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. 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 Communication N-9) to be considered immediately after N-7) and by adding Communication N-10) as the first order of business. All members present voted YES.
F) APPROVE MINUTES FROM:
August
22, 2006, August 29, 2006 and
On a motion by Ms. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to approve the minutes as if read. All members present voted YES.
As
amended, Council then considered the following item.
N-10 Letter from Chief Goodman RE: Ohio Fire Code
On a motion
by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received
and filed and that Chief Goodman and Fire Inspector Joe Jones be granted as
much time as needed to address Council regarding the Ohio Fire Code. All members present voted YES.
Chief
Goodman and Fire Inspector Jones addressed Council and explained the updates to
the code and the upcoming Ordinance to adopt this new code based primarily on
the updated Ohio Fire Code. This will
align the City Fire Code with the Ohio Fire Code as opposed to the obsolete
Southwest Ohio Fire Code. This will also
clean up some of the existing Ordinances so that we follow the Ohio Fire Code
as closely as possible. Local amendments
are permitted as long as they render the code more restrictive than the OFC,
and we will keep some of our tighter restrictions. Chief Goodman and Fire Inspector Jones
detailed a few of those amendments.
When
opened for questions, Mr. Schneider asked about any changes to recreational
fires. Chief Goodman responded that
recreational fires are permitted in owner occupied residences in approved
containers. The new code however does
include much more detail and provides clear distances and gives the Fire
Department the authority to shut down fires where appropriate.
Mr.
Sanker asked if this will assist us in keeping our codes current. Chief Goodman confirmed and added that since
we are so closely aligned to the Ohio Fire Code, any changes will automatically
apply to the City of Norwood, unless there are issues or objections.
Mr.
Moore asked if this changes how the Code is enforced. Chief Goodman responded that enforcement is
done at time of inspection or incident.
As always, if there is a concern, there is a referral form and multiple
departments will inspect as necessary.
In addition, after an incident, Mr. Geers has encouraged enforcement of
property possession. After a run, the
building is in possession of the Norwood Fire Department until released to the
owner. At this time we can contact other
departments as necessary before releasing to the owner.
G) Requests to address council on agenda items
H) Reports of Standing committees of council
1. Community Development RE: Entertainment Solutions.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
2. Community Development RE: First Financial Signs.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
3. Community Development RE: Linden Point Design Review - Landscaping.
Mr.
Moore mentioned that since we do not yet have a Redevelopment Agreement due to
the delay with the Norwood City Schools agreement, these design reviews are informal
and are a mutual attempt to maintain the progress of the development. The landscaping plans look great and include
plenty of green space. The triangle
building structure is nearing completion.
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
4. Community Development RE: Linden Point Design Review - Triangle Bldg.
On a
motion by Ms. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
5. Community Development RE: Rookwood Design Review - Wild Oats
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
I) SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES
A) ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A ZONE CHANGE OF PARCEL 651-0003-0176-00 (WHICH ENCOMPASSES 2108 CATHEDRAL AVENUE, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212) FROM A "NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT" (NBD) TO THAT OF A "ONE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT" (R-2), AS AMENDED.
Mr. Mumper commented that the previously outstanding Building Department orders have been completed.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved to suspend the rules and hear the second and third reading 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) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Mayor Williams
was present and began by reading a letter addressed to Mr. Tim Burke from the
Ohio Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the UDAG grant
payoff. In essence there are no
restrictions on these funds and we will need an Ordinance amending Ordinance
53-1985 to account for these funds. The
Finance and Claims Committee should then meet to appropriate these funds. Mayor Williams recommends retiring the debt
to the Police and Fire Pension Fund.
Even
with these funds, we cannot change our scarcity mindset and our drive to change
the way this City does business. There
is a possibility that we could be out of Fiscal Watch by early 2007. We still need to be diligent however in
reviewing all costs and acting as we have the past few years.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that a letter be
sent to the Law Department requesting preparation of changes to Ordinance
53-1985. All members present voted YES.
K) OTHER REQUESTS TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
A
request to address Council from Yvonne Collins regarding potholes on South
Norwood and payment of City taxes was heard.
L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
M)new Business
Mr. Sanker announced that the annual Halloween in the Park will be held at Lindner Park on October 21 and events will include a Haunted Trail and a Costume Contest.
Mr. Sanker also mentioned that he and many City officials were in attendance at the recent Linden Pointe Groundbreaking Ceremony. There were many potential clients as well as County and State officials and there was high praise for the community and recent events that point to a clear turnaround; progress continues.
N) COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from Mayor RE: Board of Health Appointees.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that the letter be received and filed, and that the appointments be approved. All members present voted YES.
2. Letter from Joe Geers RE: Housing/Building Inspections.
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.
3. Letter from Donnie Jones RE: September 2006 Auditor's Report.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved that the letter be
received and filed. All members present
voted YES.
4. Letter from John Hanrahan RE: September 2006 Tax Report.
Mr.
Schneider commented that the report states we are 8.4% ahead of last year which
represents an additional $824,000. This
represents strength in the economy and the community. It appears that the diligent work on expenses
gives us a great chance to come out of 2006 in the black.
Mr.
Sanker responded that while this is encouraging news, this increase has been
accounted for in each Appropriation. The
latest estimate is that we are still in the red nearly $800,000 so while the 8%
increase has helped we are still operating at a deficit.
Mr.
Moore added that the deficit is primarily due to increased payout to the Police
and Fire Pension Fund. Had we paid out
at normal premiums we would be nearly balanced for 2006. Of course this does not include much needed
maintenance to streets and other City assets.
That 8.4% increase is partially economy and partially Cornerstone. We are much better off but shouldn’t expect
an ongoing 8.4% increase. This does
represent the people in this City working together to get this done.
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 Janet Kennedy RE: Resolution for County Auditor.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be
received and filed and a copy forwarded to the Law Department to draft
appropriate legislation. All members
present voted YES.
6. Letter from Marilyn Hanrahan RE: Crime Prevention Meeting.
Mr.
Moore commented that he gets calls occasionally asking “What can we do about
this or that?” This is the answer; three
separate programs to address crime in your neighborhood. Mr. Moore encouraged all to participate in
these programs.
Mr.
Sanker reiterated that these programs have proven to be very effective in other
communities. The West Norwood
Neighborhood Association has been very active in spearheading these programs,
but additional cooperation is needed.
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.
7. Letter from Donna Laake RE: Kkusum Inc. DBA Quick Pick.
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.
As
amended, Council then considered the following item:
N-9. Letter from Building Dept. RE: Kkusum Inc. DBA Quick Pick.
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.
8. Letter from Liquor Control RE: Kkusum Inc. DBA Quick Pick.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved that the letter be received and filed and to object to the new license based on objections from Donna Laake and the Building Department. All members present voted YES.
O) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to excuse the absent member. All members present voted YES.
P) 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