As we delve into what could be the last city budget I work on as a councilmember, I reflect upon both the state of the city and my contributions thus far. I could boast that, during my tenure, no property taxes were raised and we’ve reduced total debt levels. However, those claims would be misleading … Continue reading A Tale of Three Cities – FY2017 Budget Column
Water/Sewer/EPA
Council Votes: 4/11/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the April 11, 2016 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet is found here and a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted on the city website in the May 2016 Regular Meeting … Continue reading Council Votes: 4/11/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
Council Votes: 3/29/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING SUMMARY
DOE WATER CONTRACT The following represents an unofficial account of the discussion and vote on the 2016 extension of the DOE water contract during the March 29, 2016 City Council Special Called Meeting. The complete agenda packet is found here and here. No video of the meeting was made. Draft meeting minutes will most likely be … Continue reading Council Votes: 3/29/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING SUMMARY
February 2016 Oak Ridge City Council Update
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 8th at 7:00p.m. at the Municipal Building. Significant items include: The City Attorney’s annual evaluation Resolution of intent to reimburse the itself up to $500,000 from the proceeds of issued bonds (debt) related to site selection and architectural/engineering fees for the construction of a new preschool … Continue reading February 2016 Oak Ridge City Council Update
Council Votes: 1/11/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the January 11, 2016 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet is found here and a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted on the city website in the February 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda … Continue reading Council Votes: 1/11/16 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
December 2015 Oak Ridge City Council Update
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 14th at 7:00p.m. at the Municipal Building. Significant items include: A special report on the Land Bank Adoption of the state and federal legislative agenda Transfer of $325,000 from the general fund to the golf course fund for supplemental operational funding Modification of the water services … Continue reading December 2015 Oak Ridge City Council Update
Council Votes: 10/20/15 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING/WORK SESSION SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the October 20, 2015 City Council Work Session and Special Meetings. The complete agenda packets are found here and here. Joint Work Session with the Board of Education: Presentation of the Preschool Committee’s Recommendation for a new Preschool Building Mayor … Continue reading Council Votes: 10/20/15 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING/WORK SESSION SUMMARY
Council Votes: 12/8/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the December 8, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will most likely be posted at the city website as part of the January … Continue reading Council Votes: 12/8/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
Council Votes: Oct 13, 20 & 27 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summaries
It has been another busy month! For the sake of time, I've consolidated three of our most pertinent meetings into this one post. 10/13/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the October 13, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete … Continue reading Council Votes: Oct 13, 20 & 27 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summaries
City of Oak Ridge Financial Snapshot: Why Your City’s Financial Matters Matter
I was recently invited to speak to the Anderson County Tea Party. The following were my talking points. Critical documents are hyper-linked in blue. Why Your City’s Financial Matters Matter Just about anything that happens (or doesn’t) in Oak Ridge has a direct tie to money, your money. Local government spending directly impacts your wallet. Think not only … Continue reading City of Oak Ridge Financial Snapshot: Why Your City’s Financial Matters Matter
9/8/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the September 8, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here and here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the October … Continue reading 9/8/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
7/14/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
Ending shortly after midnight, this one might go down in the record books as the longest city council meeting ever. I should point out that it is the city manager who sets the agenda. The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the July 14, 2014 City Council … Continue reading 7/14/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 6/2/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY/2015 BUDGET REVEAL
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the June2, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will most likely be posted at the city website as part of the July 2014 … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 6/2/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY/2015 BUDGET REVEAL
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 5/12/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the May 12, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the June 2014 Regular … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 5/12/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 3/24/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY (Final Red Light/Speed Camera Vote)
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the March 24, 2014 City Council Special Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the April 2014 Regular … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 3/24/14 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY (Final Red Light/Speed Camera Vote)
March City Council Update/Additional Special Meeting
Happy Spring! Council’s schedule for the remainder of this month includes a work session and a special meeting scheduled for this Monday, March 24th at the Municipal Building. Details on the Special Meeting are provided below. The work session will follow and the agenda is located here. Results of the March 3rd regular city … Continue reading March City Council Update/Additional Special Meeting
January City Council Update/School Security Update
Happy New Year! Here is your update for January. I’ve pasted a few noteworthy items below. Results of the December meeting can be found here. Additionally, here are a couple of quick notes of interest: This month, the third of four approved water/sewer rate increases will take effect. I am convinced that these excessive increases could … Continue reading January City Council Update/School Security Update
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 12/9/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the December 9, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video (which you can now fast forward and rewind through) of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 12/9/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
December City Council Update
Merry Christmas Oak Ridge! Here is your update for December. The upcoming City Council meeting agenda is fairly light this month, but I’ve pasted a few noteworthy items below. Results of the November meeting can be found here. Don’t forget that our annual Christmas Parade will be Dec 14th starting at 6:00p.m. Also, council will … Continue reading December City Council Update
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 11/11/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the November 11, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website, most likely, as part of the December … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 11/11/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 10/14/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the October 14, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the November 11th Regular … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 10/14/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
October Oak Ridge City Council Update
Hello and Happy Fall! Here is your update for October. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have anytime! The results of the 9/17/2013 special called meeting on the school’s demand for $250K by Oct 1st are found here and my complete analysis with the ramifications of council’s … Continue reading October Oak Ridge City Council Update
Why It Will Cost Even More To Flush & What You Can Do About It
On September 9th, your City Council will likely vote to approve additional water/sewer rate increases. When combined with the last two increases, the average user’s bill will have spiked 62% in just 34 months. Subsequently, should council adopt the fully proposed schedule through 2019, most residents and businesses will be paying double what they were … Continue reading Why It Will Cost Even More To Flush & What You Can Do About It
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 7/8/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the July 8th, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website, most likely, as part of the August … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 7/8/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY
THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 6/10/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY/Follow up special meeting 6/17/2013
The following represents an unofficial account of the significant items discussed and/or voted upon during the June 10th, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting. The complete agenda packet as well as a video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website, most likely, as part of the July … Continue reading THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS – 6/10/13 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY/Follow up special meeting 6/17/2013
The Rest of the EPA Mandate Story/Final Plea to My Fellow Councilmembers
Since I first published this article, council has increased sewer/water rates multiple times and is poised to do so again in 2016. To date, rates, on average have increased by over 100% for water and by approximately 135% for sewer. The following has been submitted to all local newspapers for publication: Last month, Oak Ridgers … Continue reading The Rest of the EPA Mandate Story/Final Plea to My Fellow Councilmembers
The People’s Business – 2/11/13 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summary/Other Updates
The following represents an unofficial account of the items voted upon Monday night. Full video of the meeting can be viewed here. Draft meeting minutes will be posted at the city website as part of the March Regular Meeting Agenda packet. SPECIAL REPORTS Briefing to the City Council by Delegation Chair Chuck Hope on recent visit … Continue reading The People’s Business – 2/11/13 Oak Ridge City Council Meeting Summary/Other Updates
ALTERNATIVES TO INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT
I submitted the following to the Oak Ridge City Council in an effort to explore alternative funding of the EPA mandated changes in our sewer system. Upon learning of an error, I've made a correction regarding ownership of the Chamber of Commerce building. ALTERNATIVES TO INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT - As suggested by Trina Baughn 1/14/2013 … Continue reading ALTERNATIVES TO INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT
Time for a Leadership Change
Both before and after the election, thousands of you shared your thoughts with me about the upcoming vote for our next mayor. And while preferences varied, there was one unifying thought about who should NOT be elected as mayor. Many of you shared your concern that Tom Beehan’s power far exceeds that which is allowed … Continue reading Time for a Leadership Change
$168 Million and Counting – Email to Council Re: $10 Million Bond for EPA Mandates
It's that time of year again - time to drown our future grandkids in more debt. I sent the following email to council regarding an important item on tonight's agenda. Please read and respond to council with your thoughts. They need to hear from as many of us as possible. Your voice counts in Oak Ridge, … Continue reading $168 Million and Counting – Email to Council Re: $10 Million Bond for EPA Mandates
