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Cleveland State of City Address recaps changes in past year
  
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By ALEX WUKMAN
As Cleveland Mayor Jill Kirkonis strode to the podium the night of August 25, the crowd at the Cleveland Civic Center stood to applaud. Kirkonis was preparing to deliver her State of the City Address to a chamber of commerce dinner.
The audience consisted of past and present members of city council, members of the city administration, a representative from a congressional office and at least one political candidate. All of them were in their best business attire and all of them had paid $12 to hear how things had progressed over the past year.
The admission charge for the address was commented on by former Cleveland City Councilmember Bill McAdams.
“It was a great speech. It’s a shame the residents of Cleveland didn’t get to hear it,” said McAdams.
The speech opened with a summary of some of the changes that had been made in the budget over the last year. Kirkonis specifically cited transferring $400,000 from the utility fund into the general fund as well as moving the non self-sufficient ambulance fund into the general fund as examples of some of those changes.
Kirkonis admitted that moving the ambulance fund into the general fund may not have seemed to be the best idea at first but it was a strong long-term decision.
She said, “Reserves in our general fund were weakened by the inclusion of the ambulance fund; in past years, the general fund carried a receivable from the ambulance fund. This year, we cut our losses, combined the two funds and have a truer picture of [our] financial position.”
This “truer picture of the financial position” quickly developed some additional benefits. In May, the city was notified that the credit rating and financial services company Standard and Poor’s had upgraded Cleveland’s bond rating from BBB to A-.
Kirkonis quoted from a letter sent to the city stating that “the upgrade is based on the city’s continued tax base expansion and consistently strong financial position.”
The upgraded bond rating will help lower the City’s interest ratings on outstanding debt; the payment of which, as Kirkonis stated, takes up 35 percent of the city’s available funds. She also stated that even though the other 65 percent of the budget is occupied with maintenance and operation costs, the city was able to purchase some much needed equipment.
Despite a budgeting process that Kirkonis described as “tight,” the city was able to use a $200,000 Texas Water Development Board loan to purchase a replacement sludge feed pump, step screens and a screening water system for each of the two wastewater treatment plants. A $700,000 grant from the Office of Rural Affairs has allowed the city to proceed with what Kirkonis described as “a staged drainage project on the east side of the city.”
She stated that the city was divided into six sections and that work in sections one through four has been completed. She went on to say, “We’ve completed 40 percent of Sector Five; it will take another month to finish. Sector Six on the east side may take two months to complete.”
Kirkonis stated that the recent rain has proven the newly dredged and expanded ditches are able to function as promised. She also mentioned that the city was also able to generate $16,000 in matching funds to secure a grant for an All Weather Operating System for the airport; although she didn’t mention how it fared in the storms.
Even without a grant, the city was also able to include six new patrol cars for the Cleveland Police Department as well as mobile data stations for their existing cars into the budget. Kirkonis also promised that more technological upgrades are in the works; she said that “digital video systems for patrol cars are soon to come.”
She went on say that the city’s increases were not just limited to equipment.
“We funded five additional positions this year,” said Kirkonis.
The new positions include a part-time library clerk, an IT administrator and a part-time code enforcement officer. Kirkonis also said that the city was able to afford “an extra dispatcher and a part-time relief judge.”
Part of the explanation for the increase is a boost in sales tax revenue. Kirkonis said, “Sales tax accounts for 46 percent of city revenue. We budgeted a 5 percent increase over last year. Sales tax receipts to date have come in at almost 2 percent over that.”
Another factor in the budget stimulation has been Cleveland’s slow but steady growth over the last year, something that Kirkonis illustrated with a figure from the city’s department of permits. She stated that over the last year the city of Cleveland issued 878 building permits.
The amount of building permits issued, as well as the massive public works project to improve the city’s drainage, prompted the city to update the city’s flood insurance map, an action that Kirkonis assured the audience “will positively affect insurance rates.”
Kirkonis said that in her eyes Cleveland is taking the necessary steps for the future but that “the single most significant challenge we, as a city, face is that of meeting our growth head-on.”
The audience consisted of past and present members of city council, members of the city administration, a representative from a congressional office and at least one political candidate. All of them were in their best business attire and all of them had paid $12 to hear how things had progressed over the past year.
The admission charge for the address was commented on by former Cleveland City Councilmember Bill McAdams.
“It was a great speech. It’s a shame the residents of Cleveland didn’t get to hear it,” said McAdams.
The speech opened with a summary of some of the changes that had been made in the budget over the last year. Kirkonis specifically cited transferring $400,000 from the utility fund into the general fund as well as moving the non self-sufficient ambulance fund into the general fund as examples of some of those changes.
Kirkonis admitted that moving the ambulance fund into the general fund may not have seemed to be the best idea at first but it was a strong long-term decision.
She said, “Reserves in our general fund were weakened by the inclusion of the ambulance fund; in past years, the general fund carried a receivable from the ambulance fund. This year, we cut our losses, combined the two funds and have a truer picture of [our] financial position.”
This “truer picture of the financial position” quickly developed some additional benefits. In May, the city was notified that the credit rating and financial services company Standard and Poor’s had upgraded Cleveland’s bond rating from BBB to A-.
Kirkonis quoted from a letter sent to the city stating that “the upgrade is based on the city’s continued tax base expansion and consistently strong financial position.”
The upgraded bond rating will help lower the City’s interest ratings on outstanding debt; the payment of which, as Kirkonis stated, takes up 35 percent of the city’s available funds. She also stated that even though the other 65 percent of the budget is occupied with maintenance and operation costs, the city was able to purchase some much needed equipment.
Despite a budgeting process that Kirkonis described as “tight,” the city was able to use a $200,000 Texas Water Development Board loan to purchase a replacement sludge feed pump, step screens and a screening water system for each of the two wastewater treatment plants. A $700,000 grant from the Office of Rural Affairs has allowed the city to proceed with what Kirkonis described as “a staged drainage project on the east side of the city.”
She stated that the city was divided into six sections and that work in sections one through four has been completed. She went on to say, “We’ve completed 40 percent of Sector Five; it will take another month to finish. Sector Six on the east side may take two months to complete.”
Kirkonis stated that the recent rain has proven the newly dredged and expanded ditches are able to function as promised. She also mentioned that the city was also able to generate $16,000 in matching funds to secure a grant for an All Weather Operating System for the airport; although she didn’t mention how it fared in the storms.
Even without a grant, the city was also able to include six new patrol cars for the Cleveland Police Department as well as mobile data stations for their existing cars into the budget. Kirkonis also promised that more technological upgrades are in the works; she said that “digital video systems for patrol cars are soon to come.”
She went on say that the city’s increases were not just limited to equipment.
“We funded five additional positions this year,” said Kirkonis.
The new positions include a part-time library clerk, an IT administrator and a part-time code enforcement officer. Kirkonis also said that the city was able to afford “an extra dispatcher and a part-time relief judge.”
Part of the explanation for the increase is a boost in sales tax revenue. Kirkonis said, “Sales tax accounts for 46 percent of city revenue. We budgeted a 5 percent increase over last year. Sales tax receipts to date have come in at almost 2 percent over that.”
Another factor in the budget stimulation has been Cleveland’s slow but steady growth over the last year, something that Kirkonis illustrated with a figure from the city’s department of permits. She stated that over the last year the city of Cleveland issued 878 building permits.
The amount of building permits issued, as well as the massive public works project to improve the city’s drainage, prompted the city to update the city’s flood insurance map, an action that Kirkonis assured the audience “will positively affect insurance rates.”
Kirkonis said that in her eyes Cleveland is taking the necessary steps for the future but that “the single most significant challenge we, as a city, face is that of meeting our growth head-on.”
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Reader Comments
justthinkin wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:34 PM:
" What about the MAJOR omission in the mayor's speech? You know, (or maybe not,) about the council's major legal blunder? Still confused? Google a couple of contract law terms: 'specific performance' and 'detrimental reliance.' Got it yet? OK, here's wisdom: Contracts may be required, by court order, to be 'specifically performed', as written. Application? The dozens of entities with EXISTING contracts for the civic center's facilities can have a court order the chamber- to MOVE OUT, daily; so that the pre-existing contracts may be performed. Even Better: 'detrimental reliance' provides monetary damages for any expenditures done in reliance of a breached contract- to be paid by the breachor.
It's all just TOO BEAUTIFUL! remember you got the scoop first, here. (Not from the Advocate, which 'didn't have time to see me, a few minutes ago.') Who needs the funnies? The west hanson street mafia provides ENDLESS comic relief.
Oh, could you hold another meeting? Soon? PLEASE? We all need another good horse laugh. "
It's all just TOO BEAUTIFUL! remember you got the scoop first, here. (Not from the Advocate, which 'didn't have time to see me, a few minutes ago.') Who needs the funnies? The west hanson street mafia provides ENDLESS comic relief.
Oh, could you hold another meeting? Soon? PLEASE? We all need another good horse laugh. "
justthinkin wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:44 PM:
" Could we be witnesses to a world record? Has anybody contacted Guinness? Category: Most contracts breached by a city council, in a single motion/vote.... (For those of you not laughing, mainly because you are holding one of those bookings for the civic center; the Cohn and Lambert law firm (Cleveland)-Otis Cohn, esq.- is highly interested in your plight(s)) "
Indian Fan wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:51 PM:
" JUST THINKIN, notice how the article on the Chamber of Comm. moving into the civic center is no longer hot news, actually I can't find it at all, think someone's trying to hide something???????? "
Indian Fan wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:59 PM:
" ''justthinkin'', Do you wonder what happened to the article on the Chamber moving into the civic center, our editor took the time to let me know it was moved down, can you find it, but apparently didn't have time to talk with you......... "
Disturbed wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:48 PM:
" Folks I don't know about you but this ANNOY seems to be harrassing alot of folks lately. I heard his wife is a school teacher and his sons are great musicians so where does he fit into society. He spends most of his time going to all the local authorities and trys to complain about everything under the sun and gets no where. So my questions is are you tired of listening to him yet. I have been reading his writing for about 3 or 4 weeks now. I read all the crazy rambling trying to figure out the insane accusations he makes on innocent people. I really feel sorry for his family. No sure who he is and I hope I never do. It's funny he has so much information on almost nothing. Read his writing and tell me is the the kind of person you would want to take advice from. I think the Mayor is doing a wonderful job. I don't know much about the Council Members and all the city issues but I think I would rather check into the details myself before I would believe anything this goofy man is saying. He seems to try to use these big words and trys to be knowledgeable but comes off like a escapee from the mental hospital to me. Keep up the wonderful job Mrs. Mayor/ Take the key and throw it away "
Disturbed wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:53 PM:
" Oh I see he's changed his screen name from ANNOY this week to JUSTTHINKIN. Poor guy he's really confused. Cleveland may not be perfect but just think we could have somebody like him running the show. Wow that's a scarey thought. Where's the MEDS when you need them. "
meToo wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:14 AM:
" Well, it seems the council is finally learning that they can't just bulldoze the rights of several dozen entities, who hold signed contracts for the civic center. They tried talking down their noses, thusly: "it's a done deal." oh REALLY? now the council members' packets are being prepared, the city attorney consulted (per this morning's phone call with the city manager), and guess what? They are finding out that justthinkin is EXACTLY RIGHT on all points herein!
It's a good thing that the Mayor's family is connected to both the medical community AND Baylor. She should be able to get the whole bunch a referral to Baylor Medical School's department of neurology. Once they ALL get a brand new set of BRAINS, maybe we won't need to have this conversation again.
Yes people/readers, don't bother to be community watchdogs. Stay blind, indifferent, and ignorant to such shenanigans at all levels of government (as well as the community - right CCIC?), and see how much more corruption and injustice gets ramrodded through. "
It's a good thing that the Mayor's family is connected to both the medical community AND Baylor. She should be able to get the whole bunch a referral to Baylor Medical School's department of neurology. Once they ALL get a brand new set of BRAINS, maybe we won't need to have this conversation again.
Yes people/readers, don't bother to be community watchdogs. Stay blind, indifferent, and ignorant to such shenanigans at all levels of government (as well as the community - right CCIC?), and see how much more corruption and injustice gets ramrodded through. "
Disturbed wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:34 AM:
" Who's laughing at who. All of us know that the usernames keep changing from ANNYOY, to JUSTTHINKIN now to ME TOO. Man someone who trys so hard to make himself look like he's a saint reminds me of the squirrls in my back yard. Atleast when they go looking for nuts I will know where to send them. These people he keeps referring to from a to z or good people . This kind of person has a sickness that can not be cured. He is just out for attention. He's obsessed with These C.C.I.C people and The Mayor & Harry Williams, Vanesa Brashier and Phillip Cook. I think everyone should keep ignoring him as usual and maybe the hurricaine will blow him to another city. Maybe back to Shepherd where most of his family is anyway. Get a job . Oh that't right no one wants you. "
Indian Fan wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:12 PM:
" Disturbed, I don't know who ''me too'' is, but he/she makes valid points, as far as the city council and Philip Cook, I myself have posted many messages this week about them, only for them to be booted down for new news to where you couldn't read some of the truths about these people, I don't know if you work for the Advocate, nor do I care, all I want is for our city and city manager to step up and help our kids, build them a sports complex, do you realize how many kids play baseball, football, basketball, and yes even soccer, what happened to the grant that the city received to start our sports complex, word has it that Philip Cook used it for the civic center, if our town can spend 3 million dollars on a building that hardly gets used, and then when it does,someone gets to pick and choose who has to pay and who doesn't, why can't this town take a stand and build something for these kids, do you people realize this is our future, I think the elderly have been well taken care of, can someone step up for our kids now?????????? "
Disturbed wrote on Aug 29, 2008 5:32 PM:
" Indian Fan I absolutley agree with you on all aspects about our children. Yes there are some very good points made by you. I agree with you on your thoughts. I just think the other gentleman goes way out in left field to explain himself. I also think he is extremely criticial about other orgaizations that have really tried to help. I know someone who knows this man. He has deliberatly lied and made false accusations on lots of his information. He is bashing these people who have tried to help and is trying to ruin a really good thing. You try doing something he will be right behind you critizing you for all your mistakes instead of trying to use his so called knowledge to help. It's a good thing most people in your community knows he's out there in left field. This is why most people does not pay him no mind. Ask him what he does in your community besides try to cause trouble. Let that be your next question . I would like for him to tell me 3 things he does on a weekly basis to help anyone in that community? I said HELP not tare down. Have you ever read one positive thing he has wrote yet. I agree Indian Fan and I'm proud of you for caring about these children. "
annoyed wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:15 PM:
" Disturbed.... you are right on about Justthinkin" or whoever he is today. He absolutely is crazy. While his sweet wife works, he goes all over town, to different businesses and litterally harasses people. He has no job. He claims that he's on disability... something to do with an injury in the military band!!! Everyone knows him. When they see him coming, they run. He NEVER has anything positive to say. He only speaks negative and it's usually in a way that is so crazy that you're not really sure what he's talking about. His name is Dennis. I'd give his last name, but it might not get posted. I've noticed that he uses different user names to respond to the same issue. Is he arguing with himself? so glad to hear someone else speak out about him. He is a horrible member of society!!!!! "
Disturbed wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:13 PM:
" I have done some investigating myself. I have talked to several friends who live in your area and they say the same thing about this person. Why are you as a community allowing this man to do this. I read the aweful things he said about this Myers lady her children's organization and now the Mayor and some of your other officials in that town. Don't they know the law? This man has over shot his boundaries with enough insults and lies someone should be able to shut him down. Why does he get away with this? I can tell just by the writing something is wrong with this person. Some of these people should have a pretty good law suit if they checked into it. "
justthinkin wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:15 AM:
State of the City? Want the short version? Here goes: Taxes going up (we'll blame it on fuel costs-which effects EVERYTHING). Manager got a big raise (won't say it was by gutting PD dispatch, or internet speeds down to dial up.) Still have council dominated by the west hanson street mafia (never were going to 'represent us,' only their OWN agendas.) Still, the insider scams are rampant (most favored types get free or scandilously low prices for Community Center, Stancil park, etc.) Drainage still aint fixed. Aren't funding the expansion of the golf course to 18 holes (why? every street in town has AT LEAST 18 holes.) Tax base increased, by aggressive appraising, but raising the city tax rate and all fees anyway.
Insiders still get rediculously low property tax appraisals, that won't change- but we'll give Alan Conner a public award, every time it gets pointed out (that's how we tell YOU, that YOU don't matter). Still buying into the race track scam, never mind that it has no business, no bookings, and no prospects- it's the insider trading that really counts - right Williams? Bought into the CCIC scam, embarrased that they got caught- but no refunds for the taxpayers- hee hee.
In summary.... business was, is, and will continue to be.... AS USUAL! Save your $12 or $15- that's the scoop. My vote as follows-at ALL political levels: re-elect NOBODY. " "