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
Following the Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Grote asked all to remain standing for a moment of silence honoring the passing of former Mayor Joseph E. Sanker. Mr. Sanker was an honorable and respected man of the community who worked with all departments, citizens, and business leaders to lead the City through a very difficult time in the City’s History. Mayor Sanker will be missed and we honor his service, his life, and his family with this moment of silence.
D) ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members answered present: Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Sanker, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Moore, Ms. Kelly, Mr. Barlow, and Mr. Mumper.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA:
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to amend the agenda by adding Ordinances I-D) and removing Ordinance I-C). All members present voted YES.
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to amend the agenda by moving Ordinances I-A) immediately following the Public Hearing. All members present voted YES.
F) Public Hearing:
RE:
Ms. Grote provided the rules governing the Public Hearing. When no one came forward to speak either in Favor or Against, the Public Hearing closed.
As amended, Council then considered the following item.
Request to Address Council on Agenda Item: Ms. Margaret Wehmeyer addressed Council on the zone change at 1922 Sherman Avenue and asked what the owner had planned to do differently with this property.
I-A) ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A ZONE CHANGE OF PARCEL 651-0047-0561 (WHICH ENCOMPASSES 1922 SHERMAN AVENUE, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212) FROM A "ONE-FAMILY AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT" (R-2) TO THAT OF "NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT" (NBD)
Mr. Moore asked the Mayor to explain this Ordinance. Mayor Williams answered that this change is required to allow for financing. The current property is divided into two parcels each zoned differently. This provides for a contiguous parcel as required for financing.
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
G) Requests to address council on agenda items
H) Reports of Standing committees of council
1. Community Development and Small Business RE: Cornerstone Design Review.
Mr. Moore commented that this introduces a new type of sign to Norwood. These signs are internally lit and not as bright or radiant as the traditional neon signs. In addition, a proposed Huff Realty Sign will be placed above Gold’s Gym. This sign has LED lighting which is a new technology for signs, LED lighting will produce light such that the sign can be seen when looking directly at the sign, but does not produce ambient light that will inconvenience neighbors. These are two new illumination options introduced as these first class developments take shape.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
I) INTRODUCTORY READING OF Ordinances
A) ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A ZONE CHANGE OF PARCEL 651-0047-0561 (WHICH ENCOMPASSES 1922 SHERMAN AVENUE, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212) FROM A "ONE-FAMILY AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT" (R-2) TO THAT OF "NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT" (NBD)
As amended, this item was considered previously.
B) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1321 "SIGNS" OF THE NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES
Mr. Moore commented that this updates the existing chapter with very extensive signage code that among other things limits the sizes and types of signs for businesses, window signs, rooftop signs, etc. The goal is to allow these signs to be big enough to be seen but not so big that it overwhelms the nearby community.
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to hear the first reading of the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
C) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 105 "WARDS AND BOUNDARIES" OF THE NORWOOD CODIFIED ORDINANCES
As amended, this item was removed from the agenda.
D) ORDINANCE TO CHANGE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2006
Mr. Sanker explained that this change in appropriations will allow the City to spend the money donated for the Carl and Edyth Lindner/Waterworks Park.
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, 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. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.
J) INTRODUCTORY READING OF RESOLUTIONs
A) RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE VICTORY PARK VETERANS, AMERICAN LEGION POST 123 AND THE MAJOR
SAMUEL WOODFILL CINCINNATI CHAPTER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR THEIR EFFORTS
TO HONOR ALL VETERANS PAST AND PRESENT IN A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT VICTORY PARK ON
MAY 29, 2006 AT ONE O'CLOCK
Mr. Mumper encouraged residents to attend this very well done Memorial Day ceremony.
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear the first reading of the Resolution in its entirety and the second and third by caption only. All members present voted YES.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to pass the Resolution. All members present voted YES.
K) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Mayor Williams was present and mentioned that he was invited and attended the Knights of Columbus Blue Coat Award ceremony where Firefighter John Donovan and Police Officer Roger Bright were honored. These two gentlemen represent our City very well and this is well deserved recognition.
Mayor Williams mentioned the pending retirement of Cindy Hill, a valued employee in dispatch. She will be missed.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is scheduled for June 16th and 17th at Shea Stadium.
Mayor Williams provided an update on the Norwood Lateral construction work. One lane has been completed and the entire project should be done in the coming weeks; this is a great project for the City particularly since it is at zero cost to the City.
The office building on Section Ave. has a court ordered demolition set within 30 days.
In closing, Mayor Williams thanked Mr. Jones and Council for their quick action in establishing the Lindner Fund.
When opened for questions, Mr. Moore mentioned that he had submitted a request for stop signs in his ward that was denied. Mr. Moore asked what the reluctance was on adding stop signs. Mayor Williams responded that Sgt. Stein is a traffic expert and carefully considers each request. Mayor Williams mentioned that he would follow up on this specific request.
Mr. Schneider asked Mayor Williams if the Williams Avenue Storm Sewer project is on schedule. Mayor Williams responded that the engineering work is being done and is on schedule. The money for the construction however is not available until July 1st.
Mr. Jones began his Administration report by discussing payroll. The good news is that the City made the May 19th payroll, the bad news is that the next payroll is the new goal. This cash flow issue will continue for the next few months. The certification of County funds has guaranteed that we will go payroll date to payroll date through these months. We have to make health insurance payments, AFCME, AEBS and C-9. Adding to the concern is that there are three payroll periods in June. Mr. Jones asked Council to consider using development funds to cover these shortfalls. Mr. Jones also asked Council to consider delaying payment to the Police and Fire Pension Fund since they did not accept our proposal and instead have chosen to garnish our property taxes once again.
When opened for questions, Mr. Mumper asked if paying a partial payroll payment was an option. Mr. Jones responded that paying a partial payment is really not an option and doesn’t do the City any good. Mr. Jones understands that priorities are health insurance and liability insurance, and asked for guidance as it comes to payroll and a possible tax anticipation note.
Mr. Mumper asked Mr. Jones if he anticipated any future cash flow issues if we were to use the development funds to cover this month. We would hate to solve this problem only to present another in a few weeks. Mr. Jones responded that he could pull that forecast together. It looks as if we’ll face cash flow issues at least through the summer months.
Mr. Moore stated that missing an insurance premium is not an option; we need to make these payments in order to keep the City services operating without risk. Mr. Jones agreed and stated that he will insure that these payments are made on time.
Mr. Sanker stated that we are not the only municipality in the same position with the Pension Board and Mr. Sanker asked Mr. Jones and Mayor Williams if the Board was taking an unnecessarily hard line position, given that we have proposed several aggressive payment options. Mr. Jones stated that while this is true they have lost money in some investments and therefore need to get on stable ground themselves. We have done our best to pay all bills and have worked with them in good faith. We have withheld only the employer portion, other municipalities have even withheld the employee portion which is really concerning and only heightens the Board’s need to get all monies currently owed. Mayor Williams added that we should at least try to negotiate once again with the Board, it cannot hurt. At the same time, our cash flow issues will not be resolved until these payments are off of our backs. Mayor Williams cautioned against using the development funds now. When that money is gone it is gone even if times continue to worsen opening the possibility that we have difficult paying insurance premiums in coming months.
In closing his Administration Report, Mr. Jones reiterated that he is suggesting a portion of the development funds to cover our current shortfalls through July and to retain the remainder for negotiations with the Pension Board.
During the Law Director’s Administration Report, Mr. Gibson reported on the former Office Supply building on Section Ave. Judge Mock was very clear in his judgment on the property, that this building must be demolished within 30 days. We all expect the demolition to happen in the coming 30 days; the consequences to the owner will be swift and severe if it is not demolished. He has pled to two misdemeanors at this point.
L) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Mr.
Gordon Bogle addressed Council regarding the limitation on parking from
4:00pm-6:00pm in front of his business on
Ms.
Carole Adams addressed Council regarding the limitation on parking from
4:00pm-6:00pm in front of her new business at
M)UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Moore mentioned that whenever he hears of using the funds from the development impact funds he immediately thinks of the Anthem money. These were both unexpected windfalls. The Anthem funds were spent during the monthly shortfalls and as a result we missed out on many grant options since we didn’t have the matching funds they required. While using these funds for Pension payments is a different matter; it is still a concern.
Mr. Gabbard asked the Mayor if anything could be done to the address the parking issues raised along Montgomery Rd. Mayor Williams stated that his office will continue to monitor parking and traffic patterns, but based on current data; modifying these restrictions would not be his recommendation. Meters are not the solution during these hours either. Northbound traffic must flow smoothly during 4-6pm or numerous related problems will be introduced.
Mr. Mumper asked if Parking along Lafayette Ave. might provide a solution, perhaps even making Lafayette a One Way Street to assist in parking. This could be an alternative for a traffic engineer to at least consider.
Mr. Gabbard asked if we could get the street sweeper along this area more often to address debris kicked up by this traffic. Mayor Williams responded that the street sweeper is often dispatched to the central business district; however the street sweeper is currently in need of repair.
Mr. Moore read from a letter from one of his constituents requesting several stop signs. Mr. Moore asked a letter be sent to the Law Department requesting a legal opinion on the addition of these stop signs.
Mr. Moore announced that there is a Law and Ordinance meeting on Tuesday, May 30th where items to consider will be empty property, Chapter 105, parking code, and the issue of generators.
N) NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Sanker thanked all for their outpouring of sympathy and support during the last few weeks. Mr. Sanker mentioned that his father was very proud of all City Employees, Police and Fire Departments. He loved and was dedicated to this City. Mr. Sanker, on behalf of his entire family, thanked everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers.
O) COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from Joe Geers, Director Public Safety-Service RE: Building Department Inspectors.
Mr. Mumper mentioned that he had requested this report be provided periodically and thanked Mr. Geers and the Building Department for this information.
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.
2. Letter from Joe Geers, Director Public Safety-Service RE: Award from Bureau of Workers Comp.
On a motion by Ms. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
3. Letter from Donna Laake, Health Department RE: Abatement of High Grass
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that the letter be received and filed and to authorize the abatement of high grass on these properties per the Health Department’s recommendation. All members present voted YES.
4. Letter from Norwood Recreation Commission RE: Skate Park.
Mr. Mumper asked that a letter be sent to the Recreation Department requesting their estimate on the cost for construction and maintenance of a skate park.
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed and that this letter be forwarded to the Administration and the Director of Public Safety-Service. All members present voted YES.
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