Minutes
October 28, 1997
PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Council members Bill Ennis, Daryl Garrison, William Gordon, Jack Jensen, Donald Mounce and Jeff Sanner; City Manager Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager David W. Rowlands; Law Director Patrick Carney; Director of Planning and Economic Development David Humphreys; Service Director Don Hill; and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Pastor Thomas Sager of the New Hope Community Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call followed.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Ennis to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 14, 1997. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. All members voted yes to a Roll Call vote, with the exception of Mr. Sanner who abstained, and the motion carried. Mr. Mounce made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to approve the minutes of the Joint Meeting of City Council with the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals of October 9, 1997. A Roll Call vote was taken: Mr. Gordon-yes, Mr. Jensen-yes, Mr. Mounce-yes, Mr. Sanner-yes, Mayor Gilman-yes, Mr. Ennis-abstained, Mr. Garrison-abstained. The motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Resolution No. 36-97: Ronald P. Salyer
Resolution No. 32-97: A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said City by Ronald P. Salyer.
Mayor Gilman noted that Mr. Salyer was not yet present at the meeting and noted that the agenda would be amended to allow the presentation to take place when he arrived.
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
Donna Barton of 133 West Lowery Avenue addressed Council by reading a letter she had written regarding the neighborhood where she lives. Mrs. Barton’s letter states that she lives at the corner of Smith Street and Lowery Avenue. Theirs is the only house left in that immediate area as Frasier Paper has bought all of the houses but one. Mrs. Barton is very concerned that this area is deteriorating to the extent that they are now in a flood zone. Mrs. Barton said that the area around the creek is in very bad shape. Although she feels that the railroad area by Frasier Paper has been taken care of nicely, she stated that is seems to her that when the creek is dug out, that they stop at the bridge instead of continuing on to Smith Street. Mrs. Barton asked Council to let them know what’s going on in this area. Mr. Williams stated that he was not aware of Frasier Paper’s intentions but he would contact the management at the Mill to arrange a meeting with the Mill and the property owners to discuss the Mill’s intentions. Mr. Williams stated that he would also take a look at the creek area to see what needs to be done to improve that area. Service Director Don Hill noted that the area around the creek is slipping into the creek. The City will be putting in broken concrete and covering that with cement to attempt to stop the slippage. Mr. Hill noted that the creeks are checked on a regular basis by the City and the Conservancy. The Conservancy agrees that widening the creek would be more damaging than the present situation. When Mr. Garrison questioned who is responsible for maintaining the creek, Mr. Hill noted that it is the property owners’ responsibility although the City has taken care of the creek at Gibbons Road as that could affect the roadway there. Mr. Mounce and Mr. Jensen expressed concern and an interest in having long range plans for the area. Mr. Paul Barton also of 133 West Lowery Avenue addressed Council and expressed concern over the dumping that people have done at the creek. He said that he has called the police and has asked for "No Dumping" signs to be placed by the creek. Mr. Barton stated that when he contacted Frasier Paper, they have been very cooperative. Mayor Gilman noted that Mr. Williams had been taking notes during the meeting and he would be checking into this problem as soon as possible.
Mayor Gilman noted that Ronald Salyer was now present at the meeting and the presentation of his resolution would take place at this point.
Mr. Ronald Salyer was presented with his resolution by Mayor Gilman who expressed the appreciation of the City and the citizens for all of his hard work as a member of the Business Advisory Council and the Business Expansion and Retention Study. Mayor Gilman wished him well in his move.
Julie Ziemkowski of 323 Ridgecrest addressed Council and encouraged everyone to read the supplement in the paper and to get out and vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 3065:Cash Performance\Maintenance Bond-Joel C.Lehmkuhl Excavating
Ordinance No. 3065-An ordinance releasing cash performance bond and maintenance bond filed by Joel C. Lehmkuhl, Joel C. Lehmkuhl Excavating Inc., as principal, and accepting the public improvements for the Southard Ridge subdivision.
A motion was made by Mr. Jensen and seconded by Mr. Mounce to approve Ordinance No. 3065. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
NEW BUSINESS
1998-99 Contract with Montgomery County Animal Shelter
Mayor Gilman noted the changes in the contract and that Mr. Carney has reviewed the contract. Mr. Sanner made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Montgomery County Animal Shelter for 1998-1999 for carcass and disposal services. All members voted yes to a Roll Call vote and the motion carried.
REPORTS BY OFFICERS
Mr. Williams thanked Mr. Rowlands for overseeing the Citizens Academy on October 20th and noted that there were 17 people in attendance. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m.
UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments by the audience.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Gordon noted that the Lions Club Halloween Parade and Costume Contest was held and thanked the parents and the kids who participated and the Police and Fire Departments. The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Lions Den in West Carrollton. Mr. Gordon also thanked Mr. Salyer for his work as president of the Rotary Club for the last six months.
Mr. Ennis, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Garrison and Mr. Mounce each thanked Mr. Salyer for all of his hard work and wished him well. All of them encouraged everyone to vote on Election Day.
Mr. Mounce also noted that the tickets for the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be $4.00 for adults and $2.50 for children and may be purchased at the door.
Mayor Gilman thanked Ron and Julie Ziemkowski for their work on the cameras.
Mayor Gilman made a motion to recess to an executive session to discuss a real estate matter and to a work session to discuss the items on the agenda. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Council recessed to an executive session and to a work session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
In addition to City Council, City Manager, G. Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager, Dave Rowlands; Law Director, Pat Carney were present.
LEGAL ISSUE
Discussion was held on a legal matter. After the discussion Pat Carney left the meeting.
REAL ESTATE MATTER
Council discussed the acquisition of real estate.
Councilmember Bill Ennis motioned to reconvene to the work session. Councilmember Don Mounce second the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.
WORK SESSION
Finance Director, Tom Reilly; Service Director, Don Hill; and Ray Snider joined the work session.
1996 AUDIT REPORT
Mr. Williams discussed the audit report and the recommendations made by the auditors on establishing an audit committee and the handling of change orders.
Mr. Reilly mentioned that the audit committee was mentioned on every audit conducted this year. The committee would be an independent third party that meets quarterly to review the financial status and internal controls of the city.
Mayor Gilman asked for staff to discuss this matter with other cities to see what they are doing.
Councilmember Don Mounce suggested staff prepare a resolution for council to pass giving authorization to the city manager to execute change orders.
Councilmember Jack Jensen asked staff to look at using a percentage or fixed dollar amount depending on the size of the project.
Mr. Reilly left the meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Gilman read a letter regarding the positive comments she received on Patrol Officer Steve Davis.
Mayor Gilman mentioned a letter she received regarding Halloween. She informed city council that she would meet with the individual about the letter.
Councilmember Bill Gordon mentioned that Fire Department and especially Captain Dave Kunke did a great job with his mother-in-law over the weekend. Also, mentioned that the Police Department has been good to her.
Councilmember Jack Jensen left the meeting.
DP&L STREET LIGHT CONTRACT
Mr. Williams discussed the options available to city council. Option 1) We can pay $12,312 more than we pay now to upgrade 453 mercury lights to high pressure sodium (with no installation charges- a one time savings of $45,300) and enter into a five year contract with DP&L, or 2) not upgrade the mercury lights and take a savings of $9,146 and enter into a three year contract with DP&L. It was also mentioned that the Gov-Tech Committee is doing an analysis of street light rates throughout Ohio to negotiate a new contract rate with DP&L.
Councilmember Don Mounce mentioned that deregulation in this industry may happen in the next two to three years.
City Council elected to upgrade the street lights and enter into a five year contract with DP&L.
Don Hill left the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Councilmember Daryl Garrison moved to adjourn. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.
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MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL