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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-2001 Town MeetingMINUTES TOWN MEETING AT PUCHE'S. JUNE 21, 2001 Members Present: Jim Hartford, David Nidiffer, Craig West, Larry Sarff, Mary Fillingham, JoAnne Shores, Mayor Bohler. Absent Robert Molleck and Kevin Meade. Alderman Hartford started the meeting by introducing the Aldermen and Mayor Bohler. Hartford stated that the aldermen would speak for one minute each then the Mayor would speak. Then questions from the audience would be addressed. Alderman West was introduced. Alderman West thanked everyone for coming and Puche's for hosting the event. West talked about his committees and the conference he attended in Springfield in June. West expressed that he was pleased with the town meeting that it opened the doors of communications for the community. Alderman Sarff was introduced. Sarff thanked everyone also. Sarff spoke of how long he has severed on the City Council. Sarffmentioned the committees that he serves on. Sarff tallced about the goals to create jobs in our community, because we have so many people in the community that commute. Alderman Nidiffer was introduced. Nidiffer talked about his committees that he serves. He talked about the Westside Neighborhood Association Meeting held this month. He talked about how we all need to help clean up the wards together. He thanked everyone for coming. Alderman Fillingham was introduced. Fillingham talked about the committees she serves. She said that this has been a great learning experience for her. She thanked everyone for coming. Alderman Shores was introduced. Alderman Shores stated that she has been an alderman for six (6) years. She wants to help the community. She serves on the Planning and Zoning Committee and the Tourism Committee. Alderman Hartford was introduced. Alderman Hartford stated that he has served as alderman for six (6) years. He stated that he was the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He talked about the different committees Clerical and Mechanical. Alderman Hartford opened the floor for questions. Lewis Hagan Q. He would like to see a stop sign put up on Ave. D. He had a concern about loud motorcycles, mowers being used as transportation, and junk in yards. A. Mayor stated that he would look into the stop sign. The Police have to stop motorcycle and check the loudness of the motorcycles. On the junk in yards, the Mayor asked for the address and we would send out the proper person to investigate. Shirley Crumley (So. Ave. C). Q. Landlords get stuck with tenant's water bills. A. Alderman Nidiffer stated that most landlords prefer to know when bills aze not being paid. Notices aze sent to landlord first. Alderman Sarff interjected that the landlord has the best opportunity to find the tenant, before they leave town so the whole community doesn't have to pay the bill. Mazda Miller Q. She would like to have help cleaning up a property at Tamarack and Main. A. Alderman Nidiffer stated that the Zoning Officer was there and the structure was not that bad, but that he will get Mr. Wilson the Zoning Officer to check on this again. Alderman Nidiffer talked about the meeting with Westside Neighborhood Association and that some landlords just don't caze about the property. He stated that we needed to find a way to hold the landlords accountable. Nidiffer says he needs to get information on the owner of said property. Emmy Poe (Custer Place) Q. Newspapers on the porch of her neighbor's house. She thinks this is a fire hazard. A. Alderman Hartford stated that we could have Clark look into that. Oscar Ernst Q. There is a property on the corner of Maple and 1 ~` has junk in yazd. Mr. Ernst presented pictures of property also presented an ordinance, which he stated, said that the owner couldn't plant anything within 10' of sidewalk. A. The Mayor stated that we would check and see if he was in violation of the ordinance. Mr. Ernst also complained about boom boxes and loud motorcycles. He stated that he had talked to Alderman Shores and that nothing was done. Martha Strode (365 So. Main) Q. Alley behind her home is being used like a street. She is asking council to do something and also do something about the lighting in that azea. She would like the council to check the sidewalk that crosses railroad tracks. A. Alderman Hartford stated that we .could write a letter to the Railroad Co. Alderman Nidiffer commented that Alderman Fillingham and himself have talked about the alley issue. That Alderman Fillingham stated to him her concerns for children playing the azea. Bob Naylor appreciated how quickly the city took down the Dahm Hall. Dennis Crawford stated he has confidence in the community. Q. Does the city have Community Development Plans? A. Linda Caudle answers the question and stated that we have a comprehensive plan. Q. As taxpayers aze we expected to pay for Dahm Hall (Lewis Hagan) A. The Mayor stated that it was an emergency. We aze going after the Corporation. He stated that it is a difficult process. The Mayor also stated that the City of Canton could only take on so many buildings a yeaz. So, the city doesn't have to raise taxes. He stated that the Mason's building was still in the courts. Alderman Sarff stated that we are fighting to get our money back from Mason. He also talked about the Opera House and that on the eve of the buildings demolition the Council was approach by someone to buy the building. He commented on how nice it was that Mr. Ed Lewis took responsibility for his property and tore it down. C.A. Luft (Ave. D) Q. He claimed they have a speeding problem on his street. And that Semi trucks drive on Ave. D. A. Mayor said that we would check on it. Mazcia Miller commented that she wished more young people would come to these meetings. Q. Edgewood street- streetlights were removed. Now azea is very dazk. A. Mayor will look into this problem Karen Latimer President of the BMX Club Q. Asking for help to keep the BMX track in operating condition. Would like to see that the BMX Club is mentioned in brochures put out by the city. A. The BMX Club could be listed in the city brochure. Lloyd Klinesworth commented on the BMX and JFL clubs that they aze not tax supported. He would like to channel tax money from everyone for a swimming pool. We all need to give our share he stated. Mr. Klinesworth stated that he was not in favor of the State Conservancy, because we won't get tax money. The Mayor said that we don't get tax money on this land anyway. Ron Howazd talked about youth activities. He would like to see more local government get involved with the youth. He rexninded the community that this was an issue that the Candidates in the election ran on. He also wished the Mayor good luck. Gerald Martin (909 so. 1 ~` Q. Property on 3`d and Linn NW corner. It is very bad shape. A. Alderman Nidiffer stated that the property was all tied up in liens, but it was something we definitely need to address. Linda Caudle mentioned the program Building Together. This yeaz they repaired five (5) homes. Alderman Hartford thanked Linda for the information. Jim Hocker said we need pride in the community. He offered an idea of how to get money to pay for these run down homes in the community. All the residents pay an extra dollar on their water bills a month. We could take out a low rate loan. Then we could pay back the loan with revenue bonds. Use this money to make a difference in these properties. Alderman Hartford mentioned the donations can for fireworks. Alderman Sazff stated that the City Council meets four (4) times a month. He encourages people to attend. He said the city has ordinances that we can enforce all you need to do is call. Alderman Hartford wraps up the evening by thanking everyone for attending. He thanked the Mayor and Puche's Restaurant. He was happy to see the interaction between the city and the community. We can fix the problems that face our community.