Chillicothe Council heard some more on the Carlisle Building and a proposed development on the east side.
Council had a short review session where Mayor Everson summarized his negotiations that afternoon on the proposed Carlisle lease, which council had reviewed and commented on last Monday.
A few members of the public spoke, mainly against the deal...including a city employee who said she was concerned about her employer.
Debbie Engelman did some internet research separate from her job, and found many cities that made similar long-term leases are now in financial distress.
She posed an analogy to council: What if they were homeowners who were $14,000,000 in debt, but they sold their house for a meager profit and signed a $1,500,000, 15-year lease.
Engelman also pointed out that the auditor projects the city may be $3 million in the red by 2014...not counting the Carlisle costs.
Mayor Everson said he expects a review session later this week to allow legislation to move forward.
hear city employee Engelman who is concerned about her employer over Carlisle
Recent Stories on the City and Carlisle:
Monday, August 13, 2012 - Chillicothe Council Hears More on Carlisle, Neenah
Friday, August 10, 2012 - Chillicothe Council Hears More on Carlisle
Thursday, August 2, 2012 - The Man to Save the Carlisle?
The proposed large "Flying J" truck stop at the east end of Main Street was addressed a couple of times in council.
A neighbor of the property voiced his concerns to council. Gene Simmons lives on Warner Avenue, and said he wants the city to make sure adjacent homes are still comfortable, hopefully with a retaining wall or buffer to reduce the noise and light pollution.
Council's clerk explained the lengthy process to even get to a council vote on the zoning change that was forwarded by the zoning board recently.
It may be a couple months to see a yes or no vote, and Mayor Everson said negotiations could continue in the meantime.
hear concerns of neighbor Simmons of proposed large truck stop
Council also passed the new deer hunting ordinance, allowing crossbows...in time for the hunting season this year.
They also went into executive session for about half an hour on "pending litigative action."
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils
