DISCLAIMER: This adorable puppy (my dog about 10 years ago) has nothing to do with this post. I tried six times to upload a relevant photo of last night’s agenda, got six annoying error messages… and then gave up. This photo represents flexibility. And moving the heck on.
NOW…
It’s not every day that City Council competes with Bernie, Hillary, Donald, Ted… and a whole bunch of other local politicians.
In other words, we found ourselves on Election Day evening without a reporter as we discussed and voted on some fairly weighty agenda items. So, here goes…
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MAY 3 MEETING:
$$$ Council PASSED a resolution approving the issuance of lease rental bonds for the renovation of the Goshen Theater. A key component of the agreement is that it won’t go into effect unless Regional Cities funds and private donations meet match obligations.
It’s serious money. It’s scary voting to spend so much money (for real scary). So we all talked about it for awhile. An accountant answered our questions.
Votes:
Yay: Gautsche, King, McKee, Scharf, Weddell
Nay: Alersmeyer, Orgill
Council POSTPONED a vote to approve the Plan Commission’s approval of the Economic Development Plan for the Consolidated River Race/US 33 Economic Development Area (Just rolls off the tongue, yes?).
There was a LOT to digest and understand. Some of it was familiar — projects that I’m eager to support — but there were also some additional areas and properties in the plan. New council members in particular had many questions.
My main concern was/is that the City is actively discussing areas of the City for unspecified redevelopment without the knowledge of those who live there. Apparently this is not unusual, but to these newbie eyes it doesn’t look good. If my house was on a list that was circulating among various boards and commissions, I’d want to be personally notified by the City.
The legal department agreed to send out a notification letter to tenants and landlords of residential properties that are new to the plan document.
It was a lengthy discussion. Other council members voiced other concerns.
Votes to Postpone:
Yay: Gautsche, King, Orgill, Scharf
Nay: Alersmeyer, McKee, Weddell
We also cast some unanimous votes on (is it unprofessional to call them “boring”?) items that are statutory requirements about annual tax rates (blah, blah, blah — oops).
Council received the COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT and heard from the Chair, Nate Mateer Rempel. He gave a reflective, thoughtful review of their work, their challenges — our collective challenges — and an update on current projects. TASTE OF GOSHEN/DIVERSITY DAY is coming up this First Fridays.
I’ve left plenty out; so for more detail, I encourage you to read the minutes from the May 3 meeting when they’re posted on the City’s website. If you’ve read this far, you’re definitely the kind of person that will want to read those minutes. Promise.
I appreciate reading this, Julia. And no, it’s not unprofessional to call some of what you as a council must do “boring.” I’m sure it is. Thank you for doing it. 🙂
And thank YOU for reading and commenting, Jeremiah. This democracy thing just doesn’t work without the eyes, ears, and input of community members like you. Sorry for the delayed response, by the way. My notifications weren’t working properly; hopefully we’ve fixed that!