Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
8th
Annual
As we move further away from the great economic downturn that affected
us so deeply during the latter part of the first decade of this century, the future of
our City becomes brighter with each passing day. We are fortunate. We have so
many visionaries, progressive thinkers, and dreamers who dont just talk about
challenges but offer solutions. We surround ourselves with people who live in
that environment, citizens like those I brought together to form SoMa and so
many other individuals and organizations that have benefited the rest of us with
their philanthropic ways. Their contributions over time have certainly made
Elkhart a better place to live, work and play.
While we say goodbye to 2014, I look to this year and well into the future
of this City and see nothing but progress, growth, and prosperity for Elkhart,
Indiana!
Im going to begin my next portion of my remarks to you this evening by
talking about the different departments of our City. Ill begin with the City
Controllers Office.
The cash balance of the Citys treasury at the end of 2014 was $106
million, a $1.5 million decrease from 2013 because of additional needed
expenditures.
All one hundred fifty seven of the Citys funds maintained a positive cash
balance at the end of the year. The great news I have for you is that in-spite of the
financial challenges we have faced due to circumstances beyond our control,
Standard and Poors increased our credit rating from an A+ to AAA- noting our
strong fund balances and the way we manage your money.
phone 9-1-1 calls originating within the City must now come directly to our 911
Center. We recently received permission from the County Commissioners to take
over the Lafayette Street cell tower which means a majority of the cell phone calls
originating in the City will come directly to our Center. No more county transfer
will be necessary, eliminating valuable seconds or minutes. There is more to be
done yet.
We installed and deployed the Solacom Next Generation 9-1-1 Telephone
System. This system provides us with the ability to do 9-1-1 texting along with
many other capabilities. We also upgraded our radio system to the MC 5500
Motorola System. All of this puts our Communications Center on the list with the
best of them.
Fire
We have been able to provide our firefighters with the equipment they
need to do their job efficiently and effectively. In 2014, we purchased a new fire
engine at a cost of $430,000. An additional engine will be purchased this year
with no increase in price. A new ambulance chassis will be purchased this year
upon which we will install one of our current medic compartments realizing a
savings in excess of $40,000. A local firm will get the job.
The Fire Department responded to 1,300 fire related calls requiring 4,000
emergency responses. The department had 6,000 ambulance calls requiring
13,000 emergency responses. The combined call volume for both Fire and
Emergency Medical Services was 8,000. The total unit responses for 2014 were
16,000.
Police
There were 3,000 criminal arrests, 6,000 citations, 329 ordinance
violations, 8,000 traffic warnings, and 1,000 parking citations. Many cases are
cleared by arrest and some are unfounded or in to many the victim refuses to
help. The award winning Night Out Against Crime program was expanded in
2014.
In response to public requests and in an attempt to keep our police officers
supplied with the latest in technology, we began exploring the use of vest cameras
for all of our officers. Like our neighboring communities, we came to the
conclusion that equipping our police officers with vests cameras to be in the best
interest of our officers and our citizens. They offer clarity to any question.
IT
The Information Technology Department was kept busy with many
important
projects
included
modernizing
dispatch
and
police
records
Utility
Over 3,200 people attended events and programs presented or hosted by
the Elkhart Environmental Center. The ElkhartWood program received the ISA
Gold Leaf Beautification Award in 2015 in recognition of its positive impact on
the community after its first year.
The Wastewater Utility treated and released 5.4 billion gallons of
wastewater to the St. Joe River and produced 2,301 dry tons of bio-solids.
The Water Utility treated and distributed 2.9 billion gallons of safe, clean
drinking water through 346 miles of water mains.
Street
The work performed by the City Street Department may have more to do
with economic development than any other City department. The condition of
our streets is the first and last impression one gets when visiting our City. Over
this past year we have laid in place 21,000 tons of asphalt. Preventing costly
deterioration of our streets means diligent crack sealing as well. We used 1,200
gallons of crack sealing oil. We invested $107,000 in concrete replacing sidewalks
that included many ADA sidewalks.
In keeping with our goal of sweeping all streets in the City every 14 days,
our sweepers picked up over 13,000 cubic yards of street dirt and debris. Our
popular curbside leaf removal service removed 49,000 cubic yards of leaves from
in front of our homes and used the compost for top soil. Winter! Now that the
snow is gone, I think its gone. I hate to bring it up. But our aggressive snow and
ice control program translates directly into reducing the number of traffic
accidents and injuries. And as was recently pointed out to me working in the City
of Elkhart makes it a lot more difficult to use snow fall as a reason for arriving
late for work. Needless to say, I am happy to be saying goodbye to the winters of
2013-2014.
Tolson
2014 was a banner year for the Tolson Center. From the new carpet in the
education room to new lobby furniture, youll see the improvements at Tolson as
soon as you walk through the door. A new fitness room and fresh paint in the
gym. But last years improvements were not just cosmetic. Sixty students went on
college visits. Partnerships were fostered with over forty organizations, and the
24k education program expanded to include nineteen schools!
National New York Central Railroad Museum
The National New York Central Railroad Museum has experienced
another dynamic year resulting in increased revenue across the board, more
activities and greater community participation. During 2014, we greeted 7,000
visitors at the Museum. This Elkhart treasure is a world-wide attraction for
railroad buffs and a proud testament dedicated to Elkharts railroad heritage.
Community and Redevelopment
The primary function of Community and Redevelopment is to administer the
City of Elkharts annual Community Development Block Grant Program. The
program is funded 100% by the Citys CDBG entitlement funds. In 2013, the CDBG
entitlement award was $713,000 and for this year it will be $746,060. This is a
welcome increase; however, there is always more to do than there are dollars
available.
they perform on a day to day basis would take so much time to discuss we would
be here until tomorrow morning.
2014 was one of the busiest years in the history of Elkhart for our Public
Works and Utilities Department. The Engineering Group undertook a record
number of projects representing $34 million dollars in construction. The list
includes 29,000 feet of water main, 7,000 feet of sanitary sewer, 4,500 feet of
storm sewer, 5 lane miles of pavement, 12,000 feet of curb and, 12,000 feet of
sidewalk.
Cemetery Department
The Cemetery Department conducted 313 burials and entombments in
2014. At the same time they took on added responsibilities that included snow
removal on City properties not associated with a cemetery. That includes snow
clearing on assigned downtown sidewalks and bridges.
Park Department
The Parks Departments Comprehensive Five Year Master Plan, covering
2014-2018, was produced with the help of public input. It was a great year for
community volunteerism. Nearly 2,500 hours were provided by volunteers. With
help like this collaborating with the Building and Grounds crews many other
projects and tasks were completed. A new playground surface of artificial turf
was installed in one of the playground pods at Walker Park. American Park
Bridges ADA construction work began. Roosevelt Park lights were placed along
the walking path. Riverview Softball Complex upgrades included new
scoreboards, replacing units from nearly twenty years ago. The restrooms were
refurbished and murals were painted on to the central building. All of these
upgrades contributed to being a successful bidder for the 2016 Class C Fast Pitch
National Tournament (a first for the City of Elkhart). Art returned to Parks.
Carved limestone pieces from the old Armory and a metal contemporary
sculpture titled Totem by Chicago artist, Brian Monaghan, were placed in the
park. The 35th Annual Rhapsody in Green Festival once again celebrated record
attendance.
Grants
The challenges of obtaining federal funds continued in 2014.
Since
great projects that developers have come forward with that often require taxpayer
funding or abatements.
The Aurora Capital Program continues to help many businesses get the
start they need which ultimately benefits the entire community. Those in the
program including two new businesses that were granted loans in 2014 are
maintaining their payment requirements.
The redevelopment of North-pointe Plaza into an attractive front door to
our community is still on-going. The Thompson-Thrift development known as
Shoppes on Six began its construction phase in 2014.
There were a number of attraction and expansion projects that selected
Elkhart. Many companies chose to expand without requesting state or local
incentives. The capital investment made by companies requesting tax incentives
in 2014 total $6 million dollars. The capital investment made by companies not
requesting tax incentives brought in another $3.5 million for a total investment of
$9.5 million.
Brownfield Projects
In 2014, the buildings at 511 Division Street were demolished and the site
is now ready for redevelopment. Work continued on the 700 West Beardsley
project, the blighted Walter Piano Building. It is our expectation that the project
will be completed this year. After the work has been completed, the site will be
ready for redevelopment.
Human Relations
In 2014, the Human Relations Department provided information throughout
the City in the area of housing and employment. Averaging approximately 121
contacts a month from and to citizens, staff offers assistance to individuals related to
fair housing, equal opportunity employment and more. Community Development
continues to provide a staff person to assist in furthering fair housing. By working
together, both departments meet federal contract requirements and Human
Relations continues to maintain its substantial equivalency to the Federal Fair
Housing Act. In November, the City was notified by HUD that based on our
performance their certification would be extended for a period of five years.
Law
The expectation for the Law Department is to continue to meet the legal
service demands of the City. They provide a wide range of legal services to City
officials and departments. These legal services include, providing legal counsel to
City officials in numerous areas of the law. They prepare, review, and/or revise
contracts, ordinances, resolutions, pleadings, briefs, motions, deeds, easements,
memoranda, letters and other documents. They handle certain litigation matters
before courts, administrative bodies, and arbitrators. Except for those matters
handled by outside legal counsel they prosecute violators of the Citys ordinances
and engage in debt collection activities to recover fines, fees, damages and other
monies owed to the people of Elkhart. They filed 5,339 ordinance violation cases
in Elkhart City Court.
Human Resource
For the Human Resource Department the daily tasks of maintaining the
City of Elkharts employee benefits, work comp files, and providing assistance
with employment issues and filling open positions within the City organization is
extremely important. Fifty-three open positions were filled in 2014. Included
were 13 police officers and 8 firefighters. HR also produces the Citywide posting,
tracking and routing of bids received, and provides advertising avenues. Our
2014 retirees represented 391 collective years of service. 2014 proved to be a
better year in experience and other underwriting factors resulting in no increase
in health insurance costs for 2015. A total of 381 full-time employees completed
wellness strategies set by the City to receive a discounted premium in 2015.
Aviation Department
The Elkhart Municipal Airport ranks among some of our most positive
accomplishments. The airport currently has the greatest economic impact ever
recorded in the history of the airport, $197 million annually, according to the
Aviation Association of Indiana. Surveys from businesses that use the airport say
the presence of the airport creates more than 1,500 jobs and over $69 million in
payroll. In 2008, the airport had 27 empty hangars, students seeking flight
instruction had to go to other airports to find it, T hangars were in need of
extensive maintenance, and the main runway was in such poor condition the FAA
considered it a safety hazard. Today all the T hangars have been repaired and for
the first time in ten years all hangars are rented. A hangar waiting list now exists.
We now have three flight instructors busy with student pilots and the main
runway was replaced in concrete without any local taxpayer matching funds
required. In 2014, phase one of the airport road beautification took place. A
detailed marketing study was also completed. The implementation phase of that
study has already begun. Last year a 5 year agricultural lease was signed which
tripled the annual lease income for farming airport property. Today, more
aircraft are based at Elkhart Municipal Airport than at any time in its history. Air
cannot do. It is easy to editorialize the issue by just saying something must be
done, but its much more of a challenge to do it and do it effectively. We will
continue to give our police officers the state-of-the-art crime fighting equipment
and training they need. By already doing so, our officers are now able to spend
more time on the streets.
There is no magic wand we can wave that will end violent crimes. I have
said it before, violent crime statistics will go down only when our hearts start
talking to our minds. Society must begin to understand the thoughts and the
words of those who march in solidarity, with those who conduct vigils and
candlelight ceremonies. We have to see Elkhart as one Elkhart and all people as
one people living in peace and harmony and without fear of each other. Its
about recognizing that whether we like it or not, were all in this together, and
building our collective future is more important than winning an argument. It is
called respect, civility, politeness and courtesy. And then there is this very
simple message to those who are determined to kill. One we learn at a very young
age. We have no right to take anothers life. We have no right to determine when
human life comes to an end. That right belongs to a much higher authority. Lets
leave it there.
Early in 2008 I recognized that house Bill 1001 would significantly reduce
our revenue going into our general fund. Having received a 2008 budget from the
former administration of $57 million, I recognize the need for an immediate
austerity move. Just because dollars had been appropriated, if all were spent, the
financial future for Elkhart would be questionable. Nearly $5 million went
unspent. And during the next several months we managed to reduce our
center will be constructed with federal dollars and serve the trolley users and this
area very well. The parking lot that is currently a very large hole in the ground
will be restored at Waterfall and Lexington and that project will include new
paving on Lexington, and on Waterfall, new sidewalk curb and gutter, new
lighting and an 11 foot sidewalk on the riverside of Waterfall drive. In the same
area, the Riverwalk will be extended from where it currently is near High Street
at the river level. A new concrete walk meeting ADA requirements will gradually
climb up to the street level at Waterfall and Franklin. The landscaping will make
a beautiful West Bank along the Elkhart River in that location. If the Common
Council approves the Redevelopment Commissions bond there is a list of projects
that we feel beneficial to the downtown TIF district and follows the strategy of the
SoMa initiative. We plan to continue the streetscape program on Main Street
from Jackson North to the bridge. A parking lot will be put in the area for the use
of the local businesses and our Island Park. The streetscape will also continue
from the mainline railroad tracks to Prairie Street. These projects will create a
cohesive look along the entire Gateway Mile reinforcing the boundaries for
downtown again as expressed through the Soma strategy. We have extended our
downtown TIF from Jackson out North Main to Simonton Street. This allows us
to use TIF dollars to make improvements in that area. We have gone in another
direction by extending it on out to the corner of Goshen Avenue and Jackson
Boulevard. There is a property there along the St. Joseph River that we would like
to preserve for the people of Elkhart, a place for more Elkhart people to be able to
use the upper St. Joseph River. Rent some dock space, purchase fuel, maybe have
lunch or dinner, rent a kayak a paddleboat or a pontoon. Enjoy what this
closed. Discussion has not ceased and there is hope that something will once
again serve this community in the same fashion and maybe even more. Time will
tell.
I have been asked what I see the City to be in 5 to 10 years. And I have
described many of the things that we plan to do within that time frame. But to the
question. Before you look to the future one must first look to our history. We are
the descendants of those who toiled and struggled to build a village on the banks
of the St. Joseph River. A hardy group of great mechanics. Men and women
coming to a new territory. Bringing with them only the meager necessities of life.
It was their ingenuity, their innovation and their creativity that was survival 101.
With those skills, hard work and a love for their town they converted their village
into a City.
generation to generation. And we must not overlook the fact that many have
found us, fell in love with Elkhart and brought new ideas, new energy to our City.
Together we recognize it's our turn. We have accepted the baton. And I have no
doubt that we will continue to build this village in a manner that would make the
founders proud of us. And while it is a valid question to ask someone in a position
of leadership what is their vision for the future it is at the same time a somewhat
singular unrealistic question. For I feel the term leader is a misnomer. Perhaps a
coordinator or facilitator would be a better term. For a good leader, coordinator
or facilitator while having vision and dreams of their own will find the most
important thing they do is listening to the vision and dreams of their
constituents. That's why I formed organizations like the SoMa group and
neighborhood associations, to sense the pulse of the community. What is it the
people want Elkhart to be? And there will be many points of view. And my job
utilizing my staff and various experts within our community is triage. Gathering
enough information to make an educated decision on what moves forward to the
various commissions and boards or the Common Council. How do we get the
private sector involved especially when there is a need for financial assistance? It
is very interesting working with members of the private sector who do not
normally have to go through all the hoops and hurdles that we do in government.
The speed of or lack of in government is not easily understood.
We have to recognize our limitations under the law. There are financial
limitations and the vision and our dreams must never override our dollars. The
budget must be balanced. There will be no shortage of ideas and concepts. And
among the Administration's own ideas, we must be cognizant of the fact that the
majority may not agree. So we must listen and at times we have to agree the idea
is flawed, not the best use of taxpayer dollars and is simply not in the best interest
of the community. We must manage your money wisely. Without that nothing
works. Always consider the return on our investment.
But we must invest. Were not living in a time when business and
commercialism uses only its own money. Not being critical that's just the way it
is. And for Elkhart to progressively improve over the next 5 to 10 years we will
have to change our mindset and invest more than we ever have. That is not an
easy thing to do as we are a very conservative minded community. But the
community next door will be doing it. There are all kinds of innovative things
going on to attract new businesses and new people to a community. All of these
things costing those dollars we have taken an oath to protect. Because the people
we deal with dont like too much said in the early negotiations I can only tell you
this. Developers have brought us some fantastic projects that all of us would be
proud of and all of them are asking us to financially participate with them. Lots of
dollars. And with some, looking at the service they will provide and tax dollars
collected over some number of years, the City might get its return. And on some
of them it's questionable. Decisions have to be made with careful consideration.
There is currently a need for housing at all levels. We have the opportunity
to bring in upscale housing, condominiums and great apartment complexes.
There are thousands of people coming in here daily to work but live in Granger or
one of the bedroom communities surrounding our City. No bigger need in Elkhart
currently. We share the Chamber of Commerce goal to bring in 500 families but
it requires 500 good homes in which to live. There are cities building buildings,
new buildings and hoping to bring in a company or other commercial entity to fill
it. We find many don't want an old building. A City invests in the new building
without a buyer, just hoping to find one. This is the future of economic
development. Elkhart must decide to join in and lead the movement or accept the
left overs. There will be State imposed limitations on expansion and growth. So if
we can't build out we will have to build better. If we can't build wider we will have
to build up. We must keep up with Information Technology and broadband
coverage and the glass wire must be installed throughout our community for us to
be able to compete. That study is ongoing. We will be implementing an email
archive system to make public information requests easier to produce.
I close by telling you what has always been my promise. That between
myself and my 600 working associates regardless of the hurdles thrown in our
way, financial or otherwise, we are committed to serving you the people. Thats
something that is not going to change. I believe that Elkhart is on the path of
success and it stretches out in all directions. We dont follow, we lead. If we walk
together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
We will not stop dreaming or allow anyone blinding our vision but at the
same time recognize that by law we must operate with a balanced budget. Our
strength and our future is in our money management. Without that nothing
works. Thank you and good evening.