City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting October 28, 2024 6:04 p.m. President John Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:04 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 October 14, 2024, regular council meeting, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Travis, Schenk). Motion duly passed. Presentations – None. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP) Mr. Varckette provided an update on the $2.6 million dollar grant that includes streetscape and façade improvements. The city has had a good discussion with Eastgate. CT Consultants who has already designed several phases of the streetscape and is working on the stormwater issues on Depot Street has been selected under the sole source selection process to do the design for the streetscape portion of the grant. This will save the city time in moving this project forward. The deadline to complete the project is October of 2026. The first item to address is the development of a preliminary plan including some needed adjustments to the originally submitted concept plan. The plan will be presented to Eastgate. The city is partnering with the Ashtabula County Land Bank on the administration and construction management of the storefront façade piece of the project. The Land Bank is preparing an RFP for those services due December 2, 2024. It is anticipated that project activity could begin in March of 2025. Safe Streets for All (SS4A) The SS4A federal program is a detailed process. The city attended a kick-off meeting last week. Planning will occur in 2025 – 2026. The city is the lead entity partnering with Geneva and Harpersfield’s Townships. The grant amount is $265,000. 1 The activities are designed to create a Comprehensive Roadway Safety Action Plan and will include GIS Mapping of all transportation elements; comprehensive safety assessment; broad public and stakeholder engagement; public education and outreach, and community developed land use plan. The plan is to get started in early 2025. Union Negotiations The city is in discussions with 3 of the 4 unions. Negotiations with Local 860 will begin soon. Upcoming Meetings The Finance Committee Meeting to discuss the 2025 Operating Budget is scheduled for November 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. The city has requested a Utility Committee Meeting to discuss water/wastewater rates for 2025 – 2029. Zoning Code Update Meeting to discuss the status of the code update is yet to be determined. Items for Consideration of Council Resolution No. 3610. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Prepare and Submit an Application to Participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program an to Execute Contracts as Required, and declaring an emergency. Motion by John Travis to declare and pass Resolution No. 3610 as an emergency measure, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Resolution No. 3610 duly passed. Resolution No. 3613. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Office of State Local Government Services (LGS) to Assist the City of Geneva in the Conversion of Cash Reporting to GAAP for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024, , and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3613 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Barbo, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3613 as an emergency measure, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Baker, Baehr, Griffiths, Travis, Schenk) Resolution No. 3613 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. 2 New Business – None. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn. John Travis seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 3