Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Recommendation for Stimulus Funding!
We have been recommended for $283,927 to begin the Park & Ride facility for START in Pioneer Park! We have also been selected as the site for the TBIR Rec center! City staff will be working through design ideas immediately to combine the two efforts. Good ideas generate funding!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Governor Otter to reject Stimulus funding
I was just forwarded this article and am very concerned. It's hard to imagine not spending as little as 3% of funding on bicycle and pedestrian mobility projects. Now is the time to rethink our transportation habits as they relate to health care, the environment, and foreign oil dependency. It's time the Governor heard from Teton Valley!
Full Article
Opinion: Lewiston Morning Tribune
LEWISTON - What has Butch Otter been up to in the nation's capital? Within days of appointing a bipartisan panel to review plans for spending money from federal stimulus legislation, Idaho's chief executive is listed among those Republican governors now in Washington, D.C., telling Uncle Sam to take his cash and shove it.
Saturday, the New York Times reported that "the governors of Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have said their states may not want to meet the conditions that accompany the money or expand programs that will have to be paid for by the state once the stimulus money runs out."
And Monday, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal praised Otter and four other governors for "saying thanks but no thanks to some of the $150 billion of 'free' money doled out to states."
What the Journal lauds, however, even many conservative Idahoans are unlikely to appreciate. It is one thing for Otter - who as a congressman voted to greatly expand the federal Medicare program - and members of the state's congressional delegation to badmouth the stimulus bill passed by Democrats and three Republican senators. But it is quite another to turn away money that Idahoans and their offspring will end up paying their fair share of.
What's more, some members of the executive panel Otter asked to review stimulus money, including two Democratic former governors, must wonder what Otter is telling his fellow members of the National Governors Association and the national press that he isn't telling them.
Before leaving for the association meeting in Washington, Otter did agree to use stimulus money to increase unemployment benefits in the state by $25 a week. And it's a good thing he did, too. That is some of the wisest spending in the federal bill, because it will help jobless people at the same time it pumps cash into the economy. Yet some other governors are objecting even to that provision in the bill.
At the same time, though, the Times quotes a lawyer for Otter, David Hensley, as objecting to a requirement that Idaho spend 3 percent of a big bundle of transportation money coming to the state on "transportation enhancement."
"I never imagined that Congress would tell the state of Idaho that they have to spend $5.5 million on bike paths or pedestrian lanes," Hensley said.
Do Hensley and Otter oppose making it easier for people to ride bicycles or walk to places where they would otherwise drive cars - and helping stimulate the economy in the process? And even if they do, can they possibly expect the federal government to send money to the states with no instructions about how it is to be spent? It isn't as if state government refrains from doing the same with much of the money it sends to Idaho's school districts and local governments.
What appears more probable here is that Otter is aligning his Washington rhetoric with those Republican governors, like Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and South Carolina's Mark Sanford, who talk about rejecting stimulus money, rather than those, like California's Arnold Schwarzenegger and Florida's Charlie Crist, who welcome help their states badly need. But back in Boise, Otter will listen to the smart counsel of his stimulus advisers and use the cash to stave off severe distress in his state.
He will, in other words, put the money where his mouth isn't. - J.F.
Full Article
Opinion: Lewiston Morning Tribune
LEWISTON - What has Butch Otter been up to in the nation's capital? Within days of appointing a bipartisan panel to review plans for spending money from federal stimulus legislation, Idaho's chief executive is listed among those Republican governors now in Washington, D.C., telling Uncle Sam to take his cash and shove it.
Saturday, the New York Times reported that "the governors of Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have said their states may not want to meet the conditions that accompany the money or expand programs that will have to be paid for by the state once the stimulus money runs out."
And Monday, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal praised Otter and four other governors for "saying thanks but no thanks to some of the $150 billion of 'free' money doled out to states."
What the Journal lauds, however, even many conservative Idahoans are unlikely to appreciate. It is one thing for Otter - who as a congressman voted to greatly expand the federal Medicare program - and members of the state's congressional delegation to badmouth the stimulus bill passed by Democrats and three Republican senators. But it is quite another to turn away money that Idahoans and their offspring will end up paying their fair share of.
What's more, some members of the executive panel Otter asked to review stimulus money, including two Democratic former governors, must wonder what Otter is telling his fellow members of the National Governors Association and the national press that he isn't telling them.
Before leaving for the association meeting in Washington, Otter did agree to use stimulus money to increase unemployment benefits in the state by $25 a week. And it's a good thing he did, too. That is some of the wisest spending in the federal bill, because it will help jobless people at the same time it pumps cash into the economy. Yet some other governors are objecting even to that provision in the bill.
At the same time, though, the Times quotes a lawyer for Otter, David Hensley, as objecting to a requirement that Idaho spend 3 percent of a big bundle of transportation money coming to the state on "transportation enhancement."
"I never imagined that Congress would tell the state of Idaho that they have to spend $5.5 million on bike paths or pedestrian lanes," Hensley said.
Do Hensley and Otter oppose making it easier for people to ride bicycles or walk to places where they would otherwise drive cars - and helping stimulate the economy in the process? And even if they do, can they possibly expect the federal government to send money to the states with no instructions about how it is to be spent? It isn't as if state government refrains from doing the same with much of the money it sends to Idaho's school districts and local governments.
What appears more probable here is that Otter is aligning his Washington rhetoric with those Republican governors, like Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and South Carolina's Mark Sanford, who talk about rejecting stimulus money, rather than those, like California's Arnold Schwarzenegger and Florida's Charlie Crist, who welcome help their states badly need. But back in Boise, Otter will listen to the smart counsel of his stimulus advisers and use the cash to stave off severe distress in his state.
He will, in other words, put the money where his mouth isn't. - J.F.
Friday, February 20, 2009
1st Mayor's Report
I can't imagine anyone is counting down my first 100 days, but I thought I'd give you an update on the first 8.
Tue Feb 18th: Met with P&Z to hear their perspective on my new role as Mayor. Unanimous desire for clear leadership, coordinated efforts between Council and P&Z, revised ordinances and an increase in staff efficiency / organization.
Wed Feb 19th: Met with Craig to hear his ideas on my new role as Mayor. He caught me up to speed on the three previous Mayors he has worked with and their take on the position. He suggested ways I could improve on past Mayoral efforts. We decided that I would maintain the same bookkeeping / accounting role as Don for the next few months but I should attend staff meetings every other week in preparation for Council Meetings as much as possible. Our hope here is to increase the efficiency of the Council Meetings while decreasing their longevity. I will also try to make at least one “stop in” visit to City Hall each week to give Craig a chance to talk with me in person. We both agreed that one important short term goal is to improve staff organization in order to set each staff member up for success. Craig also reflected on his past role as “Fireman” putting out the daily “Fires”. We both agreed the economic slow down was a great opportunity to revise the City's organizational framework in order to give each staff member clear roles, responsibilities, and pathways to job satisfaction I will schedule meetings with each staff member privately to hear their ideas on this.
Craig's Short Term Goals:
March 1st: Completed Staff self evaluations
March 20th: Completed Job Descriptions
February 25th – Middle of March: '08/'09 Budget Introduction, Overview, Highlights
June 1st: Completed Supervisor evaluations
May 1st-2nd: Possible Council Retreat re: Budget preparation
Fall '09: Staff Retreat?
Friday Feb 20th: Deadline for Idaho Mobility Stimulus funding. We discussed this at the last Council Meeting and the staff has been great springing into action! Craig and I talked at length about the application and projects that could qualify. We decided that only one project currently fits the requirements: Victor Transit Center in conjunction with TBIR Ice Rink / Rec Center in Pioneer Park. We are applying for almost $1M in funding for a bathroom facility / lobby to serve the needs of both the Transit Center and TBIR, Parking lot paving, and acquisition of a Skid Steer and Dumptruck to clear sidewalks leading to the Center.
Mon Feb. 23rd: Meet with Don Thompson to get advice on my new role as Mayor.
Tue Feb. 24th: Introduce myself to staff as Mayor and hear their collective suggestions, desires, and advice.
Fri. May 1st / Sat. May 2nd: Tentative Council retreat scheduled. Our initial thought is a Friday evening / Saturday event with a facilitator somewhere local but removed from City Hall, ie. Grand Targhee. The City would pay for the event through our training budget. The specific goal of this event is to discuss our Fiscal goals for 2009/2010 in preparation for our Budget Cycle. Craig and I both feel our budget process needs to be revamped (especially considering current economic conditions) and this is a great time of the year to begin that process.
Council Vacancy: So far I have only been contacted personally by Dahvi Wilson with interest in the vacancy although many names have been suggested to me. My biggest goal is to appoint someone who best reflects the platform I ran on. I feel I owe it to the voters to put someone in my place who can best represent me and my ideals since I am giving up my place on the Council. It is important for me to preserve the make up of the Council as best I can in a way that reflects the last election. No matter who fills the position, the remaining two years of my term will be up for election this November.
Tue Feb 18th: Met with P&Z to hear their perspective on my new role as Mayor. Unanimous desire for clear leadership, coordinated efforts between Council and P&Z, revised ordinances and an increase in staff efficiency / organization.
Wed Feb 19th: Met with Craig to hear his ideas on my new role as Mayor. He caught me up to speed on the three previous Mayors he has worked with and their take on the position. He suggested ways I could improve on past Mayoral efforts. We decided that I would maintain the same bookkeeping / accounting role as Don for the next few months but I should attend staff meetings every other week in preparation for Council Meetings as much as possible. Our hope here is to increase the efficiency of the Council Meetings while decreasing their longevity. I will also try to make at least one “stop in” visit to City Hall each week to give Craig a chance to talk with me in person. We both agreed that one important short term goal is to improve staff organization in order to set each staff member up for success. Craig also reflected on his past role as “Fireman” putting out the daily “Fires”. We both agreed the economic slow down was a great opportunity to revise the City's organizational framework in order to give each staff member clear roles, responsibilities, and pathways to job satisfaction I will schedule meetings with each staff member privately to hear their ideas on this.
Craig's Short Term Goals:
March 1st: Completed Staff self evaluations
March 20th: Completed Job Descriptions
February 25th – Middle of March: '08/'09 Budget Introduction, Overview, Highlights
June 1st: Completed Supervisor evaluations
May 1st-2nd: Possible Council Retreat re: Budget preparation
Fall '09: Staff Retreat?
Friday Feb 20th: Deadline for Idaho Mobility Stimulus funding. We discussed this at the last Council Meeting and the staff has been great springing into action! Craig and I talked at length about the application and projects that could qualify. We decided that only one project currently fits the requirements: Victor Transit Center in conjunction with TBIR Ice Rink / Rec Center in Pioneer Park. We are applying for almost $1M in funding for a bathroom facility / lobby to serve the needs of both the Transit Center and TBIR, Parking lot paving, and acquisition of a Skid Steer and Dumptruck to clear sidewalks leading to the Center.
Mon Feb. 23rd: Meet with Don Thompson to get advice on my new role as Mayor.
Tue Feb. 24th: Introduce myself to staff as Mayor and hear their collective suggestions, desires, and advice.
Fri. May 1st / Sat. May 2nd: Tentative Council retreat scheduled. Our initial thought is a Friday evening / Saturday event with a facilitator somewhere local but removed from City Hall, ie. Grand Targhee. The City would pay for the event through our training budget. The specific goal of this event is to discuss our Fiscal goals for 2009/2010 in preparation for our Budget Cycle. Craig and I both feel our budget process needs to be revamped (especially considering current economic conditions) and this is a great time of the year to begin that process.
Council Vacancy: So far I have only been contacted personally by Dahvi Wilson with interest in the vacancy although many names have been suggested to me. My biggest goal is to appoint someone who best reflects the platform I ran on. I feel I owe it to the voters to put someone in my place who can best represent me and my ideals since I am giving up my place on the Council. It is important for me to preserve the make up of the Council as best I can in a way that reflects the last election. No matter who fills the position, the remaining two years of my term will be up for election this November.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
City Council Agenda 2-11-09
7:00 Pledge of Allegiance
7:05 Old Business – Mayor Resignation
Swearing In of New Mayor – Council Vacancy
7:05 Old Business – Mayor Resignation
Swearing In of New Mayor – Council Vacancy
7:20 Public Hearing – Center Street Apts. Condo Conversion – Final Plat
8:15 Douglas Investments – Cheese Factory
8:30 Ari Kotler
9:00 Aiport Subdivision – CCR’s Amendment – Scott Fitzgerald
P&Z
Impact Area – County Commissioner Meeting held 1/14/09
Cowboy Roadhouse – Road Dedication
Boundary Adjustment - Maps
Codifying Update – Kurt Hibbert
Software Update
Maintenance
Administrative
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sidewalk Plowing
Frustrated not being able to walk around safely downtown? Tired of walking in the increasingly narrower lanes of traffic? Well this week things changed a bit in downtown Victor thanks to Adam and Mason from Teton Timberframe ! While watching the inauguration of President Obama, Adam mentioned to me that he would like to give back to his community somehow and wondered if I had any ideas. I said, "well, I've been trying to figure out a way to get the sidewalks plowed on Main St". Adam told me he had a skid steer that could probably do the job and he would be happy to take on the challenge. Sure enough the boys from Teton Timberframe showed up last week and got the job done! Some logistical issues prevented them from plowing all the sidewalks downtown, but I hope you agree this is a hige step forward! Thanks fellas!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groomer of the week
Troy Barry. Holy smokes. South loop is sweet. Tripled the number of km's.
The ball diamonds are skiing excellent. The track is super firm and the corduroy looks nice.
Dave Bergart started a blog site where we can update the status of the track and post photos. So look here for grooming schedules etc:
http://victornordic.blogspot.com
The ball diamonds are skiing excellent. The track is super firm and the corduroy looks nice.
Dave Bergart started a blog site where we can update the status of the track and post photos. So look here for grooming schedules etc:
http://victornordic.blogspot.
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