Realizing that the Meeting on the 22d might well run past the 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM time frame as it is now, I have decided to go on with the Council Meeting of the 18th.
A brief comment on Mr. Azinger the younger and his bill to offer a Bible Class even as an elective. Might be fine in Home Schooling, Private School or Denominational life a Catholic School, but for sure is as noted going to be declared unconstitutional in a Public School. Why not use a bit of common sense and wait to see how the Kentucky School's play out in the Law Suit currently ongoing there? Why waste time and energy NOW when West Virginia has so many problems that need more immediate attention? Oh, that's right he is running for Election.
Now yesterday, I ended with Mayor's portion of Budget and what a joke that really is? Now as part of that show, he had Mr. Leach come up and do a show and tell on Johns Manville and some of the expected issues there. Of course, it is all about the money; it is always all about the money. The costs continue to be low balled even when a reasonably honest estimate would exceed the current amount by several more hundreds (of), thousands of dollars.
We should, I hope be facing the Truth by now, that we are stuck playing this hand through. A lot of cards to be turned over yet, but what is known to some and hidden from many is just how much is still to be paid? Mr. Rapp bragged some time back that acres on the upper side are going to probably sell for $100,000./ each. That would be in excess of $1,900,000. In theory, that would just about be a break even point as long as we willing to eat the $300,000. to $600,000. that is still likely to hit the table. Remember, Mr. Leach was talking about how cheap the "cap" on the park side would be with VUB staff doing most if not all of the work. Once again, I point out the lads don't work for free, the equipment does not run for free and the time clocks for sure don't stop. If there is enough staff to put in hours and hours working on that site (and this could easily include Parks Department folks), than it shows we have too many people on staff now. All this extra expense of course will be made up in Tax Dollars over a period of what could easily be years?
And we still do not know the possible sweetheart deal that is going to drop on who gets that cleaned up property? The lie was no responsible developer would buy that property as it was? Well grasshoppers, there was one dumb a** buyer- the City of Vienna. This is a rigged up deal for someone yet to be named? Than there is the so called 50 acres between 2d Ave and Grand Central and 32d and 28th to be redeveloped. Lotta bucks on the table folks and only a few, a very few are going to make hay while the City gets the short horn.
And don't forget the 6:30P.M. Public Hearing at the Vienna Library on 12 February. This to explain what the City is going to do? On Park Side, should be pretty simple; minimum of 12" of dirt cap all over the place or maybe more now that EPA has raised the standards to meet the Residential Demines requirements that the Park will have to meet as a Park.
Upper level is probably not up for questions as it is a Commercial/ Production type site and it is basically naming who the bubba is getting a deal on the property? I will throw out a couple of people that would make good Candidates? OVU and/ or PMC should be in the running as well as several other large Contractors like maybe Pickering? Just a couple of ideas on that?
Mr. Rogers than bought up the Transmission Towers on the River Side of River Road. Wants to know who is going to clean it such as mowing? Also plans to remove the towers in the future. Now understand, he lives right in that area so he is a sure winner if they are removed. His property will have to get a nice kick substituting the towers, grass and trash for a Park/ Golf Course/ River view improvement? Certainly nothing wrong with it, but for sure a personal issue for him?
Mr. Rapp said Towers are going nowhere, but is talking to Electric Company on the necessary maintenance? Hell, we could do it all ourselves, same as so many other places that are taken care of by City while not maintaining the City Property on the Streets/ Avenues.
Mr. Leach back in with how the Concrete Pad on upper level has/ is a protective cap so not much to do there? If more money needed than in 2018- 2019 budget, will be in 2019-2020 Budget
Mr. Elem than asked how much has been put into upper level? Ms. Roberts kicked in at this point and said $582,000 plus $250,000 in current Fiscal Year. Said was 3/4 million so far. Well, I am not very smart, but 582 + 250 in very simple math is $832,000. For someone as poor as a Church Mouse as many of us are, the $82,000. is a lot of money to just toss over one's shoulder like spilt salt. So add in the $975,000. that we paid for the package plus the $832,000 and we are starting to talk some real money= $1,807,000 as a minimum. This does no include as noted several times all the Resources/ People/ Time the City has put in on the project and the current $200,000 being budgeted. And than the $40,000. matching funds for the Browns Field Grant. Again, lotta money in play on this deal.
Mr. Conley than commented on all the money for Property, Outside Contractors and the ongoing expense. Mr. Leach noted $650,000., for cleanup and another $137,000 out of the $200,000 being budgeted now for next Fiscal Year. The rest is for Contingency needs; bet it will be spent?
Mr. Leach 35 Acres; Land on upper side will be great project. My question is a "great project" for whom? Maybe he will buy it from us and he and his family can build another Hemp Farm on it in enclosed sheds? Think of the Tax Dollars off of that?
Oops, another long blog and still not out of the Mayoral presentation. 'nuff said'.