City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016 – 7:44 P.M. MAYOR WILLIAM G. KOONS PRESIDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Canton, Carroll, Dishong, Kostura and Porter OFFICIALS PRESENT: Fiscal Officer Romanowski, Police Chief Rizzo, Street Commissioner Johnson, Building Inspector Heilman, Solicitor Ondrey, Engineer Haibach, Fiscal Auditor Lechman VISITORS: Cindy Nairn, Whitetail Drive; Maggie Tomaro, Royal Oak Drive; Darleane Canton, Manor Brook Drive; Barbara Stiebeling, East Bel Meadow; Jim Flaiz, Sheerbrook Drive; Tim Alder, Street Department; Jeff Pausch, Street Department; Rick Pausch, Street Department; Laura LaChapelle, Kimberwick Court; Bill McDonnell, Fox Way; Roony Moy, Fox Way; Patrick Holtz, Fox Run; Nancy Howell, Circle Drive; Martin O’Toole, Foxhall Drive; Dennis & Susan Moye, Potomac Drive; Nancy Gallagher, Leaview Lane; Steve Winkelman, Alderwood Drive; Jack & Cynthia Wyszynski, Bell Road; Ken, Abigail & Jennifer Dunegan, Potomac Drive; Lynn Tepper, Potomac Drive; Sarah Glessman, Hudson; Todd & Kristen Brackett, Potomac Drive; Lillian Gattozzi, Buttonbush Circle; David Hocevar, Chesterland; Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill, South Russell Mayor Koons and Councilmen Kostura and Canton were sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill before the meeting began. Mayor Koons called the Regular Council meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Fiscal Officer Romanowski read the roll. Canton moved to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2015 Council meeting, seconded by Kostura. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. VISITORS: Roony Moy, President of the Fox Way Homeowners Association, expressed the Association’s concern about a proposed variance for the expansion for the Gulf Station at the corner of Chillicothe and Bell Roads. She attended the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting and expressed her concern to them, but also wanted to make Council aware of the situation and the worries of pollution. They are willing to work with someone to find another business that is more fitting for the character of the village. 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 1 of 6 Patrick Holtz also attended to express his concern of the Gulf Station’s variance request. Holtz referred to a recent article about other gas stations that the potential buyer owns and said the owner was quoted as saying “it is time to grow”. Holtz asked Council and ZBA to take into consideration the setting of the proposed location and really analyze the request before making a decision. Mayor ensured him that ZBA will be looking carefully at the details of this request. MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor reported that former Mayor Matthew Brett did a great job in his 18 years as an elected official with the village. The Mayor added that John Dishong has served for 15 years and Jack Binder served 12 years on Council. He looks forward to working with everyone on Council and sharing their knowledge and experience. Mayor requested that Council designate Dishong as President Pro Tem. Kostura moved to designate Dishong as President Pro Tem, seconded by Porter. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Dishong moved to approve Mayor Koons resignation from Council, seconded by Carroll. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Mayor presented the following committee assignments and asked for approval from Council: Building Department Chairman Mark Porter New Council Member Finance Chairman Bryan Kostura New Council Member Human Resources Chairman John Dishong Mike Carroll Properties Chairman John Dishong Gerald Canton Public Utilities Chairwoman Mark Porter Gerald Canton Safety Chairman Mike Carroll New Council Member Streets Chairman Bryan Kostura Gerald Canton Emergency Operation Planning Mike Carroll Planning Commission Rep Bryan Kostura 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 of 6 Kostura moved to approve the Council Committee assignments as presented, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. The Mayor will appoint a Council representative to the Parks Committee after the vacant Council seat is filled. Carroll moved to approve Kostura as Councils Representative to the Planning Commission, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Dishong moved to approve the Rules of Council, seconded by Kostura. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Dishong moved to reappoint Martha Bistritz & Greg Pike to the Parks Committee (2016-2017), George Clemens to ZBA (2016-2019) and Paul Deutsch to ABR (2016-2018), seconded by Kostura. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Carroll moved to approve the appointments of Danielle Romanowski as Tax Administrator and James Davis as the Fire Prevention Officer, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Dishong moved to approve the Council Meeting calendar with changes of the April 11 meeting to April 4 and the November 14 meeting to November 7, seconded by Kostura. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. The Mayor asked Council to review the Village’s mission statement, as well as objectives and goals that he distributed. He would like to discuss these topics at the next Council meeting. The Mayor said he would like any items to be discussed or brought before Council added to the Council meeting agenda so Council is prepared of potential discussion before the meeting. He asked that all agenda items be submitted to Village Hall by noon on the Thursday before a Council Meeting. He would also like to hold off on discussion until the second meeting of the month and hold the first meeting for department reports and more official business items. Carroll and Porter expressed concern about time sensitive topics that might need to be discussed that aren’t on the agenda. The Mayor said he understands things may come up last minute but would like to get items on the agenda so Council isn’t blindsided or turns away a resident because they aren’t ready to discuss a topic they bring to Council. Mayor requested that Council meet in executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss the Council seat applicants. Council received 13 applications for the seat, but only 9 people responded with their resume and response to questions that Council compiled. The Mayor would like to narrow down the number of interviewees. FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT: The Fiscal Officer reviewed her report. The Fiscal Officer stated that in the past, she has been designated by Council as the House Bill 9 Public Records training designee. If Mayor and Council would like her to continue to be their 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 of 6 designee, they will need to make a motion to do so. Kostura moved to approve Fiscal Officer Romanowski as the House Bill 9 Public Records Training designee, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. The Fiscal Officer reminded Council that the link to House Bill 9 Public Records training is now offered online and suggested they also review the information as things are always changing and it is a good refresher. Porter asked if the 2014 & 2015 Road Programs are closed. The Fiscal Officer stated they are closed. The Bell Road Project continues to stay open but will hopefully be closed this year. FISCAL AUDITOR’S REPORT: The Fiscal Auditor presented his report to Council and said that he and the Fiscal Officer balance to the penny on all funds. Kostura moved to approve the December 2015 Financial Statements as submitted, seconded by Carroll. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. ENGINEER’S REPORT: The Engineer had nothing to report. BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT: The Building Inspector stated new garage doors and openers were installed at the Police Department. ZBA has an upcoming meeting for variances at a property on Hazelwood Drive and will meet again this month to discuss the Gulf Gas Station. Carroll and Kostura said they have heard from several people concerning the proposed house variances that ZBA will discuss. The Lantern of South Russell would like to finalize construction mid-February. The Police and Fire Departments will be touring the facility to learn the layout. The Building Inspector thinks they will be open for business in May. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: The Police Chief referred to his monthly report. Mayor asked if anyone is aware of a potential number of ambulance calls we might get from the Lantern of South Russell. Carroll stated he doesn’t think they are going to see many calls. Chief added that he thinks the number of calls will be comparable to the walk-in clinic on East Washington Street. STREET COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: The Street Commissioner reviewed his monthly report. The Street Commissioner stated most of the holiday decorations have been taken down and the case loader is back in service. Dishong asked if salt usage is considerably down this year. The Street Commissioner stated that it is and the Village still has to purchase 90% of our bid amount. He said there will be room for it in the salt dome. 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 4 of 6 SOLICITOR’S REPORT: The Solicitor stated that Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan is now contracted with Chagrin Falls. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Porter and Canton had nothing to report. Carroll stated that the Safety Committee will be scheduling a meeting soon. Carroll requested that Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) address Council at an upcoming meeting concerning hunting in the village. A representative from ODNR recently spoke to Avon Lake and Carroll would like him to discuss pros and cons of hunting so Council is more informed before they make a decision on the proposed ordinance to prohibit hunting within the village limits. Carroll moved to table the ordinance to amend hunting requirements within the village limits, seconded by Kostura. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Carroll will try to schedule ODNR to attend the second meeting in February. Dishong stated that the Human Resources Committee met and is still discussing changes to the Employee Handbook. The Mayor added that he met with the Street Department and discussed employee benefits as well. Kostura stated the Street Committee will meet January 22nd and he is going to schedule a Finance Committee meeting soon. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: Carroll gave third reading on an ordinance to establish a parking ban in certain areas of the village. Carroll moved to adopt, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Ordinance 2016-01 Kostura gave second reading on an ordinance amending the Tax Ordinance to amend section 881.99(D). BILLS LIST: Kostura moved to ratify the December 30, 2015 bills list #2 in the amount of $93,387.96, seconded by Carroll. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Kostura moved to ratify the December 31, 2015 bills list #2 in the amount of $8,879.06, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Kostura moved to approve the January 15, 2016 bills list in the amount of $20,384.92, seconded by Dishong. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 5 of 6 NEW/OTHER: Carroll, Dishong and Porter had no new business. Kostura would like to enact a no cell phones while driving ordinance within the Village of South Russell limits. He added that it is a safety issue and has brought this up in the past. The Mayor asked to add this to the next agenda. Canton mentioned to an 8th grade class that he substituted for that he would be sworn in as a Village Council member this evening. One of the students told him to do a good job and always be honest, and asked Canton to forward this request to the rest of Council. At 8:35 p.m. Dishong moved to enter into executive session for personnel matters to discuss Council seat applicant interviews, seconded by Carroll. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Council reconvened at 8:44 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Being that there was no further business before Council, Kostura moved to adjourn, seconded by Carroll. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ William G. Koons, Mayor Danielle Romanowski, Fiscal Officer Prepared by Jennell Dahlhausen 1/11/16 COUNCIL MEETING Page 6 of 6