City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting January 8, 2024 6:00 p.m. President Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – John Barbo, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, Dana Schenk, John Travis Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Harry Pishcura, New Life Assembly of God. A moment of silence was had in of honor of James Santiago. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2023 regular council meeting, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Recreation Department, Myke Dowd Presenting Bitty Ball, children kindergarten through second grade, begins on the 21st of January and runs through March 29th. Winterfest is scheduled for the first weekend of February. Friday night events include Fire on Ice, and the High School Majorettes. Saturday’s events include a pancake breakfast, craft show, carriage rides and more. The High School Jazz Band, Madison Jazz Band performances, Jungle Terry and the Talent Show will take place at the Community Center. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: The City has completed the RFP process to undertake the preparation of the Stormwater Master Plan. The City has had discussions with CT Consultants, Inc. with regard to options and how this would work. The City would like to proceed with the acceptance of the proposal of CT Consultants, Inc. at an amount for 2024 of not to exceed $80,000. The plan can grow beyond this first step and is a program rather than a plan. The first phase will include research, mapping, and documenting of known information. There will be a lot more to discuss once CT is on board. This will be a three phase process over several years. The City continues to compile the needed information for the DORA. The information, once gathered, will be referred to the Planning Committee. Mr. Pasqualone and Mr. Varckette are compiling information and will make a proposal to Ashtabula County Department of Environmental Services outlining the City’s proposal regarding monetary obligations for maintenance and capital projects before the end of the month. 1 The City submitted a number of grant applications in December:  An application to the Water Wastewater Infrastructure Program Round 2 for an additional $1.5 million to cover the gap that exists due to the significant rise in project costs for the West Main project throughout the last year.  A State Capital Budget application requesting $3 million to assist the City in completing remaining twenty percent of the West Main project from just east of Circle K to the intersection of State Route 534.  A State Capital Budget application requesting $224,000 to complete improvements and upgrades at the City’s Recreation Center. Winterfest is scheduled for Friday, February 2nd and Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. Mr. Griffiths requested a Utility Committee Meeting be held to go over requirements, potential impacts and clarity on what the City’s obligations are with regard to the proposal to Ashtabula County Department of Environmental Services once prepared. Items for Consideration of Council: Resolution No. 3593. A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Permanent Parcel Nos: 17- 006-00-018-00 and 17-006-00-019-00 Owned by GBH Geneva Property LLC in the Township of Geneva to the City of Geneva, Ohio, and to declare an emergency. The existing property is in the city. There are no immediate plans. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by John Travis that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3593 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Motion by Dana Schenk to declare and pass Resolution No. 3593 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis) Resolution No. 3593 duly passed. Resolution No. 3594. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of “Then and Now” Certificates by the Director of Finance for Purchases, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3594 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3594 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis) Resolution No. 3594 duly passed. 2 Resolution No. 3595. A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of the Proposal of CT Consultants, Inc. and Authorizing the City Manager to Engage the Services of CT Consultants, Inc. to Prepare a Stormwater Master Plan, and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, seconded by Dana Schenk that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3595 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution No. 3595 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis) Resolution No. 3595 duly passed. Resolution No. 3596. A Resolution Declaring the City of Geneva’s Opposition to the Moving or Closing of the Western County Court as Part of an Ashtabula County Court Reorganization, 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 meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3596 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3596 as an emergency measure, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis) Resolution No. 3596 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: Council received a request to consider bringing the 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. parking ban back, the plows are having to plow around a car that parks in front of the resident’s home on West Tibbitts. It was noted that a parking ban goes into effect when the snow is expected to reach two inches or more on all city streets. The snow parking ban is enforceable. The parking ban is posted on the city’s website, Facebook page and on the sign at SR 534 and SR 84 when in effect. It was suggested that a Street Committee meeting be held to discuss. Mr. Barbo noted that the Solar Eclipse is April 8th and thousands of people are expected to come to the area to view it. Mr. Barbo asked what the City can do to prepare. Mr. Varckette has a phone conference scheduled for the next day to coordinate regarding the event. Payment of Bills: Discussion regarding the City purchasing locally. Committee Reports – None. 3 Citizen – None. John Travis made a motion to adjourn William Baker seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 4