When it came time for City Council to approve the final stimulus plan package, Councilwoman Kristy Ottman wanted no part of it.
‘As much as I love the idea of us going through and getting this grant money, I am opposed to the actual stimulus plan. I think that it’s a band aid on a major problem,? she said. ‘This is taxpayer’s money. I did not support the credit bailout on Wall Street and although this (stimulus package) is creating jobs, it’s a very short term fix.?
Councilman Cory Johnston agreed that it would only create short term jobs, but did believe the projects would save both the city and the taxpayers money down the road.
Ottman did note if the council felt her taking her name off would be ‘detrimental? to the city as a whole then that would be the ‘turning point? for her.
Councilman Jim Brueck also said he was not necessarily in favor of the bailout or the stimulus package, but did see getting the money as a plus for the city.
‘If this is an opportunity to do this for all the right reasons and improve the city, I would like to see a consensus and agreement from the council to do it,? said Brueck.
Councilman Charles Inabnit agreed.
‘I took my beliefs in it, then I weighed them against the city’s interest,? he said. ‘I’m here and I have to do what’s best for the city and if it means putting my name on there, then that’s what I have to do.?
City Attorney Tom Ryan, suggested putting absent.
‘I don’t think you should take your name off, you’re on the city council,? said Ryan. ‘You either vote ‘no? or don’t vote and that’s your way around it.?
When Mayor Stephen Arkwright suggested tabling the discussion for another meeting. Ottman didn’t want to slow the process down any further, so she left the meeting early to be absent during voting.
‘I wanted my name struck from document but in order to do that a special meeting would have had to been called or they would have missed the deadline for submittal,? said Ottman. ‘Even though I don’t agree with it, nevertheless I did not want to impede that process.?
Looking back she said she regrets not voting ‘no? and having her name removed from the list.
‘I just have a very big problem with making our debt load higher and not fixing the problem. It’s my perspective that in two years when the stimulus package has been spent we will be right back to where we are now with the exception of being trillions and trillions of dollars into debt as oppose to billions,? she said.
‘I don’t think for a minute that we would be irresponsible if the money was granted there is no question about that. I just don’t think it’s the solution and I don’t want to be a part of something I don’t believe in good or bad.?
With Ottman absent, the council vote to approve the project list is considered unanimous.
The list included five projects: construct a municipal campus, which would consolidate all city departments in one building; Depot Park improvements, including storm water mitigation, park lighting, performance area, stream bank stabilization, and infrastructure; improve handicap accessibility, as well as sidewalk, street lighting, and other pedestrian safety circulation improvements; low impact development of storm water control and deteriorating piping; and replace the city’s two oldest DPW dump trucks, its three oldest police vehicles, and equipment including in-car computer, cameras, and fingerprint machine.

City eyes $3.6 million in projects

1. City hall
Estimated cost $1,355,000
Estimated jobs: 165
Benefits: bring all City departments into one building for maximum effiency, eliminate need for outside rentals, incorporate energy efficient technology available, providing significant savings to City and Residents.
2. Park improvements
Estimated cost: $575,000
Estimated jobs: 40
Benefits: Improve increased public safety, reduce maintenance cost, increase protection of water quality, and minimize soil erosion.
3. Streetscape
Estimated cost: $425,000
Estimated jobs: 40
Benefits: Improve needed pedestrian safety measures and street improvements for residents and visitors.
4. Management practice for storm water control, and deteriating piping.
Estimated cost: $400,000
Estimated jobs: 40
Benefits: Improve water quality, replace deteriorated piping to minimize leakage, and improve pollution control for residents.
5. Replace DPW trucks and City Police vehicles.
Estimated cost: $332,000
Estimated jobs: 100 (all automotive assembly)
Benefits: Provide safe and dependable trucks and vehicles for employees, reduce repair costs and downtime, faster response to citizen needs and complaints