February 11, 2008 TODAY AT ROTARY Today’s program topic is “Economic Trends.” Our guest is Phil Hardwick of the Stennis Institute for Government at MSU. We also welcome Kyle Frazier, the 2008 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from District 6820, to tell us about his graduate study plans. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Next week, State Representative Hank Zuber will tackle the tough subject of campaign finance reform. An attorney from Ocean Springs, he represents House District 113. Gary Chism will introduce the program. LAST WEEK’S MEETING Attendance:. There were 130 Rotarians (91 active, 38 exempt, and 1 honorary) present, and 45 active, 18 exempt, and 8 honorary members missing. Invocation and Pledge: Frank Chiles. Guests:.Guests included Bill Ford of Briar Jones; Margaret Estes of Bill Parrish; Vincent Young of Jean Faver; and Club guests Negrita Caicedo and Maryna Melnik (RYE students); Paul Sims (Starkville Daily News); and Skip Descant (Columbus Commercial Dispatch). They were introduced by VP Chip Templeton. Meeting Notes: President Ned Browning reported that Rotarian Bo Haynes is recovering from a light stroke suffered the previous week. Although he is at home, he is still weak and, as of our meeting, was unable to receive visitors. He reported that Frank Chiles has been elected Moderator of St. Andrews Presbytery, that includes all PCUSA churches in north Mississippi. Spring Awards Banquet: Ned reminded us that the Rotary Banquet and Awards Night will be Monday evening March 3 at the Country Club. Nominations for the annual Rotary awards are due today to the committee chaired by Ed Clynch. Awards include Rotarian of the Year, Rookie of the Year (member less than 5 years), and Service Above Self Awards for distinguished efforts in Rotary’s Four Avenues of Service. Nominations are also due for Paul Harris Community Service Awards – these recognize non-Rotarians who have demonstrated Service Above Self in serving our community. PLANNING FOR STARKVILLE’S FUTURE Ben Griffith, Starkville City Planner, looked back on his first year in our community, reviewed the responsibilities of his office, and shared his thoughts on shaping future growth in our community. In introducing the speaker, Matt Cox said city officials were very selective in choosing a new city planner. They wanted an experienced planner who would “help Starkville move out of the way we did things in the past. We need new direction.” A Mississippi native (Byram), Griffith spent 25 years in Florida, 10 of them in city planning. Griffith said it had been an exciting and challenging first year in the city and in his department. He has focused on building trust, establishing competency, and ensuring consistency in planning, zoning, and enforcement of city ordinances and codes. He has oversight over both the Planning and Building Departments of the city. It’s no secret that there has been significant construction throughout the community in recent years. Griffith said that in 2005, the Building Department issued permits for 89 single-family dwellings and 507 multiple residential units with a total construction value of $46.4 million. Permits issued in 2006 included 68 single family and 4 multi-family units valued at $23.5 million. In 2007, there were permits for 61 single and 562 multiple units valued at $63.3 million. Permits for single-family homes have been fairly consistent, averaging 16 per quarter, Griffith said. However, Griffith said that during his first year, new building permits were developed, then revised and posted on the city website. “We have been adamant on enforcing regulations for renovation of existing buildings,” he said. He hired a new code enforcement officer in May “who hit the ground running.” Since then, they have identified 16 dilapidated structures and five will soon be demolished by the city. Action has been taken on 194 junked vehicles. Enforcement of the city’s solid waste ordinance resulted in citations for 248 violations, the majority were rental units to college students. Griffith said 191 were first-timers and the number of citations has dropped significantly. The new ordinance governing solid waste corrals has resulted in the removal of 14 of the 17 identified in violation. Turning to the Planning Department, Griffith has standardized the planning process and developed a new review process. Several ordinances have been revised. Permitted and Conditional Use Charts have been refined and guidelines developed for review. Significant changes are being made in planning and zoning, which Griffith said had been “less than stellar in the past.” The Planning and Zoning Commission membership was reduced from nine to seven, one for each district within the city. In 2007, approvals included 15 preliminary plats, 9 final plats, and 16 rezoning requests. Looking ahead, Griffith said the City will adopt the 2008 National Electric Code. Starkville, which has been operating under the 2003 National Building Code, will operate under the 2006 code until the 2009 National Building Code is issued. There will be closer coordination with the Fire Department on the annual fire safety checks conducted by the Fire Marshall. All inspection and permitting data (including fire inspections) will be computerized, providing archival records for all properties, greatly enhancing data recovery when ownership of properties is transferred. Griffith hopes to add additional staff for code enforcement and plans to develop a computerized record system to replace hand-written spreadsheets. The City will establish a Hearing Administrative Officer to relieve the Board of Alderman and judges of non-essential hearings. “We have a lot to do on planning,” Griffith said. “We want to review, update, and codify all city ordinances and continue tweaking the development process.” New and revised ordinances dealing with trees and landscape plants for subdivision platting are planned. Off-street parking and signage codes will be updated. Other issues to be dealt with include a future land use map that’s coordinated with the existing comprehensive plan, which must be revised and updated. The City will work with the County to design and adapt a reasonable land use plan. Griffith also wants to develop closer regional cooperation, especially in economic development. Transportation issues, both city and regional, must also be dealt with in future planning. Questioned on the increasing traffic problems on South Montgomery, Griffith said this will be a continuing issue as new subdivisions are approved. The problem is the lack of right-of-way to provide for widening the street. Current planning and zoning ordinances do not permit consideration of traffic in the approval of plats. Asked about the proposal to add a new route from Poor House Road through the MSU South Farm, Griffith said it and other roads will be included in a future area traffic study by MDOT. TWO MEMBERS ON MEDICAL LEAVE The Board of Directors has granted medical leave of absence to Bo Haynes effective immediately for the duration of his recovery. A 3-month medical (maternity) leave was also granted to new mother Melissa Dixon. MONTHLY BOARD MEETING TUESDAY The February meeting of the Board of Directors will be tomorrow at Harvey’s at 11:45. Any officer or director unable to attend should notify President Ned Browning or Secretary Michelle Amos. |