City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting October 23, 2023 6:00 p.m. Mr. Cordova opened the Council meeting at 6:01 p.m. Roll Call – Philip Cordova, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, John Barbo Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Randy May, Geneva United Methodist Church. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2023 council meeting, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion duly passed. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3340. ODOT Consent Legislation PID No. 116080, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3340 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3340 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 6 yeas (Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Ordinance No. 3340 duly passed. William Baker left the meeting to attend the Public Hearing. Presentation – Geneva CIC, Bob Russell, President, Presenting The Community Improvement Corporation of Geneva (“CIC”) is a legal non-profit created to make Geneva a better place. The board is made up of fifteen trustees. Five trustees are City Representatives. The CIC is a 501(c)3 and serves as fiduciary for several Geneva organizations including Geneva Soccer, The Gridiron and more allowing donations to these organizations to be tax deductible. Projects the CIC is working on include the replacement of the electronic sign at SR 534 and SR 84. The previous sign was breaking down often and parts were hard to obtain. After a great deal of research the CIC Board was able to replace the sign with a better quality sign at a cost of $25,000 by donating some of their time to remove the old sign. The sign, made in the United States, has a five year warranty. 1 The CIC has raised $14,000 towards the cost. Additional donations are needed. Should the CIC receive more than the amount needed to cover the cost, the additional funds will be put in a maintenance fund to maintain the sign. The sign is available to rent. For profits pay a higher rate than non-profits. The CIC owns three parcels in the Industrial Park and is looking for interested companies. The more employees, the lower the cost of the parcel. The CIC is looking at different fundraisers to fund the Revolving Loan Fund which assist businesses with small low interest loans. Mr. Cordova noted that the City Manager had talked about utilizing the NOPEC funds for the sign. Council should seriously consider it. The sign is a benefit to the community. Citizens: Pastor Randy May Geneva United Methodist Church South Broadway, Geneva Pastor May previously came to council to request an additional one-way sign on Erie Street as you pull out of the church parking lot. Those not familiar with the road do not realize it is a one-way street and pull out of the parking lot in the wrong direction. Council stated that they are in favor of the additional sign. Mr. Ron Stettler VFW Commander VFW – Depot Street, Geneva The Writers Group at the VFW enters the Christmas Tree Contest using the tree in the left front. The VFW would like to offer to replace the tree with a nice blue spruce with a little help from the Street Department. The VFW would like to get the tree installed before the Christmas Light Contest. Council has no issues. Council requested the VFW contact Joe Varckette directly. The VFW Post additionally offered to donate up to $5,000 towards a K-9 Unit if the City planned to add one in the future. The VFW previously donated to help Geneva-on-the-Lake and the Sherriff’s Department when they added a K-9 unit. The Purple Heart Monument by the flags is in disrepair. The VFW will update it and absorb the costs. Council request the VFW also discuss this project with Mr. Varckette prior to beginning. 2 James Marhefka 407 E. Main St., Geneva Mr. Marhefka inquired if the Police Levy funds were to go toward the canine unit. The canine unit was one of the ideas suggested; but not dedicated. A policy would need to be put in place prior to moving forward with a canine unit. City Manager Report: Report given during the work session. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: Council is okay moving forward with the Power Technical Assistance grant so long as Mr. Varckette is in agreement. Mr. Griffiths noted that a Clean-up Day is scheduled for November 4. Volunteers are meeting at the Geneva Library at 9:00 a.m. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn John Barbo seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 3