Norwood City Council
Council Chambers
May 12, 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. Thornbury, Mr. Barlow, and Mr. Mumper.
E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA
On a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved to amend the agenda to include the Appropriations Ordinance as item H-A). All members present voted “Yes”.
f) REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no requests.
G) THIRD
A) ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE
DIRECTOR TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY AT 4320 FRANKLIN AVENUE AT COST NOT TO
EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000), AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AS AMENDED
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, 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. Moore, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to pass the
Ordinance. All members present voted
“Yes”.
H) INTRODUCTORY
READINGS OF ORDINANCES
A) ORDINANCE TO CHANGE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2009, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Mr.
Barlow discussed the 1800 County Settlement Sheet adjustments.
Mr.
Moore requested a clarification of the acronym PEAP. Mr. Stith said it is
housekeeping in name only, Public Employer Assistance Program.
On a
motion by Mr. Barlow, 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. Barlow, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to pass the ordinance.
All members present voted “Yes”.
I) ADMINISTRATION
REPORTS
The
Mayor gave follow up remarks about the May 9th Forget Me Knot Walk.
It was a will attended, nice event. Mr.
Gabbard, Mr. Mumper and Mr. Sanker were in attendance.
Mayor
Williams also mentioned that Norwood Wesleyan Church will host an Old Fashioned
Day on May 17th.
Mayor
Williams then updated Council on several projects. Kroger plans to open their Surrey Square
store on June 23rd. A cart
containment system and landscaping along Lafayette Ave will be completed before
the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
Parks
are under renovation in preparation for summer.
Major updates at Fenwick will be completed and a rededication ceremony
will be scheduled for late May. At the
same time, vandalism is increasing in all the parks. Enforcement will be strict and rewards for
reporting vandalism will be instituted.
Mayor
Williams also noted that the expanding deer population has generated several
complaints and options for controlling the population are being investigated.
Mayor
Williams asked Mr. Geers to come forward to discuss project updates in the
City. Mr. Geers commented that Duke
Energy is replacing old gas service lines, they will do a full section prior to
cleaning up and completing that section.
The plan is to address Smith Road from Kenilworth to Montgomery,
Montgomery Road south replacing utility poles and phasing out low voltage.
Removal of old steel poles on
Mr.
Thornbury asked why the work on
Mr. Schneider said lights at Burwood are obstructed by trees. Mr. Geers said
Duke will be coming in to trim trees and will address other lighting issues as
well. Mr. Mumper added that trees on
either side of Cathedral are currently being trimmed back.
Mr.
Moore asked if Duke repairs holes that they create during these projects. Mr. Geers confirmed and added that they document
the condition prior to work and return it to that state.
During
the Auditor’s Report, Mr. Stith reminded everyone that the monthly report from
the Auditor’s office is available online.
Regarding
the five year forecast they are looking at vehicle maintenance and the vehicle
rotation. They are communicating with department heads to assess usage to help
with forecasts.
Mr.
Schneider asked if the forecast is evolving or if a new one will be issued.
Mr.
Stith said the five year forecast will continue to evolve. The hope is that
updates will be ready by March of each year.
Mr.
Sanker stressed that forecasts are not budgets or a promise to departments and
asked if there could be a separate report rather than naming specific
departments or specific dates. Mr. Stith
said this is only a forecast and reiterated many of Mr. Sanker’s concerns. The forecast will be done in accordance with
the State Auditor’s guideline but agreed that everything is subject to change.
He explained some potential wording as a disclaimer to make it crystal clear
that this is not a budget, only a forecast.
Mr.
Moore said the goal of the forecast is to be a level of communication to
department heads on what can be planned for expenditures. Mr. Stith confirmed that the vehicle
inspection report will be for guidance only.
Mr.
Moore said it is currently listed as Auditor’s office, will the forecast be
certified by Council at some point. Mr.
Stith confirmed the wording and added that we would like to get to the point
that the Administration and Council can agree in principle.
Mr.
Schneider asked if the five year forecast is in Finance Committee. Mr. Stith
said a letter was submitted. Mr. Barlow
said it is not yet on agenda, but has been discussed. Mr. Sanker confirmed that
nothing has been concluded on the matter.
Mr.
Kiser had no Law Director’s Report.
J) OTHER REQUESTS TO
ADDRESS COUNCIL
Oliver
Comstock, of the Norwood Young Professionals, announced the Spring Cleanup
event May 16th from 9:30 a.m. until noon. The area from Station to
Sherman Avenues will be targeted.
Joann
Rieder, employee at a new business located in Linden Point, wanted to highlight
problems with service at the Norwood branch of the US Postal Service.
Consistent timing is crucial to their business. She realized Council exercises
no power over the organization, but feels Council should be aware of the impact
the poor service of Norwood Post Office has on businesses recruited to the
area.
K) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr.
Barlow reminded everyone that the Semi Annual Street Sale will be taking place
Friday and Saturday.
Mr.
Sanker announced that as you find hazardous refuse while preparing for the
street sale, the Hamilton Couth EPA is collecting hazardous items. The facility
accepting these materials is on Spring Grove Avenue, open Tuesday, from 2-6 pm
and Saturday from 9-1 pm and is free to all Hamilton County residents.
L) NEW BUSINESS
Mr.
Mumper suggested to Mr. Rieder that she contact her Congressman, Steve Driehaus,
as it is a US Post Office and unfortunately, a federal issue.
M) COMMUNICATIONS
1. Letter from Jerry Owens Re: Memorial Day Service
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to receive and
file the letter. All members present
voted “Yes”.
2. Letter from Fire Dept. Re: Liquor License
3. Letter from Health Dept. Re: Liquor License
4. Letter from Tax Dept. Re: Liquor
License
5. Letter from Building Dept. Re: Liquor License
6. Letter from Police Dept. Re: Liquor License
7. Letter from Ohio Liquor Control Re: Kroger Permit
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to bundle
Communications 2-7 and receive and file the letters. There are no objections
from departments involved. All members present voted “Yes”.
8. Letter from Tax Dept. Re: Earnings Tax Report – April 2009
Mr.
Mumper pointed out that the report shows the benefits of the diversity of our
economic base. The mix of retail, medical, financial, construction, etc. have
us back on track, financially.
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to receive and
file the report. All members present voted “Yes”.
9. Letter from Mayor’s Office Re: Mayor’s Court Fines – April 2009
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to receive and
file the report. All members present voted “Yes”.
N) EXCUSE ABSENT
MEMBERS
All
members were present.
O) 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