City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting January 9, 2023 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 Phyllis Dunlap, Clerk of Council. Motion was made by James Baehr to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2022 council meeting, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Butera, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Barbo), 1 abstention (Cordova). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Recreation Department – Myke Dowd, Presenting Basketball for third through sixth grade began last week and will run through February. Bitty Basketball will follow. The season was delayed this year but will return to the regular schedule next year. Winterfest will take place on February 3rd and 4th. Fire on Ice will return to the festival. Saturday’s festivities will include Jungle Terry, Carriage Rides, Chili Cook-off contest, and the Parade. There will be additional events at the Community Center. Citizens - None. City Manager Report: The Coastal Management Assistance Grant application was submitted for a Comprehensive Stormwater Study. The estimated cost of the study is $50,000. The grant request is $25,000. The West Main infrastructure project was bid out twice. The bids came in high each time. Supply chain issues, availability, size and scope of the project, two years, have been identified. The City has compiled a lot of information. Mr. Varckette requested that a work session be devoted to discuss where the City is with the project and the plan forward. Council agreed to begin the work session at 5:00 p.m. prior to the January 23, 2023 Council Meeting to discuss the project. The City’s Engineers will be in attendance. The Pleasant Ave. project has been hurt by supply chain issues. The contractor has agreed to begin work the week of March 13th and should be completed by the end of May. The Gardiner Energy project will hold a kick-off meeting this week with a lighting vendor. The lighting will be replaced throughout all of the city buildings. A meeting has been scheduled with Ashtabula County Department of Environmental Services to discuss the Water Tower project and determine what the City’s obligations are under the County Water Agreement. The discussions between the Geneva Schools and the City regarding the SRO Agreement are ongoing. Mr. Pasqualone is in discussion with the Schools attorney. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been drafted. Chief Camper and Mr. Varckette are reviewing the MOU after which Mr. Pasqualone will 1 forward the document to the schools attorney for ongoing discussion. The SRO Agreement was originally passed is 2019 and has been very positive for the community. The filling of the Finance Director and Administrative Assistant/Human Resource positions is moving forward. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3322. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1040.09(b) and (c) Rates and Charges for the Geneva Water System, and declaring an emergency. This Ordinance corrects an error in the previous ordinance passed. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain Ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3322 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 Ordinance No. 3322 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. 3322 duly passed. Resolution No. 3564. Resolution Supporting the Geneva Swamp Expansion Project in the City of Geneva, Proposed for Submission to NRAC District 7 Clean Ohio Fund by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution 3564 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. 3564 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. 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. 3564 duly passed. Resolution No. 3565 – First Reading. Resolution Declaring the Council of the City of Geneva’s Statement of Intent to Reallocate Unused Sidewalk Improvement Program Funding. Mr. Griffiths has discussed reallocating sidewalk program funds to the sidewalks various. Resolution No. 3566. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for an H2Ohio Public Water System Equipment Grant, and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution 3566 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 Resolution No. 3566 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. 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. 3566 duly passed. 2 Unfinished Business: Mr. Rosebrugh, Mr. Baehr and Mr. Barbo met with a facilities manager at the Community Center. A lot was learned. The City staff is also looking at options going forward. Mr. Barbo scheduled a Planning Meeting at 5:00 p.m. prior to the February 13, 2023 Council Meeting. New Business – None. Payment of Bills: Mr. Baker inquired regarding the timing of the Chip, Fog, Seal invoice as well invoicing for the Headworks project. The timing is likely tied to the how the invoices were put into the system. Committee Reports: A Street Committee meeting was held to discuss sidewalks, trees, and signs. The City will be planting eight trees. The City installed some new street signs. Mr. Griffiths will be putting together a street sign inventory. Citizen – None. Executive Session: William Baker made a motion to adjourn to executive session at 6:37 p.m. to discuss personnel, the employment of a public employee. Jeffrey Griffiths seconded the motion. Roll Call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Beahr, Barbo). Jeffrey Griffiths made a motion to reconvene at 7:13 p.m. William Baker seconded. Roll Call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Beahr, Barbo). William Baker made a motion to adjourn. Jeffrey Griffiths seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 3