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 Ms. Jane 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. Schneider, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, Mr. DeLuca, and Mr. Mumper.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA:
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to amend the agenda by moving Communication N-1) prior to Ordinance H-A). All members present voted YES.
F) Requests to address council on agenda items
G) Reports of Standing committees of council
1.
Community Development RE: New
Mr. Moore mentioned that this project is exciting and added that the benefits that will indirectly result from this development are also exciting. In addition to the business spinoff, the residential areas will see a big impact of an improved and much more attractive Surrey Square Mall.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
2. Community Development RE: Rookwood Commons Design Review
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
H) Second READING OF ordinanceS
As amended, Council then considered the following item:
N-1) Letter from Mr. Ted Kiser, Law Department RE: All 3 Ordinances on tonight’s agenda.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to receive and file the letter, remove Ordinance I-B) from the agenda and placing this in the Community Development and Small Business Committee. All members present voted YES.
A) ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 351.03 "PROHIBITED STANDING OR PARKING PLACES" OF THE CITY OF NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES.
Ms. Kelly explained that the original traffic code specified 3ft, a previous Council removed that restriction and the Committee recommends 18 inches as reasonable happy medium.
Mr. Mumper noted that based on his research, the problem is in backing out on narrow streets. Mr. Mumper stated that originally he was in favor of less than 3ft, but after talking to many residents and doing research of his own is now in favor of the 3 ft rule.
Mr. Gabbard added that he is personally in favor of 18 inches, for the houses that have multiple cars the difference between 18 inches and 3 ft on each side could be the difference between 1 and 2 cars parked between driveways.
When asked for his opinion, Mayor Williams commented that he is not sure how this became an issue, but that when the rule was 3 feet, the Police Department enforced this only when there was an issue. 3ft would be used as an enforcement tool only, and this probably should have been left the way it was years ago. Our officers will not drive around with yardsticks, this will only be enforced upon complaints.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to amend the Ordinance by changing the 18 inch limit to 3 feet. The following members voted YES: Mr. Sanker, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Moore, Mr. DeLuca, and Mr. Mumper. The following members voted NO: Mr. Gabbard and Ms. Kelly.
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear all three readings of the Ordinance.
That motion was superseded by a motion by Ms. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, in which it was moved to place this Ordinance and the entire 3513.03 into the Law and Ordinance Committee. The following members voted YES: Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Sanker, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, and Mr. DeLuca. The following members voted NO: Mr. Moore and Mr. Mumper.
I) Introductory READING OF ordinanceS
A) ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH JMA CONSULTANTS, INC. TO PERFORM ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE WILLIAMS AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr. DeLuca asked the Mayor and Mr. Geers to comment. Mr. Geers commented that this is the last piece of the puzzle and that if this is passed tonight we should feel sure that money will be available by June 1st. Mr. Geers mentioned that he has been waiting for this Ordinance for several weeks and this delay has put us in a bit of a rush. Mr. Geers also mentioned that this will not cost the City anything additional from the general fund. The grant match will be covered by a permissive tax, the remainder is a full grant.
Mr. Schneider asked if this was an emergency. Mr. Geers responded that this is indeed an emergency if we are to start on time, and that this Ordinance and many other good fortunes will be required in order to complete the project prior to school starting again in the fall of 2006. This will only be possible if we can begin engineering now and begin work as soon as school is out.
Mr. Schneider mentioned that the reason he is voting NO is due to the emergency clause attached to this Ordinance. Mr. Moore explained the need for the emergency clause on this Ordinance as did Mr. Sanker and Mr. Gabbard.
Mr. Schneider added that while this doesn’t cost the City anything from the general fund, it does direct funds to a particular project that might otherwise be used elsewhere.
Mr. Sanker added that in this case the Safety Service Director and Mayor have explained the need and where the grant money and match are coming from. In the past this was not always the case and in fact there were times when a grant was promised but never existed.
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear all three readings of the Ordinance. The following members voted YES: Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Sanker, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, Mr. DeLuca, and Mr. Mumper. The following members voted NO: Mr. Schneider.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. DeLuca, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. The following members voted YES: Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Sanker, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, Mr. DeLuca, and Mr. Mumper. The following members voted NO: Mr. Schneider.
B) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1321 "SIGNS" OF THE NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES.
As amended this item was removed and placed into the Community Development and Small Business Committee.
J) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Mayor Williams was present and mentioned that the Office Supply building on Section Avenue is nearing the demolition stage. MSD and Cinergy are preparing the site for readiness and the City is in the process of obtaining a demolition permit.
In addition, the property at Floral and Elsmere, that was once an ill fated rehabilitation project, is now scheduled to be deeded to the City in the coming weeks for potential demolition.
Mr. Schneider noted that we have a meeting scheduled with the State Auditors regarding the performance audit and asked Mayor Williams for his opinion on the situation. Mayor Williams responded that the most critical need is in addressing the money owed to the Police and Fire Pension Board. Once we can strike an arrangement with the Board we will be in a much better position to consider further action.
Mr. Moore asked about the status of the 5 new cruisers. Mayor Williams responded that one is on the street now and another will be online in a few weeks after being fitted with the standard package.
Mr. Gabbard asked if it was true that the Recreation Commission is moving to the Community Center. Mayor Williams confirmed and stated that this move will save the City the ongoing operational costs of maintaining another building. The pool will obviously operate out of the former Recreation Commission but all indoor activities will be moved to the Community Center.
K) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
On a motion by Mr. DeLuca, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to place the Performance Audit into Council’s Committee of the Whole. All members present voted YES.
Mr. Sanker commented on the Performance Audit and noted that it is more comprehensive than the bullet points that were shared in the media. Some items are obvious, some have serious implications, but all items will be considered and acted upon.
M)NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Moore mentioned that he has received some complaints and questions regarding the former MPG station on Montgomery and Hopkins. Some have asked if they are now selling cars from this property. Mr. Moore has contacted the Building Department and the Development Director and there are no plans to add a car dealership, the current owner would like to return it to a Gas Station/Quickie Mart.
Mr. DeLuca announced that the semi-Annual City Wide Street Sale is scheduled for May 5th from 9:00am to 5:00pm and on May 6th from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Mr. Sanker noted that work continues at the Linden Pointe development and the big mound of dirt that was once on the property has now been removed. Mr. Sanker noted that he found an old aerial photo of this property from 1955 and this was one huge manufacturing facility. There is a lot of excitement centering from this development and we cannot wait to see work continue on this very important project.
Ms. Kelly thanked Mr. Fulmer for his years of gardening expertise and volunteer work maintaining the triangle near Madison and Williams. Ms. Kelly will be taking over this work and she will be replanting this area soon.
Mr. DeLuca mentioned that he spoke with residents on Park Avenue recently regarding the issues that have come up surrounding the Salvation Army. There will be a meeting facilitated by Mr. Cosgrove to talk about the issues and potential solutions. Please call Mr. DeLuca at 395-7069 with any issues or suggestions.
Mr. DeLuca also read from a recent business courier announcing a new office development just off of Dana Avenue and I-71 in Cincinnati. While we will compete with this development this is further evidence that this area is primed and ready for office space. Additionally, Tower II at Cornerstone is now 95% leased.
N) COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from Mr. Ted Kiser, Law Department RE: All 3 Ordinances on the Agenda
As amended this item was considered previously.
2. Letter from Tom White, Superintendent Public Works RE: Thank You to Miller Brothers Paint
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. DeLuca, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
O) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
All members present.
P) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to adjourn. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council