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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It's Back.... The Opposed Trail Along Mill Road

Update 8/5/2008: The $704,000 and $202,000 matching dollars is for as many trails they can get with these monies, not just the trail on Mill. As we understand, the engineer has asked the council and the Park and Rec Comm for their top 5 priorities (from trail map on blog)
Whether the matching dollar amounts are a coincidence or typo, this information comes directly from public records.
2008 Budget
Police page three $704,000
Fire page four $202,000
Road Maintenance.... Zero, Zip, Nada!
LINK HERE
Now is the time to send in your objections or your top 5 as Park and Rec meets 8/6/08 and council on 8/13/08

Memo

From: Kim Stephan
Date: July 9, 2008
Subject: Budget Considerations for 2009 From Parks and Recreation Committee

Council Member Tom Lee asked the committee to consider their recommendation for the trail proposed along Mill Road. The City received a Trail Grant for $704,000, with the City's portion being approximately $202,000. Council Member Lee informed the committee that the grant monies received are difficult to get and if not spent the chances of receiving these grant monies again would be greatly reduced. A trail was proposed alone Mill Road with the 2009 street project but the road has been taken out of the project and the residents along Mill Road were opposed to a trail or a sidewalk being added to their street. The committee feels strongly that Mill Road is dangerous to pedestrians and bikes and should have a trail on it as it is a collector street; it is narrow and it is very busy. Taking into consideration the feelings of the residents concerning a trail, the committee still felt it was their obligation to look at what was best for the community as a whole and that would be to have a trail on Mill Road. The committee discussed at length the Mill Road resident's objections verses the safety of the road and while reluctant to go against the resident's wishes would like to recommend to City Council that Mill Road have a trail constructed within the easement using the Trail Grant monies.
Motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen, seconded by Committee Member Haiden to recommend City Council proceed with the trail being constructed on Mill Road per the specifications in the 2009 street project, the Comprehensive Trail Plan and the plan submitted for grant monies due to the connectivity of the trail plan and the safety of the residents with the understanding the residents of Mill Road will not be assessed for this trail as Federal Grant Funds will be used. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

Just who is going to pay the additional $202,000 for the unwanted trail? How many other trails are not payed for with grant money and just what the heck is a "collector street" in a town with such a small population? We need to keep an eye on these people... $202,000 would go a long way on road maintenance!

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Centerville Trial Map

This is the trail map that they had at the work session on the 23rd. Could you put this on the blog so people know what they are thinking with the trail systems and tell them to direct their questions and concerns to the Park and Rec and the Council? The dollar amounts are attached also. I see the one on Brain Way is on there. It will probably be a last priority though so it will most likely be pulled. Mill Road on the other hand seems to be a big priority for everyone……………….