Joshua City Council - January 2010

The Joshua City Council met last Thursday for our regular monthly session.  In our work session city building official, Nader Jeri, made a presentation to the council showing the improvement in abating code compliance issues in 2010 over 2009 after hiring a full-time code enforcement office for the city.  The result is a safer and more attractive city.  Also along the lines of safety improvements our police department data showed about a 15% decrease in response time in 2010 over 2009.  We also reviewed gas well inspection reports to keep track of all active wells in the city to make sure any issues noted are followed-up and corrected.

During our regular session we appointed several new members to our Type A and B Economic Development boards.  We continue to have openings to serve in these areas so if you're interested at all in getting involved in the city please contact me or City Hall to submit an application.

The council approved a resolution for our state lawmakers identifying our city's legislative priorities for this session.  Atop the list is a means for cities to be able to withdraw from an Emergency Services District.  The stranglehold has gone on long enough.  Small cities in growth patterns need to be able to continue that growth and not be held back by outside organizations like ESD's.  Also on the list are recommended transportation funding initiatives as proposed by the Council of Governments and the opposition to any legislation that would erode local government's ability to generate revenue needed to continue as they operate now and in the future as they grow.  Unfunded mandates are unacceptable.

The council met in executive session twice on Thursday.  At the conclusion of the first executive session we authorized city agents to negotiate with Chesapeake Energy towards a lease agreement for approximately nine acres of city property.  After our second executive session to discuss the annual evaluation of City Manager, Paulette Hartman, we approved for her the maximum merit increase for this budget year of 4%.  The council is united in our admiration of Mrs. Hartman, appreciative of her high level of professionalism and extremely pleased with her performance in moving Joshua forward towards the vision the council has set for the city.

A.J.