A Very Special Meeting.

Without a City Council meeting since Oct. 13, I was running out of hyperlocal topics. A combination agenda-fixing and regular council meeting had been scheduled for Nov. 9, but was rescheduled by Council President Bridget Rivers to Nov. 23. Today the City Clerk's office issued notice of a "Special Meeting" on that date with 47 items listed. 

All of a sudden the lack of news became a surfeit of possible blog posts, but there was no background information. I'm told there will be a regular packet available maybe on Friday, but meanwhile some of these topics are just too interesting to ignore. So I will venture into guesses and speculation while waiting for some facts.

Here are eight items off the list:

3.       A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF AN INACTIVE LIQUOR LICENSE IDENTIFIED AS RICHMOND BEER GARDEN.

This sounds like a "pocket license," one without a location. It is not the one currently in use at the former Richmond Beer Garden, now called Express Night Club. The Richmond Beer Garden closed several years ago. There is a limit on how long an inactive license can be held without renewal. A license can lapse and cease to exist if not renewed within state Alcoholic Beverage Control timelines.

7.       A RESOLUTION GRANTING ADVICE AND CONSENT OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL  COMMISSION.

See my post about why Plainfield needs representation on this commission.

16.    A RESOLUTION AUrolTHORIZING APPROVAL TO CANCEL DORMAN UEZ GRANTS.

Never mind the typos, it will be interesting to find out what projects got all the way through the process, but did not materialize. The city had several million dollars in its Urban Enterprise Zone account, but had to submit requests and get approvals from the UEZ Authority to use the funds.Actually, one of the problems with the program was that in 2011 the council could never get an answer from the administration on the status of projects, so maybe we still can't find out which ones didn't make it.

30.    A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.

Now this one is really curious. The Houston Galveston Area Council is a resource for municipalities on all sorts of topics - in Texas. But it also has a cooperative purchasing plan. Need to see the contract to find out how Plainfield would be involved.

37.    A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH SECOND STREET REDEVELOPMENT, LLC.

I did not attend the conceptual meeting on this, but South Second Street Revelopment information was included in Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's weekly newsletter. The city owns the land, which could help expedite development.

43.    FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT WITH SLEEPY HOLLOW DEVELOPERS URBAN RENEWAL LLC AND GRANTING A TAX EXEMPTION.

Deja vu all over again, if this is the same "payment in lieu of taxes" agreement. Or maybe it is a new one. Have to see the details.

44.    FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING APPROVAL TO VACATE PORTIONS OF THE OLD SOUTH AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY.

This goes with the Sleepy Hollow Developers Urban Renewal LLC Agreement.

47.    FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING CERTAIN FOUR WAY STOP INTERSECTIONS.

After a fatal accident, residents called for four-way stops at several intersections. Need to look at the ordinance to find out which ones are designated.

If you are planning to attend the Nov. 23 Special meeting, please note the starting time is listed as 7 p.m., in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice