City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting January 23, 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, James Baehr, and John Barbo Absent: William Baker Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Harry Pishcura, New Life Assembly of God. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2023 council meeting, seconded by Philip Cordova. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo). Motion duly passed. Motion was made by Philip Cordova to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2022 special council meeting, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo) Presentation – Water & Wastewater Department – Superintendent Brandon Averill, Presenting West Main is the major project for the Wastewater Department and will tie the department’s hands on doing additional projects moving forward. A pump that was installed in 2001 went out today. The hope is that it can be fixed. At the end of March it will be time to renew the permit for discharge. Three employees are looking to increase their license grade. With regard to Water, the City will be required to do more lead and copper sampling; 80 tests will be required this year. The City was selected to participate with OEPA on unregulated contaminants monitoring for PFAS. Water Equipment grant application was mailed last week. The City has no lead mains. There is lead in gooseneck fittings in the old sections of town. There is funding for removal of lead. An inventory is needed. Lead has negative health effects. The sewer jet is a 1987. The current price to replace the sewer jet is $600,000. The life of the current sewer jet is as long as the City can get parts. The plant capacity is two million gallons. The capacity of the plant is at half. 1 The City is looking to do a flow study this year. Citizens - None. City Manager Report: When snow accumulation exceeds two inches, a parking ban goes into effect. Having cars off the street makes it easier to plow the streets safely. The projected income tax for 2022 was $3,155,000. The actual income tax received for 2022 was $3,210,000; exceeding the projection by $55,000. With regard to the Gardiner Energy Project, the contractors are flying through the first phase and are almost completed. Phase two is HVAC projects including installation of networkable thermostat controls. The City received a Petition for Annexation. The hearing with the County will be heard February 28, 2023. The City is required to pass a resolution that the City will provide city services to the annexed property. The annexation request by the private property owner is contiguous on Ansel Road. Water and Sewer are available to the property. Mr. Pasqualone assisted the private property owner with the annexation petition and process. Mr. Pasqualone went over the process. The property is three or four acres on the east side of Ansel Road just north of Eastlawn. The owner intends to build a home; the frontage only allows for one home. The Chairman of the Geneva Trustees is not opposed and will provide a letter of consent. The City’s Resolution will need to be passed as an emergency. The Resolution can be added to the next meeting agenda. The City received a commitment from Traci Welch, current Finance Director for the City of Ashtabula. Ms. Welch will come on board February 20, 2023 and will officially be introduced at the February 27th council meeting. The abandoned brick building on the property of ATC Lighting is in the process of being razed. The building is between the railroad tracks and Pleasant Ave. Company representatives have been working with Zoning and Fire to secure necessary permits. The demolition will start soon. Mr. Varckette provided an update on the City / Spire project. The SRO MOU was reviewed by Chief Camper and Mr. Varckette. The final draft was forwarded to the Schools attorney seven to ten days ago. Mr. Griffiths suggested that the City should have space available for residents to seek shelter when the temperatures are really low and possibly other circumstances. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3323 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 266, Civil Service Commission, Section 266.03 (f) of the Geneva Codified Ordinances, and declaring an emergency. Mr. Griffiths requested that the Ordinance be a first reading in order to allow additional time to review and obtain additional information regarding break in service, standards, and the definition of lateral transfer. 2 Ordinance No 3324. Ordinance 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. Motion by John Barbo, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain Ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3324 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3324 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo). Ordinance No. 3324 duly passed. Resolution No. 3565 – Second Reading. Resolution Declaring the Council of the City of Geneva’s Statement of Intent to Reallocate Unused Sidewalk Improvement Program Funding. Resolution No. 3567. A Resolution in Support of the $13 Million Debt Relief and Ashtabula County’s Retainment of Ownership of the Lodge of Geneva on the Lake. Robert Rosebrugh made a motion to table Resolution No. 3567. Philip Cordova seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo). Unfinished Business – None. New Business – None. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: A planning committee meeting is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. on February 13, 2023, prior to the council meeting, to discuss the Community Center. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. John Barbo seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 3