City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 – 7:30 P.M. MAYOR MATTHEW E. BRETT PRESIDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Koons, Kostura, Porter, Binder and Carroll MEMBERS ABSENT: Dishong OFFICIALS PRESENT: Fiscal Officer Romanowski, Police Chief Rizzo, Solicitor Ondrey, Fire Prevention Officer Jim Davis VISITORS: Mariola Family, Hemlock Road; Caitlyn Mariola, Hemlock Road; Mindy Qua, Sheerbrook Drive; Linda Gilbert, Bell Road; Doris Gilbert, Bell Road; Mark Jackson, Waverly Lane; Nick Bregar, Chesterland; Charles Ramer, NOPEC Representative; Forrest Campbell, Solon; Ashley Guarniere, Geauga JFS; David Herpst, Kensington; 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 September 14, 2015 Council meeting, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. VISITORS: Forrest Campbell, a member of Boy Scout Troop 150, explained how he built four benches, and restored and installed steps at the entrance of the Shady Dog Trail at the South Russell Village Park for an Eagle Scout project. David Herpst, also a member of Boy Scout Troop 150, informed Mayor and Council of his Eagle Scout project of building and installing twelve birdhouses and two benches. He said he was very grateful for Linda Gilbert, a naturalist from the Geauga Park District, who helped him out with a lot of information and reference on how to build and install the bird houses. Caitlyn Mariola, a local Girl Scout, described how she designed and installed two planters at the park pavilion for her scout project. She plans to maintain these planters and keep them looking nice. Mayor thanked the Scouts for their diligent work in completing these projects and presented proclamations to Campbell, Herpst and Mariola. Chief Rizzo stated that he and Lieutenant Fabian have been reviewing their staff to promote someone as Sergeant. After interviews and consideration, Chief recommended that Council promote Patrolman Carl Malone to Sergeant. He has been with the South Russell Police 9/28/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 1 of 5 Department since 2008. Mayor added that Malone’s career with South Russell, as well as his previous work experience, is impressive. Mayor also recommended that Council promote Malone to Sergeant. Carroll moved to promote Carl Malone to South Russell Police Sergeant, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Mayor swore Malone in as South Russell Police Sergeant. Nick Bregar spoke about the upcoming Metzenbaum Center levy. He is encouraging support of the levy due to the increased need for their services. The Metzenbaum Center currently supports 170 individuals in about 19 group homes throughout the county. They need this levy to continue providing these services. Ashley Guarniere, an Intake and Assessment Care Worker from Geauga County Job and Family Services (JFS), spoke about their upcoming levy. She reviewed statistics of investigations and adoptions within the county. She said this additional levy is needed due to a 400% increase since 2011 in neglect and abuse of children in Geauga County; mostly because of an increase in drug abuse. Charles Ramer, a Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) representative, encouraged Council to change current gas and electric suppliers to NOPEC to save on utility costs. Ramer distributed and reviewed information showing estimated potential savings the Village would see by going with the NOPEC rates. Ramer explained this would be a contract that the Village could opt out of at any time at no cost. Ramer added that he would contact the Village if rates were to drop below the current NOPEC’s fixed rates. The Solicitor will review the agreement. Porter moved to allow the Mayor and Fiscal Officer to enter into an agreement with Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) for gas and electric rates, seconded by Carroll. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor stated that the Strategic Planning meeting went well and several good topics were debated. The Village received the 2016 United States Geological Study (USGS) proposal for well water monitoring. A representative from USGS will address Council at the October 12th meeting. There is an increase in the rates due to Geauga County not continuing in the study. Mayor said it would be good to find out why the county is no longer involved. The Village will need to make a decision on their participation level by October 31, 2015. The Mayor updated Council concerning the Waverly Lane drainage issues with water runoff from the school. The Engineer will be walking the property with someone from the school within the next couple of weeks. The Mayor brought attention to the additional money remaining in the budget for the 2015 Road Program and previous discussion on completing some additional road repairs. Chagrin Falls has contracted with Burton Scot Contractors for their upcoming repairs. The Engineer will put a list of projects together for Council to vote on at the October 12th meeting. 9/28/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 of 5 Mayor informed Council he will most likely miss the October 12th Council meeting due to schedule conflicts. FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT: The Fiscal Officer requested that Council increase the credit card limit for Department Heads from $1,000 to $2,000. There are some purchases that can be discounted if ordered in bulk online such as new flags and posts, but this month the Fiscal Officer and Street Commissioner aren’t able to make the purchase due to upcoming Fall Festival expenses. Mayor agreed with the reasoning. Kostura moved to increase the limit for Department Head credit cards from $1,000 to $2,000, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. FISCAL AUDITOR’S REPORT: The Fiscal Auditor presented his report to Council and stated that he and the Fiscal Officer balance to the penny on all funds. The Fiscal Auditor reviewed his report and account balances with Council. FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER’S REPORT: The Fire Prevention Officer reported that he has issued many violation notices for buildings around the Village. He is working with the business owners to get the violations corrected. Discussion followed on several of the violations. The Fire Prevention Officer has been spending a lot of time at the Lantern of South Russell. There were a couple of issues that needed to be addressed at this location, which the contractor is working on. The number of beds increased from about 63 to about 77 during the course of the project. The Fire Prevention Officer estimates he will be there a full day testing sprinkler heads when the project is closer to completion. SOLICITOR’S REPORT: The Solicitor will have the new House Bill 5 related legislation prepared for introduction at the October 12th Council meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Binder had nothing to report. Koons stated the portico replacement on the front of Village Hall is almost complete. Koons said the portable restroom at the park is now covered by several bushes. The Parks Committee is talking about making a map for park users. Koons passed around a signup sheet for Fall Festival volunteers. Koons represented the Village of South Russell at the Chagrin Valley Chamber’s Expo event on Thursday, October 17th. He stated there was a good turnout. Mayor stated there will be several issues to come before the Planning Commission at their next meeting. Discussion will be held on a new development on a 22-acre parcel in the eastern section of South Russell (north side of Bell Road just past Snyder Road); plans concerning a possible buyer of the Bell Station; and a potential home that would be built half in the Village of South 9/28/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 of 5 Russell and half in Russell Township. The Zoning permit for the home was denied by the Township. Kostura reminded Council of the Budget Work Session to be held on October 6th at 5:30 p.m. Porter reported the Street Committee will meet Friday, October 2nd at the Street Department office at 7:30 a.m. Carroll has an Emergency Operation Plan meeting at 7:30 a.m. and Safety Committee Meeting at 11:30 a.m. on September 29th. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: Kostura introduced an ordinance transferring funds from the Income Tax Fund to the Safety, Operating, Street Maintenance, and Special Land & Building Funds in the amount of $771,000 and declaring an emergency. Kostura moved to waive further readings, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Kostura moved to adopt, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Ordinance 2015-32 BILLS LIST: Kostura moved to approve the September 30, 2015 bills list in the amount of $40,945.28, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Kostura moved to approve the August Financial Statements as submitted, seconded by Koons. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. NEW/OTHER: Binder had no new business. Koons spoke to the yoga studio and they are interested in conducting yoga classes at the park pavilion in the summer. The yoga studio will be going to the park committee for further discussion and consideration. Kostura stated that the Boy Scouts might approach Council next year to ask for permission to camp at the South Russell Village Park. Several troops totaling about 100 scouts in 30-40 tents were at the last event. They would not disturb the parkland with a campfire, as they use a no- trace campfire technique, where they put down a tarp and cover it with soil before starting the campfire. Porter asked for updates on leasing the rental house. Mayor said there has been continued interest but it has yet to be rented. At 9:07 p.m. Carroll moved to enter into executive session to discuss personnel compensation, seconded by Porter. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Council reconvened at 9:22 p.m. 9/28/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 4 of 5 ADJOURNMENT: Being that there was no further business before Council, Kostura moved to adjourn, seconded by Carroll. Roll call, ayes - all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Matthew E. Brett, Mayor Danielle Romanowski, Fiscal Officer Prepared by Jennell Dahlhausen 9/28/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 5 of 5