Norwood City
Council
Council
Chambers
A) CALL TO ORDER
The Council for the City of Norwood met in regular session on the above date with President Jane M. Grote presiding. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
B) PRAYER
C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D) ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members answered present: Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Sanker, Mr. Tracey, Mr. Moore, Mr. Fulmer, Mr. Mumper, Mrs. Brown, and Mr. DeLuca.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA:
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to amend the agenda by adding Resolutions A) and B) and by adding Communications 5), 6), and 7). All members present voted YES.
F)
APPROVE MINUTES FROM:
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Tracey, it was
moved to approve the minutes as if read.
All members present voted YES.
G) Requests to address council on agenda items
1. Mayor Williams RE: Certificates of Recognition for Clean Up West Norwood Project.
Mayor Williams noted that several children involved in the West Norwood Neighborhood Association’s Clean Up Project were present at tonight’s Council Meeting. Mayor Williams and Lynn Ellis called each of the children forward presenting them with a thank you, a Certificate of Recognition, and a copy of the related Cincinnati Enquirer article.
H) Reports of Standing committees of council
1. Community Development and Small Business RE: Rookwood Commons design review (Fidelity Investments Sign).
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mrs. Brown, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
I) Introductory reading of ORDINANCES
A) ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITING AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF NORWOOD, OHIO.
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mr. Fulmer, it was moved to suspend the rules and have all three readings. All members present voted YES.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
J) Introductory reading of RESOLUTIONS
As amended, Council then considered Communications 6) and 7) prior to the consideration of the related Ordinances.
O-6) Letter from the Law Department RE: Liquor renewal objections.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
O-7) Letter from Police Department, Sgt Tom Fallon RE: Liquor renewal objections.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
A) RESOLUTION OF OBJECTION TO THE RENEWAL OF LIQUOR PERMIT #31-319-8225284, SLAMMERS BAR & GRILL, LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS SOUPIES BAR & GRILL 3861 MONTGOMERY ROAD, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Tracey, it was moved to suspend the rules and have all three readings of the Resolution. All members present voted YES with the exception of Mr. DeLuca who abstained.
Mr. Moore gave an update on Soupies indicating that the City won the last round of proceedings but there is an appeal from the owners pending. Things are certainly heading in the right direction and ridding our neighborhood of this establishment would be a win for the community.
On a motion by Mr. Tracey seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the Ordinance and be sent certified mail to Columbus. All members present voted YES with the exception of Mr. DeLuca who abstained.
B) RESOLUTION OF OBJECTION TO THE RENEWAL OF LIQUOR PERMIT #2632116, FAMILY OF FIVE, INC., DOING BUSINESS AS NEW LIEBS CAFÉ, FORMERLY DBA “LIEBS CAFÉ”, 2008-10-12-14 WORTH AVENUE, NORWOOD OHIO, 45212.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to suspend the rules and have all three readings of the Resolution. All members present voted YES with the exception of Mr. DeLuca who abstained.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Fulmer, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES with the exception of Mr. DeLuca who abstained.
K) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
The Mayor was present and mentioned that he attended the recent Earth Day celebration at Sawyer Point. During this celebration, the City of Norwood was presented with an award for the recent 500% increase in recycling. The Mayor cited the statistics available in the report from the Health Department later in the agenda.
Mayor Williams also mentioned that he attended the Norwood Knothole Opening Day celebration. This was a wonderful celebration and the parents, coaches, assistants, and kids deserve the respect, support, and appreciation of the community for a job continually well done.
The Mayor also mentioned the upcoming Memorial Day celebration to be held on May 30th at 1:00pm at Victory Park. This is a great opportunity to show your thanks and support of our service men and women past and present.
When opened for questions, Mr. Fulmer noted that early setout of garbage continues to be a problem and he recently counted 40 such offenders and asked Mayor Williams to again apply some support in this effort during the warm months. Mayor Williams responded that Service-Safety Director Mr. Geers also recently noticed that early setouts have been increasing recently. Mayor Williams also mentioned that the garbage program continues to handle the complaints and calls received requesting investigation on units billed and are working through those billing discrepancies.
Mr. Tracey also noted that he recently witnessed and reported a vehicle unlawfully taking recycling items set out on the curb. Mayor Williams asked that he share a description of the vehicle and he will follow up. He also encouraged all residents witnessing this behavior to call and report it.
Mrs. Brown asked about the status of an annual report from the Police Department, and asked if Council could get something similar to the document that the Fire Department publishes on a quarterly or monthly basis. Mayor Williams responded that he will follow up and get back to Mrs. Brown and Council regarding this report.
Mr. Gabbard asked why a Resolution was not prepared regarding an objection to the liquor license renewal of Dale Rd. Drive Thru. Mayor Williams responded that the Law Department was concerned that the objection submitted did not meet the requirements laid out in the Ohio Revised Code and this will continue to be on the radar screen of the Administration.
Mrs. Brown asked about the status of Mr. DeLuca’s request for a cost/benefit analysis associated with the laying off of Fireman. Mayor Williams responded that the request went to the Auditor’s Office and he will follow up.
Mrs. Brown asked if the City had any tangible plans to cut back on fuel consumption given the increased gas prices. Mayor Williams responded that the City as a service organization is required to make their rounds throughout the City. Where appropriate, the City departments already conserve and limit travel outside the City to only trips that are necessary.
L) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Mr. Steve Thornbury addressed Council regarding the relocation of the “flat-iron building” in the proposed Globe development plans and announced a Historical Society meeting on April 27th to discuss these plans. All are invited to attend and join in the discussion.
M)UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Fulmer mentioned that the Shell Hill area, as negotiated between the Community Development Committee and Cornerstone/Ackerman Group, will be landscaped in the coming weeks as temperatures warm.
Mr. DeLuca announced the spring City Wide Street Sale is scheduled for May 6 and 7 from 9am-5pm. Please register for a free permit by contacting the Clerk of Council’s Office or Treasurer’s Office. The directory of all Street Sale participants will be available on cable and on Council’s website.
Mr. Fulmer reminded residents that the annual Arbor Day celebration is to be held this Saturday at the Community Center. The event includes tree giveaways and a plant swap.
Mr. DeLuca reminded residents that he and Mr. Moore air their local live call in show, “Out of Order”, on the second and fourth Sunday from 8pm-9pm. The show can be seen on Government Access. The show allows time for questions and public service announcements.
Mr. Moore added that this show is just another venue to discuss and address City issues. Some of the discussions include the Triangle Building, Tax Amnesty, Roads, the Recycling program and the recurring topic of a possible Norwood Newspaper. Mr. Moore noted that this comes up frequently and he encouraged anyone interested in pulling together such a publication to step up and help provide this additional communication medium. The cost of such a newspaper could certainly be offset by advertising and the amount that Council’s office currently spends publishing Ordinances and Resolutions.
Mr. Moore asked that a letter be sent to the Law Department asking for an update on the Ordinance related to the issue currently in the Law and Ordinance Committee on the regulation of Group Homes.
N) NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Fulmer thanked the Fire Department and specifically the Paramedics for their professionalism and expertise in a run that recently involved his mother at the Holy Trinity Variety Show. Mr. Fulmer thanked everyone for their help, their thoughts, and their prayers and announced that his mother is now doing much better.
Mrs. Brown announced that she is putting together a cable program called “Perspectives w/ Cassandra Brown”. This show will air on Tuesdays at 6pm, Thursdays at 3:30pm, Saturday at 6pm, and Sunday at 5 pm.
Mr. Sanker asked that a discussion on the Financial Recovery Plan be placed on the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Council needs to come up with this recovery plan and submit it to the State of Ohio as part of the Fiscal Watch process.
Mrs. Brown asked that a letter be sent to the Planning Commission asking that they investigate the issue of Diversity of Ownership that has recently been brought up as part of the Urban Renewal Plan. Specifically, she would like the Planning Commission to investigate zoning that encourages Diversity of Ownership in some places while discouraging Diversity of Ownership in other areas.
Mr. DeLuca announced that Hamilton County Environmental Services is hosting their annual Household Hazardous Waste Removal program on May 3 from 3-8pm at 4550 Spring Grove Avenue. This is a great opportunity to rid your house of hazardous waste you may have around your house including paint, pesticides, etc.
Mr. Mumper announced that there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting next Tuesday at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers. Topics on the agenda will be Tax Amnesty, New Bethel Baptist Church’s appeal on a sprinkler system on their new facility, and the Fiscal Watch recovery plan.
Mr. Fulmer asked that the Recreation Levy also be placed in the Committee of the Whole and that this be placed on the agenda as well.
Mr. Fulmer also wished all Mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.
O) COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from The Mayor’s Office RE: Mayor’s Court Fines for the month of March 2005.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
1. Letter from Donna Laake, Health Commissioner RE: “2004 Annual Services Report to the Community”.
Mr. Fulmer thanked the Health Department for the detail contained in this report.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Tracey, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
2. Letter from Donna Laake, Health Commissioner RE: First Quarter 2005 recycling report.
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mrs. Brown, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
3. Letter from Jerry Owens, Victory Park Veterans RE: Memorial Service in honor of all veterans.
Mr. Sanker asked that the Clerk of Council sees to it that this be advertised on Norwood Cable Access.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. DeLuca, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
4. Letter from Jenny Wallace, Norwood Recreation Commission RE: Levy on November Ballot.
On a motion by Mr. Fulmer, seconded by Mr. Tracey, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
5. Letter from the Law Department RE: Liquor renewal objections.
As amended, this item was heard prior to Resolutions A) and B).
6. Letter from Police Department, Sgt. Tom Fallon RE: Liquor renewal objections.
As amended, this item was heard prior to Resolutions A) and B).
P) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Fulmer it was moved that the absence of Mr. Geers be excused. All members present voted YES.
Q) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Tracey, seconded by Mr. DeLuca, it was moved to adjourn. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council