City Council

Minutes City of Geneva Council Meeting April 28, 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 Absent: Dana Schenk Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Mike Cole, United Church of Geneva. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of April 14, 2025, regular council meeting, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Baehr, Baker, Griffiths, Travis) Presentations – Fire Department, Chief David Shook Chief Shook presented council with a copy of the 2024 Annual Report for the fire department and reviewed the report stating that in 2024 the department had a total of seven hundred and fifty-two (752) calls, an increase of one hundred and eighty-six (186) calls from 2023, making 2024 have the most calls in the history of the fire department. Fifty-eight (58) calls were fire related with one of the fires resulting in the death of a resident. There were three (3) major weather events in 2024 that generated seventy-two (72) requests for service. Mr. Griffiths asked Chief Shook if he could provide a report showing the number of calls to Geneva Twp. Chief Shook reported there was a total of one hundred and eighty-five (184) inspections done in 2024 with twenty-two (22) of those inspections being for new business. Citizens: None City Manager Report: West Main Street Project Fabrizi provided a progress update. The information is available on the city’s website. Mr. Varckette stated that the road continues to be closed. The contractors are not behind schedule. The City is a year into the project and anticipates the project will be completed by the completion date in September 2025. Acquisition of Combination Sewer Jet/Vac truck On tonight’s agenda is a Resolution authorizing the City to enter into a purchase agreement with MTECH to purchase a 2025 Super Products Camel 1200EJ sewer jet/vac truck. This is a demo vehicles, saving the city approximately $75,000. This purchase will allow the City to complete 1 work that having an outside company do is very expensive. The cost will be split between Wastewater and Water. The annual debt service will be less than the amount budgeted of $600,000. Upcoming Fire Truck Ballon Payment Coming Due Under our Fire Truck Acquisition Bond Anticipation Note, we have a five-year ballon payment due on July 1, 2025, for the financing of our 2018 Rosenbauer Aerial Truck. The original note, written in May 2020 in the amount of $850,000.00 has an outstanding balance of $669,860.42 (as of April 17). The City is currently determining the best options for refinancing the outstanding balance and will provide the council with a detailed update in May. Housing Technical Assistance Program (HTAP) Grant The City recently submitted an application through The Ohio Department of Development (“ODOD”) for a HTAP grant seeking $66,600 to help fund the updating of the City’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The project is estimated at $74,000.00 which includes a local commitment of $7,400.00 Stormwater Master Plan update Our Chief Project Engineer provided a progress report on Phase II activities. The fieldwork and risk assessments of our natural resources and capital infrastructure have been completed. Currently our consultants are working on a summary of conditions and risks analysis. They are finalizing their fieldwork observations and creating maps tied to their findings and explanation of risks. With the conclusion of the summary condition assessment, they will move to Phase III which will identify alternatives to address the stormwater challenges and cost estimates. The estimated time for the first draft summary report should be within a month or so. Spring Clean-Up Final reminder. The annual city-wide Spring Clean-Up for all current Waste Management customers is this Saturday May 03. Geneva Community Days Geneva Community Days will be held this Saturday, May 03, from 12:00-2:00 at Memorial Field. Items for Consideration of Council Resolution No. 3625. A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contractual agreement with the Local 3695 International Association of Fire Fighters and declaring an emergency. Motion by William Baker, seconded by James Baehr that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3625 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, 2 Travis). Motion by Jeff Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution No. 3625 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 6 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis). Resolution No. 3625 duly passed. Resolution No. 3626. A Resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with MTECH to purchase a 2025 Super Products Camel 1200EJ Demo Combo truck and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by John Travis that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3626 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution No. 3626 as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeff Griffiths. Roll call, 6 yeas (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis,). Roll call on passage, 6 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Travis). Resolution No. 3626 duly passed. Unfinished Business: Mr. Baehr asked for clarification on yard pick up for residents. Mr. Varckette stated that it is the second and fourth Monday from May to October. Mr. Baker questioned if Monday was a holiday, would the bag still be picked up on Monday or another day. Mr. Varckette stated that if Monday was a holiday, then pick up would be on Tuesday. Mr. Baker suggested putting a notice on the website. New Business: Council President John Barbo presented Mr. Tim Bittner with a proclamation. Mr. Barbo read the proclamation in honor of Mr. Bittner’s retirement and his thirty-one years of service and dedication to the City of Geneva and declaring April 28, 2025, Timothy Bittner Day. Mr. Varckette also thanked Mr. Bittner for his years of service to the city and wished him well in his retirement. Mr. Griffiths read a Proclamation for National Tennis Month that included the history of the City of Geneva and its connection to the sport of tennis. The Council of the City of Geneva proclaimed May 2025, National Tennis month. Mr. Varckette announced that there would be a ceremony recognizing Gary Strong at Geneva Community Days on Saturday May 03, 2025. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: Councilman Travis reported that Verdantas has completed the Zoning Update Phase 3 draft and it has been distributed to Planning Commission members. 3 Citizen: Lowell Beaudoin, 160 Raymond Dr. thanked Jeff Griffiths for his participation in the Spelling Bee and what a nice job he did. Jeff Griffiths made a motion to adjourn. James Baehr seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Recorded by: Ella Stanton President of Council Clerk of Council 4