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, and Mr. Mumper.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA:
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to amend the agenda by moving Communication O-1) prior to Ordinance I-A), by adding communications O-14), O-15), and O-16), and by moving O-16) as the first order of business. All members present voted YES.
F)
Approve minutes from: January 24,
2006 and February 14, 2006.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to approve the minutes as if read. All members present voted YES.
As
amended, Council then considered the following item.
Letter from Councilman Will DeLuca RE: Resignation
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.
G) Requests to address council on agenda items
H) Reports of Standing committees of council
1. Community Development RE: Cornerstone at Norwood-Grant Thornton signage
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
2. Community Development RE: Cornerstone Design Review - Grant Thornton sign
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
I) introductory READINGs OF ordinanceS
As amended Council then considered the following item.
Letter from Mr. Ted Kiser, Law Department RE: Ordinance A & B on Agenda
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.
A) ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 5-2006, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear all three readings of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
B) ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ACCEPT, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, THE DONATION OF 3726 ELSMERE AVENUE, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr. Moore asked a question of the Mayor regarding the background on this process. Mayor Williams responded that this is the property that was originally being rehabbed, but the rehab work actually degraded this property and this has been an eyesore for years. The owner agreed to donate the property to the City as long as they did not have to pay for the demolition. The demolition cost will be covered by County funds. This is a WIN/WIN situation and demolition will happen as soon as possible. This lot will then be converted to green space.
Mr. Moore asked Mr. Reeves to the podium and asked if this was a possible solution for other similar property issues. Mr. Reeves responded that this has been a very lengthy process, one that began in 2000 and that County funding for this type of project is very scarce. Mr. Reeves thanked Mr. Dettmer for his work in identifying funding for the demolition.
Mr. Moore then asked Mr. Gibson to the podium and asked if the title has been cleared. Mr. Gibson confirmed. Mr. Moore thanked Mr. Reeves and Mr. Dettmer for taking care of this eyesore.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear all three readings of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
C) ORDINANCE PROMOTING THE "CITY WIDE STREET SALE" AND ABATEMENT OF ALL PERMIT FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
J) Introductory READING OF Resolutions
A)
RESOLUTION FOR ADVANCE PAYMENT PER OHIO REVISED
CODE 321.34 AND 135.351, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr. Moore explained that funds are normally certified and sent from the County all at once, this Resolution asks for this money as it is collected.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Resolution. All members present voted YES.
K) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Mayor Williams was present and mentioned that while there are always plenty of things to complain about, there are also some positive things going on that are often overlooked. Mayor Williams relayed two stories commending the City. The first was in regard to the very quick response of Fire/EMT when a child had severely high temperatures which lead to convulsions. The second was a letter commending the hard work and care demonstrated by the Health Department and Public Works in helping out a homeless family.
Mayor Williams continued by relaying that the Administration has sent a letter to the Police and Fire Pension Board regarding the outstanding debt and expects to hear back soon on an agreed upon schedule to repay this debt. The Ohio Revised Code requires this debt to be collected and there is a chance that the Pension Board could garnish property tax payments from the County until this debt is resolved.
When opened for questions Mr. Sanker asked for an update on the old Office Supply Warehouse. Mayor Williams responded that a permit has been issued for demolition. The Mayor then asked Mr. Reeves to the podium to elaborate. Mr. Reeves explained that the permit has indeed been issued. Utilities have been cut off, but this process is extensive in order to get the appropriate signoffs from MSD, Cinergy, Water, and the necessary environmental studies. Nonetheless, this step has been completed, part of the building is coming down now and the demolition of the main building will begin next week.
Mr. Schneider mentioned that with some of the other things going on, this is a dark day for the City, but the letter regarding the Health Department and their efforts to assist the homeless family has turned this around and that certainly is a great story.
Mr. Jones was also present and gave a brief update from the Auditor’s Office. Among other things, Mr. Jones reported on the status of the computers, software, and networking in his office. Some of this hardware is ten years old. There will be a single packaged recommendation coming in the next month or so to upgrade this equipment.
Mr. Moore commented on the format of the latest reports from the Auditor’s office and thanked Mr. Jones for this format. This format is much more helpful.
L) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Ms.
Stephanie Hartman addressed the Council regarding local Girl Scout Day Camp.
Mr.
Anthony Hooks addressed Council regarding the Budget.
Ms.
Yvonne Collins addressed Council regarding street repair and pot holes.
Mr. Dave
Proud addressed Council regarding the transfer of liquor license at Lieb’s.
Mr. Andy
Vuozzoi addressed Council regarding the transfer of liquor license for Lieb’s.
M)UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Moore commended Public Works for their recent quick response in addressing potholes. If you see a pothole that needs to be addressed, call Public Works at 458-4615 and inform them of the location.
Mr. Moore also commented on the questions posed by Mr. Hooks and asked Mr. Jones to comment on the claim that the 2003 and 2004 audits have not been completed. Mr. Jones elaborated and stated that the audits are complete but have not yet been converted to the new GASB34 format. We were one of the beta cities for this program, but GASB34 requires a complete rewrite of the system and among other things requires comprehensive inventory updates and appraisals of all City assets. The audits are complete from a cash basis and numbers standpoint, the final piece is the GASB34 format changes. There is no claim of ‘in-auditable records’ or any penalty issued – we are waiting for a final opinion of GASB 34 Conversion documentation.
Mr. Moore also commented that there was no advanced report from the State Auditor as Mr. Hooks claims and further explained that a majority of Council did not approve either of the last versions of the Police or Fire Contracts as was claimed.
Mr. Moore also asked the Law Department to issue a legal opinion on both placing High Grass Fees on Water Bills and on the Legal Status of the C9 Trust.
N) NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Kelly informed residents that Hamilton County Emergency Sirens will only test once per month starting in April. This testing will be conducted on the first Wednesday of the month. Ms. Kelly also recommended that residents equip their home with the necessary emergency equipment including weather radios, batteries, and flashlights.
Mr. Gabbard noted than in the recent Door Store, Norwood Firefighter Leonard Conover was featured in a promotional item for Heart Emergency Services. Mr. Gabbard thanked Lt. Conover for his efforts and expertise and mentioned how happy he was to have the City represented and honored in this fashion.
Mr. Sanker commented on the resignation of Mr. DeLuca and thanked him for his service to the City. Mr. DeLuca deserves a lot of credit for his dedication and hard work to this Council, the City, and his expertise with the Community Development Committee. Mr. DeLuca was largely responsible for the wild successes of the Rookwood and Cornerstone developments. His dedication to the City and the Community Development Committee will live on.
O) COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from Mr. Ted Kiser, Law Department RE: Ordinance A & B on Agenda
As amended, this item was considered previously.
2. Letter from Ohio Division of Liquor Control RE: transfer notice for Lieb’s
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
3. Letter from Donna Laake RE: liquor license transfer
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
4. Letter from Tax Dept. RE: liquor license transfer
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to advise the liquor control board that no hearing is requested.
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.
5. 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.
6. Letter from Stephanie Hartman RE: Lindner YMCA Girl Scout Day Camp
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed as if read. All members present voted YES.
7. Letter from Jennifer Wallace RE: Recreation Commission move
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.
8. Letter from Jennifer Wallace RE: Recreation Center's new website
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.
9. Letter from Jennifer Wallace RE: smoking at the Community Center
Mr. Schneider asked Mayor Williams what is involved in the process to make this a smoke free facility in the future. Mayor Williams commented that this has already been done. Mayor Williams and Ms. Donna Laake issued a policy that mandates the Community Center as a smoke free facility whenever children will be in the building.
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.
10. Letter from Earnings Tax Dept. RE: Monthly Report for Feb. 2006
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.
11. Letter from Donnie Jones RE: Auditor's Report- month end 1/31/06
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.
12. Letter from Donnie Jones RE: Auditor's Report- month end 2/28/06
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.
13. Letter from Timothy P. Brown RE: Norwood retiree health coverage
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.
14. Letter from the Mayor’s Office RE: Dawson Companies/Insurance Rates
Mr. Mumper congratulated the Mayor, the Director of Public Service-Safety, and the Safety Committee for getting this in order.
Mr. Moore asked if there would be any increase at all or if this will be just a small increase. Mayor Williams responded that he expects no rate increases at all and this is a major accomplishment for the City.
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.
15. Letter from Mr. Joe Geers, Director of Public Service-Safety RE: Williams Avenue Storm Sewer Project.
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.
16. Letter from Councilman Will DeLuca RE: Resignation
As amended, this item was considered previously.
P) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
All members present.
Q) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to adjourn. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council