Council Chambers
Regular Meeting
December 28, 2009
7:30 p.m.

 

Council met in regular session with all nine members present:  Ames, Bonner, Cross, Henderson, Lester, Malone, Patrick, Proehl and Trutschel.  There were 3 media representatives and 8 other visitors present, in addition to Mayor Sulzer, and City Law Director Eddy.  The meeting was broadcast live by Time Warner Cable and by Horizonview. 

The invocation was given by Rev. Chuck Ramsey, Chaplain, Adena Health System, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

Mrs. Lester moved and Mrs. Malone seconded that the Minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 2009, and the Minutes of the Special Meeting of December 21, 2009, be accepted and approved, as submitted by the Clerk.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Engineering Committee:

Mrs. Malone reported on Item #6 to approve the proposed rezoning of property located at 15 Western Avenue from R-0 to C-4, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading.  Mrs. Malone moved and Mrs. Patrick seconded that Item #6 not be read tonight.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted. 

City Services Committee:

Mrs. Lester reported on Item #5 to amend Sec. 917.06 of the Codified Ordinances and to repeal Ord. No. 27-06, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

Parks & Recreation Committee:

Mr. Trutschel reported on Item #2 to accept and appropriate $1,000.00 received from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Chillicothe Aerie No. 600, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

Finance Committee:

Mrs. Henderson reported on Item #3 to appropriate $13,398.50 for expenses related to the Neenah Gardens Sewer Project, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.  Mrs. Henderson reported on Item #7 to appropriate $650.00 for a washing machine for Fire Station #4, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading.  Mrs. Henderson reported on Item #8 to appropriate $1,104.61 for a new computer for use in the Civil Service Commission Office, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading. 

Human Resources Committee:

Mr. Bonner reported on Item #4 to create Section 137.21 and to repeal Section 121.05 of the Codified Ordinances, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

Safety Services Committee:

Mr. Proehl reported on Item #1 to enact Section 1511.05 of the Codified Ordinances entitled “Obstruction of Fire Hydrants”, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

REPORTS OF OFFICIALS

Report of Mayor Sulzer:

Mayor Sulzer indicated that the annual Christmas tree collection has begun, and that these should be placed out front by the curb.  He said that there will be a 2010 budget ordinance before Council at the beginning of the year, but that this will have to be amended again in 2010 as the revenue picture becomes more clear.  He said that health care costs have increased 12%, or about $350,000.00.  He also noted that there are pay increases as per the union contracts, and that this will be a very tight budget for the year 2010.  He said that he will continue to review revenues with the new Auditor, the new Finance Committee Chairman, and the Finance Committee as well as all of Council.  He commended Mr. Bonner and Mrs. Henderson for their public service, thanking them and wishing them well.  He also commended Pres. Shoultz for his many years of public service to the community, stating that he has appreciated his leadership over the years.  He also commended Bill Morrissey, who could not be here tonight, for his friendship and for his looking out for the best of the community, stating that he wishes him well.  Mayor Sulzer concluded his report by wishing everyone a happy new year.

Report of Law Director Eddy:

Mrs. Eddy stated that she echoes the Mayor’s comments, and that she expresses her thanks to Mr. Bonner, Mrs. Henderson, Pres. Shoultz, and Mr. Morrissey.  She wished everyone a happy new year, and urged those who are celebrating to please use a designated driver. 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Jan Madru of 136 Scioto Avenue complained about the fact that the city crews have not been cleaning up Scioto Avenue. 

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Trutschel said that he also echoes the comments of Mayor Sulzer and City Law Director Eddy in commending Mr. Bonner, Mrs. Henderson, Pres. Shoultz and Mr. Morrissey for a great job done.  He said that he is honored to have served with them. 

Mrs. Ames said that she also commends those who are leaving office, thanking them for their services. 

Mrs. Henderson said that as she leaves office, she has a wish list for the city in 2010.  She said that the debt for the aerial truck will be paid off in about 1 ½ years, and that the city needs to acquire two new fire engines for the Chillicothe Fire Department.  She also said that it has been a goal to acquire 1 medic unit and 1 squad unit per year.  She said that if the personnel needs are to be compromised in late 2010, the city still needs to hire two more firefighters, and that this will be cost effective because of the revenues it would generate with running an additional EMS unit.  She said that the city also needs to acquire new garbage trucks, and that this would be a general fund capital item purchase.  She indicated that the city perhaps needs to look at increasing the monthly garbage fee in order to cover these needed capital items in the Service Department.  She said that she certainly understands the conservative approach of Mayor Sulzer and newly elected City Auditor Tom Spetnagel, Jr..  In concluding her comments, she said that she has seen a lot of good come about for the city during the past ten years, and that her service has been a blessing to her.  She wished everyone a happy new year. 

Mr. Cross also stated that he has enjoyed working with Mr. Bonner, Mrs. Henderson, Pres. Shoultz and Mr. Morrissey during his time on Council. 

Mrs. Malone said that she wishes a happy new year to everyone, and that she has enjoyed working with the outgoing city officials. 

Mr. Bonner expressed his thanks to everyone for working so well together over the years, and he said that his service on City Council has been an honor that he will always cherish.

Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Malone seconded that Council approve Mayor Sulzer’s appointment of Dick Schwartz to continue serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals for a full 4 year term beginning January 1, 2010.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted. 

Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Lester seconded that Council approve Mayor Sulzer’s appointment of Dave Strickland to continue serving on the Majestic Theatre Board, for a full 3 year term beginning January 1, 2010.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted.

Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Lester seconded that Council approve Mayor Sulzer’s appointment of Charles Halm to continue serving as a representative to the Ross County General Health District, for a full 5 year term beginning January 1, 2010.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted. 

Mrs. Lester expressed her thanks to everyone here for accepting her on Council and for helping her to learn the ropes, and she thanked those who are leaving for their friendship and for working well together.

COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS AND CALENDAR

Pres. Shoultz announced the following additional Council Committee Assignments for inclusion in the Journal of Council:

    #394-Engineering-Approve Planning Commission zone change from R-8 to C-2 for
 property at 606 E. Main Street and 15 Brownell Street;  and
    #395-Parks & Recreation-Convey Coppel Soccer Complex to CIC for joint transfer to
 city and county.

READING AND PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION

Ord. No. 154-09 enacting Section 1511.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe entitled “Obstruction of Fire Hydrants” was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared Ord. No. 154-09 adopted.

Ord. No. 155-09 accepting and appropriating the sum of $1,000.00, received from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Chillicothe Aerie #600, and declaring an emergency was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared Ord. No. 155-09 adopted.

Ord. No. 156-09 appropriating $13,398.50 for expenses related to the Neenah Gardens Sewer Project, and declaring an emergency was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared Ord. No. 156-09 adopted.

Ord. No. 157-09 creating Section 137.21 and repealing Section 121.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared Ord. No. 157-09 adopted.

Ord. No. 158-09 amending Section 917.06 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe and repealing Ord. No. 27-06 was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared Ord. No. 158-09 adopted.

An Ordinance appropriating $650.00 to purchase a washing machine for Fire Station #4, and declaring an emergency was read for the second time by title only. 

An Ordinance appropriating $1,104.61 to purchase a new computer for use in the Civil Service Commission Office, and declaring an emergency was read for the second time by title only. 

Pres. Shoultz said that he learned a long time ago that no man is an island and that the world does not revolve around him.  He said that he cares for this community and that he loves it and its people.  He said that we have not always agreed, but that diversity is very important.  He indicated that he believes that this Council has done a tremendous job, and he said that he wants to see Council succeed in the future and that he believes that this will happen.  He said that he has enjoyed his service on Council and as President of Council, and that he has appreciated the opportunity that the community has given to him. 

Mrs. Henderson moved and Mr. Bonner seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Shoultz declared the motion adopted.  Adjourned at 8:15 p.m.