Council
Chambers
February 24,
2009
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, Mr. Barlow, and Mr. Mumper. Mr. Thornbury was absent.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to amend the agenda by adding I-D, N-2, and moving H-B to the first order of business. All members present voted “YES”.
Ms. Grote stepped down and Mr. Moore came forward as President of Council Pro-Tem.
f) requests to address council on agenda items
Council heard from Henry Jacquez, of
As amended, Council then considered the following agenda item.
H-B. ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLANS FOR SAINT ALOYSIUS ORPHANAGE SCHOOL, COVERED BY THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE OVER 2420 DREX AVENUE.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation. All present voted “YES”.
Upon returning from Executive Session,
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to hear the second reading of the ordinance. All members present voted “YES”.
G) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Community Development Re: Linden Pointe Design Review
Mr. Gabbard asked if it was a large satellite dish. Mr. Moore answered that it was illustrated in the attachments and will be set back to the middle of the facility to limit exposure at ground level.
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to approve the report. All members present voted “YES”.
H) Second and third
A)
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE PAY SCALE FOR SEASONAL EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY
OF
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to hear the second
reading. All members present voted
“YES”.
B. ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLANS FOR SAINT ALOYSIUS ORPHANAGE SCHOOL, COVERED BY THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE OVER 2420 DREX AVENUE.
As amended, this item was considered previously.
I) INTRODUCTORY
A.
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
Mr.
Sanker questioned the Mayor in regard to urgency. The Mayor said the Bosworth parcels are a
housekeeping item. Property is in
On a motion
by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to hear the first
reading of the ordinance. All members present voted “YES”.
B.
ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITING & INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS
OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE
CODIFIED
ORDINANCES OF NORWOOD, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr.
Schneider asked the Law Director if these were major or minor changes.
Mr.
Kiser replied they are minor modifications.
Walter Drane will modify the language to comply with Ohio Revised Code.
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, 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. Barlow, it was moved to pass the ordinance. All present voted “YES”.
C.
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CLERK/TREASURER TO CERTIFY UNPAID BILLS FOR THE COST
OF DEMOLITION TO THE HAMILTON COUNTY AUDITOR FOR FILING AS A LIEN ON THE TAX
DUPLICATE OF THE OWNER(S) OF SAID PARCELS AND TO BE COLLECTED AS OTHER TAXES,
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr.
Schneider asked the Mayor what the next step is for these parcels. The Mayor answered that unless something
comes of interest we will have green space.
Only then will we be able to recover liens. If nothing else, we’ll have
a grassy lot.
Mr.
Moore said one thing that could happen with these properties would be “in fill
housing”. Not sure how that plays out,
still up to the owner of the property.
This does give the City some leverage if there is any interest.
Mr.
Schneider directed a question to the Law Director regarding the next step for
the property owner? What is their incentive to sell? Mr. Kiser explained that a lien is somewhat
of an encumbrance, as it would have to be settled before closing the sale. If
they don’t pay taxes, there is a process where the County can sell property.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, 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 Mr. Schneider, it was moved to pass the
ordinance. All members present voted
“YES”.
D. AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #69-2001 WITH RESPECT TO DECLARING IMPROVEMENTS TO
PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NORWOOD, OHIO TO BE A PUBLIC
PURPOSE UNDER SECTION 5709.40 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Mr.
Moore asked the Law Director if there was any “policy” reason to hold this
ordinance. Mr. Kiser answered that the
Law Department has gone over it and everything is in order. Mr. Chris Brown,
Asst. Law Director, added that this cleans up outstanding issues and
outstanding parcels that were not included in the original ordinance.
Mr. Schneider
asked who brought the issue to the table.
Mr. Brown responded that it was a joint effort to clean up parcels to
insure City property is tax exempt.
On a
motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, 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. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the
Ordinance. All members present voted
“YES”.
J) ADMINISTRATION
REPORTS
Mayor
Williams was present and addressed questions regarding what we were doing to
apply for stimulus package funds and distributed handouts. We have applied for
funding on many potential projects and are trying to tailor our projects toward
federal programs.
Mr.
Schneider thanked the Mayor for the effort.
The
agreement with Local 3278 has been ratified by membership. We are in discussion
with 914 and Police. The 3278 agreement will be on the next agenda.
The
Mayor also noted that with respect to the economy, the Community Development Director
has been asked to submit a plan in anticipation of an economic turnaround. One recommendation has been to look at zoning
and looking at an outside firm to come in and prepare zoning package. Please forward any input on the topic.
Mayor
Williams noted that painting and plastering work is being done at the Community
Center. The next on the project list is
maintenance at City Hall.
When
opened for questions, Mr. Gabbard asked the status of the downspout project.
The Mayor answered that contactors for this project have changed but that the
work will be completed shortly.
Mr.
Schneider asked the status of Park and
Mr.
Schneider then asked if a letter could be sent to the railroad company
responsible for the
Mr.
Schneider pointed out the bathrooms at Upper Millcrest Park were built during
the depression to stimulate economy and that he is glad to see that we are
being proactive with requests for improvements this time around as well. These projects are beneficial to the city as
well as the economy. The Mayor agreed and
hopes relevant projects are picked over fluff.
The
Auditor began his report by explaining the details in the January Auditor’s
report and focused attention on the Earnings Tax Visuals noting that we were
$6,000 shy of January projections. Mr.
Stith also explained the management of fixed costs and how those are being
handled this year.
Ted
Kiser had nothing in addition to report from the Law Department.
K) OTHER REQUESTS TO
ADDRESS COUNCIL
There
were no additional requests to address Council.
L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr.
Moore discussed the draft of Community Reinvestment Area ordinance and provided
an opportunity for feedback. The final
ordinance should be on the next agenda.
Mr. Moore explained the objective and details of the C.R.A. and noted that
the goal is to encourage residential and commercial improvements. The hope is that this helps to market our
housing stock as soon as the economy rebounds.
Mr.
Schneider questioned the wording in several areas, Mr. Moore answered that
there is logic to the legalese in order to comply with related legislation.
M) NEW BUSINESS
Mr.
Moore announced that Thursday February 26th from 5-8 McGruff and
Citizens on Patrol will be at Kroger.
Kids Identity Kits will be available.
Mr.
Schneider announced that there will be a Parks and Recreation meeting on
Tuesday March 3rd, at 6:30 in Council Chambers. A letter to the Recreation Commissioners and
Executive Director will be sent, requesting their attendance. The upcoming season and Recreation Commissions
plans will be discussed.
N) COMMUNICATIONS
1. Letter
from Auditor Re:
Auditor’s Report for January, 2009
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to receive and file
as if read. All members present voted
“YES”.
2. Letter from Law Department Re: Request for executive session
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to receive and file
the letter and noted that the executive session was handled previously. All members present voted “YES”.
O) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, the absence of Mr. Thornbury was
excused.
P) ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, the meeting was adjourned. All members present voted YES.
______________________________ ______________________________
J. Brian Mumper Jane
M. Grote
Clerk of Council President
of Council