City Council

MINUTES CICERO TOWN COUNCIL MEETING May 7, 2013, Town Hall 7:00 PM Cicero Town Hall, 70 N. Byron Street Call To Order: President Jerry Cook called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Dennis Schrumpf gave prayer. President Cook called for the roll call and the members of the Town Council were present or absent as follows: Present: Jerry Cook Absent: Brett Foster Kay Hartley Eric Hayden Dennis Schrumpf President Cook declared a quorum present. Others Present: Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer Charlie Cambre, Park Superintendent Pat Comer, Street & Utility Director Dave Hildebrand, Police Chief Paul Munoz, Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Director John Culp, Town Attorney Keith Bryant, Town Engineer Paul Utterback, Storm Water Management Board President Approval of Prior Minutes: Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2013 – Ms. Hartley made a motion to approve the Minutes for April 16, 2013. Mr. Foster seconded, motion passed. Approval of Agenda Mr. Schrumpf made a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Hayden seconded, motion passed. Approval of Claims Mr. Hayden made a motion to approve the claims as presented. Ms. Hartley seconded, motion passed. Petitions by Citizens Mike Winnefeld and Jim and Mary Beth Riddle along with three others addressed the Council concerning the flooding around Wiley Street and Washington Avenue. Mr. Cook stated that the Town was aware of the problem. These homes were built in a low area. Mr. Cook stated that Mr. Comer and Mr. Bryant have been working on the problem and they have a possible solution. Mr. Bryant distributed a map of the area showing the elevations. Mr. Bryant stated that it looks like the Town can run a 12” storm line from the low area to the 12” storm line on Washington Avenue. Mr. Comer stated that he thought with the help of United doing some drawings that his staff would be able to accomplish this. There was a discussion with Mr. Culp because there would need to be two catch basins that would be on private property and the Town currently did not have an easement. Mr. Culp will get with Mr. Comer and prepare an easement for the residents to sign. Mr. Cook inquired if there was money in the Storm Water Budget to 1  cover the costs. Mr. Comer stated that there should be and Ms. Unger stated that the Storm Water Management Board was meeting on Monday and they could discuss. Gary Eaton addressed the Council concerning the Comprehensive Plan the Town was working on. He was concerned about the land use plan known as Sustainable Development or Agenda 21. Mr. Eaton stated that this was a conspiracy worldwide to take away property rights of individuals. Mr. Eaton wanted to know if the International Council for Local Environmental Initiative (ICLEI) or the UN was involved in our plan. He was told by Mr. Munoz that it was not. Mr. Munoz stated that this was a local plan with input from residents in the area as to how they would like to see the Town grow and develop. Mr. Eaton stated that he would like to sit down and talk to members of the Council and anyone else to explain how Agenda 21 will affect the Town. Mr. Munoz will meet with him on the local plan. Lisa Freeland addressed the Council regarding the June 8th Nickel Plate Arts and Rain Barrel Auction. Ms. Freeland distributed flyers to the Council. Ms. Freeland stated the committee was planning to use the Utilities Office parking area, the grassy lot on the west side of Short Street and the paved lot next to the pool place. Ms. Freeland asked the Council if it would be okay to mark off the parking places in front of these areas so people passing can see and make it safer for people walking across the street. Council was okay with this. Ms. Freeland stated that currently they have 22 artists with booths. Chief Hildebrand stated that they discussed this at the staff meeting and they have everything ready to go. President’s Report President Cook stated that Chief Peachey was applying for funding from State for the flooding we had on the 18th and 19th of April. Mr. Comer stated that Chief Peachey was collecting data from him regarding the pump station, the fire department lost a motor, and Mr. Cambre stated that had damage at the Marina with the docks. Ms. Unger informed the Council that our insurance would not pay for the damage to the docks because we did not have flood insurance. Council Committee Reports There were none. Legal Counsel Report- John & Aaron Culp: John Culp stated that he had nothing this evening. Cicero/Jackson Township Plan Commission Report 1. Mr. Munoz informed the Council he was working on applying for the Clean Community Designation from IACT but he was not quite ready to discuss with the Council this evening and would like to move it to the Department Head meeting on May 16th. 2. Mr. Munoz informed the Council that he has a rain barrel display outside the plan commission door. He will be putting some information there for residents to read regarding the use of rain barrels and storm water conservation. Town Engineer Report Mr. Bryant discussed the following report: 1. Mr. Bryant stated that it was still on track to get the bids back in July for the Jackson Street Pedestrian Walkway. 2. Mr. Bryant stated that the contractor would be back on the Stringtown Pike Path project to fix a couple of erosion problems and do some plantings. 2  3. Mr. Bryant stated that United was continuing to work on the plans for the downtown sewer/storm water project. Ms. Unger stated that Umbaugh was in this last week and gathered information for the financial portion of the bond. 4. Mr. Cook inquired about the street light project to change the lighting to LED. Mr. Comer stated that we were still waiting on some information from a couple of vendors. Old Business Council To Consider Intercept Service Agreement Between Jackson Township And The Town Of Cicero. Remained tabled. New Business Council To Discuss Leased Property Behind NRG. Ms. Unger stated that Ashok Sethi contacted her regarding the rent on the property we have leased behind the NRG building. Mr. Sethi stated that the taxes on the property were more than the rent and suggested raising the rent but would not give her an amount. He wanted her to talk to the Council and see what they would like to do. Mr. Cook inquired if the property was being used by the Town. Mr. Cambre stated that he kept it mowed and maintained but there were no organized activities on the property. Mr. Cook stated that in addition to the mowing and maintaining the property the Town provided insurance. After a brief discussion Chief Hildebrand stated that he, Chief Peachey, and Mr. Munoz were planning to meet with Mr. Sethi something this month when he was in town. Mr. Cook stated that he would like to attend that meeting also. Mr. Cook directed Ms. Unger to contact Mr. Sethi stating that currently in addition to the $100 a year rent that the town maintained and mowed the property and carried property insurance on it. Mr. Cook did not recommend an increase in the rent but he said that a representative would be willing to talk to with Mr. Sethi when he was in Cicero to discuss any proposals he might have in mind. Miscellaneous Business 1. Mr. Comer stated that the Town had received a letter from Mr. David Raines regarding the storm water issue on Broadway. Ms. Unger stated that she had sent the letter to the Storm Water Management Board but not to the Council. . Mr. Cook stated that he was aware of the problem there. The land was extremely low and the fields to the north and east are a lot higher. Mr. Cook and Mr. Comer were not sure what could be done in this area. Ms. Unger stated that it was on the agenda for the Storm Water Management Board meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2012 @ 6:00 pm. 2. Mr. Schrumpf informed the Council that Mr. Munoz, Ms. Unger and he attended a meeting of the Hamilton County Alliance and they have a new CEO, Tim Monger. Mr. Schrumpf stated that they were reaching out to all of the communities in the County. Mr. Cook inquired about the fee to belong to the Alliance and Mr. Schrumpf stated that it has not been stated at this time. Mr. Schrumpf suggested the Town keep monitoring their activity and see how the new management includes Cicero. 3. Ms. Hartley stated that she met with the Friends of the Park on Saturday and addressed the Girl Scouts. They did a good job of cleaning up the Town and collected 30 bags of trash. 3 Comments from the Public 1. Mr. Sam Ottinger inquired if the town had and ordinance to keep sidewalks clean and free of debris. Chief Hildebrand did not think it included items such as grass clipping, etc. but he would look into it. 2. Mike Winnefeld asked the Council about the Habitat home being built on Washington Avenue and how the Council felt about Habitat. Mr. Cook stated that there was a new director and the Town was watching to see how the new house on Washington Street went. It was stated that there has been some issues with the Habitat homes in the past but with the new management they was optimistic that the project would go well. Mr. Munoz stated that it was a vast improvement from the home that was there which could not be remodeled. Mr. Munoz stated that the new Habitat director was not only improving that property but was interested in helping other property owner in the neighborhood with some improvements if needed. Signatures on Official Documents! Ms. Hartley made a motion to adjourn the Town Council Meeting. Mr. Foster seconded. Motion to adjourn passed. __________________________ Jerry G. Cook – President __________________________ Dennis D. Schrumpf- Vice-President __________________________ Brett S. Foster _______________________ Eric C. Hayden __________________________ Sylvia Kay Hartley Attested:__________________________ Jan Unger, Clerk Treasurer Note: The Next Cicero Town Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 @ 7:00 PM at the Cicero Town Hall. 4