City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting November 28, 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 Paul Brunsman, Geneva Church of Christ. Mr. Rosebrugh noted that Mr. Bayless’ name was misspelled in the November 14, 2022 minutes. Motion was made by Phil Cordova to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2022 council meeting with the correction of the spelling of Mr. Bayless’ name, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Income Tax Department, Nadine Mooneyham Presenting Ms. Mooneyham reported on the most recent legislation. The new rates for 2023 are posted on the City’s website. For 2023, April 15th falls on a Saturday, there is a holiday on Monday, tax filing day will be April 18, 2023. Construction contractors cannot be taxes on income unless they are working on the job more than 20 days, not retroactive, income tax begins to be withheld on the 21st day. Collections for November 2022 is $217,000, a year ago at the end of November collections were at $203,000. Citizens: Mr. Butera presented a Proclamation for Carl Vincent Day. Mr. Butera presented Proclamation for Puerto Rico Day. Mr. Carpenter 7377 Beach Rd. Saybrook Owns property in the City of Geneva. Mr. Carpenter requested an update on the status of cleaning out the creeks and tributaries in Geneva. Mr. Varckette stated that the City is seeking funding to complete a comprehensive stormwater study that would outline strategies. Mr. Griffiths noted that the Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP) completed a walk-through of Cowles Creek from Kiwanis to Memorial Field and provided recommendation to the City. CRWP are currently applying for a grant, at no cost to the City, to complete a watershed study, 319 Study for the Wheeler Creek Watershed which includes Cowles Creek. The study will allow the City to potentially obtain grant funding through OEPA. Yeny Ramos 242 Main Street, Geneva, Ohio Ms. Ramos thanked Council for making tomorrow Puerto Rico Day. City Manager Report: 1 Mr. Varckette noted the proclamations. The pride of the Puerto Rican Community. Mr. Varckette recognized Carl Vincent’s commitment and dedication to the City. The City appreciates his many years of service. Street Department did a great job during the snow storm on the 17th of November. A great job to employees from water and wastewater that came out to assist. Employees did a great job under challenging circumstances. The Street Department is continuing with leaf pick-up now that the snow is gone. The OPWC Round 37 application State Route 84, State Route 534 Traffic Signal Replacement fell below the funding line. The application fell just below the cut-off. The infrastructure is old and has to be replaced. The City will continue to work on this and may submit for Round 38. The City continues to re-evaluate West Main. The City has advertised for a full-time Recreation Coordinator. After conducting a few interviews, an offer was made and has been accepted. The employee is going through the pre-employment screenings. The C Zoning Code Update have been ongoing. There is a Planning Commission meeting tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. for the Planning Commission to review the recommendations to date. This will not include the consultant. This will just be a work session. Once the Commission has met a few times the City will again bring in the consultant. The Geneva Chamber Dinner is Wednesday, December 7, 2022. The City is sponsoring a table. The City will be presenting two City of Geneva Economic Development Awards. One of the awards recognizes new business investment in the community and the other recognizes a cornerstone business in the community. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3316 – Second 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 – Second 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. Ordinance No. 3318 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1040.09(b) and (c) Rates and Charges for the Geneva Water System. Ordinance No. 3319 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances §1042.325 Rates and Charges for the Geneva Wastewater System. Resolution No 3560 – Second Reading. A Resolution Authorizing the City of Geneva, Ohio to Become a Power A Clean Future Ohio (“PCFO”) Community. Council previously discussed creating a sidewalk fund which allow funds allocated for the sidewalk program not used to be moved into the sidewalk fund and to be used to help support additional sidewalks. Legislation has been drafted. Mr. Griffiths would like to see the legislation pass before the year end. Mr. Griffiths would also like to see some language change, a second section that be it resolved that any 2 unused money from this current fiscal year 2022 would roll over into that fund upon creation. So that this if the $15,000 if it has not been used would be the first amount to be put into the fund. Mr. Rosebrugh agreed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Baker inquired regarding the savings the City could anticipate with the street lighting project. The City will pay $242.00 per light times 807 lights. Will the City see a savings from the lighting or what that savings would be? Council approved the project. The street lighting was not financed, it is being paid by funding the City has. Gardiner guarantees the savings. New Business: Street Lighting fund it would be possible to relieve the citizens of next year’s tax assessments. MR. Rosebrugh would like to have a discussion to remove the assessments for one year. They will go back up next year. In order to rescind the assessment it must be to the Auditor a week from Friday. Mr. Griffiths supports the idea. What we have for carryover. A Utility Committee Meeting was tentatively scheduled for next Monday at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Butera supported the idea as well. Payment of Bills Committee Reports: Citizen – None. Mr. Carpenter inquired about electric scooters, electric bicycles, and mopeds being legal on the road. Discussion regarding visibility. Marsha Lamb 55 S Crowell, Geneva, Ohio Information on Facebook. Offering free classes for English Tues, Wed and Thursdays. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. James Baehr seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 3