City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting June 9, 2025 6:08 p.m. President John Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:08 p.m. Roll Call: John Barbo, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, William Baker, James Baehr, John Travis, Dana Schenk Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Raymond Baker, Faith Freedom Fellowship. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025, regular council meeting, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Schenk, Travis), 1 abstention (Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentations – Zoning Department, Noell Sivertsen Presenting. The Rite Aid Property is in the process of being sold. The new owners have agreed to mow the grass and have hired a local contractor. The Zoning Department has begun issuing notices for high grass. The Zoning Department handles property maintenance violations, rental inspections, vacant property fee collections, issues permits for fences, decks, pools, works with the Fire and Building Departments in issuing occupancy permits and attends the CIC and GBA Economic Development Committee meetings. The Zoning Code Rewrite is close to completion. Ms. Sivertsen anticipates the re-write will go to council for review in August. All seats on the Planning Commission are filled. In 2024 the Commission heard 14 cases, in 2025 there has been 10 cases heard thus far. The ARC Board heard 27 cases in 2024, there have been 12 cases heard in 2025. Nineteen properties have applied for the Appalachian Community Grant, it is anticipated that all of those projects will come before the ARC Board. LDA oversees the projects, LDA has met with the property owners and is currently developing the scope of the work. Ms. Sivertsen stated that groundcover and/or wild flowers are acceptable, it cannot hinder the site of drivers. Wild flowers must be actual flowers, it must be intentional. This is allowable without a change in the Ordinance. Citizens Lowell Beaudoin 160 Raymond Drive, Geneva, Ohio Janice Cook 129 Raymond Drive, Geneva, Ohio Mr. Beaudoin thanked Mr. Varckette and the Street Department for installing the requested signage. The problem of people unknowing coming down the street and having to turn around, although not gone, has been greatly decreased. 1 City Manager Report: West Main Street The West Main Project is 14 months into a 18-month project. On the agenda is a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to submit and ODOT Small Cities Grant Application for the Phase 2 of the West Main Street project. Phase 2 has secured a loan placeholder on the WPCLF Program at 1% interest. The city has submitted a Congressional Appropriation Request for this project. There is no grant funding committed to Phase 2, estimated at $3.7 million. OWDA Loan Application for Sewer Jet/Vac On the agenda is a Resolution Authorizing the submittal of an OWDA loan application in the amount of $588,207.21 to secure financing to purchase the Sewer Jet/Vac. The terms of the OWDA loan are the most favorable. Refinancing of Bond Anticipation Note (BAN), Maturity 7/1, Fire Truck On the agenda is an Ordinance for the issuance and sale of Bonds in the maximum principal amount of $675,000 to pay for the remaining amount on the Rosenbaurer Fire Truck originally financed in 2020. Through the Ordinance, council will retain the legal services of Squire, Patton, Boggs, bond counsel. The city determined the opportunity through Squire, Patton, Boggs and Huntington NB to be the most favorable and least expensive. Northwest Ambulance District (NAD) Dispatching Agreement The city is seeking authorization to enter into a renewal agreement with NAD for dispatching services for a period of 5- years. The contract will increase $1,000 each year. The 2025 annual service agreement will be $32,000. NAD has already approved the agreement. CDBG PY 2025 Allocation Program Funding The city submitted an application requesting $158,000 for the city’s Depot Street Flood and Drainage Improvement Project. The total project cost is estimated at $228,800. The application is being recommended for approval in the amount of $153,000. The city’s updated local share is $75,000. This project ties in with Phase 2 of the Appalachian Community Grant. Appalachian Community Grant Program Streetscape Phase 2 Project Update Surveying is complete, final design and cost adjustments are nearing completion. The city anticipates putting Phase 1 of the Streetscape portion of the project out to bid in mid-summer. The Downtown Storefront portion of the program is moving forward. OPWC FY 2027 (Round 40) Pre-App. Submitted The city submitted the Round 40 State Route 84 Waterline Replacement project pre-application. This project is a continuation of the Round 35 waterline replacement completed in 2022. The project is estimated at $508,000. A WSRLA nomination for a low interest loan was also submitted on this project. OPWC FY 2026 (Round 39) Project The Lawn Street Waterline Replacement Project is anticipated to be bid out in July with an award in August. The total estimated project cost is $699,800. The local revenue contribution is $350,000. ODNR 2024 IRA Urban Forestry Grant Extension The extension for the Urban Forestry Grant has been granted to June 30, 2026. 2 Geneva Stormwater Plan Problem Identification Report The city received the Stormwater Master Plan Problem Identification Report. The city will be going over the details of the report with the engineer. A lot of ground work has been done evaluating the city’s system. The acquisition of the Sewer Jet Vac will become a part of the regular maintenance for the stormwater system. Councilman Griffiths noted that Susan Westlake of Ashtabula County Soil and Water was completing a watershed plan that the city may be able to use for stormwater funding. Housing Technical Assistance Program (HTAP) Grant Update: The Ohio Department of Development notified the city that Geneva has been selected to receive grants funds in the amount of $66,000 to update the City’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The city’s local share is $8,000. The total project is estimated at $74,000. On the agenda, is a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into the grant agreement. Community Housing Impact & Preservation Program (CHIP) Agreement with Ashtabula County On the agenda is a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a partnership agreement with Ashtabula County on the CHIP Program. This is a relationship the city has had for some time. Geneva City Parks Improvement Plan Update The city received the first daft of the plan last week. Behnke Landscape is seeking input on the rough draft of the conceptual design. There are two workshops included in the agreement. The total cost of the plan is $33,000. Ongoing Union Negotiations Update The city is close to wrapping up negotiations with Local 860. Discussions with OPBA are going well. County Commissioners Public Hearing on County Court Consolidation A public hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss consolidation of the county courts. The week following the hearing the Commissioners will make their decisions. The city has expressed that Western County Court should remain in Geneva. The Western County Court lease is through September 2026. The city receives $90,000 a year. There are no other tenants. Mr. Pasqualone noted the proposal is for the Law Library to move into another building, the Probate Court will move into the Law Library and Western County Court will move into the Probate Court space. The Bar Association is against the move. Country Neighbor Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Annual summer food program began today at Little People’s Park. Seventy-five (75) lunches were served. The program will run through August 4th. Recreation This Saturday the Community Garage sale will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Twenty individuals have paid to participate. Applications are still being accepted. Community days is rescheduled to Saturday, June 28th from noon to 2:00 p.m. 3 Items for Consideration of Council Ordinance No. 3384. An Ordinance Providing for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in the Maximum Principal Amount of $675,000 to Pay Costs of a New Fire Truck, together with the Necessary Equipment and Appurtenances thereto, and declaring an emergency. The original cost of the 2018 Rosenbauer Demo model Fire Truck was $850,000. The goal was a fifteen-year loan. The best option was a low interest rate loan for five years with a balloon payment of $675,000 to be refinanced at hopefully a lower interest rate. The previous fire truck was a 1982 vehicle. Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths, seconded by Dana Schenk that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3384 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 Ordinance No. 3384 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Ordinance No. 3384 duly passed Ordinance No. 3385. An Ordinance to Amend the 2025 Budget Through Appropriations and/or Fund Transfers, attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” and declaring an emergency. Jeffrey Griffiths made a motion to table Ordinance No. 3385. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk, motion duly passed. Resolution No. 3629. A Resolution Authorizing the City of Geneva to File an Application for Phase II of the West Main Street Roadway Reconstruction Project to the State of Ohio, to Participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Local Planning, Small Cities Program, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, seconded by William Baker that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3629 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution No. 3629 as an emergency measure, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3629 duly passed Resolution No. 3630. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Partnership Agreement with Ashtabula County for the PY 2025 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) grant with the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, 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. 3630 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution No. 3630 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3630 duly passed Resolution No. 3631. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for, Accept, and Enter into a Cooperative Agreement for the Purchase of a 2025 Super Products Camel 1200EJ Sewer Jet/Vac Truck between the City of Geneva and the Ohio Water Development Authority, 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. 3631 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. 3631 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, 4 Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3631 duly passed Resolution No. 3632. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Northwest Ambulance District to Provide for Mutual Assistance for Dispatching Services, and declaring an emergency. Motion by John Travis, 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. 3632 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. 3632 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, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3632 duly passed Resolution No. 3633. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Ohio Department of Development for the Housing Technical Assistance Grant, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, 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. 3633 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Resolution No. 3633 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3633 duly passed Resolution No. 3634. A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Verdantas for Services to Complete a Comprehensive Plan Update, and declaring an emergency. Planning Commission was heavily involved in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan and will be heavily involved in this plan as well. The timeline for this process is 11 months. Motion by James Baehr, 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. 3634 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. 3634 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, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3634 duly passed Unfinished Business: Council President Barbo stated that he has had a lot of good positive feedback on the DORA. New Business: Dr. Paul Lombardo, Geneva School District’s new Superintendent will be at the July Council Meeting. Discussion regarding the Property Tax Relief Now Act, House Bill 335, would abolish inside millage. The bill is currently in committee. Ashtabula and Conneaut are 100% against. If this were to pass, the City of Geneva would lose a little under $500,000 for the General Fund. This would have a significant negative impact on the city and on the schools, who would also be affected. The city has a small staff and a tight budget. Passage would make it difficult for the city to provide services. A Special Council Meeting will be scheduled for June 23, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. to consider a Resolution in Opposition to House Bill 335. 5 Ms. Welch stated that the Auditor will attend a council work session to talk about the different levies the city has and different mechanisms available, basically a 101 assessments and levies. Payment of Bills: The $1,900 is related to re-evaluation of the value of the fire truck by the insurance company. Committee Reports: Councilman Griffiths reported that the native plant sale will be held on June 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion. The Arborist will be at Community Days on the 28th from noon to 2:00 p.m. Mr. Varckette stated that NOPEC is partnering with SolSmart to help Ohio Municipalities establish smart solar zoning and permitting at the local level. Communities can join for free. By joining communities can receive a zoning regulation review to assist in removing barriers to solar energy. Citizen – None. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 6