City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting January 22, 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 Raymond Baker, Faith Freedom Fellowship. Motion was made by James Baehr to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2024 regular council meeting, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Wastewater Department, Superintendent Brandon Averill Presenting The City is anticipating receiving loan approval of the Route 20 project. Loan approval is the next phase of the project. A waterline break in the digester was repaired internally this week. There is a 2001 pump out for repair. The pump was last repaired in 2019. The City has lab equipment which is due to be replaced The Wastewater Department is handling the Water Department issues for the time being. The Wastewater Department is looking forward to three baby showers and wedding this year. Citizens: Gus Guzelanczyk 244 Pepperidge Drive, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Guzelanczyk notes that newspaper boxes, no longer used, have not been removed; loose lines from utility poles, tension wires on SR 534 and SR 85 and just north of 84 are unsightly. City Manager Report: Ms. Traci Welch provided the City Manager Report: CT Consultants, Inc., the City’s engineering firm, has presented an amendment to the City’s agreement for Professional Services including updated terms going into 2024. After discussion with Mr. Pasqualone, the terms are fair and mutually beneficial. Mr. Varckette is requesting an Ordinance 1 be prepared authorizing the City Manager to accept the terms and enter into the updated agreement. The amendment includes increasing the retainer from $500 per month to $1,000. This is the first increase since the 2004. The yearly retainer is $6,000. Services in recent years were equal to $12,023.16 and $17,980. Services which fall under the retainer are services not specific to a particular project. Design services will also be increased. This amendment has been discussed over two years. The City has been working on the same contract and fees for the past twenty years. Mr. Griffiths requested the City put together something identifying what the City uses CT for and what the cost has been. There were no objections to preparing the Ordinance for Council’s approval. The DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) application was submitted to the Planning Committee for review. The Community Event Center events planner is moving forward. Details in the contract agreement are being finalized. The City has made an offer to a candidate for the position of Waterworks Superintendent, the candidate has accepted and the City looks to onboard the candidate in early February. The GBA and the City’s Annual Winterfest celebration will begin next Friday, February 2nd and runs through Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. Contact Myke Dowd for questions. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3348. An Ordinance to Amend the 2024 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached hereto and Marked Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3348 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 Ordinance No. 3348 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis) Ordinance No. 3348 duly passed. Unfinished Business: The Planning Committee Meeting to discuss the DORA Application is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. New Business: Councilman Baehr noted the number of trash cans left in the tree lawns. Suggestion was made to discuss if something can be done to curb this. Some trash cans are left out all week. Tree limbs from 2 storm damage were also noted. It was suggested that this topic could be picked up at the next committee meeting. Payment of Bills: Discussion regarding the City purchasing locally. Committee Reports: Councilman Baehr reported on the Streets Committee Meeting held prior to the council meeting. The Streets Committee met to discuss whether the City should go back to having a city-wide parking ban from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. The committee will reconvene in a couple of months. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn Jeffrey Griffiths seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 3