City Council

NEW PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR SESSION IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON NOVEMBER 11, 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. TOM SIMMELINK MR. MICHAEL WALKER EXCUSED ABSENSES: MR. STEVE RIPPETH  MR. SIMMELINK MOTIONED TO ADD RESOLUTION 18-2024 TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA MR. WALKER SECONDED THE MOTION 6 YEAS RESOLUTION 18-2024 HAS BEEN ADDED TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA  MR. WALKER MOTIONED TO APPROVE TONIGHT’S AGENDA MR. PACE SECONDED THE MOTION 6 YEAS TONIGHT’S AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED  MR. PACE MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 28, 2024 MR. LANZER SECONDED THE MOTION 6 YEAS MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 28, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HAVE BEEN APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLERK, JULIE COURTRIGHT 1. To Council and Administration from Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Jaime Bailey, dated October 31, 2024. This is the Month End Report from the Mayor’s Office. 2. To Council and Administration from Income Tax Administrator to the City Carly Loos, dated November 1, 2024. This is the October 2024 Report. 3. To Council and Administration from Danielle DeMattio, Assistant to the Auditor, dated November 1st 2024. This is the Auditor’s Month- End Reports for October 2024. 4. To Council and Administration from Assistant to the Service Director Jonalee Fernatt, dated November 7, 2024. This is an email titled “Conceptual Concession Stands and Restroom Facilities at Southside Park”. This email was replied to by Mrs. Ramos. 5. To Council and Administration from Mayor Day, dated November 8, 2024. This is a forwarded email titled “Call to Action OP&F Employer Contributions”. 6. To President Kemp from Law Director Fete dated November 9, 2024. This is an email titled “Please assign to Mr. Lanzer’s Committee” with Ordinance 31-2024 as the attachment. President Kemp asked Mr. Lanzer to take this Ordinance into his Committee. 1  7. To Council Clerk from Treasurer Gerber, dated November 10, 2024. This is the City of New Philadelphia Investment and Savings Report. I forwarded this report to Councilmembers. 8. To Council and Administration from Mayor Day, dated November 11, 2024. The Mayor’s Report. MAYOR’S REPORT/REQUESTS ….MAYOR JOEL B. DAY Mayor Day had the following report: NPact Is Planning Downtown Events for the Christmas Holiday Season The community organization, New Philadelphia Advancing Our Community Together (NPact) is planning a series of downtown events to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. It’s having a Christmas Window Display Contest beginning on Small Business Saturday, November 30th, through December 15th. It’s reviving the popular Runaway Elves Business Christmas Passports event for downtown businesses. That also begins on Saturday, November 30th and runs through December 29th. NPact is also participating in the annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, November 24th at 5pm and the City’s annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 6th at 6:30 pm. If you’d like more information on these events, contact Jami Bailey, my Executive Assistant at jbailey@newphilaoh.com or by calling 330-364-4491 extension 1242. Construction of the KSU-Tusc Connector Bicycle Trail Is Nearing Completion If all goes well this week, construction should be completed for the two-mile bicycle trail that will connect the Kent State-Tuscarawas campus on East High Avenue to downtown New Philadelphia. I want to thank the residents and motorists affected by the project for their patience. When finished, bicyclists will have safer, designated pathways on both sides of the street to ride to and from the campus area. And the centerline down East High Avenue will actually be in the center of the road. The City had no control over the timing of the construction period. That was all dependent upon the contractor’s schedules. The KSU-Tusc Connector Trail will be the first project to be completed in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Plan, which encourages more outdoor exercise. The next project will be construction of the first leg of the bicycle and walking trail to Roswell, using the old railroad right-of- way the City owns to the village. That first leg will be built next year from Hillandale Road to near the State Route 39/Tabor Ridge Road intersection. The project will be paid for with a Federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program grant. The City’s New Planning and Zoning Code Is Now in Use Joshua Mathias, the City’s Code Administrator, has issued a press release to inform residents and businesses that the City is implementing its new Planning and Zoning Code. His press release states: “The city’s zoning districts have also been updated and restructured. The previous single residential district is now divided into four distinct districts, which allow for greater density in some parts of the city while prohibiting multi-family dwellings in others as well as removing some barriers to housing development. Our business districts’ uses have been reworked to help make it easier to invest in New Philadelphia. Exterior improvements such as architectural features and signage changes within the Central Business District will now require approval from the city’s Design Review Board to help regulate the aesthetics of our downtown area. Additional zoning districts, updated subdivision procedures, limiting where things like short-term rentals and storage units may go, and requiring landscaping standards in certain districts are just a few of the many changes that come with this new Planning & Zoning Code. Both the new code and zoning map can be found on the city’s website at http://www.newphilaoh.com/Public-Hearing--Notices and questions can be answered by emailing jmathias@newphilaoh.com or by calling (330) 364-4491 ext.1276.” Two of the New Physicians at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Are T-County Natives At last Friday’s quarterly Community Relations Committee meeting at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, I was pleased to be introduced to two new primary care providers that have roots in Tuscarawas County. Mason Page, MD was raised in Gnadenhutten and is an Indian Valley High School graduate. Erin (Burrier) Zangare, MD was raised in the Newcomerstown area and graduated from Newcomerstown High School. Union Hospital President Dr. Tom Rodgers told us that the hospital is making a concerted effort to recruit doctors and other medical professionals who have ties to Tuscarawas County. Doctors Page and Zangare both stated that one of their career goals was to return home to practice medicine. City Airport Commission Is Exploring the Idea of Adding a New Hangar at Harry Clever Field 2  When the City’s Airport Commission holds its monthly meeting tomorrow (Tuesday), it will continue its discussion on the possibility of building a new 12-bay hangar at Harry Clever Field. Grant money from the FAA would pay for a portion of the construction. The balance would be paid with a loan from the State Infrastructure Bank. Hangar rent payments would pay off the loan. The method is identical to the one used six years ago to construct the first 12-bay hangar off of Delaware Drive SE. Commission Chairman Don Kennedy says a new hangar is needed because there is a waiting list of aviators who want to house their airplanes at Harry Clever Field. Thank a Veteran Every Day for Protecting our Freedom. God Bless the USA. ## SERVICE DIRECTOR………….. Service Director Ron McAbier: Mr. McAbier had the following report: 1. The KSU Connector Trail: I was told at the end of the day today that the paving will be done tomorrow. 2. Franklin Square Project: Front Street is now open, but on Wednesday we’ll be shutting down the intersection of 4th and East High Ave. for approximately two weeks. 3. Waterline Project: This is replacing the 2 inch with a 6 inch. This starts tomorrow and will be completed by the first week of December. 4. Three new traffic lights have been put in at the high school and twelve more will be installed. Mr. Walker had the following question: Will Fourth get blacktopped because of the temperature? Mr. McAbier: Yes AUDITOR ……………MRS. HEATHER DENHAM……….NO REPORT SAFETY DIRECTOR ………..MR. GREG POPHAM Mr. Popham had the following report: The traffic lights that have been installed around the high school will make a huge difference when it comes to safety. Also, the Police Department received a resignation today effective immediately so we’re down two officers. TREASURER . . . . MR. TOM GERBER………………NO REPORT LAW DIRECTOR……MR. MARVIN FETE 3  Mr. Fete had the following report: 1. One of the things I’m working on is I’m in the process of trying to draft a CRA agreement, which is a tax abatement for new businesses coming in. We’ve previously done it with Menard’s and Townplace Suites. 2. My Chief Prosecutor had to have emergency back surgery. He is recovering and fine, but he’s probably not going to be back until the first of the year. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: PLANNING COMMISSION……………….MAYOR JOEL DAY The Planning Commission will meet here tomorrow at 1:00pm in Council Chambers. Josh Mathias Will be giving an overview of our new Zoning Code. I would encourage all Council Members to come If you can make it. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS…….MR. RON MCABIER The November Board of Zoning Appeals meeting has been cancelled due to no Zoning requests To be heard. . AIRPORT COMMISSION…….MR. DAN LANZER The Airport Commission will be meeting tomorrow at 6:00pm in the Airport Meeting Room. PARK BOARD………………….MR. MITCH PACE The dugouts at the Waterworks start this week and hopefully will be done by the end of the week. The pancake breakfast, Fall Trout Derby and Chicken Barbeque were a great success. The Park Board Meeting is Wednesday at noon at the park pavilion. We’ll be dedicating Rod Miller way to Rod Miller in honor of his years of service. CEMETERY BOARD…………………….MR. MITCH PACE……..NO REPORT 4  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 will be meeting prior to the next scheduled Council Meeting on November 25 at 7:00pm to discuss Proposed Ordinance 31 in regards to sale of City Real Estate. th SAFETY, HEALTH, AND SERVICE COMMITTEE……MR. TOM SIMMELINK Mr. Simmelink had the following report: The Committee had a meeting tonight at 7:00 and approved adding Proposed Resolution 18-2024 to tonight’s Agenda. 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 6:45pm in Council Chambers to discuss Ordinance 30-2024 regarding pay increases for designated non-bargaining employees. We decided to table that until I can meet with the Auditor to discuss the budget before we can proceed with any pay increases at this time. We also discussed breaking out four salary adjustments that would be coming out of the Enterprise Fund and not the General Fund. We adjourned at 7:00pm. PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE……………MR. MITCH PACE The Salary Committee will be meeting this Thursday at 8:00pm in Council Chambers. 5 SPECIAL AND CONTACT COMMITTEE……MR. MIKE WALKER………..NO REPORT VISITOR’S COMMENTS_....................NONE Council Comments ……………NONE READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCES: 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. 2nd Reading RESOLUTIONS: 18-2024 A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO TO APPROVE AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR HIRING NON-CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS AND PAYING FOR THEIR TRAINING AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE MORE OFFICERS TO WANT TO JOIN THE NEW PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT 1st Reading MR. PACE MOTIONED FOR SUSPENSION OF RULES ON RESOLUTION 18-2024 MR. WALKER SECONDED THE MOTION 6 YEAS RULES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED ON RESOLUTION 18-2024 MR. PACE MOTIONED FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 18-2024 MR. WALKER SECONDED THE MOTION 6  6 YEAS RESOLUTION 18-2024 HAS BEEN APPROVED UNFINISHED OR OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: NONE With no other business to discuss Mr. Lanzer motioned to adjourn at 7:55 PM. CLERK OF COUNCIL______________________________________________________ Julie Courtright APPROVED ______________________ PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL __________________________________________________ Don Kemp 7