City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting May 22, 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, John Barbo and William Baker Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said and prayer was offered by Father Daniel Finnerty, Assumption Church. Motion was made by William Baker to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2023 council meeting, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Growth Partnership, Greg Myers, Executive Director Presenting. In the first quarter of 2023, there was a lot of interest in the County compared to other counties. A site in Conneaut was selected for a $5 Billion investment for an EV Battery Facility that will employ 2,000 people. Five Million Dollars is available through the Appalachian Community Grant Program; however, the grant has a narrow window of allowable uses. The program promotes downtown redevelopment. Of the $500 million, $30 million is allocated to planning projects and $470 million for capital investment, as well as improvements in infrastructure to support investment that is already happening. Geneva is part of the downtown redevelopment phase. The planning is just getting started. It is critical to the economic development work that Growth Partnership does to keep our youth here in the county; creating an environment where they want to work and live. The other two components of the grant are workforce development and health care. The Counties of Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula are working together on these pieces. In partnership with the local schools the Counties are working on community-based health care programs that would be based in the schools. A Concept is being developed. Housing is not eligible. Transit is limited. In addition to the Appalachian Community Grant there are other resources that can be utilized for downtown redevelopment such as forming a downtown redevelopment district, a tool that utilizes tax revenue for investment into mixed use development, potentially for downtown revitalization; similar to a CRA. You must have one historic building in the district. Taxes collected in the district are put into a fund to bolster the downtown. The highest priority for Geneva is downtown development and housing given the proximity to the viticulture and the Lake. The City has a great historic downtown and good quality schools. Leadership management training is a need in the County. Growth Partnership is getting involved. Good young workers want to move up in companies but lack the skills to move up the ranks. As part of workforce development, Growth Partnership is talking with youth in the 9th through 12th grades regarding opportunities for work in Ashtabula County in the trades and college required fields. The Ashtabula Port Authority now has site control of Nelson Development site located behind Flying J at Route 45 and I90 in the Geneva School District. 1 Geneva is light industrial. Projects like the EV Battery plant need access to water and rail, huge amounts of power and access to raw water. Bishop Road has developable land for light assembly, warehouse; the area does not have utility access. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: A resolution authorizing the signing of the PY 2023 CHIP Partnership Agreement is on the agenda. The County is the grantee. The City is eligible for $300,000. In the past the City has utilized the funding for owner rehabilitation and home repair. The County needs the signed agreement back by June to meet the funding deadline. The Ashtabula County Land Bank is the lead on the application for the Appalachian Community Grant. Environmental Design Group is the Planner assigned. A meeting will be held in June with stakeholders. The session is estimated to last two hours. Mr. Varckette will forward the information to Council. The City submitted an Ohio Natureworks Grant Application for bollards at Memorial Field in PY 2022. The estimated cost was $24,000; $16,000 in grant funds was requested. The bollards are to protect the track from vehicle use. A resolution requesting the reconsideration of that application is on the agenda. The Community Garage Sale was postponed due to weather. The new date is June 17, 2023 from 9a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Concerts on the lawn will be held beginning June 15 through August 17, 2023 at the Pavilion. Geneva Community Night at the Captains Game is scheduled for July 27, 2023. The Geneva VFW is taking the lead on the Memorial Day Parade. A ceremony will follow the parade. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3332. An Ordinance to Amend the 2023 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached Hereto and Marked Exhibit “A”, and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, 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. 3332 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3332 as an Emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Ordinance No. 3332 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3333 – First Reading. An Ordinance to Establish a Program for Identifying and Registering Vacant Residential and Commercial Buildings. Mr. Griffiths noted that the legislation talks about warrantless inspection. Mr. Griffiths would prefer this be stricken. Mr. Rosebrugh noted that for residential the City has ordinances in place regarding blighted property. Ms. Sivertsen stated that there are residential properties that have been vacant for years. The language states that the City will ask for permission, if the owner says no, the City will have to get a warrant. The City will have to provide a reason in order to obtain the warrant. There should be a policy in order to inspect. Further discussion was had regarding permission to enter. 2 Mr. Rosebrugh noted a property owner completing the work himself can take years. Ordinance No. 3334 – First Reading. An Ordinance Regulating Rank Vegetation, Noxious Weeds, and Tree Planting. Mr. Griffiths sent the updated verbiage to Ashtabula County Soil and Water and the Arborist. Mr. Griffiths will share their feedback with council members. Resolution No. 3576. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of “Then and Now” Certificates by the Director of Finance for Purchases, and declaring an emergency. Motion by John Barbo, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3576 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution 3576 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Resolution No. 3576 duly passed. Resolution No. 3577. A Resolution Accepting the Application for Annexation of Petitioner Michelle Yanul of 5.77 Acres of Land and to declare an emergency. Motion by William Baker, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3577 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution 3577 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Resolution No. 3577 duly passed. Resolution No. 3578. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Partnership Agreement with Ashtabula County for the PY 2023 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Grant with the Ohio Department of Development, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3578 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Resolution 3578 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Resolution No. 3578 duly passed. Resolution No. 3579. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Request Reconsideration of the City’s PY 2022 Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natureworks Grant Application, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain Resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3579 be placed on the final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution 3579 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Resolution No. 3579 duly passed. Unfinished Business: A solution was presented to the Couple that had come to council regarding water issues on Ansel Road. 3 Mr. Pasqualone stated that the couple appeared at the annexation hearing. Yanu was willing to coordinate with them. New Business: Council reappointed William Douglass to the Planning Commission (June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2028) and Bill Widlets to the Architectural Review Board (June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2026). Mr. Griffiths provided a letter requesting Council support regarding the Latino Festival. Geneva Area Neighborhood Progress is hosting the event. The proposal is to have the festival on July 15 from 7:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. A parade is being planned for 1:00 p.m. and would follow the same route as the Jamboree. The event would take place in Depot Lot. Depot would be blocked off. Neither the VFW nor the Eagles have major events that day and are supportive of the street being closed. A car show is planned as well as softball game in the early morning at Kiwanis Park. Chief Camper can provide information regarding the parade. Question was asked regarding the cost to the City for extra security. The Grape Jamboree pays for extra patrols. The event planners would need to acquire the necessary sponsorship dollars for security. The event planners will also need to map out the footprint and review the water hook-ups, gray water disposal. Dave Johnson, James Santiago and/or Myke Dowd are good resources to provide guidance. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. Robert Rosebrugh made a motion to adjourn. James Baehr seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council ___________________________________ President of Council ________________________________ Clerk of Council 4