City Council

NEW PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR SESSION IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON OCTOBER 28, 2024 WITH PRESIDENT DON KEMP PRESIDING. COUNCILMAN WALKER OFFERED A PRAYER, AND ALL IN ATTENDANCE RECITED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE MR. KRIS KREINBIHL MR. DAN LANZER MR. MITCH PACE MRS. CHERYL RAMOS MR. STEVE RIPPETH MR. TOM SIMMELINK MR. MICHAEL WALKER EXCUSED ABSENSES: NONE  MR. LANZER MOTIONED TO ADD RESOLUTION 9-2024 TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA MR. RIPPETH SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS RESOLUTION 9-2024 HAS BEEN ADDED TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA  MR. WALKER MOTIONED TO APPROVE TONIGHT’S AGENDA MR. SIMMELINK SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS TONIGHT’S AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED  MR. SIMMELINK MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 14, 2024 MR. KREINBIHL SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 14, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HAVE BEEN APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLERK, JULIE COURTRIGHT 1. To Council Clerk from Sally Thompson with the Ohio Department of Commerce, dated October 21, 2024. This is a response to an email sent by Law Director Fete titled “Notice of Intent to Withdraw Objection” for Permit 7740776-0010 Class C-1. Ms. Thompson wrote the following: “The Commission is in receipt of the attached, but The Commission requires that the request be signed/ submitted by the Clerk of Council. If the Clerk of New Philadelphia City Council could please respond to the email and confirm that Council would like to withdraw the prior objection and no longer requests a hearing on the matter. Then the Commission can properly process the withdraw and remove it from the docket. I responded with an email confirming that Council would like to withdraw the objection and no longer requests a hearing on this matter. 2. To President Kemp from Law Director Fete, dated October 25, 2024. This is an email titled “Please assign to Mr. Simmelink’s Committee” with Resolution 18-2024 as an attachment. President Kemp asked Mr. Simmelink to take this issue into his Committee. 3. To Council and Administration from Mayor Day dated October 28, 2024. This is the Mayor’s Report. 1  . MAYOR’S REPORT/REQUESTS ….MAYOR JOEL B. DAY Mayor Day had the following report: Discussion Topics at the Annual OML Conference: The erosion of municipalities’ home rule by the Ohio Legislature and Ohio’s housing crisis were two issues discussed at the Ohio Municipal League’s annual conference I attended last week in Columbus. In the session on “The State of Ohio’s Home Rule Authority”, the presenters warned that State lawmakers could continue to chip away at a municipal self-government, or home rule, by making changes to the Ohio Revised Code that preempt the local authority given to cities and villages by the Ohio Constitution. To make matters worse, they said, courts in Ohio do not understand home rule. In the session titled “Ohio’s Housing Crisis: A Home Is Where a Job Goes at Night”, presenter Jon Melchi of the Building Industry of Central Ohio gave some alarming statistics that showed, for instance, that only 50% of Ohioans can now afford to buy a house. And nearly 50% of Ohio’s housing stock is more than 50 years old. He compared Ohio to Indiana in terms of housing affordability and development, showing that Indiana has the edge with a lower average property tax, fewer zoning restrictions and easier annexation processes. I was encouraged to hear that among his recommendations for improvement were zoning code revisions, which City Council can adopt tonight. Contract Negotiations Are Underway with the City’s Bargaining Units: Work is underway with the City’s four bargaining units to negotiate new labor contracts. Initial bargaining sessions have already been held with the fire and police unions. Opening sessions with the AFSCME service and clerical units are scheduled in November. The current three-year contracts with the bargaining units expire on December 31st. Tuscora Park Will Be the Place to Be on Saturday Circle Saturday, November 2nd on your calendar for breakfast and lunch and for one last opportunity for kids to catch a few trout and tilapia. Three community events are scheduled for this Saturday at Tuscora Park. From 7am to 10am, the New Philadelphia Kiwanis Club will have its annual pancake breakfast. The first Fall Trout Derby for kids will be held from 9am until 1pm. And the Tuscora Park Foundation will have its annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser from 11am to 1pm on Al Maloney Drive. Tickets for the Chicken BBQ are still available from any Foundation board member, at the Mayor’s office window, and at the McInturf Realty office on Tuscarawas Avenue NW. Congratulations to Coach Johnson and the Quakers for Beating Dover: Bragging rights have returned to New Philadelphia for another year thanks to Coach Mike Johnson and his Quakers defeating Dover 42-24 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium last Friday night. The win qualified the Quakers for the post-season playoffs. This Friday night, they’ll make the three-hour trip to Alumni Stadium in Jackson, Ohio to take on the Ironmen from Jackson High School in the first round of the Division Three – Region 11 playoff. Information on the NP Schools’ Issue 8 Bond Issue I have invited members of the New Philadelphia Schools Issue 8 Committee to tonight’s Council meeting to share information about the bond issue, which voters will decide on Election Day November 5th. In my mind, there is no question that New Philadelphia’s academic facilities are aging and outdated, particularly the elementary schools. If improvements aren’t made, New Philadelphia’s ability to remain competitive with other communities in Tuscarawas County will diminish. Families could look elsewhere for their children’s primary education. Quality school facilities keep families in and attract new families to a community. Just ask any realtor you know. My administration has been working hard to make improvements that will maintain our quality of life, create a pro-business environment and position the City for future growth. To me, it’s imperative that improvements to our schools be included in that effort. And going forward, the City and New Philadelphia Schools will work together to make that happen. I would like to give the remainder of my time to representatives of the Issue 8 committee to make their presentation to City Council. 2 SERVICE DIRECTOR………….. Service Director Ron McAbier: Mr. McAbier had the following report: 1. The KSU Connector Trail: They’re going to start paving starting tomorrow on Shelmar Drive and going toward the University. It will take approximately 10 days to pave, weather permitting. Once that’s done they’ll move from Beaver to Shelmar Drive. 2. On Franklin Square we’re ready to start paving Bank Lane, 4th Drive and Front Street. They look to pave that next week. Mr. Walker asked where they would shut West High down. Mr. McAbier said they would start on Bluebell and bring it around Front. Mrs. Ramos asked what the alternative route was. Mr. McAbier said Rt. 416 is the alternative route. Mayor Day stated that you can also use 250. 3. The Boat Docks: Those were removed last week for the winter season. 4. Leaf Pick-up: There’s a schedule for pick-up on our website. 5. The Welcome to Our City Sign: George Lawrence is retiring from taking care of the sign. We replaced over 20 LED bulbs in the sign last week. It’s fully lit except the two that need replaced. Mr. Pace asked about the crosswalk beacons at Broadway and Tuscora and Tuscora and 2nd. Mr. McAbier said they’ll take care of it next year. AUDITOR ……………MRS. HEATHER DENHAM……….NO REPORT SAFETY DIRECTOR ………..MR. GREG POPHAM……………….NO REPORT Mr. Popham noted that the new lighted sign on the Police Department building has been installed and is working. Mr. Pace said that he noticed a lot of officers out during trick-or-treat night handing out candy. TREASURER . . . . MR. TOM GERBER Mr. Gerber had the following report: I received notification in reference to our CD. The CD is maturing November 4th. There’s approximately $685,941.94 deposited. I discussed it briefly with the Mayor and the Auditor. We’re not going to renew the CD move it into the General Account. Mrs. Ramos had the following question: Why are we placing that into the General Account. Treasurer Gerber replied: It can be used better in the General Account. Mr. Kreinbihl asked what the money could be used for in the General Account. 3  Auditor Denham replied that the money is being placed in the General Account until the budget is completed. At that time they can lock it into another CD. Mrs. Denham noted that some of the departments are going over budget. LAW DIRECTOR……MR. MARVIN FETE Mr. Fete had the following report: 1. We had an accident not too long ago at the corner of Ray and 4th Street at a school crossing. Two students were injured. Some residents have asked me if we should increase the penalties for accidents in school crossings. I will leave that up to Council. I spoke to the Chief and she analyzed the video feed and said it was unlikely the driver even saw the kids. One of the things she suggested is a left turn signal at that crossing. There are grants for that sort of thing. 2. Across the country there’s been a hard time hiring new police officers and the City of New Philadelphia is no different in that regard. What we have looked into in the past is lateral hires, because of the civil service laws we can’t do that. The idea that the Chief came up with is that we would hire non-certified officers. They would sign a contract and agree to be employed for one year and we would pay for their training. If they drop out or they don’t take up employment here, they would have to pay the money back. There may be some grant money available. I had to look at if this effects our union contract. It does not, because non-certified officers aren’t part of the union. Mr. Kreihnbihl stated that $6500 is a big investment to only be guaranteed one year. Mr. Pace asked what kind of duties a non-certified officer would do. Mr. Fete mentioned dispatch, and Mr. Popham stated that there are a number of duties on non-certified officer can do on the job. Mrs. Ramos asked Mr. Fete to clarify what he means by “non-certified”. Mr. Fete said they have to pass OPOTA and become certified police officers in the State of Ohio. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: PLANNING COMMISSION……………….MAYOR JOEL DAY The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet the second Tuesday of November at 1:00pm in Council Chambers. If Council passes the new zoning code tonight I would imagine that will be our topic of Discussion. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS…….MR. RON MCABIER The Board of Zoning Appeals will be meeting here in Council Chambers on November 12, 2024 at 5:00pm. . AIRPORT COMMISSION…….MR. DAN LANZER………….NO REPORT PARK BOARD………………….MR. MITCH PACE 4  Saturday will be a busy day at Tuscora Park. The Dover-Phila Kiwanis Club is going to have Their pancake breakfast from 8:00 to 11:00. We’re also going to have the 1st ever Fall Trout Derby, And the Tuscora Park Foundation will have their Chicken Barbeque from 11am to 1pm to benefit the Ongoing inclusive playground project. CEMETERY BOARD…………………….MR. MITCH PACE………..NO REPORT HEALTH BOARD ………………….…. MR. TOM SIMMELINK The next meeting is November 13, 2024 at Noon in this room. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE COMMITTEE ………………MR. STEVE RIPPETH……………..NO REPORT PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE…MR. DAN LANZER Mr. Lanzer had the following report: The Committee met this evening at 7:00 to discuss Resolution 9-2024 in regards to the Airport Lease. We voted unanimously to add Resolution 9-2024 to tonight’s Agenda and pass it on 1st Reading. SAFETY, HEALTH, AND SERVICE COMMITTEE……MR. TOM SIMMELINK Mr. Simmelink had the following report: 5  Mr. Fete has introduced that he will have legislation as a solution to find more people to work in the police department. We will hold a Committee meeting next Council meeting. ZONING AND ANNEXATION COMMITTEE……MRS. CHERYL RAMOS……..NO REPORT SALARY COMMITTEE………..………MR. KRIS KREINBIHL Mr. Kreinbihl had the following report: The Salary Committee met tonight at 6:30pm in Council Chambers to discuss non- bargaining employee wages. We went over several topics including salary adjustments. We discussed raises for elected officials and raises for employees not on the list. I will be getting with the Law Director to draw up legislation for the next Council Meeting. PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE……………MR. MITCH PACE…….NO REPORT SPECIAL AND CONTACT COMMITTEE……MR. MIKE WALKER………..NO REPORT VISITOR’S COMMENTS_....................NONE Council Comments Mr. Pace had the following comment: The Dover-Phila game was a great game, the park looked great, and a shout- out to C.J. Carlisle. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCES: 22-2024 AN ORDINANCE BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO TO ADOPT A NEW ZONING CODE FOR THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO, WHICH IS INDICATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS IF FULLY REWRITTEN, AND CAN BE VIEWED IN TOTALITY ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE. 3rd Reading 6  MRS. RAMOS MOTIONED FOR APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 22-2024 MR. RIPPETH SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS ORDINANCE 22-2024 HAS BEEN APPROVED 26-2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, NOT REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, PURSUANT TO THE OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 721.15 DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY UNNEEDED, OBSOLETE OR UNFIT FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES. 1st Reading RESOLUTIONS: 9-2024 A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A LEASE ADDENDUM AGREEMENT WITH HOOTIE BEAR LTD TO INCREASE RENT AT THE AIRPORT RESTAURANT. 1st Reading MR. LANZER MOTIONED FOR SUSPENSION OF RULES ON RESOLUTION 9-2024 MR. PACE SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS RULES ARE SUSPENDED ON RESOLUTION 9-2024 MR. LANZER MOTIONED FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 9-2024 MR. PACE SECONDED THE MOTION 7 YEAS RESOLUTION 9-2024 HAS BEEN APPROVED UNFINISHED OR OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: NONE 7  With no other business to discuss Mr. Lanzer motioned to adjourn at 8:49 PM. CLERK OF COUNCIL______________________________________________________ Julie Courtright APPROVED ______________________ PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL __________________________________________________ Don Kemp 8