Council
Chambers
December 11,
2007
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
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved to amend the agenda by adding Committee Reports H-3) and H-4) and by adding Communications M-7). All members present voted YES.
F) MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 9/11/07, 9/25/07, 10/9/07 and 10/23/07
On a motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to approve the minutes as if read. All members present voted YES.
G) requests to address council on agenda items
There were no requests to address Council.
H) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
1. Committee of the Whole RE: City Newspaper
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
2. Committee of the Whole RE: Financial Recovery Plan
On a
motion by Ms. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
As
amended, council then considered the following items:
3. Finance & Audit RE: Various Claims
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
4. Finance & Audit RE: Appropriations
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted YES.
Mr.
Sanker requested the need for a special meeting near the end of the year for
the purpose of discussing
v 2007 Final Appropriations
v 2008 Appropriations
v Employment Agreements and
Contracts
Ms. Grote
called a Special meeting for December 27th at 7:30pm in Council
Chambers.
I) ADMINISTRATION
REPORTS
Mayor
Williams was present and announced that the grant request for the
Mr.
Mumper asked if the grant match would come from permissive tax. Mayor Williams confirmed and noted that $0
will come from the City’s General Fund.
Mayor Williams added that this will include water mains, catch basins,
curbs and utility work.
Mr.
Schneider noted that this was a significant accomplishment and a great
opportunity for the City.
Mayor
Williams continued by adding that he attended the Norwood Historical Society
meeting which honored Ms. Lucy Simpson.
This is a great honor for years of dedicated service for Ms. Simpson.
Mayor
Williams also noted that Miller Valentine hosted a grand reopening of the E-911
center on December 6th. This
is a significant upgrade and the City of
The
Mayor also noted the Grand Re-Opening of the Siemens Automation Plant. Many attendees from the City were present as
were the CEO and Officers of Siemens, Hamilton County Commissioners, Representative
Jean Schmidt, and Governor Strickland.
All had very positive comments for the City of
Mayor
Williams also acknowledged that the Grand Opening of Buffalo Wings and Rings
will be held tomorrow night during the Crosstown Shootout.
The
Mayor announced the dedication of
Mayor
Williams concluded his Administration Report by mentioning that during the
holidays the City has a lot for which to be thankful. Council has worked very hard during very
tough times. In the past, we have been
struggling to make payroll at the end of the year and that is not the case
now. We must continue to be aggressive
with expenditures and must continue to be diligent in our pursuit of new
revenue streams. Mayor Williams thanked
this and previous Councils for their hard work.
When
opened for questions Mr. Moore asked Mayor Williams for the status of leaf
pickup. Mayor Williams answered that
Public Works will continue leaf pickup until the job is done. Mayor Williams also noted that there was a
cast-iron pipe in City Hall that had corroded and was identified prior to major
damage. As we removed some of the
paneling we were reminded of how beautiful the plaster and ceiling was in
Council Chambers. While it will not be a
main priority, the Administration will investigate grant opportunities for
restoring the historic quality of this facility.
J) OTHER
REQUESTS TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
There
were no requests to address Council.
K) UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
Mr.
Sanker commented on the Appropriations and explained we are doing better than
in years past but need to stay conservative.
In the past we have needed last minute meetings in order to decide what
bills need to be paid in order to survive the fiscal year - we are not in that
situation this year. We must, however,
be cautious as we enter 2008. There are
talks of nationwide economic recession and this City needs to protect itself
against bad times. Earnings forecasts
have estimated little to no increase in earnings tax revenue for the coming
year and we must continue to be cautious with expenses. This Council, Department Heads, and residents
deserve a big thank you for putting up with our recent budget issues.
Mr.
Moore added that we need to continue to be careful. The Auditor’s Office needs to be straightened
out and we need accurate numbers in order to close this year and start
2008. Even though the renewal passed,
there is still less cash to the general fund given that we have earmarked
funds; We all need to continue to be cost conscious.
L) NEW
BUSINESS
Mr.
Schneider asked that the 2008 Temporary Appropriations be placed into the
Finance and Audit Committee.
Mr.
Schneider also asked that a letter be sent to the Auditor requesting a report
on the current status for 2007. Mr.
Schneider also asked that a letter be sent to the Deputy Auditor and
Treasurer’s Office asking them for the final Certificate of Estimated
Resources.
Mr.
Sanker thanked and commended Public Works for the decorations adorning our
streets and wished a Merry Christmas to all
Mr.
Mumper thanked the Administration, Public Works, and the Tree Board for their
great work on the pocket park at the site of the former pony keg on
M) COMMUNICATIONS
1. Letter from
Sue Rosebraugh RE: Christmas Tree Displays
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.
2. Letter from
Mayor RE: Mayor’s Court Fines – November 2007
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
John Hanrahan RE: Tax Report – November 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 John
Hanrahan RE: Thrifty Food Market
5. Letter from
Chief Schlie RE: Thrifty Food Market
6. Letter from
Liquor Control RE: Thrifty Food Market
As amended, council then considered the following:
7. Letter from
Donna Laake RE: Thrifty Food Market
On a motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Ms. Kelly, it was moved that letters 4, 5, 6 and 7 be received and filed as if read and that no objection be made. All members present voted YES.
N) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
All
members were present.
Ms.
Grote noted that there will be no regular Council meeting on the 4th
Tuesday of the month which falls on December 25th . Ms. Grote reminded Council that there will be
a Special Meeting on December 27th as discussed previously.
O) 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