Norwood City Council

Council Chambers

September 11, 2007

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, 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 Committee Report G-6), G-7), and G-8), Ordinance I-A), Communications M-5), and M-6) and by moving Communication M-1) as the first order of business. All members present voted YES.

As amended, Council then considered the following:

M-1. Letter from Mayor RE: Executive Session

On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed and that Council enter into Executive Session. All members present voted YES.

Upon returning from Executive Session, the Chair noted that Ms. Kelly is now in Council Chambers.

F) requests to address council on agenda items

There were no requests to address Council.

G) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL

1. Committee of the Whole RE: Front Porches

On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the report and send the report to Mr. Dan Bly. All members present voted YES.

2. Committee of the Whole RE: Fire Apparatus Proposals

On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

3. Committee of the Whole RE: Codified Ordinances Computerized

On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

4. Community Development RE: School Outfitters Relocation

Mr. Moore mentioned that School Outfitters’ current location is on Franklin Avenue and with this relocation they expect up to an additional 200 employees. School Outfitters has plans for significant rehab of the building and the surrounding area. The City will need to re-establish the current easement for the closed section of Lexington Avenue, in turn we’d like to see some controls in place for the long term usage of the facility and to guarantee planned improvements.

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

5. Community Development RE: Huntington Bank

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

As amended, Council then considered the following items:

6. Finance & Audit RE: 911 Renovations and Moving Expenses

Mr. Sanker explained that these expenses were incurred through the movement of the E-911 equipment in conjunction with the $100,000 renovation award from Miller Valentine and First Financial. The City’s responsibility was to relocate that equipment when the renovations were finalized. The renovations should be complete in the coming weeks.

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

7. Finance & Audit RE: 2007 Appropriations

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

8. Finance & Audit RE: Lease Program for New Fire Pumper

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.

H) THIRD READING OF ORDINANCE

A) ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO REZONE PARCELS 651-0026-0011-00, 651-0026-0012-00, 651-0026-0013-00, 651-0026-0014-00, 651-0026-0022-00, 651-0026-0023-00, 651-0026-0024-00, 651-0026-0025-00, 651-0026-0026-00, AND 651-0026-0027-00 (WHICH ENCOMPASSES A BLOCK BOUNDED BY SHERMAN AVENUE TO THE NORTH, MONTGOMERY ROAD TO THE EAST, LAWRENCE AVENUE TO THE SOUTH, AND WALTER AVENUE TO THE WEST, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212) FROM A “MULTI-FAMILY DISTRICT” (R-3) ZONE TO THAT OF A “OFFICE DISTRICT” (0) ZONE, AS AMENDED AND TO REZONE PARCELS 651-0026-0001-00, 651-0026-0002-00, 651-0026-0003-00, 651-0026-0009-00, AND 651-0026-0010-00 (4555-4559 MONTGOMERY ROAD, NORWOOD, OHIO 45212) FROM “GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” (GBD) ZONE TO “GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT)” (GBD-PUD) AS AMENDED

Mr. Moore explained that this matter concerns the parking lot behind the Cricket retail store. The developer has plans for a medical office building and this Ordinance rezones those parcels for that purpose. We have had three separate readings on this Ordinance without objections and there is no reason we shouldn’t move this along tonight.

On a motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to hear the 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.

As amended, Council then considered the following item:

I) FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE

A) ORDINANCE TO CHANGE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2007 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, 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 Ms. Kelly, it was moved to pass the Ordinance. All members present voted YES.

J) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Mayor Williams was present and read a Proclamation celebrating Constitution Week in the City of Norwood as sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Mayor also commented on the Community Development Block Grant that was in Council Packets. $125,000 has been requested for park improvements which would include playground equipment and handicapped accessible restrooms for both Hunter Park and Millcrest Park, as well as a new fence at Dorl Field. The grant request also includes funds for the Tree Board and the Health Department Dental Program.

Mayor Williams continued by mentioning the extra Police effort near Xavier University. Most incidents have involved disorderly house, disorderly conduct, and underage drinking. It is always a challenge to establish our presence at the start of each school year. Mayor Williams encouraged residents to let us know of any concerns of the area.

The Mayor attended the Chamber of Commerce 50^th Anniversary and recalled that when the Chamber was established in 1957, this City was primarily industrial. Today we continue to make progress on our transformation to a community of mixed use development.

Regarding the Montgomery Rd. realignment, the West Bound entrance to SR562 will be closed on September 19^th. Traffic lights are being installed and tested in preparation for this change.

The new street sweeper has been out every day since its delivery; we are behind but well on our way to catching up for the time that the street sweeper was out of service.

The Mayor also commented that the Surrey Square remodeling project is progressing after a slight delay and that demolition permits have been issued for the former Kasemeyer Dairy on Carthage Ave. The City is excited about both of these projects. In addition, the Siemens work continues and the modernization of that facility is overwhelming.

When opened for questions, Mr. Schneider asked about the status of roadwork grant applications. Mayor Williams answered that we have submitted two applications including Marion Avenue and Harris Avenue. Mr. Geers then came forward to explain the scope of these two projects which will include storm sewers, catch basins, water mains, streets and curbs.

K) OTHER REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL

There were no requests to address Council.

L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mr. Moore commented on the Levy renewal on the ballot for November and reminded residents that this will not increase your current taxes at approximately $74 per $100,000 home. This levy will provide the funds that will enable this City to move forward with several important initiatives including the revitalization of the City’s e-Gov system which is at the heart of our Financial Planning system. These changes will be the building block of a new way of running our City.

Mr. Sanker added that when this levy was placed on the ballot, Council also committed to allocating funds for streets, capital improvements and a reserve fund. Mr. Sanker stressed the importance of this tax revenue in continuing to strengthen this City and prepare the City for any change in the local economy.

Mr. Mumper mentioned that at last night’s Finance Committee a new Earnings Tax report was shared that was generated from the e-Gov system. This is just a glimpse of the way proper use of the e-Gov system will enable faster and better decision making.

Mr. Sanker mentioned that he and several others participated in the Urology Center’s 5k Run/Walk for Prostate Cancer. Mr. Sanker Thanked the Urology Group, the Norwood Police Department, and the Citizens on Patrol for their assistance in running this event. There were several very positive comments both from the event planners as well as Norwood outsiders who attended this event.

M) NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Moore reminded residents that the Mayor and Mr. Moore host their Live Call-In Show on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays at 7pm on Cable Access channel 24.

N) COMMUNICATIONS

1. Letter from Mayor RE: Executive Session

As amended, this item was considered previously.

2. Letter from Mayor RE: Court Fines – August 2007

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.

3. Letter from John Hanrahan RE: Tax Report – August 2007

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.

4. Letter from Rick Dettmer RE: Community Development Block Grants

On a motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed, and to send a letter of support from Council. All members present voted YES.

As amended, Council then considered the following items:

5. Letter from Donna Laake RE: Freon Removal and Tire Drop Off Event

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that the letter be received and filed, to add the letter to the next agenda and to post this announcement in various buildings, NCT and the web site. All members present voted YES.

6. Letter from Carri Town RE: Public Hearing Request

On a motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved that the letter be received and filed, and to set the Public Hearing date for November 13, 2007. All members present voted YES.

O) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS

All members were present.

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