Council Chambers
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2010
7:30 p.m.

 

Council met in regular session with all nine members present:  Ames, Cross, Lester, Malone, Patrick, Proehl, Sharp, Siberell and Trutschel.  There were 3 media representatives and 9 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 Mr. Cross, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

Mrs. Lester moved and Mr. Siberell seconded that the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 26, 2010, be accepted and approved, as submitted by the Clerk.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Parks & Recreation Committee:

Mr. Trutschel reported on Item #6 to grant the use of the City Park and surrounding streets for the Annual Feast of the Flowering Moon, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.

Utilities Committee:

Mrs. Patrick reported on Item #3 to authorize the hiring and filling of 12 part-time Utility positions for the summer season of 2010 and to appropriate $55,111.21, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.  Mrs. Patrick moved and Mrs. Malone seconded that Item #3 not be read tonight.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.  Mrs. Patrick reported on Item #5 to adopt replacement pages in the Utility Department Rules & Regulations, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.  Mrs. Patrick reported, on behalf of the Special Committee on Council Rules, on Item #7 to adopt “Rules of Council” for the city, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading. 

Engineering Committee:

Mrs. Malone reported on Item #2 to express the intent to appropriate, when necessary, the city’s 10% local share of feasibility study costs for widening of U. S. Rt. 50, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.  Mrs. Malone reported on Item #8 to modify the traffic signal at the intersection of S.R. Rt. 159 and private drives at Aldi, Inc., Tractor Supply Co., and Tire Discounters, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading.  Mrs. Malone reported on Item #10 to appropriate $141,832.00 to resurface a portion of U.S. Rt. 50, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading.  Mrs. Malone moved and Mr. Trutschel seconded that Item #10 be amended by replacing the original version with the substituted version distributed tonight.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted, ruling that this does not represent a substantial change and Item #10 will therefore remain at its second reading status tonight.  Mrs. Malone said that she will seek to pass this item tonight. 

Development Committee:

Mrs. Ames reported on Item #12 to authorize the filing of an application to participate in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Formula Program, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading.  Mrs. Ames reported on Item #13 to authorize an application to participate in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading. 

Human Resources Committee:

Mr. Cross reported on Item #9 to establish the pay and benefit structure of the Police and Fire Department Chiefs, on tonight’s Agenda for its second reading. 

Safety Services Committee:

Mr. Proehl reported on Item #1 to appropriate $5,389.76 for modification and repairs to shotguns of the Police Department, on tonight’s Agenda for its third reading.  Mr. Proehl reported on Item #11 to amend Section 353.10 of the Codified Ordinances, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading. 

City Services Committee:

Mr. Sharp reported on Item #14 to approve the current replacement pages to the Chillicothe Codified Ordinances, on tonight’s Agenda for its first reading.  Mr. Sharp moved and Mr. Cross seconded that Item #14 be amended by attaching Exhibit A to it, copies of which were distributed tonight.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted. 

REPORTS OF OFFICIALS

Report of Mayor Sulzer:

Mayor Sulzer commented on Item #1, stating that it will save the city considerable money as compared to purchasing new shotguns.  He urged passage of this item tonight.  Mayor Sulzer commented on Item #2, stating that this is only a resolution expressing intent to appropriate funds in the future, when this becomes necessary.  It does not commit the appropriation of any money presently.  Mayor Sulzer commented on Item #12 and Item #13, stating that these two items are very important to our community.  He said that this also shows the need for the census forms to be mailed in, because such funding is dependent upon the census results.  Mayor Sulzer thanked Marilyn Dixon for the donation of stuffed animals to the Fire Department for distribution to children.  He announced that this year’s Veteran’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Sulzer concluded his report by indicating that he has passed out copies of the 2010 street program.

Report of Auditor Spetnagel:

Mr. Spetnagel stated that he will recommend an earlier drawing down on the Safety Levy this year. 

Report of Law Director Eddy:

Mrs. Eddy commented on Item #4, stating that this deals with the penalty for junked motor vehicles, and urging its passage tonight.  Mrs. Eddy commented on Item #11, stating that this is to assure that parking fines are assessed on a failure to pay citation.  She commented on Item #14, indicating that the copies of the replacement pages were distributed to the members of Council tonight to be put in their ordinance books.

Report of Pres. Arnold:

Pres. Arnold said that he has made an assignment to a Council Committee to study ways in which Council’s budget could be cut. 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Jodi Lyle of 324 N. Murry Hill Road, Columbus, Ohio, said that she is here tonight from the Aldi’s Store.  She expressed concern about Item #8 which proposes to change the traffic light at their intersection to flashing lights.  She said that this is a dangerous change and should not be made. 

William Barnhart of 373 McKeller Street commended Auditor Spetnagel for his presentation on the city budget.  He then complained about the proposed income tax levy, accusing Council and the Administration of having ignored the budget problems. 

Mayor Sulzer responded to Mr. Barnhart, stating that the city budget was cut in both 2004 and 2005, including cuts to the Police and Fire Departments.  He said that the city has struggled since then to try to get back to where we were.  He indicated that the city continues to receive less funds from both the state and federal governments, while still being required to meet their mandates.  Mayor Sulzer said that Chillicothe has union contracts which are among the highest in the state.  He said that health insurance costs have escalated, but that the unions have refused to negotiate or compromise on health premiums.  Mayor Sulzer said that other departments in the city are short on staff, and needing new equipment.  He said that even if the tax levy passes, it will still not cover the total costs of both the Police and Fire Departments. 

OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Ames provided another update on the Law Enforcement Complex 2010 Beautification Project.

Mrs. Ames also expressed her thanks to the Service Department for doing a good job in large item pickup. 

Mrs. Patrick expressed her thanks to Debbie Engelman of the Service Department for the Care and Cleaning Project. 

Mrs. Lester reminded everyone that this is the week for large item pickup in the third ward.  She also expressed thanks to those who supported passage of both the Library Levy and the Pioneer Levy. 

Mr. Trutschel expressed his thanks to Mayor Sulzer for his prompt responses to work orders. 

 

PETITIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported on receipt of a Notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control of the issuance of permits to WHR Enterprises Inc. dba Dairy Dream Carryout of 46 S. Paint Street, New Building, and of a Notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control of the issuance of permits to L.B. Wings II LLC dba Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar & Patio of 1080 N. Bridge Street, Room 49. 

NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Ames commented on an event on Plants in the Park held by the Adena Women’s Board, thanking them for their efforts.  She also noted that this is “Right To Read” week in the schools. 

COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS AND CALENDAR

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

 #72-Human Resources-Request for legislation to appropriate $7,205.00 from
 unappropriated general fund for payment to members of the IAFF;
 #73-Finance-Request for legislation to place an issue increasing the city income
 tax from 1.6% to 2.0% on the November 2, 2010 ballot;  and
 #74-Special Committee-Request to discuss and make recommendations for cost
 savings within the City Council Budget.

 

READING AND PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION

Ord. No. 42-10 appropriating $5,389.76 for modifications and repairs to shotguns owned by the Police Department, and declaring an emergency was read for the third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” except Mr. Sharp and Mr. Siberell, who each voted “nay”, and Pres. Arnold declared Ord. No. 42-10 adopted by a vote of 7-2.

Res. No. 5-10 expressing the intent of the City of Chillicothe to appropriate, when necessary, the city’s 10% 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 third time by title only.  On final passage, all members present voted “yea” except Mr. Sharp and Mr. Siberell, who each voted “nay”, and Pres. Arnold declared Res. No. 5-10 adopted by a vote of 7-2.

Ord. No. 43-10 amending Section 359.99 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. Arnold declared Ord. No. 43-10 adopted.

Ord. No. 44-10 adopting replacement pages in the Utility Department Rules & Regulations, 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 Ord. No. 44-10 adopted.

Res. No. 6-10 granting use of the City Park and surrounding streets from Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. through Monday, May 31, 2010 at 12:00 noon for preparation and operation of the Annual Feast of the Flowering Moon and providing for coordination for its events with the City Parks & Recreation Department, 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. 6-10 adopted.

Ord. No. 45-10 adopting “Rules of Council” for the City of Chillicothe, Ohio, 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 Ord. No. 45-10 adopted.

An Ordinance providing for the modification of traffic signal timing at the intersection of St. Rt. #159 and a private drive servicing Aldi Inc., Tractor Supply Co. and Tire Discounters, within the City of Chillicothe was read for the second time by title only.

An Ordinance establishing the pay and benefit structure of the Police and Fire Chiefs, repealing Ord. Nos. 115-03, 95-09, and 91-06, and declaring an emergency was read for the second time by title only. 

Ord. No. 46-10 appropriating $141,832.00 as the city’s share of the cost to resurface a portion of U.S. Rt. 50, authorizing the Director of Transportation to proceed with highway improvements, authorizing the City Engineer to execute contracts associated with said projects, and declaring an emergency was read for the second time by title only.  Mrs. Malone moved and Mrs. Lester seconded that the three reading rule be suspended, placing this item on final passage.  All members present voted “yea” except Mr. Sharp, who voted “nay”, and Pres. Arnold declared the rule suspended.  All members present then voted “yea” on the item itself, except Mr. Sharp and Mr. Siberell, who each voted “nay”, and Pres. Arnold declared Ord. No. 46-10 adopted by a vote of 7-2.

An Ordinance amending Section 353.10 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Chillicothe was read for the first time by title only.

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to file an application to the State of Ohio to participate in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Formula Program, accepting the grant if funded and agreeing to comply with the program requirements, and declaring an emergency was read for the first time by title only.

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to file an application to the State of Ohio to participate in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program, accepting the grant if funded, agreeing to comply with the program requirements, authorizing Michael Secoy and Associates to administer the program, and declaring an emergency was read for the first time by title only. 

An Ordinance to approve current replacement pages to the Chillicothe Codified Ordinances, and declaring an emergency was read for the first time by title only. 

Mrs. Malone moved and Mr. Trutschel seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  All members present voted “yea” and Pres. Arnold declared the motion adopted.  Adjourned at 8:16 p.m.