Starkville Shooting

Really bad news. There was a shooting incident at the local McDonald's following a high school basketball game between Columbus/Starkville. One comment I heard was "you know we're a big city now when we start having shootings at the local McDonald's." Jokes like that aside, this is really a terrible incident and really should be a warning to all of us that Starkville is not immune to the serious types of violent crimes that can plague any city.

Full story here.

MSU/Starkville Recognized As Green Community

The community is mainly being recognized for efforts made through Starkville in Motion in regards to working to provide alternatives to transportation. Not mentioned in the article should also be Starkville's adoption of LEED standards for all future public buildings, starting with the new Starkville Electric Department building.

Full story here.
http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=4429

November 2008 Code Enforcement Report

Our code enforcement officer, Jeff, provides a report every month regarding the total number of code violations he has worked on. I thought I would start providing those numbers for anyone who is interested:

• VEHICLES REMOVED OR UPDATED-6
• OFF SITE SIGNS-2
• BANNERS W/OUT PERMITS-3
• SIGNS REMOVED FROM R.O.W-131
• BANNER PERMITS SOLD-10
• PERMANENT SIGN PERMITS SOLD-3
• TRASH VIOLATIONS-4
• BUSINESS OPERATING W/OUT PERMIT-1
• TRAILER PARK REINSPECTIONS-13
• 
  
• TOTALS- 173

I imagine the large number of signs moved from right of way are probably related to clearing up the mess left after the elections this year. It's always discouraging to see how many signs are placed everywhere, littering the sides of the streets and often left long after the election is over.

100th Post, 2009 Elections

This is my 100th post since starting this blog. While not as many posts as I would have liked, I have enjoyed the opportunity to spread some information about what's going on with the city with various readers.

On another note, some people are already talking about the 2009 municipal elections. In fact, some people have been talking about it since 2006. While qualifying papers aren't due until the beginning of the new year, the forms are now available online via the Secretary of State's office and are posted on the city website.

2009 Municipal Election Forms

As If I Had to Remind You...

Go vote!

Campus Shooting Incident

There was an unfortunate incident at 4am on November 1st, 2008, involving an attempted abduction of an 18 year old girl. The good news is she got away; however, she and her friend both heard a gunshot as they were fleeing the scene.

Here is an official MSU press release regarding the incident:

http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=4404

WCBI Rumor

Normally I try to avoid dealing in rumors; however, I wanted to share one I had heard. Basically it was that WCBI is considering opening a satellite office in Starkville, similar to what the Commercial Dispatch does for their paper. That could be really interesting and makes me wonder if competition for coverage of the Starkville market is heating up between WCBI and WTVA.

Anyone heard anything?

Roadway Improvements

Posted on the city's website is a copy of the planned roadway improvements for the '08-'09. If you're curious whether your street is listed please feel free to review the document.

http://www.cityofstarkville.org/cosdocs/FY_08-09_Roadway_Maintenance_Projects-_Priority_1.pdf

Starkville in Motion Meeting Overview (9/8/08)

Devon opens
Mentions "Darius Goes West" movie.
Treasurer Report: Just under $2000 in account.
Membership Report: 48 paid members. 300 on email list.

Introduction of Day One students who will work with SiM. 3 present, 4 more who were unable to attend.

Robbie Ward announced the upcoming Johnny Cash festival. Looking for volunteers. pardonjohnnycash.com has a link for volunteers.

I gave a presentation on beautification regarding the 182 corridor based upon a similar presentation given to the Beautification Committee. Currently the city has approved regular street sweeping of 182, which was one of the nine recommendations. Other ideas discussed included plantings and entryway markers. I will be working with Ben Griffith and others towards establishing a working ordinance to begin to require sidewalks in new developments and Ben is trying to write a unified building ordinance that would incorporate a lot of the recommendations from the Comprehensive Plan that the city approved.

Question about mass comprehension plan and zoning ordinance. 182 sidewalk and bike lane. As that area redevelops people are talking about wanting to have buildings moved forward (this only makes any sense if the building is demolished). Two separate sidewalk ordinances were suggested. One residential and one commercial. People want a timeline/deadline on when the new ordinance will be in place. At least 30 days from the draft because it needs two hearings. Ideally I would like to have it in place before the end of the year.

Patrik Nordin recommended a Sidewalk Beautification day and mentioned that Lynn Spruill is a good contact for having brush/garbage cleared from existing sidewalks. Jim Gafford recommended adding it as a rolling action item for the sidewalk committee.

Ron Cossman talked about Lynn Lane progress. Board of Aldermen looked at it on Tuesday, had a public hearing on Thursday. Public hearing including a one hour lecture on the conceptual plan for Lynn Lane project. Issue with right of way (ROW) on Locksley Way. City Engineer proposed compromise regarding reducing traffic lanes to allow for sufficient ROW. Will come back before the board at the first October meeting.

Kate Fabel is organizing a Wheel-A-Thon through 52 Moms and SiM. Sept. 27th is the date with Board of Alderman approval and we're have worked out the providing of city resources for the event. Entry cost will be $10 per person. Two roadblocks: $312 is the insurance cost. Partnership was unwilling to suppliment the cost. Secondly, permission must also be sought out from OCEDA. SiM will have a table at the event. Asked for a volunteer to have SiM t-shirts printed at University Screenprint. Kathy volunteered. 50 or more were the suggested number to order. Motion to provide $200 was made and unanimously passed. Devon Brenner and I volunteered to man the table for the event.

Lois was not present to speak to the Safe Routes to school coordinator position; however, Devon mentioned a promising candidate was interviewed.

Kathy mentioned that the Starkville Area Arts Council awarded grant towards the Starkville Arts Walking tour. Fall/Winter is the approximate time of year. I volunteered to work with Kathy regarding compliance with the city's public event policy.

Hamp Beatty volunteered his name to chair the sidewalk committee. Officers will be nominated by October and elected in November.

Ron Cossman brought up the proposed Southern entrance to MSU. Phase 1 would just be a 2-lane road. Phase 2 would have 4 lanes and bike lanes/sidewalk. SiM representatives at the public hearing requested to have sidewalks/bike lanes at the first phase.

Devon Brenner brought up that if you notice areas that have bikes being locked up to things other than bike racks to notify SiM and the University to bring attention to those areas.

Joe Fratesi made motion to give the board permission to spend up to but not over $100 for any one event. Unanimously approved.

Meeting adjourned.

Sidewalk Ordinance

For a while, people have mentioned to me a desire to see more sidewalks in town. Having visited other cities, I've noticed many cities with an extensive sidewalk infrastructure. Upon researching it a little more, and going back to the Comprehensive Plan the city adopted back in 2006, I've decided to look into pursuing an ordinance to begin requiring sidewalks as a part of new development. This is also a long-term goal of the building department, so enacting an ordinance now could give us a chance to test it out and make any appropriate changes when the building department is ready to release their overall new series of building ordinances. One complaint I can anticipate receiving is that it may create sidewalks that "lead nowhere" but given enough time they eventually will and it will make it easier on the city to fill in the gaps as a part of its own street program.

I plan to speak to this effect at tonight's Starkville in Motion meeting; however, I need a little more time to work on a complete draft ordinance.