Building Department Presentation

Below is the power point presentation by Ben Griffith, our city planner. In it, he reviews how our building department is structured, the amount of work they've done (467 trash violations alone), and where they would like to go from here, such as bringing our building standards up to the latest specs. It's worth a look through, especially if you have questions about how that department is set up.

Building Department Goals '08

Cotton Mills Marketplace Video

So apparently Comvest Properties has come out with a video showcasing the proposed Cotton Mills Marketplace development. As you may recall, this is the outdoor mall development that's been talked about.

Click here to see the video and let me know what you think. I'd be interested to hear your comments on this one.

Tech Committee Update

Our committee met last week to discuss 4 matters.

1. Update on 311

We have been waiting for a while now on the actual implementation of the 311 system, a non-emergency number to allow people in the city and county a way to phone in problems that aren't life threatening. Right now the additional panels needed are being installed in the local 911 office and so we hope to have that up and running soon.

2. City Clerk Software

We're still in a situation where the city clerk's software is outdated and often causes more harm than good. The best software solution we heard from was a bit pricey (actually they all were, I guess that goes with the territory of custom software). Since the software package that looked the most promising included modules for handling building permits, we may look at a lease agreement with payments to come from both city clerk and building departments.

3. Bandwidth

We were previously looking at using Telepak to handle our internet needs at city hall. Telepak leases bandwidth from the fiber optic cable built by MEGAPOP. However, it was brought to our attention that Metrocast also leases from the MEGAPOP fiber optic backbone, so we are getting figures in from them and are going to be with the best option as far as price is concerned at our next meeting.

4. Website

Continued maintaince of our city website is needed. Given how busy our IT guy, Al, already is with every other technical issue in all of the city departments, we may need to explore the possiblity of hiring a second IT person to mediate some of the issues. This is something we're going to explore more closely as we approach budget time for the next fiscal year, which for us starts October 1st.

Thoughts on the Economic Development Luncheon

I had mixed feelings concerning the luncheon we had regarding economic development in the M-Club building on campus. The University was gracious enough to host the event with several people from the community in attendance. My biggest personal complaint would have to be that it seemed too much like it was patting ourselves on the back. The comments were almost glowing without addressing the pitfalls we still need to overcome. Numerous awards were given out for no real reason. Another criticism arose from Steve Rogers who writes a column for WCBI in Columbus. [link to story, scroll halfway down] His opinion was, given that one of the recurring statements made was our need to embrace regionalism, we didn't have anyone from the region at the event (Clay, Lowndes Counties for example)

On a positive note, I do believe the event was a great refresher course for the county in trying to keep us all on the same page on what needs to be done. Five very renowned speakers gave brief talks about what we should do. To recap some:

Gray Swoope (Executive Director - Mississippi Development Authority) brought up 5 points:
1. Define what determines success
2. Give professionals the tools they need and don't keep changing our agenda for them
3. MSU will continue to play an even greater role in economic development
4. Strategic planning is a must, but useless if its not implemented
5. Teamwork is vital

Phil Paradice (Regional Director, Atlanta - Economic Development Administration) mentioned that investors don't want to go to areas that don't have clear, concise strategic plans and introduced Bobby Dennis who is the EDA representative for the area.

Del Boyette (President - Boyette Levy, Inc.) advised that we keep in mind that Starkville is different from much of the rest of the state largely due to the University and that therefore our opportunities will be different. He went on to say that the state of Mississippi itself loses if MSU/Starkville don't get along because many of the higher tech industries that come to this state will likely want to come here. He also said we should adapt our strategy with the times and economy and that we should focus on the TAP study recommendations. *more on that below

John Bradly (Senior Vice President - TVA Economic Development) suggested we establish a series of benchmarks to mark progress towards our goals.

Blake Wilson (Executive Director - Mississippi Economic Council) also gave a talk towards the end; however, by that time the event had gone overtime and I had to leave early.

At our table was a document outlining the recommendations of the TaP (Targeted and Prepared) study. This was done in conjunction with TVA. When the study is brought up, it's often stated that we were selected out of 47 communities for this. While on the surface that sounds great, in actuality the reason a community is selected for this type of study is because they aren't performing up to their potential, which is something I believe we should be mindful of. The study outlined several recommendations, which I'm including in a PDF format for reading and download. [TaP Recommendations] (And here is another document from a previous event with some notes) [Previous Econ Development Handout]

I like what an economic development group in Tupelo did. They had a series of goals they wanted to achieve, so they printed them out on a large poster size document, framed it, and put it on their wall so they were reminded each and everyday of what they were working towards. I think they even marked off the ones they accomplished. Gray Swoope said it best himself when he said that the best plan in the world won't do any good without implementation, which, given we now have a recommended plan from the TaP study, should have been the theme of the event.

Economic Development Conference / Next Infrastructure Meeting

Today at 11am we had a meeting conducted by the University in conjuction with the Partnership. All of the aldermen, supervisors, committee of 100 members, and several university representatives were invited. We had a good overall turnout and listened to five very informative speakers. I'll have a recap of the meeting in a post tonight or tomorrow along with some of my notes from the event.

In other news, the Infrastructure Committee is having another meeting at City Hall on Monday, July 14th, at 4pm. I guess they didn't wrap up everything on their agenda in time for the meeting next week and want to get those issues resolved.

Committee Meetings this Week

There are three committee meetings scheduled for this week at City Hall. They are:

7/8 - Infrastructure Committee
4pm, City Hall
They're going to be discussing revising the false alarm ordinance after complaints from a number of entities around town. This needs to be done, while the idea of trying to cut back on false alarms is a good one, the particular implementation has resulted in businesses feeling unjustly targeted. A good example is the animal shelter, which got sited for false alarms even when people snuck on their property to drop off animals after-hours. The intrusion set off the alarm and the shelter's defense was that it was a legitimate use of the alarm and they shouldn't be penalized for it.

7/9 - Recycling Committee
4pm, City Hall

7/10 - Technology Committee
3:30pm, City Hall
This is my committee and we'll be discussing the issue of adding bandwidth at city hall (to accommodate increased usage in part through our new police vehicle computer system) and the software used in the city clerk's office. A lot of people don't know that the clerks use 3 different pieces of software, one of which is so old it's on one of the old monochrome monitors. Conslidating the three into one will save time and give them greater flexibility when generating reports and other matters of the city.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Independence Day weekend! I have spent the time with my family in Columbus. The previous week has been a difficult one, my car broke, my phone broke, and I became sick and unable to attend our Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday. Since then I've been feeling better, replaced the car battery which was dead, and have a temporary phone so hopefully I can catch back up on the activities of the past week. Of particular interest to me is the Beautification Committee's interest in the revitalization of 182. I have heard from enough people who saw 182 as their first sight upon driving into Starkville and that is not the kind of impression we should leave with people new to the city. I plan to follow up with a more detailed series of suggestions to implement the recommendations of the Beautification Committee.

TIF Bonds

There is another development coming before the board seeking TIF bond assistance at our next meeting. Separate from the proposed mall/multi-use project by Russell/Spring St, this development will be towards improving and adding on to the shopping center on Hwy 12 where Hudson's Dirt Cheap is located as well as developing the empty lot next to it where the old Coke building used to be. Included in the development is new retail and grocery. I don't have any plans to post just yet; however, as soon as I do I'll share them.

With this talk about TIF bonds for 2 projects now I think I'll do a write up on just what the TIF bond process is. In the meantime there is a wikipedia entry about the concept.

Wikipedia TIF Link

Resolution Regarding the MSU Presidental Selection Process

A JOINT RESOLUTION BY AND BETWEEN THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING MAKE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTAL SEARCH PROCESS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WHEREAS, the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, Mayor of the City of Starkville, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville, believe it is in the best interest of the public to have an open search process for selecting the next President of Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, the best way to insure a healthy, productive, and long-lasting Presidency at Mississippi State University is to encourage and facilitate as much public support as possible; and

WHEREAS, the selection of Mississippi State University’s next President will have an immeasurable impact on the lives of each and every fair citizen of our respective jurisdictions, whether they are the University’s students, faculty, staff, or other members of our community not directly affiliated with the University; and

WHEREAS, the selection of Mississippi State University’s next President will have a significant and lasting economic impact on our region as a whole, will shape the futures of people across the Great State of Mississippi, and will affect the University’s reputation nationally;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, that the aforementioned legislative bodies, representing the public interest of Oktibbeha County and the City of Starkville, Mississippi, hereby formally petition the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to conduct a more open and inclusive search process in the selection of the next President of Mississippi State University.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE OKTIBBEHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, that the aforementioned legislative bodies also hereby formally petition the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to, and at the very least, make the final list of candidates to be considered during the search process known to the public before the next President of Mississippi State University is selected.

Upon the motion of Supervisor _______________, duly seconded by Supervisor _______________, that the Resolution be adopted, a roll call vote was taken which resulted as follows:

Supervisor Carl Clardy Voted:

Supervisor Marvell Howard Voted:

Supervisor Daniel Jackson Voted:

Supervisor Orlando Trainer Voted:

Supervisor John Young Voted:

Upon the motion of Alderman _______________, duly seconded by Alderman _______________, that the Resolution be adopted, a roll call vote was taken which resulted as follows:

Alderman Richard Corey Voted:

Alderman Matt Cox Voted:

Alderman Sumner Davis Voted:

Alderman Rodney Lincoln Voted:

Alderman P.C. McLaurin, Jr. Voted:

Alderman Roy A. Perkins Voted:

Alderman Janette Self Voted:

Adopted this the __________ day of _______________, A.D., 2008, at the Regular Meeting of the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and this the __________ day of _______________, A.D., 2008, at the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville, Mississippi.

___________________________ ____________________________

John Young, Board President Monica Banks, Chancery Clerk

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

(SEAL)

______________________________ ______________________________

Robert D. Camp, Mayor Markeeta A. Outlaw, Clerk

City of Starkville, Mississippi City of Starkville, Mississippi

(SEAL)

MSU Presidental Selection Process Part 3

Most people who know me personally know that I'm not in favor of the Institute of Higher Learning's new process of keeping even the final candidates for MSU president secret until one was decided. This new process was started for the first time 2 1/2 years ago when previous MSU president Charles Lee left. Previously the final candidates were taken to campus and the community as a whole had a real chance to meet the people who may be one of our future leaders. Starkville is what it is today largely because of the university and I believe it to be undeniable that the person selected for that position has a huge influence on the future growth and development of the entire area.

I remember voicing this concern to the Commissioner of the IHL, Dr. Tom Meredith. I was met with rather sharp words in response. It was a reminder to me of a warning a friend once gave. My friend advised that I always take a friend with me into meetings, so that there will always be another person there to bear witness to what is said.

I also remember going to the location of the IHL meetings where the final candidates were being interviewed. I remember sitting outside while they had sheets hung up so no one could see inside the hall leading to the room of the meetings. I remember someone telling me some candidates were being brought up the fire escape so no one would see them. And I remember thinking the entire ordeal was ridiculous. So I sat outside those meetings for two days as a symbolic gesture of how the public in general was being shut out. A one man silent protest is not exactly the most exciting thing in the world.

When Fogelsong was selected and taken to campus to meeting with groups, I mentioned to him that my problem (at the time) wasn't with him, but with the selection process. By the time he was taken to campus everyone knew the deal was done and I doubt any complaints from the groups that met him would have made a difference. Plus it's difficult to get to know someone in such a short time.

When the city interviews candidates for a job, they're always public. And I think we have some fine employees so I fail to see how making the final candidates secret somehow diminishes the quality of applicants.

My next post will be a resolution I've drafted that I plan to present to the board of supervisors and the board of aldermen. Hopefully both groups will pass the resolution and we can make a real lasting statement.