City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting May 9, 2022 6:00 p.m. Mr. Butera opened the Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – Mario Butera, Philip Cordova, Robert Rosebrugh, 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 25, 2022 meeting seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentation: Mr. Varckette introduced and issued the Oath of Office to the City’s new Police Chief, John Camper. Harpersfield Trustee Ray Gruber was introduced. Mr. Gruber has applied for funding to continue the Harpersfield Trail which goes from SR 534 to Clay Street from where it ends on Clay Street east to Beringer Place. Because the City owns 138 feet and Harpersfield owns 300 feet, the previous grant would not fund this portion. Mr. Gruber has found a funding source that will allow multijurisdictional ownership, Metroparks Program. The program will pay for the materials. The plan is to continue the trail down to Clay Street turn right and go to Beringer. There is a lot of traffic on Clay Street. Currently people walk on the road or through the field to get to and from the trail from Sherman Street / Beringer Place. The cost of the materials is estimated at $19,000. If approved, the program will pay for the materials. Harpersfield and Geneva would provide the labor. There are two catch basins on Clay. The County will map out the trail and install a crosswalk, north / south to Sherman Street. The County is providing the engineering. It is estimated that two guys from both the City and the Township could complete the trail in approximately a week. The trail will be asphalt, six feet wide, to blend in with the existing trail. The County will stake out the trail, which will be in the County right-of-way. The Township will make their equipment available but will need to use the City’s box. Mr. Gruber hopes that the City and the Township can work together on this project. Mr. Bittner stated that he is aware of the project. The walking trails at the fire station were done using the same box referred to by Mr. Gruber. Mr. Bitter stated there were no problems. Larry Lister takes care of the trail. Mr. Barbo stated it will be nice to have that transition. Mr. Rosebrugh thanked Trustee Gruber for doing all the leg work on this project. Mr. Butera stated that Council was in favor of the project. 1 Citizens: Mr. Jeff Richmond 543 Ruth Street, Geneva Mr. Richmond and his neighbors have been having water issues in their neighborhood for twenty years. The former City Manager James Pearson came out and addressed it previously. City Manager Douglas Starkey had been out to address it previously. During this last rain event it was brought back to the forefront; it has been a lingering issue. A lot of water comes off of Route 84, down Cox and Marvin. A few basements have been flooded in the last few years. For the last twenty years it has been a problem; but, it has gotten better but has now become a problem again. Gary Hydinger came out years ago and indicated that the development size of the storm water pipes were not adequate to handle everything in the neighborhood. Since then there have been properties added that were not part of the original plan, at the end of Cox and at the end of Marvin. The water is also being diverted around the condos that are being built. Mr. Richmond has pictures which he can provide. In the recent event there was a flowing river down Cox on the left side of the street. The drainage retention is on the east side of the street. The water was also coming through his yard and other neighbor’s yards. The owners are hoping to have Council look into a way to divert the water from their homes. Mr. Tom Revere 685 Cox Drive, Geneva Mr. Revere lives directly behind the condos. Within the last two years the water pours in. The basement sump is running continuously. Mr. Revere has lived in his home 27 or 28 years. He has talked to Mr. Dunlap. The last rain the water was a flowing river. Mr. Craig Austin 657 Cox Drive, Geneva The last set of condos that were built were built over a swale. The area is two and a half feet above his property. The swale was filled and it now drops off on his property. When the swale was there, the water would go north. The swale was filled in, now all the water runs around the condos forcing the water onto his property, across his driveway. Mr. Austin stated he is installing drainage on his property. The condo builder has told the owners that he has done all that he is going to do. Mr. Varckette did have a brief discussion about this with Mr. Dunlap. Mr. Richmond stated that this problem has been going on for a long time. Mr. Pearson and Mr. Hydinger in 2005 felt the issue was the stream that runs behind before the house on Cox was added. The City took some equipment did some trenching, ditching and clearing which helped for a considerable amount for years. The house at the end of Cox was built in the last few years and then the condos. Looking from the end of the house on Cox Streets driveway, the catch basin is on the east side of the street. Everything coming off of 84 is flowing down the right hand side of the street. 2 Aaron Lenart 324 Marvin, Geneva Mr. Lenart has lived in his home 21 years. He had issued before. The culvert on Chestnut has backed up coming from the woods. Lately the water is coming more frequently. When it can’t come down Cox it comes down between his home and his neighbor and floods out his front yard. It goes out and clogs up the storm drain in front of his home. Mr. Lenart cleans out the storm drain or it will flood out all of Marvin over to Cox and then over to the Ruth Street area. There has been an increase in problems with the water the last few years. Mr. Lenart stated he does not know what has changed but they are definitely seeing more water. Mr. Lenart is having dirt hauled in to try to alleviate some of his problems. He is hoping to push the water onto the street. Mr. Varckette stated this was brought to his attention. Mr. Varckette will follow-up. Mr. Bittner provided some history on the area. There has always been water issues. The City did dig a ravine across the backside of the property. When the condos were built it was filled in; they can build on their property. Mr. Bittner stated that water comes off of Route 84 on the west side. Further discussion regarding the property built on Cox. Mr. Bittner believes they were supposed to put in pond. The City owns property at the end of Cox that goes to Route 84. There is a strip that the water comes from. There is also City property near Councilman Barbo’s house on Swan. The water was overflowing there as well. There is City property that can be accessed to look at options. Mr. Cordova stated that something has changed. The creek was running. There is a lot more water. Mr. Barbo and Mr. Cordova commented on the amount of water that was running in the latest rain event. There was a trench that was filled in. There have been additional homes and condos built. Mr. Varckette stated that he will contact Nate Pasky. Mr. Barbo stated the property owners do what they can; need to look at it holistically. Items for Consideration of Council: Resolution No. 3537. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Ashtabula County Commissioners for Transient Lodging Tax Collection. 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. 3537 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo), 1 nay (Baker). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Resolution No. 3537 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo), 1 nay (Baker). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo), 1 nay (Baker). Resolution No. 3537 duly passed. 3 City Manager Report: The City has reposted the Finance Director position. The position will remain open until filled. The City is working on finalizing the language for the union contracts and hopes to have contracts to Council for the May 23rd meeting. The OPWC Round 34 S. Nearing Circle Beach Street waterline replacement is nearing completion. Addressing the aprons remains to be done. The OPWC Round 35 State Route 84 waterline replacement project should begin within the week. The ODNR Memorial Field project should be moving equipment in this week. The deadline for completion is June 24th. The project includes Tennis Courts, paving the track, ADA path to areas. The City is working on selecting the construction management company for the West Main Street project. The ODOT LPA process is moving forward this week. Construction to begin in October. The Grape Jamboree is seeking City support of the 2022 event. With Council’s approval, the City stands ready to support the event as we have for many years. Utility billing will be off-line from May 20th to May 26th to sync new software. This is an estimated time frame that will affect the pay on line and I-cloud. Property violations – Mr. Varckette has been working with the Mr. Pasqualone to follow-up on property violations where property owners have been either non-responsive or non-cooperative. The goal is to seek immediate compliance or move to court. Mr. Griffiths arrived at 6:35 p.m. Signature Health initiated a mobile clinic that offers free naloxone and overdose awareness education. Currently scheduled at locations in Conneaut, Ashtabula, Andover, Orwell and Jefferson. The mobile site would be located in the parking lot behind the Community Center. Representative of Signature Health would like to come to Council to provide information on the program. Mr. Varckette will set this up. The NEO Fund Class will conduct a class for aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start or improve a business, The class will be held in the city council chambers on Tuesdays from May 17 through June 21st 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Unfinished Business: Mr. Butera recommended the Transient Vendor legislation be delegated to the Safety Committee. Mr. Rosebrugh inquired if property violation cases had been taken to court. Mr. Pasqualone stated that the documents have been prepared, nothing has yet been filed. 4 New Business: 57th Annual Grape Jamboree. James Baehr made a motion to approve the request of the Grape Jamboree Committee. Jeffrey Griffiths seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports – None. Citizen: Lowell Beaudoin 160 Raymond Drive, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Beaudoin thanked Mr. Pasqualone for his part in getting the railroad tracks on South Broadway addressed. Mr. Cordova stated that the yard waste pick-up is a great benefit to the citizens. Job well done, a great service to the citizens. Mr. Griffiths read a proclamation for “National Tennis Month” and “Geneva’s Play Tennis Midwest Day”. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. Philip Cordova seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 5