City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting November 14, 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, William Baker, James Baehr, and John Barbo Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor David Yarbrough, New Life Assembly of God. Mr. Baker noted a correction to the minutes, Mr. Rosebrugh voted no on the waiving of two readings, and the passage by emergency of Resolution 3556 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement with Huntington National Bank for Financing of the Gardiner Conservation Project. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2022 council meeting with the correction of the vote of Resolution 3556 as noted, seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Motion duly passed. Presentation – None. Citizens: Joel Craft 980 State Road, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Craft’s building burned in 2008 / 2009. Mr. Craft requested an update. Mr. Pasqualone has a list of funds received, need to shore up what funds were used and what funds remain; will need to check with Tim Parks on the status. Additionally, Mr. Craft inquired about the zoning issue. Mr. Pasqualone noted that everything is done with the zoning. Once the court costs are a paid a dismissal can be filed. Marybeth Clinger 114 East Tibbitts, Geneva, Ohio Ms. Clinger wrote a letter to Council regarding parking on the street, very dangerous. Ms. Clinger has had cars parked in front of her house for multiple days without moving. There had been an ordinance that did not allow parking at certain hours. Noell Sivertsen has looked into it. Chief Camper is looking into it as well. Mr. Pasqualone will meet with the Zoning Inspector and with the Chief on the issue and get back to Ms. Clinger. 1 Mr. Bayless 164 East Tibbitts, Geneva, Ohio For the past five years parking has been a problem. There are thirty cars parked on the street. It is a safety concern. Mr. Bayless cannot see to back out of the driveway. Snowplowing and Garbage pick-up are hindered. Additionally, Mr. Bayless is concerned with speeding on Sherman Street. Mr. Griffiths discussed some speed reduction options. Mr. Cordova does not recall Council rescinding a parking ordinance. If it were superseded by another ordinance, the City can look into it and find the history of it. Discussion was had regarding the parking. The City will look into the issue. City Manager Report: Mr. Varkette thanked Council, the Interim Finance Director, Finance Staff and Department Heads for their time and efforts in the preparation of the 2023 Operating Budget. Mr. Varckette reviewed the monthly revenue and expenses to date report. Revenue is running slightly behind. The City had a good October Income Tax month. The City is very close to where we should be as budgeted. Mr. Baker stated that the City is living within its means and doing a good job at it. The City’s leaf pick-up is running a little behind as the City is down a crew. Additionally, the City is dealing with mechanical issues. The City is working diligently to get the leaves picked- up. The Street Department has two tucks for leaf pick-up but not enough personnel for two. Leaves should be placed out by the curb, but not in the street, so that the vacuum can reach and pick up the leaves. There is some confusion between the yard waste pick-up and leaf pick-up programs. The yard waste pick-up program ceased at the end of October and resume in spring. The leaf pick-up program began the beginning of November and is for leaf pick-up only. Mr. Baker and other council members are available to assist with leaf pick-up. The City will have a couple additional people in the department this week. West Main Street infrastructure project – the City is determining next steps. Pleasant Avenue project – The City was informed that the contractor was dealing with supply chain issues but the City was also told that they should be starting in a few weeks. The City has not yet received information regarding a start date. Supply issues are still a problem. Coastal Management Assistance Grant – The City submitted a pre-proposal titled Comprehensive Storm Water Study. The City received word back that the City is encouraged to 2 submit a full application due December 18, 2022. The City is seeking $25,000 in grant funding. The anticipated total cost of the project is $50,000 therefore, the City’s share is $25,000. Collaboration with Harpersfield Township on a trail extension – Mr. Varckette provided an update on the project. The funding for the project was awarded. The trail is staked and cleared. The City committed to assist with in-kind labor. When notified that the funding was awarded, Mr. Varckette let the Township know that the City could not provide the in-kind labor until the spring of 2023 due to the limited personnel at this time. Mr. Griffiths stated that the eight trees to plant will be planted in spring due to staffing issues. The trees will be expensed in the current fiscal year but installed in the spring. A portion of the trees was funded through a community grant. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3315. An Ordinance to Amend the 2022 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached Hereto and Marked Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain Ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3315 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 Ordinance No. 3315 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. 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. 3315 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3316 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending the Compensation of Officers and Employees of the City of Geneva Effective January 1, 2023 Amending Chapter 250 of the Codified Ordinances, Repealing Ordinance No 3306, and declaring an emergency. Ordinance No. 3317 – First Reading. Making Appropriations for Current Expenses of the City of Geneva, State of Ohio, from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, and declaring an emergency. Resolution No. 3557. A Resolution Finding that Public Safety Personnel are Substantially Dedicated to Mitigating or Responding to the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3557 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Resolution No. 3557 as an emergency measure, seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3557 duly passed. 3 Resolution No. 3558. A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 3556 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Huntington National Bank for Financing of the Gardiner Conservation Project, and declaring an emergency. The Huntington National Bank requested that the full name of the bank and the actual maturity date of the loan be specified in the Resolution 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. 3558 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo), 1 nay (Rosebrugh). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Resolution No. 3558 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo), 1 nay (Rosebrugh). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo), 1 nay (Rosebrugh). Resolution No. 3558 duly passed. Resolution No. 3559. A Resolution for the Approval of the Application of Music Express Broadcasting Corporation (WKKY-FM) to Replace its On-Site 75 Foot Radio Tower with a New On-Site 150 Foot Radio Tower and to declare an emergency. Mr. Pasqualone noted that the consultants provided four different suggestions that needed to be followed-up with by WKKY. Those suggestions were forwarded to WKKY in July. WKKY has since answered or provided documentation needed to fully comply. The next step is a public hearing whereby all the adjoining property owners within 300 feet of their property will be notified. This application went through zoning and administration. It did not go through Planning Commission. It will need to go through Planning Commission for the set-back compliance. There may be a set-back variance request. Approving the Resolution is not out of order. They are building a tower that is better than what they have. WKKY representative noted that the tower is designed to collapse and not fall. The height is needed to go above the tree growth. The VFW has already consented. WKKY made a certain number of requests for waivers. Everything complies with the FAA. Ten day notice is required for the public hearing. The public hearing can be held at the first meeting in December. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by William Baker that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3559 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Resolution No. 3559 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3559 duly passed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Griffiths looked up parking in the City. The ordinances reference that there is a ban on tree lawn parking in residential areas. The ordinances also identify no overnight parking in the business district. The reference shows changes in 2005 and 2007. Chief Camper will look at additional language. 4 Mr. Griffiths asked Mr. Pasqualone to create legislation to set up a sidewalk fund by the next meeting. New Business: The Planning Committee meeting met prior to Council regarding a Resolution Authorizing the City of Geneva to become a Power Clean Future Ohio Community. A presentation was previously made to Council. It is statewide organization that helps communities like ours minimize the amount of carbon they produce and provides resources. Resolution No 3560 – First Reading. A Resolution Authorizing the City of Geneva, Ohio to Become a Power A Clean Future Ohio (“PCFO”) Community. Mr. Rosebrugh scheduled a Utilities Committee Meeting for Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Payment of Bills Committee Reports: A Utilities Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. William Baker seconded the motion Council meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 5