"PAINESVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 01/20/15
Very interesting and confusing council meeting? It was announced that there would be an executive session before the meeting dealing with the JEDD appointment? Yet when council-president made the announcement of who would represent the city there seemed to be some confusion? Let's just say Rita McMahon is out and council person Katie Jenkins and assistant city manager will represent Painesville on the JEDD board....I think.
Legislation went pretty much as expected, one very interesting Resolution was authorizing Bids for Raw Intake Waterline and Crib Structure. What do you think that will cost? Try $9,000,000.00 plus the city is in the process of securing an interest free loan from the state. This project includes a 36 inch pipe under the lake and a new water intake (crib) 4,500 hundred feet into Lake Erie. Our present crib is 1,500 feet out into the lake and water department has had problems with it in the past with ice problems as well as a problem with a possible algae bloom. I guess my only issue with this was how little discussion and time it took for council to spend 9 million dollars.
Lynn White did a presentation on the possibility of the train station and Silvestro's Depot becoming an historic district. Representative of the train museum gave council a view of what they want for the future of the station. As a side note it was mentioned that a reenactment of Lincolns funeral train will possible stop in Painesville this year as it did in 1865. This sandstone structure is presently the only one of this design left in the country. I believe this structure is worth saving councilman Flock will act as a liaison between the council and representatives of the museum. Mrs. White should be commended on the research she did on this project.
In the visitors time a city employee/ resident question the reasoning behind how we do street repair maintenance. Seems to be a issue here, you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Just my take.
I question the Electric Fund Balances fund 734 as late as 2007 it carried a reserve of $100,000.00 today that fund balance is $3,739,817.21 just questioned the reason why?
Councilman Flock read a letter from a resident in Bowling Green, Ohio about the adverse affect PSEC has on the community. Bowling Green University is even looking into securing a different electric power supplier. Can't wait tell that train reaches the station in Painesville.
Councilman Fodor is high on Strategic Planning can't blame him anyone sitting in on a council meeting can pretty much see seven people heading in seven different directions and with seven different ideas. Sorry Paul I think there looking for your leadership.
Again it appears the Fire Department Truck Tower 2319 is still not in service? Starting to think those farm boys in Boardman Twp. took a few city fire chiefs for a ride?
I viewed a News-Herald reporter in the audience you would think that 9 million dollar water project would have received a mention in todays paper. Out of sight out of mind.
posted by terminator1 @ 8:16 AM
23 Comments
23 Comments:
Well, if you are correct in what you think you saw/heard, perhaps the former CM is being eased out out the picture a little bit at a time. Thank goodness!
Lynn White is a hard worker. I hope she applies that to her new role. Actually, I am sure she will.
Conneaut managed to save their station and today it is a museum with a lot of interesting displays. I hope we can do something with our station.
What was the story behind the street maintenance?
The "new" fire truck is down again?? Who would have guessed that a 23 year old truck would need lots of TLC?
I guess no one on council wondered if the 4500 ft. line was reasonable just O.K. the funds? Who was consulted to decide this distance? What about 2640 ft.? a half mile. You are correct not enough questions were asked for such an enormous project.
A city resident/employee posed a question at council meeting. And there was tension in the room? Does that person still have their job today? New CM doesn't like that type. Wont be surprised if that person is the next to fall under Carsons regime. Sure hope council replaces him like he's doing to everyone else. Just put the Assist. CM in charge and save everyone grief and money.
So according to U we replaced a knowledgeable former city manager with a first term councilman and a second string city manager? Hope your happy.
12:03 Guess not?
12:35 I don't have any idea what this is all about. As far as the employee coming forward now, what's been going on for the last decade? The roads didn't get this way since Carson showed up? This should have been addressed years ago. Can you imagine an employee coming forward when the last city manager was running the show?
12:45 Three words.... Waste Management Contract.
Someone needs to do a little investigating on how some of our city bills just never get paid off. They just refinance, refinance and refinance. I can't imagine how much we actually end up paying for things in the end. I know that there are water treatment plant improvements, etc., that are still rolling over and rolling over last I knew, instead of being paid off years ago.
Thank goodness that Rita McMahon is out, and someone else is in. I think McMahon has done enough damage in this city to last for decades as it is.
Again, It's not there money, so no need to be accountable.
9:25
You hit the nail on the head.
I have long felt that politicians and beuracrats spend money the way they do because it isn't their money AND there is little (or no) accountability.
This is true from the local level to Washington.
I disagree, why isn't it their money? They live in the city, some work here too. Therefor they DO have in interest in the finances. Problem is, what is going on and being spent that they don't know about. Minimum bids and minimum dollars spent don't need their permission, how much remodeling and foolish funds have been spent and they don't know how much this may have added up to.
Second string? Not even jr. high level.
That firetruck is really a pain in your rear isn't it? Too bad you don't have that passion with all the other problems in this place. Have you ever once sat down with a person of authority to ask the questions you ask here? Try it sometime, you just may be surprised at the truth instead of rumor, hearsay and speculations. Then come back and post what they said. Truth be told.
1:01 Maybe it is? Look hindsight makes many people correct. Is it a pain or is it just reporting?
If you believe that purchase was wise fine. Although it's in the repair shop more than it's in service.
If you are naïve enough to believe I would be told shown the truth I believe you are mistaken.
Everyone in authority will play the company line. Face it they make a nice penny here. If they did tell me something chances are their carrier would be short lived.
Maybe I do come across as judgmental but the blog. purpose is to inform.
Guess you won't read how many days the truck has been out of service in the Painesville Pride, or the city newsletter?
12:56 Agreed, They don't seem to question much of anything.
1:01
I was at Council meetings when Term questioned the sanity in buying a truck that was older than what we already had. Bottom line was that stories were told and money was spent. He DID ask the questions.
12:56 All the department heads, who spend money, live in the City? What dream world are you in? If you were accurate in what you wrote, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.
1:38 One minute something's to old the next something not old enough?
The last aerial
I also questioned the chief at a council meeting advising him that a Ford Econoline with a diesel engine was a bad investment due to the fact many diesels in that model truck had experienced major failure. (It was common knowledge) Guess what 35,000 miles it blew up.
Last one we purchased was a Chevy, Wonder why?
Most are to smart to live here.
Someone tell someone the light on some of the trees on Main St. don't work.
COUNCIL-Council lives in the city, ya know? The ones making the financial decisions. Everyone knows no one in their right mind would live here and work here. And that is a problem. Nobody is work proud, if they clock out at 5pm they are done with the problems of the day and don't care anymore.
I didn't say the purchase was fine either, you just keep dredging the same stuff. Guess there isn't any new material for you so you just rehash the old junk. How long ago was this truck bought? What is the exact reason its out again? Didn't Flock vote for it too? Seems 1 cm and 7 council people couldn't all be wrong were they?
10:51 Maybe because the old junk never gets resolved?
My knowledge of fire apparatus you could put on the head of a pin. Pretty much can assume the same for council people as well as city managers.
That's why we rely on "professionals" experts who do know. Didn't both fire chiefs sign off on this truck? If we can't trust the judgment of professionals who can we trust? A third party? After the electric fiasco you would think council would be a little more careful in what they are asked to purchase? Did either chief realize how much time the truck would be out of service? No it 's all on their judgment. This as the present chief at that time mentioned to council the last aerial truck wasn't a wise choice? You make the big bucks, you get the big headaches.
Let's say if the truck gets back soon and serves both communities for the next eight years it can be viewed as a wise purchase... If not then some farm boys in Boardman Twp. took some city slicker fire chiefs literally for a ride.
Just who makes big bucks? I wish you would do some comparison between city official salaries- big discrepancy. Then compare to surrounding communities-big shame. Does anyone think if a city official left their position could be filled for the same pay? I don't think so.
Speaking of that 1:26-what is the pay rate of the current city manager as to the one before him? Who says it isn't a gender problem that women are underpaid?
1:26 Please, next you will be telling us they are working here out of the goodness of their hearts? Along with driving over 50 miles a day to get here. I have always thought if the grass is greener....
1:37 compare qualifications and resumes also.
Mr. 1051. I have a surprise for you. I know of at least eight people who live in the city and work in the city and that's just off the top of my head. As for myself I not only lived in the city but raised my children in the city going to city schools. Where they got a very good education. I live in a house that I just love and will most likely die here. Oh of those eight I beleive at least three are department heads. I live in a neighborhood where I know most that live around me and talk with them when outside. This city is not the only small town with money woes . Yor being so negative does not help anything. This poor town has been fighting negative thoughts since I was a child in Mentor on the Lake. And it's about time those from the outside leave us alone. Have a great day. Donald Howlett retired city employee.
3 department heads out of how many? Where does PPD chief live? Wasn't a former one forced to sell his home and move to the city? Retired and moved back out of here if I remember the story.
Where have all PPD chiefs lived in between that and current one? Not here. Again 3 of how many? But if I recall, no one can be forced to live where they work - wasn't that declared unconstitutional? Anywho-take a look and listen to the work negativity a few years ago, I heard a cop say once, he'd never live in this town and didn't care what happens because he didn't live here. No worries though, hopefully he retired, oh no, he was promoted that's right. Keep the lousy ones and get rid of the good ones.
Mr. Howlett I believe 12:11 believes you are the exception to the rule? You as well as your family are committed to Painesville. At the same time I have been in social setting with Painesville City employee's and from what comments I heard if I could have fired them on the spot I would have. There are good reasons for police officers to live outside of the jurisdiction. One your family doesn't have to deal with the actions of say arresting a family member of your teenage son's friend.
Term. I know of those I worked with 12 officers lived in the city. I worked with a total of seven Chiefs ,two lived in the city, one in Fairport , Painesville township, LeRoy, Madison, ,Mentor. Thr city stopped the living in the city a long time ago, due to new employees buying a home and did not want to sell it due to almost having it paid off. I fully understand that. Other city employees do live in the city also. I can't tell you how many but I have four that live around me. Oh you can add three more to the 12 I just remembered them that's 15 ,when I started I was hired there were 14 patrol officers , the officers were 7. That's makes a good number of those who lived in the city. Over the years more wanted new homes and began building in area outside the city. The new officer make a little more money than the old guy and they was nice homes with propery you can't get that here. So the live outside the city. That is a fact of life. We are not the only city that has a majority of officers living outside their city. So it's a statewide problem. Deal with it. You must like the older homes with small lots to live in the city. We don't have a large amount od new homes with property. . And yes I do love this city and the people in it, that's why I worked 40 years full and part time with the city police. Loved my job too. I think that covers everything if it's not let me know Term..
Spin it as you want, no one can be made to live here and no one wants to. I'm sure you cant provide any actual figures as to how many city employs and how many live here. Of course it's their choice and they chose to avoid it. No problem eh?
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