City Council

City of Trotwood 3035 Olive Road Trotwood, Ohio 45426 937.837.7771 www.trotwood.org Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, January 25, 2022 5:30 PM Special Meeting Trotwood Community and Cultural Arts Center 4000 Lake Center Drive, Trotwood, Ohio 45426 City Council Mayor Mary A. McDonald Vice Mayor Yvette F. Page Council Member Bettye L. Gales Council Member Charles Ron Vaughn Council Member Tyna R. Brown Council Member Rhonda C. Finley Council Member Robert L. Kelley, Jr. Clerk of Council Kara B. Landis City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 I. Call to Order Mayor McDonald called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor McDonald led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Roll Call Clerk Landis took Roll Call. Present: 7 - Mayor Mary A. McDonald, Councilmember Rhonda C. Finley, Councilmember Robert L. Kelley Jr., Councilmember Bettye L. Gales, Councilmember Tyna R. Brown, Councilmember Charles Ron Vaughn and Vice Mayor Yvette Page Staff Members Present: City Manager Quincy Pope, Clerk of Council Kara Landis, Law Director Steve McHugh, Deputy City Manager Stephanie Kellum, Finance Director Chris Peeples, Assistant Finance Director Julie Kilbarger, Public Works Supervisor Johnny McCluskey, Police Chief Erik Wilson, and Deputy Police Chief Mark Ecton. IV. Approve the Agenda Mayor McDonald requested a Motion to approve the Agenda. A Motion was made by Councilmember Gales, seconded by Vice Mayor Page, and the Motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor McDonald, Councilmember Finley, Councilmember Kelley Jr., Councilmember Gales, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Vaughn and Vice Mayor Page V. Resolutions City of Trotwood Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 R22-08 A RESOLUTION BY THE TROTWOOD CITY COUNCIL TO PROCEED WITH PLACING AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY INCOME TAX OF ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT (0.5%) FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE MAY 3, 2022 ELECTION AND TO CERTIFY THE SAME TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. Attachments: R22-08 R22-08 Exhibit A City Manager Pope reminded Council that they asked him to develop a strategy to address the failing infrastructure in the City. This legislation is necessary in order to place the issue before the voters so they can have the opportunity to decide whether or not they would like to move forward with the plan to address neighborhood streets. Deputy City Manager Kellum shared a presentation (attached) that reviewed the choices presented to Council during the December 2021 meeting, when Council approved a 0.5% temporary increase for five years. She explained this would take the City from the current rate of 2.25% to 2.75%, which is in line with other jurisdictions. This additional amount will generate a little over a million dollars for each of the five years. Deputy City Manager Kellum shared that an income tax is the most equitable way of reaching more users of the City's roads as the majority of income tax revenue is derived from non-residents. Councilmember Kelley, Jr. asked if there are any other federal or state dollars that the City could apply for to offset the expense. Deputy City Kellum shared that the City has applied for every opportunity possible but that grant funding is only available for the main arterial roads, not neighborhood streets. Councilmember Gales asked for clarification on the income tax rate. Deputy City Manager Kellum stated the rate will go from 2.25% to 2.75% for a five year period and it would affect those people who are earning income, not retired persons who are currently exempt from local income taxes. Councilmember Finley asked for the definition of non-residents. Deputy City Manager Kellum explained that a non-resident is someone who does not live inside the City of Trotwood, but pays taxes to Trotwood. Councilmember Finley questioned that 75% of income tax revenue is from non-residents and further, she wanted to know where they are working. Deputy City Manager Kellum stated they are working at places like Stratacache and Specialty Manufacturing and that figure is based on the collection rate. Councilmember Finley asked what percentage of citizens in Trotwood are retired. Deputy City Manager Kellum does not know that number, but stated that about one-third of Trotwood residents are considered senior citizens; she does not know if they are retired. Councilmember Finley mentioned the federal infrastructure bill that is for over $1 trillion and that much of it is slated for roads and bridges, which could address some of the significant gaps in funding. Deputy City Manager Kellum reminded Councilmember Finley that the bill must pass through both houses and none of the funds have been released. City of Trotwood Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Councilmember Finley questioned if the citizens elect to pass the increase, would it only affect the working percentage of residents in Trotwood, which is 58%; so the other 42% would have to bear the burden of paying. Deputy City Manager Kellum pointed out that this will also affect those who don't live in the City but use the roads, which is why the temporary income tax increase is the most equitable option. Deputy City Manager Kellum stated that the Governor has chosen to exercise some flexible language in the distribution of the American Rescue Act funds and because the federal government did not cover townships in the legislation, small cities like Trotwood are having their allocation reduced by 50%; while staff is happy for the federal dollars, the programs that roll out aren't always the same for small cities. Councilmember Finley asked if the issue is placed on the ballot, what methods of communication will be used to educate citizens. Deputy City Manager Kellum explained that staff are limited on what they can do; they can only pass out information. Staff cannot tell people whether or not to vote, nor can they use City resources; hopefully there will be some community partners who step up to help. Councilmember Finley has concerns with the temporary income tax putting the City at a competitive disadvantage for new businesses and new owners coming in, as well as with inflation, but understands it would be up to the citizens. Deputy City Manger Kellum shared that this will also help eliminate blight and increase property values for citizens and it is important for them to see this as an investment. Councilmember Finley understood and stated she is concerned with how this is going to impact the citizens who are struggling to pay for every day expenses, things like prescriptions. Mayor McDonald requested a Motion to approve R22-08. A Motion was made by Councilmember Vaughn, seconded by Councilmember Gales, and the Motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 6- Mayor McDonald, Councilmember Kelley Jr., Councilmember Gales, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Vaughn and Vice Mayor Page Abstain: 1- Councilmember Finley VI. Adjourn Mayor McDonald requested a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Finley made a Motion, seconded by Councilmember Kelley, Jr., and the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. City of Trotwood Page 3