to municipalities for such projects. The loan would be for ten years at approximately three percent.
Other projects discussed were the widening of University Drive, installation of traffic lights at Fourth and Front, SW., and Wabash and Bowers, NW., and repainting of the downtown lamp posts.
Mr. Jim Zucal, Service Director, told Council that he was putting together a list of streets and alleys which needed resurfacing and requested suggestions from council members. If you know of streets or alleys which need repaving, contact your council representatives or call Mr. Zucal direct at 330-364-4491, extension 240. As the paving list is being compiled now, your promptness in calling is suggested. Mr. Zucal also reported that a new chain link fence was being installed around Springbrook Pond on the South Side, completing the cleaning and dredging project begun there last fall.
The public meeting with Quicksal concerning the revision of water rates, which was scheduled for March 31 has been rescheduled for April 6, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., in Council Chambers. This meeting will not only discuss changes in water rates. The quality of water the city provides will also be discussed. This meeting will be open to the public. If you have concerns about the water department, prices, quality of water, or questions of any sort, attend this session. It is your opportunity to find out what is going on and present your concerns.
Mr. John Zucal's Special/Contact Committee discussed, again, the Job Description for the Clerk of Council. By a vote of two yeas and one nay, Ms. Walker dissenting because of disagreement over wording as to who may direct the activities of the Clerk, Council or other city personnel, the issue was given to the Law Director to draw up a resolution approving the description for presentation to Council at the next meeting. Also discussed was a request for a liquor license for the Fuel Depot on East High Street. A request for a liquor license was assigned to the Special/Contact Committee for Dee's Restaurant, on Bowers NW., and will be considered prior to the next council meeting.
The next meeting of City Council is scheduled for April 12, 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment