Last night's meeting was proceeded by a Special Finance Committee meeting, which took up the matters of public hearings for both the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Falcon Field project. With the exception of the usual rant and rave of Frank Rotella (yes, he's back after a lengthy vacation courtesy of the State), virtually all speakers approved of the City spending for the proposed sports complex. Even Arline Dunlop jumped on board the bandwagon, with a challenge to all the old jocks to have an Old Timers game on the turf field. Not a bad idea, but I'm not paying the liability premium! The bond resolutions passed, both in committee and ultimately on the Council floor, after extended discussion on the cost analysis prepared by the City Manager at my request. After all is said and done, the net cost to the City would be about $400,000, when taking into account the cost avoidance of upgrades to grass fields at Ceppa, and bleacher/press boxes at Ceppa and Falcon, as well as field maintanance savings. With the increased usage expected for football, soccer, band competitions and Washington Middle School's students, this is a good deal. We'll await the final costs once the design and plans are prepared and bid out. The expected total cost is estimated at $3.3 million at this stage, with 50% coming from the State.
The CIP was approved, (including seed money for the Hubbard Park playscape), but still below the Council's self-imposed bonding cap. The goal here over time is to pay for capital improvements out of operating funds, instead of paying interest. It is a conservative and fiscally prudent path to follow, but takes discipline to manage the costs.
On the Economic Development side, the Council approved a zoning regulation change that will eliminate building homes in rear lots. The intent is to deter unnecessary over-development and reduce density in residential areas. Public safety was also a concern, as fire equipment often cannot reach buildings in rear locations. It is a good change for Meriden. The Council also approved the City to dispose by sale certain properties downtown on Main Street. Currently, they house tenants including Castle Craig Theatre and Kitchens by Glen. The Council directed that appraisals be conducted to determine a market price, and then have several proposals that had been solicited to be considered. It is my hope that any successful proposal include plans to keep the theater intact, and that market-based housing be developed on the upper level. More to come.
The police and fire budget will be considered this Thursday evening at City Hall. Come one, come all.
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6 comments:
Joe, thanks for your comments. You and the Linear Trail Committee have done a heck of a job over the last few years, and the completion of your project is long overdue...and not because of lack of effort on your part. I hope we can unveil this great trail this year!
Hey Steve, I just got off the floor after viewing the April 3 council meeting. I mean I just couldn't stop laughing from one of my all time favorite comedians, Frank Rotella. That man just kills me. I must say the new look, with the shades, gives him that Andrew Dice Clay edge. I know he is most exasperating to you and your fellow council members, but he does make for entertaining viewing. I think we may have something here for the reality TV market - "Filibusting with Frank". Enough of that nonsense, I just couldn't resist a comment after watching him speak and listening to your attempts at reigning him in. I would, however, like to comment on the possible donation of the Miller Co. property on Center Street. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, or in this case, Germans. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Please get an enviornmental study of that lot first before accepting the land. Sounds like the "indemnify the company against any future liability" is a pretty safe bet that property is "hot". It may cost much more to clean up, than it is worth.
Anonymous 4/8, thanks for the post. In fact, the city already owns the lot, and it's my understanding that the City did perform a phase 1 environmental when we were considering it for a teen center about 5 years ago.
We haven't taken any further action on any other possible uses for this site since the teen center was rejected by the Council because there was a clause in the transfer that it would revert back to Miller if the center wasn't built. (It was donated for that purpose). However, I've been pressing for the past couple years to get a final determination: either transfer it back or remove the reverter. I'm satisfied that Miller Company ultimately saw fit to leave the property with the City. Now we can make some decisions on its future.
Glad you enjoy Frank's shenanigans. No extra charge.
Thanks for clearing that up!
I know Frank Rotella can be a challenge, but seeing your comment and statement about "courtesy of the state" discourages me from participating in the public portion for fear notations such as this would appear.
Anonymous 4/16, 8:15, thanks for your post.
Clearly you've watched the council meetings on the public access channel, and know Frank Rotella's "act." He relishes baiting the council, insulting elected officials, city staff, and even the public, while making statements that are often wide of the mark, generally outrageous, and sometimes, even on point. Nevertheless, I always treat him with courtesy, as I do with all speakers, when they address the council during public comment. I encourage you to partake in the public comment session if and when you see fit. The Council appreciates people coming in to share their views, beyond the usual handful that show up, like Frank. Unfortunately, he has too often abused his privilege. Virtually everyone else hasn't, even those that take the Council to task.
As I said in my very first post to this blog, I'll try to explain what's going on at the Council, but it is from my point of view, not the Council's. This blog is not a City site. It's not a journalistic report, like the Record Journal. It's meant to be a forum outside City Hall for honest dialogue and observations about the City and its government, by posters named or anonymous. Readers do not need to agree with my perspective. But I hope they read, and comment, because I can learn something from them.
Besides, many people have asked me the last several months where Frank has been. (They apparently enjoy the 'entertainment value" he brings to the public comment sessions.). Frank himself noted he was recently back from prison, and in fact now homeless. I just reiterated the fact. Usually I don't comment here on speakers unless to share a fact or opinion that has a bearing on the post issue. (e.g., the Falcon Field hearings). Unless you would plan on addressing the Council in the same manner as Frank does, you have no concerns in joining public comment. I hope you do.
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