City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 – 7:30 P.M. MAYOR MATTHEW E. BRETT PRESIDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Carroll, Dishong, Koons, Kostura, and Porter. MEMBERS ABSENT: Binder. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Fiscal Officer Romanowski, Fiscal Auditor Lechman, Solicitor Ondrey VISITORS: Barbara Stiebeling, East Bel Meadow Lane; Faith Pescatore, Novelty; Patty Mills, Manor Brook Drive; Gary Dole, Maple Hill Drive; Russ Zajaczkowski, Maple Springs Drive; Gary & Mary Rivin, Countryside Drive; Joe Constant, Aurora; Daniel Beavers; Anne Kilroy; Linda Alexander, Montville; Bob & Virginia Horvath; Lakeview Drive; Frank & Ann Jacobson, 1513 Bell Road; Mary Beth Wolfe, Daisy Lane; Mary Kay O’Toole, Foxhall Drive; Katherine Malmquest, Louise Drive; Mayor Brett called the Regular Council meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Fiscal Officer Romanowski read the roll. Koons moved to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2015 Council meeting, seconded by Dishong. Roll call – ayes, Carroll, Dishong, Koons, Porter. Kostura abstained. Motion carried. VISITORS: Kathryn Malmquest doesn’t think the park should be used to hold another circus. She was unhappy with the damage to the grass and that it took a month to be replanted. She hikes through the park and said the divots were never fixed. She also stated the park was mowed early for the circus, which isn’t good for the nesting birds. She feels that the Jaycees should use Gurney School since it has a mowed lawn and parking area. Virginia Horvath is concerned about the circus being held in South Russell Village due to the care of the animals and their small living areas. Frank Jacobson said he wasn’t aware that the circus would be held in South Russell and was concerned about the mowing that took place early. He also feels the circus animals aren’t cared for properly. Ann Jacobson is concerned about the exploitation of the animals. She said you can’t have exotic animals in captivity without causing suffering, isolation, fear and disease to the animal and they have a right to freedom. She feels allowing a circus at the park sends the wrong message about what the village supports. Page 1 of 5 Gary Rivin also feels circuses are inhumane and he doesn’t agree with the cruelty. Mary Rivin is against circuses and feels that Council’s support to allow the circus in the park is an embarrassment. Barb Stiebeling thanked those who shared their views and said that she would like to know if Council will either survey the community or have a special meeting before they make a decision about the circus returning to the park. Faith Pescatore would like to see a survey sent to residents. Mayor said that a survey might be compelling but Council still needs to decide if they would like to send one out. He was approached by the Jaycees who have expressed an interest in holding a circus again this year. Council will revisit the issue and the Mayor would like to have a decision made by the last meeting in February. The survey would take time to create and receive feedback from so the village might not be able to send one to residents before a decision is made. Stiebeling said she wanted to hear from the Chagrin Valley Jaycees. The President of the Chagrin Valley Jaycees and South Russell resident, Daniel Beavers, came to listen to the comments and said the Chagrin Valley Jaycees hasn’t made a final decision whether or not they are going to hold another circus event. Mary Kay O’Toole is the School Board liaison if Council has any questions about the proposed building plans. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Brett asked Council to reappoint Gary Neola to the Architectural Board of Review. Kostura moved to reappoint Gary Neola to the Architectural Board of Review, seconded by Dishong. Roll call – ayes, Dishong, Koons, Kostura, Porter. Carroll abstained. Motion carried. The Farmers Market held their board meeting last week and announced that prior Market Manager, Cheryl Hammond, is returning to run the market. The Farmers Market is designed to support local growers. There were some people that dropped out of the market a couple years ago but will be back this year. The annual HAZMAT Council of Governments (COG) meeting will be held Tuesday, January 27th at 10 AM. The Chagrin Valley Dispatch Council of Governments (CVDCOG) will meet Wednesday, January 28th at 3:30 PM. Page 2 of 5 FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT: The Fiscal Officer reviewed her monthly report. The Fiscal Officer is waiting to get certification from the County Auditor’s office of the 2014 year- end balances. The Fiscal Officer reported that income tax collections for the month of December were $146,606.89 with a net distribution in January of $139,502.89. The Village received Permissive Tax money in the amount of $169,732.00 from the County Engineer’s office for the Snyder Road project. FISCAL AUDITOR’S REPORT: Fiscal Auditor distributed his year-end report. The balances declined by about $200,000 in December due to an increase in expenses and projects. Mayor pointed out that the balances would be at less of a decline if the Village would have received the Permissive Tax money prior to the year’s end. The Fiscal Auditor said the fund balances match to the penny with the Fiscal Officer’s reports. Kostura moved to approve the year-end financial balances as submitted, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. ENGINEER’S REPORT: Not scheduled for this meeting BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT: Not scheduled for this meeting POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: Not scheduled for this meeting STREET COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Not scheduled for this meeting SOLICITOR’S REPORT: The Solicitor had nothing to report COMMITTEE REPORTS: Carroll had no report. Dishong stated that the newsletter was mailed and the spring newsletter will be sent out in early April. Koons asked that Council look at the two restrooms at Squaw Rock. One is a concrete building and one is wooden. The cost is estimated at $25,000 - $50,000 total with electricity and a sidewalk. The Park Committee will be submitting a grant request by the May 1, 2015 deadline to build one of these restrooms at the South Russell Village Park. Kostura said the Finance Committee will meet February 4th at 7:30 AM and the Building Department Committee will meet February 5th at 7:30 AM. Kostura said the Village has made progress on a few 2015 projects. The roof and siding at the Police Department is scheduled to begin the beginning of May. Page 3 of 5 Planning Commission was scheduled to meet on January 19th to review a subdivision variance request to develop 10 homes on 11.5 acres of land located behind the park. The property is currently zoned for 2-acre lots, based on the water overlay. Kostura stated Flesher canceled since he wasn’t ready for the meeting but it will be rescheduled. Ondrey added that Flesher’s next step is to submit a preliminary plat to the Planning Commission for their review to determine if they feel the property could be developed. The plans would come to Council after the Planning Commission approves it, but Planning Commission ultimately makes the decision. Porter said the Street Committee met last Friday. The Street Commissioner will bring up the issues discussed in his report at the next meeting. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: Kostura gave third reading on an ordinance to enforce a curfew in the Village of South Russell. Porter said he thinks the subsection referenced in (e), the last sentence should refer to subsection (c), not the listed subsection (b). Council agreed. Carroll moved to adopt as amended, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Ordinance 2015-01 Mayor gave second reading on a resolution to enter into a contract with CT Consultants for engineering services. Porter asked to specify “per month” for the one Council meeting that the Engineer is required to attend. BILLS LIST: Dishong moved to ratify the December 31, 2014 bills list in the amount of $8,558.09, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Dishong moved to ratify the January 15, 2015 bills list #2 in the amount of $8,184.82, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Dishong moved to approve the January 30, 2015 bills list in the amount of $71,480.28, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. NEW/OTHER: Dishong, Kostura and Porter had no new business. Mills presented a proposal from the Cemetery Committee of their recommendation to approve the pricing as presented and revisit the number of sales after December 31, 2015 to see if a price increase is needed. Mills said that she appreciates the many years of Council’s fiscal responsibility, and added that the Cemetery Committee kept this in mind when putting together the proposed price list. Some discussion followed. A decision will be made by Council at the next meeting when all of Council is present. Carroll spoke with the group reviewing the fracking restrictions. They will meet again February 12th. Page 4 of 5 Koons will be meeting with Ralph Richards, a representative for EnerCom, concerning the Village’s gas rates. Koons briefly discussed the gas rates with Jim Flaiz, who is the NOPEC representative for the Village. ADJOURNMENT: Being that there was no further business before Council, Dishong moved to adjourn, seconded by Koons. Roll call, ayes - all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM. ______________________________ ______________________________ Matthew E. Brett, Mayor Danielle Romanowski, Fiscal Officer Prepared by Jennell Dahlhausen Page 5 of 5