1. This won’t be a “blog” per se. It isn’t meant to be a place to post all commentary or opinions. Everyone is invited to send in a note, but don’t be offended if it isn’t posted. There’s other sites that are perfectly content to drag through what they believe to be wrong with every issue at every turn. This is about what was done, why and where do we go from here. We won’t talk about two and three year old issues. If the desire is to engage in those discussions then look somewhere else.

2. This isn’t the Board of Commissioner forum. MJ has a City Manager form of government. The Board makes policy; the staff implements. I’ll be happy to pass your comments along to the Board, either good or bad, but the intent of this medium is to address how we could better enact policy and improve city services.

3. The narratives will be directly from me, your city manager. I won’t hide under some pseudonym or other persona. My name is Randy Robertson. My phone number is 754-2552. I am your City Manager. If your issue or concerns involves another department of the city (Public Works, Police, Animal Control, etc.) I will invite the appropriate team member to provide some comments, but it will still be done under the auspices of the City Manager.

4. I will try and be as timely as possible, but this is another one of the “additional duties” for which civil service is renown.

5. The City Staff is here for you. The desired outcome is for us to have a positive relationship with the citizens we serve, but we all know that always won’t happen. Everyone has an opinion. It is the staff’s responsibility to work through the opinions and emotion, meet the requirements of the laws and rules under which we operate, and hopefully serve the greatest number in that process. It is not an exact science. The more we have a relationship with you, the better we can meet your expectations.

6. Finally, this is about telling our story. Hopefully you will be able to sort the myth from reality or see the issue through a different set of lens. I hope you will find this of value and participate.
Showing posts with label Fire Inspections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire Inspections. Show all posts

Monday, December 12, 2011

Update: December 12, 2011

Good Afternoon MJ:

Here’s some items of interest and FYI’s for our community:

A few weeks ago we posted a note about a benefit concert for Mr. Frank Scarcello, who was injured in aiding a citizen at the scene of an accident. The concert, originally scheduled for next Sunday, 18 December, has been postponed until February, to coincide with Valentine’s Day. Given the business of the holiday season, this is a practical move. We hope you’ll come out to support Frank in a couple months. Watch the city’s web page and Channel 3 for details.

Sales tax receipts for November were strong, with over $470.5k taken in compared to last year’s $455k, a $15.5k increase or about 3% more than last year. Year to date (Jan to Nov) we’ve seen close to $240k more in sales tax receipts compared to the same time period in 2010. Sales tax revenue represents nearly 60% of the city’s funding posture; and since they are unpredictable and can be unreliable, their continued growth is crucial to providing sustained quality services. Remember, particularly now during the holidays, to “Shop MJ First.”

Here’s some other data points for 2011 worth noting:

- Close to 300 new housing permits have been issued between January through November. At nearly one every business day that is a phenomenal number.

- In early November we were selected as the fourth “Most Business Friendly City in Tennessee” by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research. We’ve captured one of the top five spots for the last 4 years.

- Thus far in FY 2011 (July to Nov), we’ve issued nearly 100 new business permits; again nearly one every business day.

- Over 200 electrical permits were issued through November. Until this year, this function, and the revenue with it, was a purview of the state. Our Codes Team has received numerous compliments for the responsive, courteous “can do” attitude they bring to this initiative.

- Close to 150 fire inspections were made by city personnel this year; again, a completely new mission for this team. This work is being done without hiring any additional personnel, but through aggressive cross training and continued professional development.

- Despite several recent rounds of inclement weather, TDOT advises they are still looking to have all lanes of North Mt. Juliet Road under some asphalt within the month.

- East Division Street was repaved and there is some great development taking place on the Old Elementary School Property, the long vacant heart of our city.

- We anticipate starting the right of way acquisition process for the Eastern Connector in the next few months.

- Phase 2 of the Town Center Trail (formerly West Division Greenway) should be moving dirt early this Spring. The city has secured over $500k in federal funds to underwrite this project which will run the trail from 4th Avenue to Brookstone.

- The Board of Commissioners approved “seed” money to initiate the required legal work to establish a 501 3C non-profit organization for the MJ Parks Department. This is a tremendous move to provide citizens with a direct, private means to help fund park and recreation activities. Watch for more on this next year.

- The MJPD continues to have one of the best case solvability rates in the state. We currently stand at over 55%, while the average is close to 30%.
- Stats continue to be absolutely fantastic from the MJ Animal Shelter. With an unheard adoption rate exceeding 90%; volunteer hours in 2011 approaching 7k; and our 3rd straight year of feeding the animals at no cost to the city; the MJ Animal Shelter continues to be the best in the state.

On a final note, I’d like to extend an open invitation to drop by the Charlie Daniels Rec Center, this Saturday, for a farewell reception. It starts at 7 p.m. and goes to when we leave. With that in mind, this will likely be my last city update/blog as your City Manager. I hope you have found this forum useful and informative. I’ll end with two notes: first to Team MJ, thanks for your support and your selfless public service. In the last few years our city has undergone a positive transformation of tremendous proportions. You have been the spearhead for that change. Well done! Second, to the citizens of MJ, it has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve our community and Darlene and I will miss you. Thanks for your support.

Take care and God Bless.

Sincerely,

Randy Robertson

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