City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting September 9, 2024 6:10 p.m. Vice President Robert Rosebrugh opened the Council meeting at 6:10 p.m. Roll Call – Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, Dana Schenk, John Travis Absent: John Barbo Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Harry Pishcura, New Life Assembly of God. Motion was made by William Baker to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2024, regular council meeting, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Travis, Schenk). Motion duly passed. Presentations – Geneva Grape Jamboree – Brian Kelly, President, Presenting The 59th Annual Geneva Grape Jamboree will be held the last full weekend in September. This year’s event has had a lot of challengers, including road construction and increased costs. Insurance increased from $3,000 to $13,000 due to the size of the festival and national acts. Other quotes received for insurance were $29,000 and $30,000 plus. Brochures for the festival went out to a four-state region. Radio adds are being played in a radius that includes Pittsburg, New York, and Toledo. In 2022 PBS filmed a thirty-minute show highlighting the Grape Jamboree to be played in Toledo. Since that time the video has been played in 48 states and all over Ohio. Mr. Kelly went over the entertainment planned for the events. The road construction will not affect the parade. Mr. Kelly stated that the Grape Jamboree Committee has a great partnership with the City of Geneva. The city does a great job. Citizens: Susan Lewis 37 Lockwood Street, Geneva, Ohio Ms. Lewis stated that the City’s Zoning inspector in addition to be employed by the city is also employed part-time in three townships. Ms. Lewis has a property on Eastwood Street. The neighboring property owner widened their driveway three feet. Ms. Lewis expressed concern that a permit was not pulled, and debris was left on her property. Ms. Lewis tried to contact the Zoning Inspector but has not received a return call. Mr. Varckette will look into it. 1 Ms. Tiffany Miller 3245 S. Myers, Geneva, Ohio A public meeting will be held at The Boot tomorrow evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to discuss the township fire levy. Ms. Miller also requested Council’s support in obtaining and displaying Veteran’s Banners. Mr. James Moch 2685 Sexton Road, Geneva Township In partnership with the Darkroom Mr. Moch would like to do a Zombie Walk food drive. The event would collect food donations for the food pantry. To participate two food items would need to be donated. There are currently 400 people interested in the event. The event would include make-up and parade from the Darkroom on a designated parade route. Mr. Moch is not requesting any roads be closed, maybe in the future. This idea blossomed from going to Cleveland to help with their food drive. Mr. Moch is proposing October 12th from noon to 4:00 p.m. Council requested Mr. Moch work with the city safety forces. City Manager Report: West Main Street Road closures continue due to safety concerns associated voids. The project is progressing. An updated construction schedule has been posted on the website. Progress meeting minutes were distributed to council. The next progress meeting is scheduled for September 25. Speeding on alternate routes was discussed. Mr. Griffiths suggested looking into an additional speed sign as well as speed tables. ACDES Agreement for Bulk Water. The city is close to bringing an agreement to council. MOU between City of Geneva and Ashtabula County Landbank The Memorandum of Understanding is specific to two properties and will be paid for with grant funding. The city will be reimbursed $800 for administration of the project. Funds are anticipated to be awarded in early October. The agreement is due back to the Land Bank by September 14. Appalachian Community Grant Program A kick-off meeting has been scheduled for later in the week. The funding must be spent by October of 2026. Stormwater Master Plan The consultants are preparing to complete field work. They are also cleaning up the mapping as they prepare data. Consultants continue to request information from the public. The city is targeting the second meeting in October to have the consultants come to council to provide an update. The city would like to begin the meeting at 5:00 p.m. to allow sufficient time. It was suggested that the Arborist meet with our consultants prior to that meeting. 2 The city is also having discussions regarding the stormwater infrastructure at Depot lot. Mr. Varckette has walked the area and has met with the City’s engineer regarding determining what the issues are. A sizeable portion of the ACGP project is located on Depot lot. Grant Writer Agreement The grant writer agreement is on the agenda. The grant writer will be targeting community development i.e. parks, recreation, revitalization, quality of life. 2025 Operating Budget and Timeline The city is proposing the later part of the week of November 4th to conduct the finance committee meeting. This will allow three readings with the third reading of the operating budget on December 9 at which time the budget will need to be passed by emergency. Mr. Griffiths requested a utilities meeting be held prior to that time. Union Negotiations Union negotiations begin tomorrow with OPBA (Sergeants & Patrolman and Dispatchers). Intent to negotiate letter was received from the IAFF Local 3695 and the Union N.A. Local 860 will arrive soon. The current contracts are good through the end of the year. The city hopes to complete negotiations before the end of the year. Geneva Township Fire Levy Information Meeting The fire levy has a sizeable impact on the city. An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m. at The Boot to provide as much information the levy and departmental operations as possible. Downtown Geneva in the Movies The film crew was in the city last week at the intersection of Route 20 and 534. Items for Consideration of Council Ordinance No. 3359 – Second Reading. An Ordinance Authorizing the Deposit of the City Income Tax Monies Directly into the General Fund and Inactivate the Separate Income Tax Fund, and declaring an emergency. Ordinance No. 3360. An Ordinance Determining Council Intent to Proceed with Improving the Streets in the City of Geneva by Supplying Street Lighting, and to Levy Assessments for Such Lighting, 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. 3360 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3360 as an emergency measure, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Baker, Baehr, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk) Ordinance No. 3360 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3361 – First Reading. An Ordinance to Convert a Temporary Advance Between Funds to a Permanent Transfer Between Funds. 3 Ordinance No. 3362. An Ordinance Authorizing and Directing the Finance Director to Close the KeyBank Revolving Loan (RLF) Account and Transfer All Remaining Funds to the US Bank General Checking Account, and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, 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. 3362 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3362 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Baker, Baehr, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk) Ordinance No. 3362 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3363. An Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with CT Consultants, Inc. for Grant Writing Services, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dan Schenk, 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. 3363 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3363 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Baker, Baehr, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk) Ordinance No. 3363 duly passed. Resolution No. 3608. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ashtabula County Land Reutilization Corporation for Demolition of Two Properties within the City of Geneva, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, 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. 3608 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3608 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Baker, Baehr, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk) Resolution No. 3608 duly passed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Griffiths inquired about the line striping schedule. New Business: Liquor Permit New – Artisan F & B Corporation William Baker made a motion to waive the public hearing on the liquor permit. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Payment of Bills – None. 4 Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 5