City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting March 10, 2025 6:00 p.m. President John Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: John Barbo, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, John Travis, Dana Schenk Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Elijah Fowler, New Life Assembly of God. Motion was made by William Baker to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2025 and February 24, 2025, regular council meetings, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 5 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Baehr, Baker, Travis), 2 abstentions (Griffiths, Schenk). Motion duly passed. Presentations – Water Department, Superintendent Josh Santiago Presenting. There have been fifteen main breaks, two of them on Lawn Street. Lawn Street is averaging two to five main breaks per year. The city has secured OPWC funding to replace the Lawn Street waterline, sidewalk on the south side and mill and fill the road. This project will improve the quality of the water and the infrastructure. The total project cost is estimated at $699,800. The OPWC funding includes a grant just under $200,000 and a 0% interest loan of $150,000. The remainder will be paid from the water fund. Improvements made by the city and at the Aqua Water Plant have resulted in the city being able to reduce the amount of quality samples needed at the dead end at North Ave. and at Beech Street to once a year in the third quarter from once a quarter. Monthly testing of the system is still required. The Water Department is hiring for a water department laborer; must have a clean driving record and be willing to work. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: Superintendent Santiago has been very busy with the West Main Street project; he is out there at least once a day actively working with Verdantas and MS Consultants lowering waterlines. West Main is on schedule to be completed at the end of September. Dispatch Service Agreement Renewal Geneva-on-the-Lake The current contract expires at the end of April. The dispatch service is valuable to both parties. The new contract period is May 2025 to April 2028. 1 Street Department Updates List of streets that were paved or Chip, Fog Sealed in 2024 was distributed to Council. The 2025 list is being compiled and will be completed in the Spring. West Liberty between SR 534 and the bridge needs major repairs. Sixty tons of aggregate will be delivered to the site soon. The road will be paved in the Spring. The traffic light at SR 84 and Sherman has been automatically turning to flashing. The city is actively working to correct this. The loop sensor at the traffic light at SR 84 and SR 534 has been installed but still needs adjustment which will be done by the vendor. Yard Waste Disposal Agreement 2025 There is no increase in cost from the previous agreement, $4,500. City-wide yard waste pick-up runs May to October on the second and fourth Monday. Planning Commission Recommendations The Planning Commission has two open seats. On Council agenda are two recommendations to fill those positions, Amanda Briggs and Travers Dombrowski. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment on the Statewide Ballot, May 6 The Lawn Street waterline project is being funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). This initiative would authorize $2.5 billion general obligation bonds, limited to $250 million per year over ten years to fund State Capital Improvement Program through the Ohio Public Works Commission. This program provides grants and loans for public infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, sewer, stormwater and sewer. The program dates back to 1987. The City of Geneva has utilized OPWC funds from 1987 to 2025. The total number of projects funded 42, total project cost $15.68M, local match $7.11 M, grant dollars $4.77M, and 0% loan $3,56M. Financial Audit 2024 The 2024 Financial Audit is underway. The Ohio Auditor of State expects to be completed in July. The cost of the audit is $32,095.00. Council should be receiving information via email around March 15. Please return the information as soon as possible. If the information is not received, please let Mr. Varckette or Traci Welch know. Ashtabula County Combined Community Health District The Ashtabula County Combined Community Health District is holding their annual meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Items for Consideration of Council Ordinance No. 3381 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1040.09(b) and (c) Rates and Charges for the Geneva Water System, and declaring an emergency. 2 Ordinance No. 3382 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Geneva Codified Ordinances Section 1042.325 Rates and Charges for the Geneva Wastewater System, and declaring an emergency. Resolution No. 3621. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Geneva-on-the-Lake to Provide Police and Fire Dispatching Services, and declaring an emergency. Contract expires at the end of April, 2025. 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. 3621 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by James Baehr to declare and pass Resolution No. 3621 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3621 duly passed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Barbo noted that Mr. Pasqualone has possible Ordinances regarding the wood burning furnace, would like have that presented at the Planning Committee. Mr. Griffiths will schedule a meeting. New Business: Mr. Griffiths stated communities have passed Resolutions in Opposition to HB 43 to eliminate the bed tax. Mr. Varckette stated that Mr. Barbo and he had talked and are gathering information. Eliminating the bed tax would be detrimental. Mr. Varckette is putting together information that will be circulated to all of council prior to the council meeting. Discussion regarding the process to keep informed about legislation pertinent to the city. Mr. Pasqualone noted that the Ohio Municipal League sets forth legislation that is pertinent to municipalities. Council President Barbo appointed Amanda Briggs and Travers Dombrowski to the Planning Commission each for a five-year term effective March 15, 2025 and ending May 31, 2030. Payment of Bills: Payment to Burning Oak Training is the arborist. Mr. Varckette will look into the $12,000 payment from Wastewater. Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. 3 Executive Session: William Baker made a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel the employment, compensation of a public employee at 6:35 p.m. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on motion, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion duly passed. James Baehr made a motion to reconvene at 7:02 p.m. William Baker seconded the motion. Roll call of passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis). Motion duly passed. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. James Baehr seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 4