City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting November 13, 2023 6:00 p.m. Mr. Cordova opened the Council meeting at 6:00 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 Father Daniel Finnerty, Assumption Church. Mr. Griffiths noted that on page three of the October 23, 2023 the Power Technical Assistance grant is the new EV Smart Communities Grant. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2023 regular council meeting and the October 30, 2023 special council meeting, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 5 yeas, (Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo), 1 abstention (Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Street Department – Superintendent Tim Bittner Presenting. Chip Fog Seal has been completed on three streets including part of Eastwood, Elizabeth and Aletha. Paving on Centennial from Eastwood to Route 20 is completed. Yard waste pick-up ended October 9, 2023. The trucks are ready for winter. The one-way road sign has been installed on Erie Street. The City has new brackets for the hanging lights downtown and on Forest they just need installed. There is money in the lines next year for line striping. Parking lot striping is done in-house. The latest storm caused damage to the Pear trees and quite a few had to be taken out. There will be a cost to the City. Salt supply last year was good. The City maintains the State Routes. A lot of communities have given the State Routes back to the State. The City can relinquish them. Route 531 is State maintained. The State previously provided more funding to take care of the State Routes, they have taken much of those funds back. All the traffic lights, the line-striping and much of the salt use is on the State Routes. 1 Residents should not rake leaves into the ditch. When it rains, the machine cannot pick them up, it is not designed to pick-up water. Leaves should not be put in the road as they plug up the storm drains. The City has 2 trucks that can be used for leaf pick-up but only one machine to vacuum the leaves. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: The Finance Committee meeting was held last week. As a result of the discussions had with members of Council and comments made, a few adjustments are being made to the Budget Ordinance prior to the first reading. Ms. Traci Welch, Finance Director went over the four proposed changes to the Budget previously presented to the Finance Committee: 1. Street fund Contractual Services Chip Fog Seal Line increased from $65,000 to $100,000 2. Street fund Capital Outlay - Paving to be increased $65,000 from $227,100 to $292,100 3. Personnel – consolidating the proposed full-time fire department admin position and part- time zoning admin person. The position will be based on the percentage need of each department starting at a percentage split of 75% fire department and 25% zoning to be reevaluated and adjusted next year. 4. ARPA funding - $15,000 from the $517,389.39 budgeted for the West Main Street project will be reallocated in 2024 based on the suggestions and recommendations of Council. Council had no objections to the changes proposed. The Fire Services Protection Contract between Geneva City and Geneva Township is a renewal. There are no changes in the terms of service for the City or the Township. The $5,000 annual increase is the same increase as was in the current contract. The Township’s levy did not pass. There is no issue with the 2024 year. The Township will work on addressing future years during 2024. The City has $27,000 in NOPEC funds uncommitted. The funds are restricted to energy efficiency projects. The CIC purchased the electronic sign at SR 534 and SR 84 for $25,000 and has been raising money to pay for it. The CIC currently has a shortfall of $11,000. The sign is a great asset to the community. The City uses the sign. Council had no objection to the City commitment of $10,000 of the NOPEC funds to the CIC electronic sign project. The City’s Round 29 Nature Works grant application for the bollards and bike racks at Memorial Field has been declined for the second time. The request for the project was $16,000 with a total project cost of $24,000. The City will seek another funding source for this project. Keep Ohio Beautiful Paint program grant was awarded in May to purchase forty gallons of stain for the re-staining of the playground equipment at Memorial Field. The project has been completed thanks to Myke Dowd, the City’s Recreation Coordinator and volunteers from the City’s Fire Department. Additionally, local business owner Joe Ortiz of American Electric donated lights and 2 the labor to install the lights at the playground. The lighting greatly enhances the safety of our kids and families utilizing the playground. New signage will be up soon. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3343 – First Reading. An Ordinance to Provide for Appropriations for the Current Expenses and Other Expenditures of the City Of Geneva, Ohio from January 1, 2024 Through December 31, 2024. Resolution No. 3590 – First Reading. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Agreement between the City of Geneva and the Township of Geneva for the Purpose of Receipt of Fire Protection Services. Unfinished Business: Mr. Baker, Mr. Varckette and Mr. Pasqualone attended the public hearing on the consolidation of the Municipal Courts. Mr. Pasqualone stated that Mr. Varckette and Mr. Pasqualone are not opposed to consolidating. The concern is the lease which runs through 2026 and the cost to the city if the Court were to move out of the City. Council agreed to draft a resolution, not opposing the merger, but opposing the Western County Court moving from the City. Mr. Varckette stated that the City would lose significant revenue and an increase in expenses should the Court move from Geneva. The City Manager and Finance Director are completing a compilation of the cost to the City and intend to reach out to the Commissioners to sit down and go over those numbers with them. The additional resolution from Council would be helpful as Administration presents this information. New Business: Council made the following appointments: Jessica Sochia (January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024), Andrew Austin (November 9, 2023 – December 31, 2024), and Joseph Kosch (November 9, 2023 – December 31, 2024) to the Geneva Soccer Board. James Santiago, 48 E. Union, Geneva Geneva Business Association President Joint Economic Development Committee DORA Committee Presentation – DORA The DORA Committee submitted to Council a complete package with regard to the Request for a DORA to be approved by Council. The package included a map of the jurisdiction, the list of 3 downtown parcels; businesses with liquor licenses, the process to obtain a DORA, what the legislative authority needs to do and a draft proposed ordinance. The only church in the district would be the Park Street Christian Church. The Committee believes the DORA will increase tourism in the downtown. Alcohol will only be allowed in the approved cup which will be dated for that days use only. An increase in tourism will entice other businesses to move into the downtown. This will be an enhancement for the downtown area. There are 100 DORAs in Ohio. They have not seen any issues with trouble created by the DORA. The Committee believes the district can be handled with just the local police department. The red dots on the map indicate that no alcohol can go beyond that point. The Geneva DORA is proposed to be open 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily. Question was asked as to the hours of other DORAs. Mr. Griffiths requested that other examples be provided. Discussion was had as to why the 12:00 a.m. time was chosen. The Brewery is open until 10:00 p.m., Alibi’s is in the process of reopening. Different establishments close at different times. Akron’s DORA is open until 12:00 a.m. The City must approve the DORA and pass an Ordinance, sample was enclosed with the package. Additionally, a certified engineer must approve the acreage is correct. Plastic waste associated with the cups was discussed. Merchants will put out additional waste containers. Every business in the DORA will have to approve whether they will participate. The Grape Jamboree Committee has stated that will not participate in the DORA. No other objections have been raised to date. Mr. Rosebrugh stated that the Grape Jamboree asked to be excluded from the DORA as it is a family oriented event. Ms. Rubby Keyerleber spoke in favor of the DORA. Council referred the review of the DORA to the Planning Committee with a request that Chief Camper, Chief Shook and Superintendent Bittner attend. A draft of the ordinance can be prepared after review and discussion. The legalization of marijuana does not affect the DORA. The district would only allow alcohol in a specific cup sold by a downtown business. Signage for the district was discussed. Noted that metal signs would be preferred at a level high enough to be seen 2 to 3 feet. 4 The Planning Committee Meeting to review the DORA was scheduled for November 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Planning Committee members include John Barbo, James Baehr and Philip Cordova. Mr. Baker requested the legislation, once placed on the agenda, for the DORA be read at three meetings to give the public time to comment. Once the DORA request is sent to the State of Ohio it will take approximately 45 days to receive a response. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: A Planning Committee Meeting will be held on November 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the DORA Request. Citizen – None. John Barbo made a motion to adjourn Jeffrey Griffiths seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 5