Norwood City Council
Council Chambers
September 22, 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. Thornbury, it was moved to amend the agenda to add reports G-2, G-3, G-4, from the Law and Ordinance Committee and item M-2, a request from the Law Department to enter executive session to the agenda. All members present voted “Yes”.
f) REQUESTS TO ADDRESS
COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
There
were no requests.
G) REPORTS OF STANDING
COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
1. Community Development Re:
Mr.
Moore showed renderings of elevations and noted outstanding items and remaining
discussions. Mr. Schneider asked if this
is an attempt to make it more attractive. Mr. Moore confirmed and said that
this is part of the TIF agreement. Mr.
Schneider asked if the TIF agreement includes the bridge as well and asked for
details of timing. Mr. Moore answered
that ODOT has given the initial approval and we are awaiting final approval.
Mr.
Mumper asked if the community gardens are in the long term plans. Mr. Moore said they are dependant on the
economy.
On a motion
by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Thornbury, it was moved to accept the
report. All members present voted,
“Yes”.
2. Law and Ordinance Re:
Stop Signs and Speed Control (
Mr.
Mumper mentioned that he had gotten some input from citizens and the
administration on slowing traffic along the long stretch and noted that a
roundabout idea is interesting.
Mr.
Thornbury asked for additional detail on the request. Mr. Moore responded that citizens had
requested this and subsequently submitted a petition. TEC then commissioned a study indicating that
you need to control speed along the entire street in order to effectively slow
traffic.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved that the report
be accepted. All members present voted
“Yes”.
3. Law and Ordinance Re: Sunday Lawn Mowing
Mr.
Barlow posed a question to the Committee chair regarding the ordinance. Mr. Moore said he believes noon is the time
stated, although there is confusion and a firm timing should be established.
Mr.
Mumper discussed the history of the ordinance and a change in time. He would
like to hear from the public on this item.
On a
motion by Mr. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was moved that the report
be accepted. All members present voted, “Yes”.
4.
Law and Ordinance Re:
Council Rules and Committee Assignments
Mr.
Moore pointed out that we can only get three members to attend in the
afternoons on a regular basis. Mr.
Schneider pointed out the committee meets every Wednesday and is generally held
during business hours to accommodate developer’s schedules. He wonders if the
meetings are held too regularly at this time.
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to accept and
amend council rules in accordance with the Committee Report. All members present voted “Yes”.
H) THIRD
A. A
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF NORWOOD TO REFINANCE URBAN
RENEWAL FINANCING REVENUE NOTES, SERIES 2007 (LINDEN POINTE PROJECT LLC), IN THE
AMOUNT OF THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE LINDEN
POINTE PROJECT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr.
Sanker noted that when TIF agreements were originally brought to Council, they
came through Community Development. It
is important to have City, bond counsel and developers involved in these
discussions. Mr. Moore said a meeting
was mentioned last week and Mr. Brown (Law Department) and Mr. Stith (Auditor’s
Office) were present.
Mr. Stith
said the meeting occurred and bond counsels, developer, City, and the State
Auditor’s Office were present. A state
requirement to be released from “fiscal watch” is to remove this impending bond
retirement and we need a resolution declaring intent of refinancing.
Mr.
Moore had a follow up question regarding timing. Mr. Stith thought it would be helpful to pass
it tonight.
Mr.
Moore asked the Mayor for comments. The
Mayor said he met with Dave Thompson and Chris Brown. This is intentionally a
vague resolution. Major remaining issue is timing of bond refinancing.
On a
motion by Mr. Sanker, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to place the
resolution in Community Development Committee for review. All members present voted “Yes”.
I) ADMINISTRATION
REPORTS
The
Mayor was present and shared comments from County Commissioner Portune
regarding the possibility of combining services. At this time the City is not interested in
changing our service package. Over the
last few years we have looked at every service and decided our plan was
consistent with our residents’ needs and desires.
Mr.
Thornbury asked if we won’t consider merging of services. The Mayor said he
will speak with them but is not interested in merging services.
The
Building Department is interested in working with Police/KOPS (Keep Our
Properties Safe) program and has worked with them on problem properties and
achieved amazing results. This has been an innovative approach to dealing with
these properties and we will determine long term effectiveness.
The
Mayor also announced that Brenda will be on vacation next week.
When
opened for questions, Mr. Thornbury asked what criteria is used to evaluate
problems with KOPS program and asked if this could be a possible solution to
vicious animals? The mayor said not necessarily, it aligns building code
experts with criminal activity experts.
Mr. Thornbury then asked if there was opportunity to include Health
Department inspectors as well. The Mayor
answered not at this time, but it is something to consider.
Mr.
Moore asked the Director of Public Service-Safety Mr. Geers to discuss the work
that Duke is doing throughout the city.
Mr. Geers explained the process and work they are doing to gas lines,
sidewalks, etc. Mr. Sanker asked who residents should call if there are issues.
Mr. Geers said to get us the addresses and we will follow up.
Mr.
Moore mentioned a tree on Cleveland by upper Millcrest that is in bad
shape. Mr. Geers said he will look into
it.
During
the Auditor’s Report, Mr. Stith announced the August Auditor’s report was
released last week and is now online. The Auditor’s Office is looking at
expenditures and appropriations very tightly as we approach the end of the
year.
For the
Law Director’s Report, Mr. Kiser mentioned county forfeitures and property
acquisition and noted that he had several items for Executive Session.
J) OTHER REQUESTS
TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
K) UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
L) NEW BUSINESS
M) COMMUNICATIONS
1. Letter from Earnings Tax Department Re: Earnings Tax Report: August 2009
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 Law Department Re:
Request for Executive Session
On a
motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Schneider, it was moved to receive and
file the letter and honor the request to enter Executive Session for discussion
of current litigation and property acquisition.
All members present voted, “Yes”.
Upon
returning from Executive Session, on a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr.
Thornbury, it was moved to settle Hamilton County Common Pleas case #A0706187
for $8,500.00. All members present voted “Yes”.
N) EXCUSE ABSENT
MEMBERS
There
were no absent members.
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