Health & Fitness
What Happened at Thursday's City Council Meeting (April 26, 2012)
At-large councilman Mike Rasor shares his notes from the April 26 meeting of Stow City Council.
It was sort of a quiet week for legislation on Stow City Council. My notes from this week are posted below...
It's spring cleaning time at city hall. Of course, it's never that simple when the government is involved. We were required to pass an ordinance to allow the city to throw away useless equipment that had no value -- not even worth enough to consider donating. So if a stapler is broken, we can now toss it in the trash. Yep, apparently it takes legislation to authorize that.
Some good news on the financial front: Moody's affirmed our AA2 long-term bond rating. As historical background, the rating improved to AA3 in 2004 and improved again to AA2 in 2010. There are only two higher ratings (AA1 and AAA). Because of this news and some shuffling in our bonds and notes, we will save about $22,000 in interest costs this year.
We discussed the storm water policy that the administration wants council to approve. I have been working with the service director on amending the proposed policy in a way to protect the homes in flood plains. I think we will achieve that. Brian Lowdermilk proposed a different amendment last night. Essentially, he wants the money to ONLY be used for new projects -- as the community originally intended. I respect his principled position, but the truth is, that's going to be impossible. For years, we have used that money for storm water-related purposes (albeit not strictly new projects), and we cannot shift course immediately without a serious budgetary problem. Lowdermilk's proposed amendment failed 6-1.
As Mayor Drew mentioned last night, . I plan to run. It should be fun.
No, I can't end on a rhyme.... City council's committees will meet next on May 7.