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 Pro-Tem Will DeLuca 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. Schneider, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, Mr. DeLuca, and Mr. Mumper.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA:
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the agenda be amended by adding Ordinance A) and B), and by adding Communications 7) and 8). All members present voted YES.
F) Requests to address council on agenda items
G) Reports of Standing committees of council
H) INTRODUCTORY READING OF ordinanceS
A) ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 505.15(C) OF THE NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr. Moore mentioned that this item was originally placed in the Law and Ordinance Committee by Mr. Mumper due to a science classroom pet being considered forbidden. This amendment provides provisions for certain species used for the purpose of education.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
B) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1705 "BOARDING HOMES" OF THE NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
I) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Mr. Tim Molony, Treasurer was present and spoke regarding the preliminary performance audit. Among other things, the audit reports that the Tax department is woefully understaffed and in need of updated hardware and software to meet the benchmark of other area Earnings Tax Departments. Among other options to consider are mandatory filing for residents, outsourcing personal earnings tax filings as a result of mandatory filings, and a possible change to the tax rate and/or amount of reciprocal credit. These will all be discussed and considered in 2006.
J) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
K) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
For the benefit of the viewers and audience, Mr. DeLuca read through the Committees and Committee assignments for this Council. The complete list is available on Norwood City Council Online (www.norwood-ohio.com/council).
L) NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Mumper announced that Council’s Committee of the Whole will meet on Tuesday, January 17th in Council Chambers. Agenda items are to determine a standing meeting date and a review with Mr. Dave Thompson from the State Auditor’s Office.
Mr. Schneider asked that the issue of a City of Norwood newsletter be placed into the Finance Committee.
Mr. Moore asked that the following items be placed into the Law and Ordinance Committee: Rental Property, Vacant Property, Parking Ordinance, and the Operation of Generators.
Mr. DeLuca asked that the issue of a safe student dropoff/pickup zone be placed into Council’s Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Mumper added that this item will be added and that he has also sent a letter to the School Board asking them to share their plans with the Director of Public Safety-Service.
Mr. Moore asked that the issue of traffic around Allison Elementary also be added to Council’s Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Sanker asked that the issue of an Ambulance/Medic unit be placed in both the Safety and the Finance committee.
Mr. Schneider asked that the issue of utilizing Xavier University interns be placed into the Finance Committee.
Mr. DeLuca asked that the issue of a City wide truck route be placed into the Safety, Fire, and Police Committee.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to appoint Ms. Brigid Kelly as the City of Norwood’s representative on the OKI Board. All members present voted YES.
M)COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from Mayor Williams RE: Absence from Council Meeting
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved that the letter be received and filed and that the request be granted. All members present voted YES.
2. Letter from Mayor Williams RE: Mayor’s Court Fines
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
3. Letter from Joseph Geers, Director of Public Service-Safety RE: MSD rate increase for sewer service charges
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
4. Letter
from Chief Goodman RE: Bi-Weekly Overtime Report dated
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
5. Letter from Donnie Jones, City Auditor RE: Month Ending 11/30/05 Auditor’s Report
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
6. Letter from Tax Department RE: Earnings Tax Report
Mr. Sanker commends Mr. Molony and his department for the results of this year and strong arming those that owe earnings taxes. There was a 13% increase in earnings tax which went a long way to helping us maintain the quality of service and paying back the debt of 2004. We all hope this trend continues and that new and current Norwood businesses continue to do well.
Mr. Molony added that much of this success is based on this Council and the Economic Development Director going after businesses with higher wage employees. A bulk of the increase came from business profits which is exceedingly hard for not only the City, but for these businesses.
Mr. Sanker added that while this was a decent year, we are still not back to the point we were prior to September 11th, 2001. Luckily for us we have a good mix of businesses including medical, office, financial, manufacturing, and retail that will help us weather the tough storms.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
7. Letter from Mayor Williams RE: Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC)
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
8. Letter from Rick Gibson, Law Director RE: 2005 Yearly Report
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
N) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
All members present.
O) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to adjourn. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council