image001Norwood City Council

Council Chambers

January 13, 2009

 

 

 

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. Thornbury, and Mr. Mumper.

 

E)   AMENDMENT OF AGENDA

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to add Communications O-4, O-5, O-6, and O-7.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

F) MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to approve the minutes from October 28, 2008, November 11, 2008, and November 25, 2008 as if read. All members present voted “YES”.                  

 

G) requests to address council on agenda items

 

H) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL

 

I) SECOND AND THIRD READINGS OF ORDINANCES

 

J) INTRODUCTORY READINGS OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

K) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

 

The Mayor welcomed Norwood’s newest resident, Elijah Cooper Moore. He is the son of Councilman Keith and Lisa Moore.

 

The Council tour of properties has delivered significant results, and generated thank you and compliments on the progress of ridding the neighborhoods of troublesome properties. The apartment building on Sherman has been eliminated, 2424 Kenilworth is coming down next and the vacant property on Quatman is also slated for demolition. This is great progress for our community.

 

The Mayor also noted that while drug investigations take a long time, arrests do follow. Our residents have been thanking the Police Department for eradicating the problem.

 

The Mayor added that the salt storage facility is up and currently protecting 300 tons of salt from the elements.

 

When opened for questions, Mr. Schneider asked about Emergency Management Funds for September’s storm damage.  The Mayor answered that that these funds require many conditions be met and the availability of these funds are being investigated.  Mayor Williams asked Mr. Geers to add details.  Mr. Geers described several grant opportunities.  Issue 2 Grants will be targeted at the following projects: Park Avenue, Beech Street and the water main on Smith Rd.  Ninety-seven (97) projects throughout the county were ranked. Park Avenue ranked #7 (1.9 million total, 1.379 in grant dollars with 30% matching funds) Beech Street ranked #23 (1.1million total, 770,000 in grant dollars with 30% match) Smith Road ranked #74 (600,000 loan over 30 years with 0% interest).  These funds are available now, so we should be able to start as soon as the weather breaks and we have 2 years to complete the work. All projects have to be under contract by end of 2009.

 

In addition, we have applied for grants for the other projects including:

SCIP Funds for Sherman Avenue and State project for Montgomery Road phase III.

 

Mr. Thornbury asked for information on the timing for the Montgomery Rd. project.  Mr. Geers answered it is based on ODOT schedule but construction should begin in 2010.

 

Mr. Schneider asked if there is a source of funding for the matching funds?  Mr. Geers responded that there is a permissive tax structure available, but normally the requirement is “in house” funding.

 

The Mayor read the Mayor’s Annual Report covering the economy, bargaining units and surrounding communities. He praised the collaboration within city departments but noted a real concern in the decrease in family populations. Families are central to revitalization and we need to address this going forward.

 

During the Auditor’s Report, Mr. Stith noted that 2008 was officially closed on January 12, 2009.  Mr. Stith thanked other departments for contributing their portions of the report and explained the components of the report and 2009 budget elements.

 

Mr. Stith added that the E-Gov VIP software process is to be deployed in the month of January where Department Heads will be able to review departmental budgets in real time. Other enhancements to E-Gov, as approved by Council, included online purchase orders, online payroll, and other enhancements. We hope to have much of this work online by the end of 2009.

 

During the Law Director’s Report, Mr. Kiser thanked Council, the administration and department heads for their cooperation.  2008 was a very good year.  He then read the Law Director’s Annual Report and specifically noted Mayor’s Court fines and mentioned the possibility of a local Juvenile Court.

 

L) OTHER REQUESTS TO ADDRESS COUNCIL

 

M) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mr. Schneider commented on the Mayor’s report regarding families and ways to strengthen their numbers in Norwood.  As chair of Parks and Recreation, he will look into strengthening the parks program.

 

N) NEW BUSINESS

 

O) COMMUNICATIONS

1. Letter from Mayor                          Re: Board of Health Appointment

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to approve the appointment and receive and file the letter.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

2. Letter from Mayor                          Re: Recreation Commission Appointment

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Gabbard, it was moved to approve the appointment and receive and file the letter. All members present voted “YES”.

 

3. Letter from Mayor                                      Re: Mayor’s Court Fines

On a motion from Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr.Schneider, it was moved to receive and file the report. All members present voted “YES”. 

 

Mr. Mumper thanked Mr. Bob Sorrell for his fine work as Clerk of Courts.

 

4. Letter from Tax Department           Re: 2008 Report and December 2008

On a motion from Mr. Thornbury, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to receive and file the reports.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

5. Letter from Law Director               Re: Law Director’s Report

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to receive and file the report as if read.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

6. Letter from Auditor                                    Re: Auditor’s Report

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to receive and file the report as if read.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

7. Letter from Auditor                                    Re: Monthly Budget Reports

On a motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to receive and file the report as if read.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

P)  EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to excuse the absent members.  All members present voted “YES”.

 

Q)  ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to adjourn.  All members present voted YES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________            ______________________________

J. Brian Mumper                                          Jane M. Grote

Clerk of Council                                            President of Council