City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting January 27, 2025 6:01 p.m. Vice President Robert Rosebrugh opened the Council meeting at 6:01 p.m. Roll Call – Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, John Travis, Dana Schenk Absent: John Babro 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 January 13, 2025, regular council meeting, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 5 yeas, (Rosebrugh, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis), 1 abstention (Griffiths). Motion duly passed. Presentations – Recreation Department, Mike Dowd Presenting. The city is currently accepting Bitty Basketball sign-ups, kindergarten through second grade. The season will begin in two weeks and run through the end of March. This weekend is Winterfest. It is an all-day event which includes: a pancake breakfast at Methodist Church, chili cook-off, a parade at 12:30 p.m., Jungle Terry among other shows at the Community Center and a craft show at the Recreation Center. Rotary will be selling hot dogs at the Community Center. The United Church will have hot coco. Scribbler’s will be at Depot Lot as well as the antique snow mobiles. The bike racks are not yet complete. When the project is complete, nine different classes will have participated. In April the City will have a Repair Fair. People with knowledge of computer repair, sewing, etc. will be available to assist with minor repairs for citizens for free. The event will be held upstairs at the Recreation Center. Citizens will need to sign up indicating what they need and will need to bring everything with them. An Eco Fair will be held in the fall. The idea is to have items that can be repurposed. Citizens: Jim Cowan 407 W. Main Street, Geneva Mr. Cowan stated that the wood burner at 393 W. Main Street used for heating and water is an air pollution problem. It is an outdoor wood burner that runs 24/7 most of the year. The burner vents 1 smoke at six feet. Mr. Cowan has spoken with Council President Barbo regarding this issue beginning in February of last year. Mr. Varckette stated that he is aware and has spoken with the Zoning person. The city does not have an ordinance in place that would address this. Mr. Cowan stated that smoke carries for hundreds of yards. The system is a great system but suited for in the Township were there is open space. Other cities have ordinances. It was requested that the city look at ordinances other cities have in place. City Manager Report: West Main Street Project The next progress meeting will be held on February 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss updates on the schedule and contract items. Phase 2 – The city is actively seeking funding for the remaining twenty percent of the West Main Street project and looking at the Ohio Small Cities Grant which opens on May 1st with a deadline of June 15. The city has had discussions with the State; their views on the project are favorable. NOPEC 2025 Award The city has been awarded $11,308 for 2025. The 2025 funds must be disbursed by November of 2027. This award along with the 2023 and 2024 awards total $36,500 which can be used towards an eligible project. On the agenda is a Resolution to accept the funds. Appalachian Community Grant Program A public meeting will be held on February 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to go over the concept for the streetscape portion of the grant. Ashtabula County Land Bank has selected LDA Architects to oversee the downtown storefront renovation portion of the grant. A kick-off meeting is being targeted for the week of February 17th with Eastgate, the Landbank, and local grant applicants. These projects will be on separate schedules. Stormwater Master Plan update The weather has impacted what the consultant does outside. They continue to evaluate data collected until they can get back into the field. The consultants are close to moving to Phase 3, identifying solutions. The city plans to meet with the consultant later in February to get more information. Urban Forestry Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Varckette met with the Forester/Arborist, Alan Siewert regarding proposed goals and objectives. This grant is in partnership with Geneva Township and Geneva-on-the-Lake. The plan will assist the city in maintaining the health and vigor of our trees, remove dead and hazardous trees, pruning trees on a regular schedule and planting a diverse population of trees as well 2 as educating the community decision makers on the value and need for a sustainable urban forest. Completion of the first draft of the plan is anticipated at the end of the first quarter of 2025. Ashtabula County Treasurer’s Office “Remote Tax Collection” The Treasurer’s office is doing “mobile” tax collections around the county and will be in Geneva on Friday, February 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Anyone can come in and pay their taxes and can ask questions. Winterfest Winterfest is this weekend and is an all-day event. Items for Consideration of Council Ordinance No. 3374 – Second Reading. An ordinance to Establish a Capital Projects Fund. Ordinance No. 3375 – Second Reading. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 881 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Geneva to Add Section 881.013 (Allocation of Funds) of the Geneva Municipal Income Tax. Ordinance No. 3377. An Ordinance to Create New Fund (233) “Local Opioid Settlement Fund” in Order to Account for Revenues and Expenditures Associated with the Local Portion of the OneOhio Opioid Litigation Settlement, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, seconded by John Travis that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3377 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3377 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, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Ordinance No. 3377 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3378. An Ordinance Authorizing the Director of Finance of the City of Geneva to Temporarily Advance Funds from the General Fund (110) to the Downtown Revitalization Fund (279), 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. 3378 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3378 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, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Ordinance No. 3378 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3379. An Ordinance to Amend the 2025 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached Hereto and Marked Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by John Travis that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3379 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion 3 by Dana Schenk to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3379 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, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Ordinance No. 3379 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3380. An Ordinance Amending Compensation for the Position of Part-time Laborer/Mechanic to Reflect the Correct Step Rates, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, seconded by William Baker that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3380 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3380 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, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Ordinance No. 3380 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3381. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1040.09(b) and (c) Rates and Charges for the Geneva Water System, and declaring an emergency. Discussion regarding the percentage of administration funds paid from the enterprise funds. A finance committee meeting was requested to further discuss. A motion was made by William Baker to Table Ordinance No. 3381. John Travis seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Ordinance No. 3382. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1042.325 Rates and Charges for the Geneva Wastewater System, and declaring an emergency. A motion was made by William Baker to Table Ordinance No. 3382. Jeffrey Griffiths seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Resolution No. 3619. A Resolution Authorizing All Actions Necessary to Accept Northeast Ohio Public Agency Energy Council (NOPEC) 2025 Energized Community Grant(s) Fund, 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. 3619 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution No. 3619 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, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Schenk, Travis). Resolution No. 3619 duly passed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Griffiths requested the full council packet be posted on the website. New Business: A Finance Committee meeting will be scheduled. 4 Payment of Bills: The late fee for COSE was due to holding off on a decision for health insurance. Committee Reports: Councilman Travis reported that Verdantas has completed the Phase 3 draft and it has been distributed to Planning Commission members. Citizen – None. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. John Travis seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 5