July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City hires contract planning director (01/06/06)
Portland Board of Works
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
A local board has hired a Portland native to serve as the city’s first community planning director.
The contract with Kristi Sturtz, who currently resides in Fort Wayne, was approved by the Portland Board of Works on Thursday.
As the planning director, one of her first tasks will be to help with the creation of the proposed redevelopment commission. Sturtz, principal planner and owner of Sturtz Public Management Group, has experience in helping other cities establish such a commission.
For her work, Sturtz will be paid $60 per hour, but no more than $15,000 per year. Her contract is for one year.
“I don’t look at (Sturtz’s pay) as money being spent. I look at it as investing in our community,” said Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland.
Funds have been allocated in the city’s budget to pay Sturtz, he said.
She also will be responsible for assisting with long-term planning for the city, planning growth and evaluating Portland’s economic development. Sturtz also hopes to help revitalize downtown Portland.
Sturtz also currently serves as the grant administrator for funds awarded to the city to remodel the Weiler Building.
Redevelopment commissions are typically funded by tax increment financing (TIF), a system under which the tax rate for properties within a district is effectively frozen. As the assessed valuation rises, more taxes are collected on those properties with the revenues directed at improvements within the district. Commissions may also issue bonds, with the TIF revenues used to pay off the bond issue.
In order for a commission to be established, Portland City Council members would have to pass an ordinance.
In other business, the board approved a one-year agreement with The Portland Foundation for the city to provide upkeep at Freedom Park and pay a portion of the utility bills.
The agreement includes the labor and some associated costs for mowing the grass, changing light bulbs and keeping the park clean. It also includes the city paying the water bills for the park, and half of the annual cost of the electric bill up to a maximum of $2,000.
The cost of any major repairs or replacements will fall on the shoulders of the foundation, Hosier said. The foundation owns the South Meridian Street park.
Also Thursday, the board:
•Voted to close a portion of North Morton Street from Aug. 19-28 for the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show.
The street will be closed in front of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association grounds. Portable barricades will be used.
Al Confer, president of the club, made the request.
•Voted to adjust a Portland man’s sewer bill.
Rick Gibson, 611 W. Main St., requested the adjustment because he had a water leak. He had the problem fixed.
The adjustment will be made following the city’s policy, which is to reduce the sewer bill down to a three-month average for sewage bills prior to the leak.[[In-content Ad]]
The contract with Kristi Sturtz, who currently resides in Fort Wayne, was approved by the Portland Board of Works on Thursday.
As the planning director, one of her first tasks will be to help with the creation of the proposed redevelopment commission. Sturtz, principal planner and owner of Sturtz Public Management Group, has experience in helping other cities establish such a commission.
For her work, Sturtz will be paid $60 per hour, but no more than $15,000 per year. Her contract is for one year.
“I don’t look at (Sturtz’s pay) as money being spent. I look at it as investing in our community,” said Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland.
Funds have been allocated in the city’s budget to pay Sturtz, he said.
She also will be responsible for assisting with long-term planning for the city, planning growth and evaluating Portland’s economic development. Sturtz also hopes to help revitalize downtown Portland.
Sturtz also currently serves as the grant administrator for funds awarded to the city to remodel the Weiler Building.
Redevelopment commissions are typically funded by tax increment financing (TIF), a system under which the tax rate for properties within a district is effectively frozen. As the assessed valuation rises, more taxes are collected on those properties with the revenues directed at improvements within the district. Commissions may also issue bonds, with the TIF revenues used to pay off the bond issue.
In order for a commission to be established, Portland City Council members would have to pass an ordinance.
In other business, the board approved a one-year agreement with The Portland Foundation for the city to provide upkeep at Freedom Park and pay a portion of the utility bills.
The agreement includes the labor and some associated costs for mowing the grass, changing light bulbs and keeping the park clean. It also includes the city paying the water bills for the park, and half of the annual cost of the electric bill up to a maximum of $2,000.
The cost of any major repairs or replacements will fall on the shoulders of the foundation, Hosier said. The foundation owns the South Meridian Street park.
Also Thursday, the board:
•Voted to close a portion of North Morton Street from Aug. 19-28 for the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show.
The street will be closed in front of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association grounds. Portable barricades will be used.
Al Confer, president of the club, made the request.
•Voted to adjust a Portland man’s sewer bill.
Rick Gibson, 611 W. Main St., requested the adjustment because he had a water leak. He had the problem fixed.
The adjustment will be made following the city’s policy, which is to reduce the sewer bill down to a three-month average for sewage bills prior to the leak.[[In-content Ad]]
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