Council
Chambers
A) CALL TO ORDER
The Council for the City of
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. Barlow and Mr. Mumper
Mr. Mumper served as Clerk of Council, Pro-Tem
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA
On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to amend the agenda by adding Ordinance J-B). All members present voted YES.
F) requests to address council on agenda items
There were no requests to address Council.
G) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
1. Community Development RE: Cornerstone Design Review
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved to accept the report. All members present voted YES.
2. Community Development RE: Smith Barney
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
3. Law & Ordinance RE: Vacant Property
Mr.
Moore explained that this draft is modeled after the City of
Mr.
Sanker added that we are trying to draft something that gives the Building
Department and the City of
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the report
and to send a copy of the report to the Committee of the Whole. All members present voted YES.
4. Law & Ordinance RE: Sexual Predators
Mr.
Moore explained that this references our work in monitoring what
Mr.
Moore asked if Mr. Brown was comfortable with the language in the draft. Mr. Brown confirmed that he was comfortable
with the language at this stage. Mr.
Brown explained it expands the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code allowing the
City certain additional controls. Mr.
Moore asked that the Ordinance be prepared for the next Council meeting.
Ms.
Grote added that the Ohio Supreme Court recently accepted a similar case and
asked Mr. Brown if he expects that to have any effect. Mr. Brown responded that depending on how the
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
5. Law & Ordinance RE: Budget Information to Council
Mr.
Schneider mentioned that the Law & Ordinance Committee discussed several Ordinances
that have been passed by previous Councils regarding the budgetary
process. Mr. Schneider believes these
were likely put in place during the Sanker Administration but have since been
largely ignored. We are still
researching how to proceed in putting teeth in these Ordinances.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
6. Law & Ordinance RE: Council Rules
Mr.
Moore noted that it was not his intention that Council Rules be amended but
rather to consider current procedures for Executive Session including possible
relocation to Conference Room B for Executive Sessions. Mr. Moore added that at times it may be
appropriate for Council to move rather than members of the Audience. In a recent example, Council went into
Executive Session early in the meeting.
There were a several people in the audience who had to stand out in the
hallway for 45 minutes. On the other
hand there are times where it may be impractical for Council and other required
attendees to relocate. Most of the time
however, Executive Sessions are held at the end of the meeting where this is
not an issue, but encouraged Council to submit their opinion.
Mr.
Sanker asked Council could amend the wording in the Council Rules to “as
needed” or “as required”.
Mr.
Gabbard asked if Council could just make a motion at the time of the Executive
Session that suggests a location for the Executive Session based on the
circumstances instead of going through changing the Rules of Council.
Ms.
Grote responded that if Council wants to make it mandatory, it would need to
become an amendment to Council Rules. If
Council wants to make it discretionary, a motion can be made at the time of
entering Executive Session or it can be left up to the discretion of the
President of Council.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
7. Law & Ordinance RE: Changing Council Rules
Mr.
Moore asked Assistant Law Director Mr. Brown to come forward to explain the
Ordinance. Mr. Brown explained the
opinion of the Law Department requiring elected officials be present for
Council meetings. Mr. Brown explained
his understanding of the Ohio Revised Code and the Standing Rules of
Council. Mr. Brown then answered
questions from Council. Mr. Brown noted
that he would like an opportunity to finalize his research before submitting
his formal opinion on the matter.
Mr.
Moore asked the Mayor for his opinion on requiring all elected officials be
present for Council meetings. Mayor
Williams commented that personally it wouldn’t affect him, but he can see where
this may be over the top for some elected officials if there isn’t a pertinent
matter concerning their office on the agenda.
Mayor Williams added that it may be best to request attendance on
particular items or better yet to invite officials and engage in less formal
discussion during committee meetings.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report and to forward the Committee report to the Law Department. All members present voted YES.
H) SECOND
A) RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR SAFETY-SERVICE
DIRECTOR TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM FUNDS, AS AMENDED
Mr.
Schneider asked the Assistant Law Director how the specific wording for such
legislation is determined and if the wording directing the Safety Service Director
to enter into agreements is present in similar legislation. Mr. Brown responded that the 2007 Resolution
was based on the 2006 Resolution and this language was also present in the 2005
version.
Mr.
Schneider expressed his concern regarding making this a one step process rather
than a two step process. Mr. Schneider
stated that this wording was not present in legislation prior to 2005 when he
was previously involved and asked the Law Department to look into prior years.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to hear the second
and third readings of the Resolution, as amended. All members present voted YES.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to pass the
Resolution, as amended. All members present
voted YES.
I) INTRODUCTORY
A) RESOLUTION DECLARING IT TO BE THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL THAT
HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT BE CELEBRATED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF
Mr.
Gabbard expressed his desire to extend the trick or treat hours to
Mr.
Mumper mentioned that those with smaller children may actually prefer that
trick-or-treat hours are conducted during daylight hours.
Mr.
Sanker mentioned that it is important that we fall in line with surrounding
communities unless we want confusion on start time or an influx of
trick-or-treaters when their community’s hours are over. Mr. Sanker suggested a slight modification if
anything.
On a
motion by Mr. Gabbard, with no second, it was moved to change the
Trick-or-Treat hours to
On a
motion by Mr. Gabbard, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to change the
Trick-or-Treat hours to
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to hear the
first reading of the Resolution, as amended.
All members present voted YES.
J) INTRODUCTORY
A) ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF 2,000 TONS, MORE OR LESS, OF SALT AT BULK RATE AND DECLARING IN EMERGENCY
Mr.
Schneider mentioned that he has concerns with the clause allowing the entering
into a contract without Council approvals but will vote for this for now. Modifying this to require two separate steps
will allow Council more control over the contract details.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Ms. Kelly, 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. Sanker, it was moved to pass the
ordinance. All members present voted
YES.
As
amended, council then considered the following item:
B) AN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2007, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr.
Sanker mentioned that the changes include modifications from the Water Department
contractual funds to materials funds and to transfer funds into the street
program keys as passed during the last Council meeting.
Mr.
Schneider asked why a request to change appropriations was put through from the
Chair of the Finance Committee without Committee involvement. Mr. Sanker responded that these changes only
include donations to certain programs and this will not change any
expenses. When donation are made for
specific purposes there is no discussion necessary in order to appropriate these
funds so that these funds can be utilized as desired by the donors.
Mr.
Schneider followed up by asking if other departments may have had requests if
there was an actual Finance Committee meeting.
Mr. Sanker responded that the Finance Committee meets as or more
frequently than any other committee and if there are requests for funds we will
call a meeting to discuss the request.
In this case however a meeting was not required. These donations were for specific purposes
and no additional discussion was necessary.
Meetings are called as necessary.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Moore, 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. Sanker, it was moved to pass the
Ordinance. All members present voted
YES.
K) ADMINISTRATION
REPORTS
Mayor
Williams was present and mentioned that leaf collection will begin Monday and
are scheduled for each street on the same day as their garbage pickup.
Mayor
Williams also mentioned that as the need arises for law enforcement we send in
increased Police support to address problem areas. We have received several complaints near
The
Mayor added that he attended a ceremony for the Norwood High School Alumni Hall
of Fame. Mayor Williams presented
Proclamations to several alums and it was an honor to have these folks come home
and to hear comments from them on the City’s progress.
Mayor
Williams also mentioned that the parking meters have been removed at
Mayor
Williams also commended Council’s efforts on the Sexual Predator issue.
When
opened for questions, Mr. Gabbard asked if the parking meters on Elm could also
be removed since those parking along Elm are normally doing City business. Mayor Williams mentioned that this is an
option but at the same time we don’t want City employees or nearby residents
parking all day in these prime locations.
Mr.
Mumper asked when the new phone system will be operational. Mayor Williams noted that the contracts are
being finalized now. Once this is
finalized they will need a few months to complete the networking project.
Mr.
Sanker asked if there was a particular reason why there has been an increase in
State Patrol in the area. Mayor Williams
responded that the Ohio State Patrol targets certain areas at certain times
based on their accident information and State funding.
In
closing, Mayor Williams acknowledged Ms. Donna Laake and the Health Department
for their recent Buckeye Best award from the State of
Ms.
Laake also mentioned that City residents were able to fill two dumpsters full
of old tires and 26 old air conditioners were turned in during our recent tire
and freon removal program.
L) OTHER REQUEST TO
ADDRESS COUNCIL
There
were no requests to address Council.
M) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr.
Sanker reported an update on the
N) NEW BUSINESS
O) COMMUNICATIONS
1. Letter from
Mayor RE: Mayor’s Court Fines – September 2007
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved that the letter be received and filed. All members present voted YES.
2. Letter from
Recreation RE: Waterworks Pool
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved that the letter be received and filed, and that a letter be sent to the Recreation Commission asking for quotes and a breakdown of costs. All members present voted YES.
P) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
All
members were present.
Q) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to adjourn. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council