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Meridian Square, buses to keep funding
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Plans to purchase a floor of office space in Oakland Mills, recycling bins for all residents and 14 hybrid buses can move forward with the County Council’s approval Thursday of the $1.4 billion fiscal 2009 operating budget and $420.8 million capital budget.
In the final moments before the vote, County Executive Ken Ulman agreed to several stipulations to the purchase of space in Meridian Square, a proposed building in Oakland Mills, addressing some council members’ concerns about perhaps the most contentious item in the budget.
“I see this as a potential positive for the community,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, the swing vote on the item who worked with Ulman on the written agreement.
Ulman agreed to ensure the county pays the lowest cost among the tenants for the Meridian Square space and receive fair market value.
He also agreed to purchase the property once at least half of the building space was rented or sold.
“There were things we were planning on working through in the negotiation of the project,” Ulman said.
These stipulations were not included in the budget legislation, which Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5, and Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1, said they needed to support the project.
“I still feel it’s a misguided attempt at revitalization,” Watson said.
Fox rejected Ulman’s proposal, saying purchasing the office space would further decentralize county offices, which would be more costly than shifting offices around in already rented space.
Fox and Watson also were not swayed to support the purchase of recycling bins, but the initiative was approved.
“We needed to demonstrate a commitment to the things we say we value,” said Councilman Calvin Ball, D-District 2, a vocal supporter of the Meridian Square project.
Watson was unable to drum up enough support for cuts aimed at restoring funding for some so-called life safety school renovations such as fire alarms. She had pushed an $800,000 cut to the Robinson Nature Center and a $620,000 cut from the fund to purchase hybrid buses.
Ulman said he was “very pleased” his proposed budget passed intact.
Overshadowed by the Meridian Square debate was the funding for renovations to the aging county office buildings, a project Ulman said was “much needed.”
“Finally we are going to more forward and renovate this building,” he said.
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:40 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Ulman looks for savings amid state cuts, declining revenues"
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8:50 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008
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5:40 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008
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2:12 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 27, 2008
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5:42 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008
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4:21 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 17, 2008
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Examiner Reader said:
Ken Ulman is a donkey's you know what. Now we are not only going to pay for his health care program for the lowlife, but we are now being forced to pay for their dental care. Socialism is alive and well in the Socialist Republic of Maryland, especially with the likes of Chairmen O'Malley and Ulman.
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Examiner Reader said:
Going paperless may make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but don't be fooled for a minute that Ulman will be saving money as a result. He will just spend the "savings" elsewhere. In the GTV closing, the county council has requested HCC to broadcast more than GTV had been doing. Now how can a station with no county employees be responsible for that? And imagine the logistics of downloading a 3-hour council meeting from YouTube. This is what was proposed as an alternative to GTV, and it's just as ridiculous as the print shop closing. Ulman isn't saving, just routing county dollars to serve his and his supporters own interests.
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Examiner Reader said:
Human Resources will help the employees find work? Ulman fired the HR person in charge of this after her 30 years of service. If tough budget times are your concern Mr. Ulman, try not creating NEW positions and NEW departments, then cry when the state may cut funds. Do you call that efficient?
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Examiner Reader said:
It'd probably save money not hiring high school buddies for County jobs. Art McGreevy was a bartender for crying out loud!
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Examiner Reader said:
Maybe they wouldn't have to save money if Ulman didn't buy land in a sweetheart deal with a contributor. Buying new computers every 3-4 years (instead of 10)might save on energy costs, but what about the cost of the computers? These numbers don't add up. He exaggerates the savings like his resume. "Secretary of the Cabinet" Ulman should be replaced.
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William said:
Saving money here, spending more there... this guy is no better than MOM. Putting his buddies in county office and buying property for the county from his campaign contributors. Firing those who've been with the county when he was still in high school.
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