City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting February 26, 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 Phyllis Dunlap, Clerk of Council. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2024 regular council meeting, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Presentation – Legal Department, Gary Pasqualone, Esq. Presenting Judge O’Brien is scheduling most of the City’s cases beginning at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday as well as on Tuesday’s if there is no jury trial. The number of cases varies each week. There were twelve cases heard on Wednesday, normally there are three to six cases on any given day. The majority of cases are traffic violations. Pre-trial diversion allows the defendant to enter into a payment plan for a number of months or a year to pay. Zoning files its own complaints. As the Solicitor Mr. Pasqualone has handled a number of civil cases. Mr. Pasqualone provided a summary. Mr. Pasqualone is assisting the city with regard to the JEDD organizational review and the County Water contract obligations. ---- Dale Arkenburg made a presentation to Council regarding the Critical Incident Stress Management of Ashtabula County (CISMAC). Mr. Arkenburg provided an overview, the background and the services currently available to first responders. Citizens: Susan Lewis 37 Lockwood Street, Geneva, Ohio Ms. Lewis distributed a copy of a police incident report to council members. Ms. Lewis stated that the City’s current Zoning Inspector came onto Ms. Lewis’ property at 15 Lockwood Street without notice and walked into the house through the back door. Ms. Lewis completed an incident report and was told the incident would be referred to the City Manager. Ms. Lewis states that protocol was not followed and 1 Ms. Lewis considers the incident trespassing. Ms. Lewis stated that the Zoning Inspector did not have permission to enter the house. The Zoning Inspector did submit a statement with regard to the incident. There is a difference of opinion as to what occurred. Mr. Varckette offered to meet with Ms. Lewis to discuss the incident further. Mr. Pasqualone stated that he was consulted with regard to the incident and criminal charges are not warranted as there was no wrongful purpose or criminal intent. The incident did not give rise to a criminal charge. The incident will be handled according to the employee policies and procedures. The City is unaware of any other complaints filed in this regard. Ms. Lewis stated that this is an owner property, not a rental property. Mr. Griffiths noted that in recent legislation with regard to vacant property, Mr. Griffiths was not in favor of the City entering the unoccupied building or any building without the owner’s consent. Tiffany Miller 3245 S. Myers Rd., Geneva (Rental Property owner) Ms. Miller stated that she has worked with Mr. Asher who has commented. Ms. Miller suggested that the City review the zoning to be sure that it is clear to follow the ORC that changed in 2012. Ms. Miller noted that Ohio Revised Code requires 24 notice. Ms. Miller owned rents property in the city and does not want this to happen with any of her properties. Susan Miller 37 Lockwood Street, Geneva The code also states that the City cannot contact a tenant for permission, the owner of the property must give permission. City Manager Report: The West Main Street pre-conference was held. The project will begin the second week of April, 2024 with an 18 month construction time, completing in October of 2025. The City will meet with the construction management team on a regular basis or as needed. The City will communicate with the public by maintaining a special section on the City’s website containing West Main Street updates. The City continues to work with our consultants on the Storm Water Management Plan. The consultant is compiling information and preparing maps for our next internal work session scheduled for the week of March 4 where we will begin with mapping out known problem areas throughout the City. Once this stage is complete, the plan is for the consultants to provide council with an update of progress and an overview of the path forward. Discussions between the County, Mr. Pasqualone and Mr. Varckette continue with regard to the Water System monetary obligations. The public hearing for the DORA is scheduled for April 1, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. 2 Potential capital projects for the upcoming OPWC funding round include waterline replacements projects and street improvement projects. The City is also looking to conduct a traffic study at 534 and 84 to determine if adding a left turn lane at that intersection is warranted. After review and feedback regarding potential scores regarding the projects being discussed for the Safe Routes to School application, the City has chosen to hold off and not submit an application at this time. The City is continuing to listen to ideas and thoughts with regard to a city planner and grant writer contract employee and what that would include. Waste Management spring clean-up is scheduled for May 4. The City post the information with regard the spring clean on its website. Vince Crawford of Waste Management will attend the May 13th council meeting to provide Waste Management updates. The County’s Tire Amnesty day is scheduled for May 11th. The City will also post information on its website. John Barbo requested that prior to the West Main Street project starting that an informational meeting on the project be scheduled to provide information such as traffic flow and scope, an overview of the project. Council agreed. It was suggested that this occur at the first council meeting in April. Those residents and businesses in the immediate area will receive notice. West Main Street will be a one-way street to the west initially. Mr. Varckette will have a representative from Mannik and Smith come and make a presentation at the first council meeting in April. This will be advertised to the public. The city will also reach out to our representatives in the media. Items for Consideration of Council – None. Unfinished Business: Mr. Barbo inquired about preparations for the solar eclipse. Mr. Varckette stated that there is an ongoing county call. Chief Shook in primarily representing the City with the organization. Spire has ongoing events scheduled for that day. Various other entities are organizing events as well. The traffic is going to be significant. There is a council meeting schedule for April 8. It is anticipated that there will be cell phone disruption with the amount of visitors expected in the area. The biggest concern is traffic. New Business – None. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: Mr. Griffiths reported on the EV consultation and vehicle assessment compiling information for a community road map and possibly expanding to a county road map. There is a monthly conference call on the last Friday of the every month. The first conference call was recording and Mr. Griffiths can forward to council members if they are interested. Mr. Griffiths invited council members to attend the next conference call at 11:00 a.m. Leasing of the jail continues to be explored. 3 Streets Committee meeting was scheduled for March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss street maintenance. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn William Baker seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 4