City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting July 10, 2023 6:00 p.m. Mr. Butera opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – Mario Butera, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, and William Baker Absent – Philip Cordova and John Barbo Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor David Yarbrough, New Life Assembly of God. Motion was made by James Baehr to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2023 council meeting, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 5 yeas, (Butera, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker). Motion duly passed. Motion was made by James Baehr to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2023 council meeting, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 5 yeas, (Butera, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentation – None. Citizens: Ron Stettler, Acting Commander Geneva VFW Mr. Stettler requested that the VFW Commander be consulted in the future with regard to events that would involve blocking off Depot Street. The blocking of Depot Street could be a disruption to their operation. Mr. Griffiths stated that he had consulted someone at the VFW but it was not the Commander. Mr. Stettler noted that the Commander is the point of contact for the VFW. City Manager Report: The City was awarded $3 million in the Water Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program for the U.S. Route 20 Sewer Replacement Project. This additional funding will enable the City to reduce the amount needed from the WPCLF Loan for this project. The intention is to move forward with the reduced project scope. Authorization to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio Department of Development for the Water Wastewater Grant funds is on tonight’s agenda for approval. The City attended the first stakeholder planning meeting held by Environmental Design Group (EDG) for the Appalachian Community Grant. The meeting was well attended. EDG is working with sixty stakeholder groups. Downtown revitalization, different strategies were discussed. Future meetings may be via zoom. The City recently paved Aletha and Elizabeth Streets. Centennial from Eastwood to East Main street is next to be paved. The OPWC Application was shifted to paving Austin Road from Cugal Farm to the City/Township line. The City is still assessing which are the best streets for Chip Fog Seal within the budget. The Request for Proposal for an Event Planner has advertised and posted twice on the website. A Public Hearing to discuss the 2024 Tax Budget will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. A Special Council Meeting will follow at 5:45 p.m. for council to vote on the tax budget which is due to the County on July 20, 2023. Letters for donations for the Back to School distribution have gone-out. The City is starting to collect items. The giveaway is scheduled for August 17th from nine to noon at the Rec Center. August 13th from 2-4 p.m. Myke will be holding an adult paint class at the Rec Center. The cost for the class is $35.00. The stormwater management plan request for proposal is a more entailed. The City is putting the RFP together. Items for Consideration of Council: Resolution No. 3580 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Grant Agreement with the State of Ohio Department of Development, Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by William Baker that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meeting be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3580 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 5 yeas (Butera, Baehr, Baker, Rosebrugh, Griffiths). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3580 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 5 yeas (Butera, Baehr, Baker, Rosebrugh, Griffiths). Roll call on passage, 5 yeas (Butera, Baehr, Baker, Rosebrugh, Griffiths). Resolution No. 3580 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: Mr. Rosebrugh was provided a list of seventy vacant properties by Ms. Sivertsen, Zoning Administrator. Mr. Rosebrugh went down the list randomly and looked at forty-three, twenty of them were apartments that change all the time, one was occupied, two were for sale and two or three houses were being worked on. Will landlords be required to report vacancies to the City? It was suggested that the City begin talking about North Broadway. North Broadway is a state route. Superintendent Bittner will check to see when ODOT has North Broadway scheduled. For State Routes, the State pays 80% and the City 20%. ODOT is also using Chip Fog and Seal as well as Slurry. The City’s budget for road paving is currently $100,000. More funding is needed. Mr. Griffiths commended the Police Department on their handling of the recent incident. Committee Reports: A Street Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2023. Citizen – None James Baehr made a motion to adjourn William Baker seconded Council meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council