Council Chambers
Regular Meeting
March 22, 2010
7:30 p.m.

 

Council met in regular session with the following nine members present:  Ames, Cross, Lester, Malone, Patrick, Proehl, Sharp, Siberell and Trutschel.  There were 3 media representatives and 13 other visitors present, in addition to Mayor Sulzer, City Law Director Eddy, and City Auditor Spetnagel.  The meeting was broadcast live by Time Warner Cable and by Horizonview. 

The invocation was given by Rev. Chuck Ramsey, Adena Regional Medical Center, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

Mrs. Lester moved and Mr. Siberell seconded that the Minutes of the Public Hearing of March 8, 2010, and the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 8, 2010, be accepted and approved, as submitted by the  Clerk.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Engineering Committee:

Mrs. Malone reported on Item #5 to express the intent of Council to appropriate, when necessary, the city’s 10% local share of feasibility study costs for the widening of U.S. Rt. 50, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading.  She said that this was the subject of last week’s review session. 

Utilities Committee:

Mrs. Patrick announced that there will be a meeting of the Utilities Committee on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 3:30 p.m., in the first floor conference room of the Administration Building. 

Development Committee:

Mrs. Ames reported on Item #1 to authorize an agreement with the Ohio Regional Development Corporation for an application for 2010 Community Housing Improvement Program, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

Finance Committee:

Mr. Siberell reported on Item #3 to appropriate $4,335.00 for computer maintenance and support in the Income Tax Department, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading.  He said that he will seek to pass this item tonight.  He also announced that there will be a meeting of the Finance Committee here in Council Chambers on April 21, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., to discuss the 2010 budget. 

Safety Services Committee:

Mr. Proehl reported on Item #2 to appropriate $5,389.76 for modifications and repairs to shotguns of the Police Department, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading.  Mr. Proehl reported on Item #4 to amend Section #359.99 of the Codified Ordinances, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading. 

REPORTS OF OFFICIALS

Report of Mayor Sulzer:

Mayor Sulzer commented on Item #5, indicating that this widening project of U.S. Rt. 50 has not yet been funded.  He also indicated that he spoke with Mrs. Primer of the Parks & Recreation Department, who stated that some work is being done on North High Street to improve the landscaping and also the welcome sign to the city, with support from the Chillicothe Evening Lion’s Club.  He reminded everyone that Chillicothe Day at the Cincinnati Reds is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010, and that the tickets are at half price.  He indicated that the utility work on Western Avenue is mostly complete now.  He said that Columbia Gas will be doing some major line repair along Western Avenue this summer.  Mayor Sulzer stated that he has been in talks with City Auditor Spetnagel on a daily basis about the budget, and that they hope to have new information and recommendations by the 21st of April.  Mayor Sulzer concluded his report by wishing everyone a happy Easter. 

Report of Auditor Spetnagel:

Mr. Spetnagel discussed Item #3, explaining why it is necessary to waive the three reading rule.  He also commented on questions about the budget raised by Mrs. Patrick at the Finance Meeting last week, stating that he has been discussing the budget on a daily basis with the Administration and he has also been researching issues during the evenings.  He said that the city’s health care costs are increasing at double digit rates and that the budget problems are not the fault of the Administration or the previous Auditor.  He said that all cities are facing this problem.  He concluded his report by stating that he is able to increase the estimates of revenues for 2010 by about $200,000.00. 

Report of Law Director Eddy:

Mrs. Eddy commented on Item #4.  She said that the suggested amendment came from the Police Department and the Nuisance Officer.  She requested that there be an Executive Session of Council prior to adjournment tonight to discuss pending litigation involving the city.  She also wished everyone a happy Easter. 

Report of Pres. Arnold:

Pres. Arnold indicated that the Town Hall Meeting on the 9th of March was a success.  He urged continued public input, and discussed statistical information from the questionnaires that were filled out.  He said that he hopes to have one or two more similar meetings yet this year. 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Mr. Ron Wagner of 19 Ridgeway Drive commented on the poor condition of the children’s play park in the City Park.  He said that the only drinking fountain was out of order for seven days, and that all of the equipment is in poor condition.  He said that some of the equipment is missing and other equipment is broken.  He asked for corrective action by the Administration and by City Council. 

Mr. William Barnhart of 373 McKeller stated that the Town Hall Meeting was okay, but that there needs to be more public participation.  He also asked if the matter of the cell phone ban has been assigned to a committee of Council.  Pres. Arnold responded in the affirmative. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Sharp asked where we are on the cost allocation study for the Utilities Department.  Mayor Sulzer responded, stating that it has not yet started because Maxum is wanting a limited liability clause in the contract and the city has not agreed to this. 

Mr. Siberell commented on the resolution to support the widening of U.S. Rt. 50, asking where the money will come from.  Mayor Sulzer responded, stating that both the City Engineer and the County Engineer think the total cost of the feasibility study will be about $200,000.00, with the city’s share coming in at about $20,000.00.  He discussed the street and alley financing, and said that the revenue estimates for the city are increasing as per Auditor Spetnagel, and stated that the city is looking at cuts in expenses of all departments.  Mayor Sulzer said that these cuts will be deep and painful if we have to make them. 

PETITIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported on receipt of a letter from Mr. Stan Perry of 6 Leeds Road complaining about the water line extensions out to North Fork Village, and the fact that they have to pay 50% more on their water bills;  and on receipt of a letter from the Chillicothe Conservancy and the Chillicothe Restoration Foundation, signed by Nancy King and Kevin Coleman, respectively, asking that Council consider the immediate establishment of a proposed working group on the subject of the Carlisle Building, and also passage of a resolution to participate in this working group for the purpose of developing an implementation plan for the project by April 30, 2010, including a viable and responsible financing plan. 

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Trutschel commented on the state of the playground equipment, indicating that he has an assignment to apply for a grant through the Gannett Foundation.  He said that this type of grant and many other grants from individuals and organizations have been used to replace and repair playground equipment in the past.  Mr. Trutschel also commented on an assignment he has received concerning the proposed Gus Macker Basketball Tournament, stating that the dates that they are wanting are the same as the dates that have already been set aside for the Studebaker Show in the City Park.  He said that he does not feel that the two events can be held at the same time. 

Mrs. Ames indicated that the Ross County Board of Elections needs poll workers for the May primary.  She provided information on this, indicating that she has also passed out brochures. 

Mr. Sharp said that with respect to the playground equipment in the City Park, he will donate $500.00 out of his City Council salary for this purpose.  He issued a challenge to other members of Council to also donate. 

COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS AND CALENDAR

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

 #38-Safety Services-Request for an ordinance to ban the use of cell phones while driving
 a vehicle;
 #39-Finance-Request for a resolution to support the Carlisle Towers LLC and establish a
 “Carlisle Working Group” directed towards the city’s committed involvement in the use
 and subsequent restoration of the Carlisle Building;
#40-Utilities-Request for legislation to appropriate $2,195.00 to purchase a controller/datalogger for the valve operator machine in Utilities;
#41-Utilities-Request for legislation to amend the Utility Rules and Regulations
to reflect monthly billings for the Utilities Department;
#42-Utilities-Request for legislation to appropriate $11,500.00 to purchase 2
transformers for the Water Treatment Plant;
#43-Parks & Recreation-Request for legislation to apply for a Parks & Recreation
Department for a grant through the Gannett Foundation for playground equipment;
#44-Parks & Recreation-Request for legislation to grant use of the necessary streets
and the use of the City Park for Annual Gus Macker Basketball Tournament;
#45-Finance-Request for legislation to appropriate $3,728.16 for the 2010 replacement
pages to the Chillicothe Codified Ordinances;
#46-Engineering-Request for appropriation of $125,000.00 for Western Avenue resurfacing scheduled for this summer;
#47-Engineering-Request to appropriate $137,000.00 for the realignment of Nancy Wilson Way and North Plaza Blvd. in conjunction with the relocation project scheduled this summer;
#48-Engineering-Request to appropriate $50,000.00 for the annual paving of 1/3 of the streets within the city;
#49-Human Resources-Request for appropriation of $80,000.00 for the hiring of summer help for various departments within the city;  and
#50-Finance-Request for an ordinance appropriating money for construction and related expenses to be incurred in relocating the Chillicothe Municipal Court.

Pres. Arnold announced that there will be a review session on Monday, March 29, 2010, in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Council Rule changes and also for a discussion dealing with forming a “Carlisle Working Group”.

READING AND PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION

Res. No. 2-10 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Regional Development Corporation to file an application on behalf of the City of Chillicothe, with the State of Ohio to participate in the 2010 Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), accepting the grant if awarded, and declaring an emergency was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared Res. No. 2-10 adopted.

An Ordinance appropriating $5,389.76 for modifications and repairs to shotguns owned by the Police Department, and declaring an emergency was read for the first time by title only. 

Ord. No. 30-10 appropriating $4,335.00 for computer maintenance and support within the Income Tax Department, and declaring an emergency was read for the first time by title only.  Mr. Siberell moved and Mr. Proehl seconded that the three reading rule be suspended, placing this item on final passage.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.  All members present then voted “yea” on the item itself, and Pres. Arnold declared Ord. No. 30-10 adopted.

An Ordinance amending Section 359.99 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe was read for the first time by title only. 

A Resolution expressing the intent of the City of Chillicothe to appropriate, when necessary, the city’s ten percent local share of feasibility study costs regarding the widening of U. S. Rt. 50 from the municipal corporation limits located at or near the intersection of U.S. Rt. 50 and Limestone Blvd. to the intersection of U.S. Rt. 50 and Veterans Parkway was read for the first time by title only.

Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Malone seconded that Council go into an Executive Session to discuss the matter of pending litigation against the City of Chillicothe, Ohio, with the Director of Law.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.  Council then removed to the Chambers of Judge Street down the hall for the Executive Session. 

Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Lester seconded that Council go out of the Executive Session and resume the regular meeting.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted, and the regular meeting resumed in Council Chambers. 

Mrs. Ames moved and Mr. Proehl seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.  Adjourned at 8:58 p.m.