Tom Lee Council Member Response to Resident

Tom Lee Says:
May 8, 2008 at 3:31 pm

Ms XXXX,I’m not a politician, so I won’t speak to you like one. I’ll address your comments in the same tone as they are presented.
"Nobody was paid to be at the May 1, 2008 meeting, nobody that is except the city council. The rest of us were there because we care. Care about our city, our neighborhood and our neighbors".
If you think anyone sits on Council for the money, you have no idea the time it takes away from your family. All of us have a “day job”. All of us could make better “part time” money doing just about anything. The last meeting, the public hearing is the only meeting we are required to have. As you may recall, we have had at least three other meetings with those effected by this project. Those meetings I wasn’t “paid” to attend. I was there because I care what they have to say.Four times we asked for constructive input. Four times we got hostility and insult. The city does NOT pay me for that. I am only on Council because I care about this town. My family lives here, a lot of my friends live. I want Centerville to thrive.Many citizens spoke about concerns they have about the proposed road project. I heard people agreeing that portions of the proposed project needs to be done, but not one citizen that spoke agreed with city council that the entire scope of the project needs to be done at this time. I have spoke with NUMEROUS citizens that want the road project. Many of them were sitting in the audience that night. Privately they have told me they want the majority of the project to go forward, but they will not state so publically as they don’t want to face the anger of their neighbors. Somehow, I can understand that.This project is as big as it is in an effort to get the most for our money. Eventually all this work will likely NEED to be done. It cost less if we do it all at once.Some issues that I can recall that were not addressed are:
1. What is city council doing to bring in more business to the city?Have you not heard about the down town revitalization project?
I’ve been working on that for 5 years. I have hundreds, maybe even a thousand hours of MY time in it. Above and beyond what is required of me.
What is city council doing to keep the businesses that we have?The backage road was built in an effort to keep KEY businesses here while the County rebuild Main Street. We formed the Economic Development Authority to INVENT ways to assist current and hopefully current business. We have sought out county, state and federal business assistance programs, one other local officials don’t even know exist. And I personally go MILES out of my way to spend any money I can at our local businesses, even if I can get it cheaper somewhere else.
2. Why does Mill Road need a bike path at this time?
Because it will never be less expensive later. It IS a safety issue and I for one will not wait until someone is hurt or killed to fix a problem I KNOW exists. Mill Road is a collector street. It should have has a bike path on it years ago.
3. Why does Brian Way need a sidewalk?
It may not. Brian Way is not a collector street, though it is the accepted practice according to the Comp Plan to interconnect trails and sidewalks when possible.
4. Does everybody have to hook up to city water/sewer right away or can they wait? Does the word everybody mean everybody or just the unfortunate people selected?
Every one that has city water available will be required to hook up to city water.If you are referring to Council Member Vickers, she will not be included in this project as she lives on a COUNTY road, which is not part of this project. BUT, when the County road is done, the city SHOULD make water available to her property and since she owns…..140 plus acres, she WILL pay an incredible amount. Unfortunately, I will not be on Council to to weigh in on the matter. (though I suspect she may).
5. If the road project cost goes up then why will my assessment also go up?
Once we declare what your assessment will be, it can not go up without your approval. Our only choice would be to remove your portion from this project.
6. How can the increase in property value be associated with the cost of the project?
When I repair a problem at my house, my house does not increase in value by the full cost of material and labor. Many times there is not an increase in value at all.If your roof leaks, the repair does not add value to your home. However if you chose NOT to repair the roof, your value will decrease. But the availability of city water does improve property value, the county assessor says so. So does having a new road, sidewalk, bike trail system, etc. That is what we MUST go by.
7. What source or sources are being using to determine the amount my property value will increase due to the proposed road construction?
We have had an appraiser look at various houses in each part of the project. Which is more than some cities will do. Our valuations are ASSUMED to be correct in a court of law. The burden to prove otherwise is on the homeowner.
My actions may not have been the calmest in the audience, but as Council Member Jeff Paar motioned to bring it on, we responded to his jester and brought it on.
I am not Jeff Paar.

We hope that the citizen’s voices have been heard and you respect our voices and change the scope of the project to include only the necessary improvements and to remove the ‘luxury’ portions of the project such as sidewalks and bike paths.
Infrastructure is not a luxury. Ignore it and it will go away, until it becomes ridiculously expensive to replace. Look at the I35 bridge collapse. It was ignored, it wwent away and now it is 10 -15 more expensive to replace then it could have been.Certainly portions of this project COULD be removed, though the net effect to the cost would not be substantial. If the “niceties” aren’t added now, they will NEVER be added.
Respectfully,
Tom Lee
Why has Council been ignoring a road maintenance budget?

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