City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting April 25, 2022 6:00 p.m. Mr. Butera opened the Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – Mario Butera, Philip Cordova, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, John Barbo, and William Baker Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said and prayer was offered by Phyllis Dunlap, Clerk of Council. Motion was made by James Baehr to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2022 meeting seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Butera, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker), 1 abstention (Cordova). Motion duly passed. Presentation: Fire Department – Chief David Shook presenting. Chief Shook distributed the Geneva Fire Department 2021 Annual Report. The report covers types of calls and breaks down the incident types, the number of incidents, incidents by month, types of incidents by month, etc. Some of the incident types include fires, car accidents, water rescues, and wires down. Chief Shook has been in the Fire Service for forty years. Wednesday and Saturday are always the busiest and Tuesday and Thursday tend to be the slowest. Geneva responded to 25 water rescues last year. It requires very specialized skills; swift water, lake rescue and night water rescue. Over the last couple of months the Fire Department has been working on development our own water rescue team. There are 18 people excited about being a part of it. The Department does have a 16 foot Jon Boat with a twenty horse outboard motor which can be used in the river. The Department also has a jet ski. The City has been approached by someone wanting to donate a boat that is better for the lake. The Chief is having it inspected to see if it will be a worthwhile donation for the Department. Boats are stored at Station 2. Staffing is an issue everywhere. Chief Shook stated he had major concerns having full-time firefighters by themselves at night. The Department put a little more in the part-time line to add additional hours for part-time personnel. The Department is also working on dorm space to accommodate both male and female firefighters. Chief Shook stated that the fire staff is an amazing group and community involved. Age is an issue. The Department needs to get young people involved. The Chief is working to coordinate with the schools to encourage youth to look at the trades including fire service. Mr. Griffiths noted the contributions by the Fire Department Staff that save the City money, $70,000 last year, in taking on projects that would otherwise have to be contracted out. 1 The explorer post has 4 young people. Volunteer Firefighters must be 18 years old. Three of the Explorers are under 18 years old. One of the Explorers has met the requirements for Paramedic and is available as of May 15th. Citizens: Mario Butera read a Proclamation for “City of Geneva Arbor Day.” Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3308. An Ordinance to Amend the 2022 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, attached hereto and marked Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by William Baker that the rule of law requiring certain Ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3308 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3308 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Ordinance No. 3308 duly passed. Resolution No. 3534. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of “Then and Now” Certificates by the Director of Finance for Purchases, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3534 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Resolution No. 3534 as an emergency measure, seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3534 duly passed. Resolution No. 3535. Resolution Authorizing the City of Geneva to Use the Standard Allowance for the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund as Authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3535 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution No. 3535 as an emergency measure, seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3535 duly passed. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement with Geneva-on-the-Lake to Provide Police and Fire Dispatch Services, and declaring an emergency. 2 Motion by James Baehr, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3536 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Resolution No. 3536 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3536 duly passed. City Manager Report: The 2022 income tax net collections for March 2022 was $221,073 compared to March 2021 of $211,882. The year to date through March collection was $702,746 compared to $717,626 for 2021. The five year average year to date collection $628,517. Mr. Varckette commended the work done by the small staff of the Tax Department. Zoning Inspector, Nick Dunlap, will be retiring end of June, early July. The City will be posting this position this week. A preconstruction conference is scheduled for tomorrow on the Memorial Field ODNR Capital Improvement project. The repairs to the concession stand at Memorial Field will begin within the next two weeks. The contractor has had issues getting laborers but anticipates the work being completed by the end of May. This project is being paid for by insurance. Mr. Pasqualone stated that the individual who caused the damage is being prosecuted. The City is meeting with the Engineer regarding potential projects for the next round of OPWC. The deadline is late May. There are only two more rounds of OPWC funding. Things are coming together on the West Main Project. A schedule for the project was included in the packet. The City anticipates awarding a Notice to Proceed in October. It is important to stick close to the schedule. The construction management proposals are the most immediate item moving forward. The Street Department has been identifying roads for chip, seal fog. The City is targeting approximately 15,000 to 17,000 sy of roads for repair. The curbside yard waste pick up program starts in May. Yard waste will be picked up on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Information is on the City’s website. Significant progress has been made with both OPBA Unions and Local 860 union negotiations in the last two weeks. Local 860 is close, the City is waiting on language to come back. Mr. Varckette hopes to have these to Council in May. Mr. Varckette spoke with Harpersfield Township Trustee, Ray Gruber regarding a collaboration to extend the trail down Clay Street to Beringer Place. The Township will pay for the supplies and the City contribute the labor for 435 lineal feet of trail. One third of the project is in the City. Mr. Gruber is working on a grant application. Clean up day is scheduled for May 7th. 3 Mr. Varckette provided a description of the infrastructure and hurdles involved in the West Main Street project. Traffic will be one way to the West during the project. The project is anticipated to take 20 to 24 months. Traffic going east will be directed on a State Route. The total project cost is estimated at $7 million. The City is holding the ARPA funds until the funding break down for the project is determined. The various funding sources cover specific items within the project, the ARPA funds may be needed to fill a gap. A summary of the project timeline was sent out to Council. Suggestion was made to add a tab to the website to keep the public informed on projects. Mr. Varckette will update Council on the Gardner Project at the next council meeting. Mr. Cordova stated he would like to schedule a Finance Committee Meeting prior to the first meeting in June. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: New Liquor Permit for Geneva Ventures LLP dba Fire House Axe Throwing. Neither the Police Department nor Council had reason to ask for a hearing. It was noted that the Fire House Axe Throwing has an agreement with Luigi’s regarding food delivery. Mr. Rosebrugh attended the DORA meeting. Currently they are drawing the map to see who wants to participate. There is another meeting on Wednesday. Payment of Bills: Mr. Baker inquired about purchasea made though non-local vendors. Mr. Rosebrugh stated that he had spoken with Mr. Bittner. When purchasing, the City has to consider quality. Some of the items for the bigger vehicles are not stocked locally. There are good reasons. Mr. Rosebrugh stated that staff are doing the best they can do. Staff are looking at quality and price as well as location. Committee Reports: Mr. Griffiths reported on the Sustainability and Shade Tree Commission:  twenty community members were out cleaning up;  ten garden boxes were completed at the Library;  a gardening 101 class will be held on May 9th at the Library;  8 to 10 ten people will be notified that they will participate;  planting day will be on May 14th;  on Arbor Day the Shade Tree Committee will be recognizing the Most Valuable Tree;  a google form is on line and paper application available at the Library participate in the gardening program; and,  there will be a couple demonstration gardening boxes. Mr. Cordova stated that a Finance Committee Meeting is scheduled for June 13, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. 4 A Street Committee Meeting will be scheduled Mr. Griffiths will work with Mr. Bittner regarding scheduling. Citizen: Lowell Beaudoin 160 Raymond Drive, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Beaudoin inquired about the bad condition of the railroad crossing on South Broadway. Mr. Baker did make an inquiry with his contact; however that crossing is owned by CSX and hid contact was unable to assist. The condition is worsening, Mr. Bittner spoke with someone from the railroad and they indicated that the City cannot do any work on the site. Mr. Bittner no longer has a contact at CSX. Mr. Varckette and Mr. Pasqualone will try to make contact. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. William Baker seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 5