City Council

NEW PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR SESSION IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MAY 13, 2024 WITH PRESIDENT DON KEMP PRESIDING. COUNCILMAN RIPPETH OFFERED A PRAYER, AND ALL IN ATTENDANCE RECITED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE MR. KRIS KREINBIHL MR. DAN LANZER MRS. CHERYL RAMOS MR. STEVE RIPPETH EXCUSED ABSENSES: MR. MITCH PACE MR. TOM SIMMELINK MR. MICHAEL WALKER  MR. RIPPETH MOTIONED TO ADD RESOLUTION 7-2024 TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA FOR 1st Reading MR. LANZER SECONDED THE MOTION 4 YEAS RESOLUTION 7-2024 HAS BEEN ADDED TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA  MRS. KREINBIHL MOTIONED TO APPROVE TONIGHT’S AGENDA MR. RIPPETH SECONDED THE MOTION 4 YEAS TONIGHT’S AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED  MR. LANZER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL ON APRIL 22, 2024 MRS. RAMOS SECONDED THE MOTION 4 YEAS MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 22, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING HAVE BEEN APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLERK, JULIE COURTRIGHT 1. To Council Clerk from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control dated April 23, 2024. Responses to be postmarked no later than May 24, 2024. This is a Liquor License Request from Rosenthal Investments LLC dba The Venue. I forwarded this to President Kemp. 2. To Council Clerk from Treasurer Gerber, dated April 30, 2024. This is the Investment and Savings Report for April 2024. 3. To Council and Administration from Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Jami Bailey, dated April 30, 2024. This is the Mayor’s Report. 4. To Council and Administration from Income Tax Administrator for the City Carly Loos, dated May 1, 2024. This is the Month-end Report for April of 2024. 5. To Council President Kemp from Auditor Gundy, dated May 1, 2024. This is an email titled “Legislation”. Mrs. Gundy requested that the legislation to transfer cash from two funds into the General Fund be assigned to Committee. President Kemp asked Mr. Rippeth to take this matter into his Committee. 6. To Council and Administration from Heather Denham with the Auditor’s Office, dated May 2, 2024. This is the April Month-end Report. 7. To Council and Administration from Mayor Day, dated May 4, 2024. This is an invitation to Governor DeWine’s Press Conference on Monday in Marietta. 8. To Council and Administration from Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Jami Bailey, dated May 6, 2024. This is an email titled “Governor DeWine Announces $152 Million in Appalachian Waterfront Development. 1  9. To Council and Administration from Auditor Gundy, dated May 8, 2024. This is an email titled Tax Exempt Status regarding the Tuscora Park Foundation. 10. To Councilman Simmelink from President Kemp, dated May 10, 2024. President Kemp asked Mr. Simmelink to take Ordinance 18-2024 regarding pedestrian safety in the downtown area into his Committee. 11. To Council and Administration from Mayor Day, dated May 10, 2024. This is an email titled “Homework, first draft of the new zoning code”. 12. To Council Clerk from Jen Boger with the Ohio Ethics Commission, dated May 10, 2024. This is a reminder that Financial Disclosure Statements are due May 15, 2024. I forwarded this email to all of Council and Administration. 13. To Council and Administration dated May 13, 2024. The Mayor’s Report. MAYOR’S REPORT/REQUESTS ….MAYOR JOEL B. DAY Mayor Day had the following report: The Intent of the ACGP Was to Fund “Transformational” Projects The $2.9 million grant the City received last week to fund the redesign of three downtown quadrants was in keeping with the intent of the Appalachian Community Grant Program to fund “transformational” projects. Our project will transform the center of our town, making it more walkable and as written in our funding application: “This project will make downtown New Philadelphia into a high-quality place by converting its central square into an interconnected four-quadrant plaza that buzzes with activity – entertainment, outdoor dining and recreation, retail, and community events”. It’s my hope that the project also spurs more investment in the downtown buildings and properties. I thank Service Director McAbier and Meredith Reed and her team at Designing Local of Columbus (https://www.designinglocal.com/) for developing the quadrant’s redesign, Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization for including our project in its ACGP application, Lydia Mihalik the Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Governor Mike DeWine and his Office of Appalachia for selecting the project for funding. I am disappointed that completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail to New Philadelphia didn’t make the funding cut. But there are other State and Federal grant programs that can be utilized to obtain funding for that project. Art on the Alley Is This Sunday Downtown New Philadelphia will be buzzing this Sunday, May 19th with the return of “Art on the Alley”, which has evolved into one of the biggest arts-centered events in Eastern Ohio. The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership organizes and stages the event. TAP Executive Director Wilma Mullet has told me that all vendor spots have sold out and there will be three stages of live entertainment, and of course, food trucks and other food vendors. The hours for Art on the Alley are from 11am to 4pm. Parking will be available in the County lots on 1st Drive NE and 2nd Street NE and in the City/County lots at 1st Drive and Front Avenue SE. Don’t forget to include a walk down Artagain Alley while you’re enjoying the festivities. The First Draft of the City’s New Zoning Code Has Arrived At tomorrow’s (Tuesday) City Planning Commission meeting, Wendy Moeller of Compass Point Planning plans to review each chapter of her first draft of the City’s new zoning code. Included in her presentation will be a first look at the new zoning map created by her study. Once City officials have had a chance to read the first draft and recommend revisions, the new zoning code will be presented to the public for comment. The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market Would Like a Year-Round Home The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market is looking for a location to build a year-round home. At a meeting last week at the KSU-Tusc Performing Arts Center, Mark McKenzie of the Market’s leadership team said the Farmer’s Market has outgrown its location at the County Fairgrounds in Dover, and the popularity of the market has shown that a year-round facility is necessary. 2 A year-round facility would require five acres for food and crafts vendors, a food preparation and test kitchen, parking, and space for outdoor horticulture (see the attached architect’s rendering of a possible design for a year- round market). I suggested that, if interested, the TVFM board contact the County’s Economic Development and Finance Alliance (port authority) to ask if it would be willing to donate five acres of the Howden Buffalo property it owns on South Broadway. During his presentation, McKenzie also stated that the TVFM needs volunteers, financial sponsorships and donations. To learn more, visit its website at www.tvffm.org. The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 3pm – 7pm June through October at the Fairgrounds. Thanks to the NPAct Committee for the Downtown Flowers Just in time for Mother’s Day, this past weekend volunteers from the New Philadelphia Advancing our Community Together (NPAct) organization filled the planters on the downtown quadrants with flowers. The flowers were purchased from the Service Director’s downtown maintenance fund. I thank NPAct for taking on this project and look for the group to become more active in downtown revitalization efforts. This Wednesday is Peace Officers Memorial Day. Remember those men and women in blue who gave their lives in service to their communities. And keep New Philadelphia’s police officers in your prayers. And remember they are willing to put their lives on the line for our protection. Mr. Kreinbihl asked the following question: How far out will the downtown project happen? Mayor Day said the funds will come as soon as the project starts. Service Director McAbier said the goal is to start by the Spring of 2025 and be done by the Fall of 2025. Mrs. Ramos had the following question: The information that you sent us, it said the project outline has bids out this Summer, June and July, and start construction Winter of 2025. Mayor Day stated that they need people under contract by the end of the September date. SERVICE DIRECTOR………….. Service Director Ron McAbier: Mr. McAbier had the following report: 3  The boat ramps were installed the first of the month so the Waterworks one is in. The CDBG Project was on 11th and College, they’re going to start tomorrow demoing the curb strips and the sidewalks. That project will be about five weeks. Also, the mobile traffic signal was in use about three weeks ago when we had a water leak on Tuscarawas Avenue. We opened bids for the grease and grit removal building at the Wastewater Plant. Unfortunately there was one bid at $150,000 over the Engineer’s estimate. AUDITOR ……………MS. BETH GUNDY Mrs. Gundy had the following comment: I just wanted everybody to know that this is my last meeting. The last week of May is pretty much a vacation week for me. I want to tell everyone that I have appreciated working with each and everyone of you and I wish everyone the best. SAFETY DIRECTOR ………..MR. GREG POPHAM……..NO REPORT - TREASURER . . . . MR. TOM GERBER……………….NO REPORT LAW DIRECTOR……MR. MARVIN FETE…………..NO REPORT BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: PLANNING COMMISSION……………….MAYOR JOEL DAY The Planning Commission will be meeting in Council Chambers tomorrow at 1:00. We’ll get the first Look at the first draft of the new Zoning Code. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS…….MR. RON MCABIER The Board of Zoning Appeals will be meeting tomorrow night in Council Chambers at 5:00 PM with one variance request to be heard. AIRPORT COMMISSION…….MR. DAN LANZER The Airport Commission will be meeting tomorrow evening at 6:00 PM at the Harry Clever Field Meeting Room. PARK BOARD………………….MR. MITCH PACE………….EXCUSED ABSENSE 4  CEMETERY BOARD…………………….MR. MITCH PACE………..EXCUSED ABSENSE HEALTH BOARD ………………….…. MR. TOM SIMMELINK………..EXCUSED ABSENSE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE COMMITTEE ………………MR. STEVE RIPPETH Mr. Rippeth had the following report: The Finance Committee met tonight in Council Chambers at 7:15. We discussed Resolution 7-2024 to move some funds and memorialize that movement. That has been placed on the Agenda for tonight. We also had before us a request on a Liquor License Renewal. We decided to pass that forward without asking for a hearing. We adjourned at 7:21. ROLL CALL VOTE ON LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST 4 YEAS THE LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST FOR THE VENUE HAS BEEN APPROVED PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE…MR. DAN LANZER…NO REPORT SAFETY, HEALTH, AND SERVICE COMMITTEE……MR. TOM SIMMELINK….EXCUSED ABSENSE ZONING AND ANNEXATION COMMITTEE……MRS. CHERYL RAMOS………NO REPORT SALARY COMMITTEE………..NO REPORT………MR. KRIS KREINBIHL….NO REPORT PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE……………MR. MITCH PACE………EXCUSED ABSENSE 5 SPECIAL AND CONTACT COMMITTEE……MR. MIKE WALKER……EXCUSED ABSENSE VISITOR’S COMMENTS__ Connie Limbacher of 314 Providence Ave. SE New Phila had the following comment: I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and a 1977 graduate of New Phila. On my professional side I’m an Ohio Prevention Certified Specialist and the secretary of Empower Tusc since its formation. I’ve also been with the State Prevention Action Alliance. I average 600 plus volunteer hours a year. I am coming to you tonight in regards to DORA. We know that alcohol is the number one substance that is abused, and we have all strived to make it less accessible for the youth. I’m coming as myself, a citizen, but also as a professional. We’ve been striving to make alcohol less accessible, but now I feel like we’re backsliding a little bit by opening it up to the DORA program. When teens drink alcohol it effects their brains. The brain is not developed until mid to late 20s. The younger you are, the sooner you start doing alcohol and drugs you’ll get used to it. I care about the kids in the community. We need more awareness and education. I’d like to feel safe when I’m out in the community, and that’s not having alcohol and drugs around me. COUNCIL COMMENTS NONE READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCES: 17-2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA NOT REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 721.15- DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY UNNEEDED, OBSOLETE OR UNFIT FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES. 2nd Reading RESOLUTIONS: 7-2024 A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE AUDITOR OF THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA TO TRANSFER UP TO $2,299.53 FROM THE SAFER GRANT 2019 FUND #223 TO THE GENERAL FUND #101, AND UP TO $8,850.20 FROM THE TV CABLE FRANCHISE FEES FUND #260 TO THE GENERAL FUND #101 AS PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED. 1st Reading 6 UNFINISHED OR OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Fete had the following comment: I want to invite everybody to come to West Elementary School on Friday, May 17th. The Fourth Graders are putting on a live wax museum. It’s really neat. They have to present somebody famous from Ohio. Ryder Fete selected John Glenn, which everyone knows learned to fly at Harry Clever Field. It starts at 9:30am. President Kemp confirmed that the next Council Meeting is on Thursday, May 30 at 7:30pm. With no other business to discuss Mr. Lanzer motioned to adjourn at 8:06 PM. CLERK OF COUNCIL______________________________________________________ Julie Courtright APPROVED ______________________ PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL __________________________________________________ Don Kemp 7