I wasn’t going to even go there this month (start p. 42), but some Internet Research Commandos (though not our beloved Originals) kept bugging me about stuff like this:

2485 FIRST BANKCARD… 8376 8.65 ESPIRITU-BOSTON MRKT 3/6 LUNC
2485 FIRST BANKCARD… 8376 140.76 ACM-ROSITAS-ENHNCMNT CMMSS
196054 FIRST BANKCARD… 8376 26.39 FARNUM-LNCLNINN-3/14DWNTWN
196055 FIRST BANKCARD…8376 17.24 FINANCE CHARGES [oops?]

I guess because, knowing what they do about the city budget, they resent our administrators acting like they have no cares in the world. Read the rest of this entry

The Financial Advisory Committee met once again with Council in a special meeting over the FY2009 proposed budget. Eventually, FAC is expected to make concrete suggestions for this budget before continuing its work on longer-term, bigger-picture issues. Last night, however, the group spent much of its time contemplating its tied hands. For reasons of “fair labor practices” and the Open Meetings Act, they have been directed by the city attorney not to discuss any city business with each other without calling an official meeting complete with staff liaison. Something about this stinks, partly because even two Council members can hang out together and partly because this body was not elected and has no vote on any of these matters. IMO the city is trying to shut them down to protect “business as usual.”

Indeed, this put a big damper on the level of enthusiasm, at least for last night’s interaction between FAC and Council which, in the implications for the residents, can be summed up thusly: “We are going to stick it to you again this year, but will fix it next year. We promise!!”

In other news, we’re going to spend $1.6 million on renovating a parking lot to gain maybe 4 more spaces and $8000 on a webcam so we can watch our money being put into the lot. Then there’s the authorization of $5.5 million in bond anticipation notes that was approved, on which neither the city manager nor his assistant could even ballpark the interest rate. (Cityspeak translation: “You don’t wanna know.”) Read the rest of this entry

Update: The meeting dates for the Police Facility Advisory Committee are Wednesday, June 11; Thursday, June 19; and Thursday, June 26; all at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

[Once again, Ivan Krpan brings us one of his "comments"--this time on the city's advisory committee for the new police station--that should have been a post in itself so I'm bringing it to the top. But for goodness' sake, would some of y'all who get on a roll like that with first-hand information or analysis please register to post under your name? It's a painless process and I am glad to help with formatting and the like; just save as a draft and let me know you need help with "bloggifying." Now here's Ivan.]

You know it always seems that when it rains it pours. Like in my business, it seems that all of the tools all start breaking down at the same time and probably will again because now I’m replacing them all at the same time. Kind of sounds like DeKalb’s infrastructure and building needs.

The citizens advisory committee met for its first meeting last night to get a detailed explanation of all that has happened to this point from the start of discussing the need for a new police station which actually started close to 9 years ago. Reasons why choices have been made and how those choices will help today and tomorrow as this community grows through the upcoming 20 years.

First, I must go on record to say, unbelievably awful and embarrassing! That is the feeling that I had when I completed my personal tour of the DeKalb Police Department. I absolutely take my hat off to all of these committed officers for putting up with what they have for a station. This current station does not fit their needs at all for the work they are responsible to do today.

I thought the high school was approaching bad. Fellow citizens of DeKalb, this station is way pass bad. Read the rest of this entry

Tonight at the budget workshop I remarked that it was kind of nonsensical and backwards (exact words) to continue to carry this albatross of an airport (paraphrase) when the police department does not have adequate facilities. Later in the evening, I was rebutted with a pretty picture presented by Public Works Director Rick Monas of DeKalb-Taylor Municipal Airport’s (DTMA) “turning the corner” to self-sufficiency. Oh, and by the way, the $1.1 million deficit is fake. They have to budget out for projects in hopes that the state will suddenly start coughing up their share (har) but if it doesn’t (duh), we don’t actually spend it. The “real” deficit is “only” $230,000. And to top it off, Rep. Foster just earmarked $2.5 million for DTMA.

I send out hat-tips to two other members of the audience tonight. One told me that he’s heard the “turning the corner” turn of phrase before–20 years ago. The other pointed out the absurdity of trying to pretend that almost every penny for the airport doesn’t come from us one way or another. Join me on the flipside for the rest. Read the rest of this entry

Well, shoot, the commenters precede the blogger’s efforts here! Kay Shelton’s comments, appearing in the previous article summarize the proceedings in much the same way I would, so I shall copy part of them on the flip. Thanks, Kay! The main idea is that the most basic services, police and fire protection, are being provided in responsible, innovative, cost-conscious ways, especially the P.D. In fact, I am inclined to suggest that if every department in the City of DeKalb were as concientious in responding to the current budget crisis as the P.D. is, our straits would be less dire for sure. Read the rest of this entry

Let’s keep the thread but update this space. Last night was quite educational. If you saw it, you probably know a lot more about the pension mess, for example. Perhaps you were also delighted, as I am, with the addition to the process of the Financial Advisory Committee. As Mayor Van Buer said, “It brings the discussion to a whole new level.” In fact, since I did my part to advance the idea both at Council and in a letter to the editor, I am going to take partial credit for it.

On the flip I will publish Lynn’s speech from last night. Express permission is given to reprint in full.

See you tonight, I hope. Read the rest of this entry