Can you guess the speaker?
A. “In these tough economic times, I hate to take the free opportunity to advertise their space away (from property owners).”
B. “ I think we should specify that the (city Economic Development) Committee meets at least quarterly. Required monthly meetings might scare people away.”
C. “I think the procedures used have more impact than a committee.”
D. “Our safety vehicles are effectively command vehicles. I want the police chief and the fire chief to be in constant communication with their guys.”
E. “If it (the asbestos study) had happened earlier, we could have done it (had the bid specs for demolishing the Old Church Building ready before council’s August break).”
F. “There is virtually nothing left for the city.” “It is pretty much exclusive use. Would we want to accept that, even if it was legal?”
G. “Maybe we need to focus on the best case scenario. This (the private social club’s barter/lease proposal for the Old Church Building) provides an additional service to residents through a public/private partnership. That happens all the time, like with hospitals, buses and Central Park in New York. ”
H. “If you don’t want to hear it (my opinion) that’s fine. You don’t want to hear it.”
I. “I don’t think it is viable, feasible or in the best interests of our residents. I don’t think it (a private social club) belongs in a public building. I look forward to having the bid specs prepared and to receiving information about the cost of demolishing the (Old Church) building.”
J. “It (the Old Church Building) has to be a city owned and operated facility. We can’t partner with them (a private club) or anything like that, that’s for sure.”
“K. “I think that some of the enthusiasm about the Old Church Building should be put towards filling the Catalano’s property.”
Answers and Backstories
A. “In these tough economic times, I hate to take the free opportunity to advertise their space away (from property owners).”Speaker: Mayor Scott Coleman.
The comment was made during council’s discussion of the city’s sign ordinances. One of the issues discussed was whether the city could and should limit the amount of time commercial, contractor, for sale and for lease signs remain erected on privately-owned property.
The comment was made during council’s discussion of the city’s sign ordinances. One of the issues discussed was whether the city could and should limit the amount of time commercial, contractor, for sale and for lease signs remain erected on privately-owned property.
B. “ I think we should specify that the (city Economic Development) Committee meets at least quarterly. Required monthly meetings might scare people away.”Speaker: Councilman Bob Mastrangelo.
Council President Scott Mills has spearheaded efforts to reconfigure and re-energize the city’s Economic Development Committee by adding three council-appointed business leaders to the group. Right now, the Committee is made up of Mills, Mayor Coleman and three mayoral appointees (Finance Director Tony Ianiro, Police Chief Cook and Fire Chief Turner). Mastrangelo made his comment while council was discussing details of the revitalization plan---including how often the Committee should meet and whether Committee members should receive a stipend.
C. “I think the procedures used have more impact than a committee.”Speaker: Councilman Frank Legan.
Legan argued that spending $ 5,000 on an audit (consisting of 190 questions, answered by city administrators, which analyzed the city’s economic strengths and weaknesses) would bring about a better result than revitalizing the city’s Economic Development Committee.D.“Our safety vehicles are effectively command vehicles. I want the police chief and the fire chief to be in constant communication with their guys.”Speaker: Mayor Coleman.
The mayor finally presented council with a draft of a written policy governing the use and marking of city-owned vehicles. He explained why under IRS regulations---and his policy----the fire chief, the police chief and their second-in-commands would be allowed to drive their vehicles home at night and over the weekend.
I agree with Councilwoman Stickan.
It’s time for the endless discussion and foot dragging about the Old Church Building to end. It’s time for council to make a decision--- and to start moving forward again.
The end.
The mayor finally presented council with a draft of a written policy governing the use and marking of city-owned vehicles. He explained why under IRS regulations---and his policy----the fire chief, the police chief and their second-in-commands would be allowed to drive their vehicles home at night and over the weekend.
E. If it (the asbestos study) had happened earlier, we could have done it (had the bid specs for demolishing the Old Church Building ready before council’s August break).”
Speaker: City Engineer Steve Hovanscek.
Hovanscek explained why he would not have the bid specs for demolishing the Old Church Building finished by next week, before council adjourns for its August recess---despite the fact that council approved putting the demolition work out to bid several months ago. Mayor Coleman---who opposes demolishing the building---kept the asbestos study contract on his desk for almost a month before signing it. Hovancsek indicated that the delay in getting the asbestos study done prevented council from receiving the bid specs before their summer recess.
F. “There is virtually nothing left for the city.” “It is pretty much exclusive use. Would we want to accept that, even if it was legal?”Speaker: Councilman Bob Mastrangelo.
The last item discussed at the meeting was the written no-bid, barter/lease proposal submitted by the private social club that wants to use the Old Church Building as a clubhouse. Attached to that proposal was a drawing showing that most of the building’s interior would be taken up by the club’s three indoor bocce courts and a kitchen. Mastrangelo made the comments in response to Mayor Coleman’s assertion that the club would not have “exclusive” use of the building.
G. “Maybe we need to focus on the best case scenario. This (the private social club’s barter/lease proposal for the Old Church Building) provides an additional service to residents through a public/private partnership. That happens all the time, like with hospitals, buses and Central Park in New York. ” Speaker: Councilman Frank Legan
Legan has spoken favorably in the past about using public tax dollars to subsidize private businesses and enterprises----arrangements he calls “public/private “partnerships”. He made this comment after Councilwoman Lisa Stickan, an assistant county prosecutor, shared some of the legal questions and concerns that she has about the club’s barter/lease proposal for the Old Church Building. Legan dismissed Stickan’s concerns as “worst case scenario” thinking.
H. If you don’t want to hear it (my opinion) that’s fine. You don’t want to hear it.”
Speaker: Councilman Ed HargateIronically, Hargate made these comments after President Scott Mills, speaking on Council Clerk Jean Buchak’s behalf, asked him to use his microphone, so that his comments could be better heard and recorded for the minutes. Hargate’s angry reaction took Mills and many other council members by surprise. In any case, Hargate made his position clear before he succumbed to his temper fit. He stated that he “agreed with Frank (Legan) wholeheartedly” and that he thought “it was a mistake to hurriedly tear down the Old Church Building without considering” the club’s no-bid barter/lease proposal.
I. “I don’t think it is viable, feasible or in the best interests of our residents. I don’t think it (a private social club) belongs in a public building. I look forward to having the bid specs prepared and to receiving information about the cost of demolishing the (Old Church) building.”
Speaker: Councilwoman Cathy MurphyMurphy indicated that she was very uncomfortable with many aspects of the social club’s no-bid, barter/lease proposal and that she looked forward to finding out just what the demolition costs would be.
J. “It (the Old Church Building) has to be a city owned and operated facility. We can’t partner with them (a private club) or anything like that, that’s for sure.”Speaker: Law Director Tim Paluf
While Paluf has yet to address most of the legal questions posed by council members about the deal, he did weigh in on one issue: whether the city can legally pursue a “partnership” with the social club involving the Old Church Building. It can’t. While the city can accept a no-strings attached donation of money or services from the club (or anyone else), it cannot go along with the club’s suggested quid pro quo arrangement of offering a long-term lease in exchange for renovation work.
K. “I think that some of council's enthusiasm about the Old Church Building should be put towards filling the Catalano’s property.”Speaker: Councilwoman Lisa Stickan
Stickan’s comments reflect a significant reality: council has expended an extraordinary amount of time and energy over the last two years discussing and debating what to do with the Old Church Building, while ignoring other equally, if not more important, city issues.
I agree with Councilwoman Stickan.
It’s time for the endless discussion and foot dragging about the Old Church Building to end. It’s time for council to make a decision--- and to start moving forward again.
The end.
