City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting June 10, 2024 6:00 p.m. President John Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – John Barbo, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, Dana Schenk, John Travis Absent: Robert Rosebrugh Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Raymond Baker, Faith Freedom Fellowship. Motion was made by William Baker to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2024 regular council meeting, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Presentations – None. Citizens: Lowell Beaudoin 160 Raymond Drive, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Beaudoin noted that the city council meeting schedule is in the newspaper. City Manager Report: West Main Street Several railroad crossings were closed for repairs adding to traffic issues at West main. A crossing may be closed for hours or a day. Removal of the old utility poles only West Main has been a challenge. The construction management team has been working on this and are close to getting this resolved. The City has received a $1.5M grant through the Water Wastewater Infrastructure Grant program for phase 1 of the project. An additional application for $3M for phase 2 was submitted for the State Capital bill which is expected to be awarded later this month. Jeffrey Griffiths made a motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into the Water Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Agreement with ODOD for the U.S. 20 Sewer Replacement Project. William Baker seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). The motion duly passed. OPWC Round 39 The City submitted an OPWC pre-application for the Lawn Street Waterline Replacement project replacing the waterline from Lockwood to Swan Street, estimated at $670,000. 1 OPWC Round 38 The City will open bids on June 26th for the OPWC Round 38 project, the Austin Road Pavement Improvement project. The city expects to present bid recommendation to Council at the July 8th council meeting. CDBG Senior Center ADA Improvement Project The project is expected to go out to bid in July with a recommendation to council to award at the August council meeting. Request for Proposal – Forester The city plans to submit a letter to the candidate for forester seeking their services this week. If accepted the person would serve as an independent contractor funded by the ODNR Division of Forestry Grant awarded to Geneva along with Geneva-on-the-Lake and Geneva Township. Request for Proposal for Grant Writer A Request for Proposal for a Grant Writer as an independent contractor will go out this week. The intent is for an independent contractor working under an annual contract. Finance Committee Meeting The City Manager requested a finance committee meeting to discuss moving the income tax fund into the general fund and that the finance committee meeting take place prior to the preparation of the 2025 operating budget. Public Hearing on 2025 Tax Budget The City would like to schedule the public hearing on the 2025 Tax Budget prior to the July 8th council meeting. The tax budget is due to the county auditor on July 19. No objections were made. The public hearing will be scheduled for July 8th at 5:15 p.m. Grape Jamboree 2024 Letter Seeking Support The Grape Jamboree is seeking City’s support for the 59th Annual Grape Jamboree the weekend of September 28 and September 29, 2024. The City remains ready and committed to support their efforts. The West Main project will not have much of an impact on the 2024 event. Phase 2, if awarded, would not occur until 2025. The Grape Jamboree requested that the DORA not be in effect during the festival. The police department recommended that it not be in effect at least in the first year. The police department would like to see it in place for a year. The DORA is not yet approved by the State. The City has does have discretion to suspend the DORA. John Travis moved to support the Grape Jamboree’s request, Jeffrey Griffiths seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). The motion duly passed. Country Neighbor Summer Food Service Program The summer food program began today at Eagle Street Park and will run through August 2, 2024 from 11:30 to noon Monday through Friday. Fifty lunches were distributed today. 2 Mr. Griffiths inquired about receiving the listing of streets to be paved, line striped or chip, fog, seal. Mr. Varckette has received the list and will distribute the list to council. The budget passed for 2024 included a secretary to be split between the fire and zoning departments. This continues to be looked at for the City, having a back-up to the individual donating their time to the fire department is essential. Mr. Baker noted that with the closing of the railroad crossing on Sherman Street, people are using the area being leased by the City that was a recent topic of discussion. The pass through is a one-way; however, the do not enter sign is badly faded. Mr. Baker requested that the street department address the legibility of the sign to avoid an accident. Fresh stone was put down. It was noted that the pass through is important right now and should be considered in the discussion as to whether to continue to lease it. Council inquired as to whether pictures were being taken to document the West Main Street project. Mr. Varckette stated that he has not seen any pictures. Council would be interested in have pictures electronically. Items for Consideration of Council Ordinance 3354 – First Reading. An Ordinance Authorizing the Transfer of the Residual Balance of Several Funds. Ordinance 3355. An Ordinance to Amend the 2024 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached Hereto and Marketed Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, seconded by Jams Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3355 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3355 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Ordinance No. 3355 duly passed. Resolution 3602. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of “Then and Now” Certificates by the Director of Finance for purchases, and declaring an emergency. Motion by John Travis, seconded by Dana Schenk that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3602 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Schenk, Travis). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3600 as an emergency measure, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Baehr, Baker, Griffiths, Schenk, Travis) Resolution No. 3602 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: William Baker made a motion to waive the public hearing for the liquor permit from MMG Geneva, Inc. to 148 Broadway LLC. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 years (Barbo, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. 3 The owner of Luigi’s Pizza has requested the City designate thirty minute or less parking spots to accommodate carry-out, on North Broadway as its difficult to park on North Broadway at times. Parking is available at Depot Lot. Mr. Pasqualone stated that designated parking could be introduced if the Police Chief agreed it is needed. A Street Committee meeting will be scheduled for June 20, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss. Street Committee requested that Chief Camper attend. Mr. Griffiths reported that the Planning Committee met to discuss the inconsistencies in Chapter 661 and Chapter 676. The recommendation is to request Mr. Pasqualone consolidate Ordinance 3334 creating Chapter 676 into Chapter 661. Mr. Griffiths made a motion to consolidate Ordinance 3334 into Chapter 661 and to revert back to the previous requirement for grass/weed height from 6” to 9”. John Travis seconded the motion. Roll call on passage 4 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk), 2 nays (Baker, Baehr). The motion duly passed. Payment of Bills: The expense for training with police dogs refers to training with dogs that are being manned by other police departments. Committee Reports: Mr. Griffiths noted that the Planning Committee report was previously presented under new business. Council requested that the full agenda and packet be put on the website. Council requested a disclaimer be added to the link for American Legal noting that the information may not be current. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn to executive session at 6:53 p.m. to discuss personnel matters, to consider the employment, compensation of a public employee. William Baker seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). The motion duly passed. William Baker made a motion to reconvene at 7:16 p.m. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). The motion duly passed. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. William Baker seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 4