City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting February 13, 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, William Baker 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 Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2023 council meeting, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo), 1 abstention (Baker). Motion duly passed. Police Department Promotions Officers Shawn Gonzales and Chris Cahill were promoted and sworn in as Sergeants by Chief Camper. Presentation – Legal Department – Gary Pasqualone, Esq., Presenting. Gary has requested a meeting with Western County Court, Casey O’Brien to discuss scheduling. Mr. Pasqualone is asking the Court to schedule court cases at a particular time and take them one at time rather than individual times for each case. Ninety-nine percent of the cases Mr. Pasqualone deals with are traffic cases. Mr. Pasqualone also assists with Zoning and Income Tax cases as well as some insurance cases and a number of civil cases. Mr. Varckette met with Ashtabula County Department of Environmental Services and the County Engineer with regard to the Water Tower. The City’s engineer was unable to attend. The County’s Engineer had previously been the City’s engineer and was familiar with the history. The City inquired as to how much of an impact this project will have on the City, 50%? The project is under design, the land has been acquired. The project was submitted to the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant. If the County were awarded a grant it would reduce the City’s obligation as well. The City would like to further understand the terms of the contract and the definition of unplanned maintenance. The Engineer stated that the impact of the Tower on the City is significant. Mr. Pasqualone received requested changes to the MOU from the School District last week. Chief Camper and Mr. Pasqualone are reviewing. They are minor changes. With the next reply it should be resolved. This is a yearly contract. 1 Mr. Griffiths noted House Bill 288 allowing the expunging of low level marijuana offenses. Mr. Pasqualone stated that under 100 grams of marijuana is not charged. Citizens: Mr. & Mrs. Oboczky 289 Ansel Road, Geneva, Ohio 44041 Mr. Oboczky provided history with regard to water issues on Ansel Road. The removal of trees, the filling in of a creek and the drainage from the new High School, the development on Route 84 have all contributed to the water issues. Everyone agrees it is a problem. Water is ankle deep in Mr. Oboczky’s backyard. The retention basin is insufficient, broken down and does not do what it is supposed to. The City walked the property to be annexed and determined that nothing could be done to address the water issues as that property is in the Township. This property is now being annexed in. Mr. Griffiths noted that Mr. Oboczky could contact Ashtabula County Soil and Water District. The City is looking to do a Comprehensive Storm Water Study. Mr. Varckette will talk with Superintendent Bittner regarding the history and follow-up on the retention basin. Mr. Pasky of Ashtabula County Soil and Water has been very generous with is time. There is little or no storm drainage along the street. City Manager Report: The City previously submitted the West Main Project and the Austin Road Pump Station project to the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program. The State added $250 million to the program and requested communities to submit updates regarding the projects. The City applied for $3 million for West Main. A design request was submitted for the Austin Road Pump Station. The new road marker signs are in for Section II (north side of town). The Street Department will be replacing the signs as they are able. The Police Department has achieved Group I certification for the Ohio Collaborative. Geneva Police Department is the only department in the County to receive it. Fire Prevention Code updated language will be presented to Council at the next meeting. Geneva Chamber Business Expo will be held this Thursday at Geneva High School from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Police, Fire and City Administration will be represented. The 2023 Spring Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023. The tree donation will be appropriated once the Finance Person comes on board. With the chemical spill in East Palestine, Chief Shook is taking the lead in looking at various training exercises. 2 Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3323 – Second Reading. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 266, Civil Service Commission, Section 266.03 (f) of the Geneva Codified Ordinances, and declaring an emergency. Ordinance No 3325. An Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager and the Director of Finance to Sign Checks on Behalf of the City, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, 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. 3325 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3325 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). Ordinance No. 3325 duly passed. Resolution No. 3565 – Third Reading. Resolution Declaring the Council of the City of Geneva’s Statement of Intent to Reallocate Unused Sidewalk Improvement Program Funding. Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution 3565 duly passed. Resolution No. 3568. A Resolution that City Services Shall be Provided to the Territory Consisting of 5.75 Acres on Ansel Road, Geneva Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio Owned by Michelle Yanul Within Thirty (30) days of the Approval of Annexation by the Ashtabula County Commissioners. Mr. Pasqualone stated that Ms. Yanul will be building a home. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by Jeffery Griffiths that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3568 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. 3568 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. 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. 3568 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: Mr. Griffiths requested the scheduling of a meeting to discuss Puerto Rico Day coming up and the planning of a potential festival. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: Mr. Rosebrugh provided the annual report for Northwest Ambulance District (NAD). Calls were up by almost 200. City of Geneva calls were up a little over 100 calls. NAD was on site for twenty- eight different events in 2022. 3 Citizen – None. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. John Barbo seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 4