Ashland City Council
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Council President Paul Wertz called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m.
ROLL CALL
Ward 1: Robert L. Valentine Present
Ward 2: Robert M. Valentine Present
Ward 3: Ruth Detrow
Present
Ward 4/President Paul Wertz
Present
At-large: Stephen L. Stuart
Present
.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES
(a) Work Session 1/29/08
(b) Regular Session 2/5/08
No Corrections or Comments
Motion to accept the Minutes by Paul Wertz, approved by Ruth Detrow,
seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
Abstain: Stephen Stuart At-Large
No Comments.
LEGISLATION
Ordinances
Ord. 4-08
Item (a) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN
TERRITORY TO
THE CITY
OF ASHLAND, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. (Delbert G.
and Connie
L. Buechele).
Moved for non-reading in full by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert
L.Valentine W1 to invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as
the distribution of this Ordinance has satisfied the requirements of
said Section and that a further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine
W1 Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz
Richard P. Wolfe-Director of Law: This is the annexation, parcel on
Baney Road. Required a hearing before Commissioners, 60 day
waiting period. No objections and here for a final approval.
Comments or questions?
Robert M. Valentine W2: Second house? City limits
sign is between the first and second. We need to move it out.
Robert L. Valentine W1: 1153.
Move the Ordinance be passed on the first reading by Robert L.
Valentine W1, seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M. Valentine W2,
Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Move to suspend the rules, 3 separate meetings, 3 separate nights by
Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move the Ordinance be passed by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Paul Wertz.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Ord. 5-08
Item (b) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO
AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT WITH MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP; AND DE
CLARING AN EMERGENCY. Cottage Street (U.S. Rt 250/S.R. 60) and
Faultless
Drive 2.609 Acres.
Moved for non-reading in full by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Robert L. Valentine W1, to invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified
Ordinances as the distribution of this Ordinance has satisfied the
requirements of said Section and that a further reading be dispensed
with at this time.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine
W1, Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Richard P. Wolfe: Relating to a potential annexation of some right of
way at the intersection of 250 and Faultless Drive. When property
was annexed previously, the Riley Farm, a small portion of right of way
was left out and what we want to do here as we just witnessed from the
previous legislation; if you go through the traditional or old style
process, it can take many, many months but to utilize one of the
expedited procedures, if you have an agreement with the township
relating to the annexation, it can be done in a very short period of
time and this is simply a matter of right of way and the agreement we
are talking about will only relate to this particular parcel. We
are not talking about a widespread area with multiple
annexations. This is simply authorizing entering into an
agreement for the annexation of this particular amount of right of way
which amounts to 2.609 Acres total. I think you have a map that
shows the area. The Township then would pass a Resolution to
enter into the agreement and then we file a petition for
annexation. It is creating a little bit of confusion as far as
jurisdictional issues right now. Is it in the city? Or is it in
the township? It was just something missed or overlooked at the
time a number of years ago. It is just cleaning up that area in
there. The reason authorizing the agreement is that the statute
says that if the Council authorizes the entering of the agreement by
Ordinance, so we have to authorize it first and then a petition for the
annexation.
Comments or questions?
Move the Ordinance be passed by Ruth Detrow on the first reading,
seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move to suspend the rules, 3 separate meetings, 3 separate nights by
Paul Wertz, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move the Ordinance be passed by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M. Valentine W2,
Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Ord. # Withdrawn
Item (c) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO
A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. (Jamison Creek
Nature Preserve, also referred to as the Siler property).
Move for non-reading in full by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Paul Wertz to
invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as the distribution of
this Ordinance has satisfied the requirements of said Section and that
a further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine, Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth
Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Comments:
Mayor Stewart: This is a property, commonly known as the Siler
Property. There has been a request and investigation done by our
Law Director. There is a proposed lease agreement for us to enter
into. There may be some discussion on this. Mr. Brown may
want to speak to us this evening.
Scott Brown: I appreciate the opportunity. I appreciate
Rick Wolfe’s work on this and to get this
facilitated. I am open for any questions. Also in the
recent agreement that Rick had faxed to me, it requested a 10-year
lease that can be renewed upon agreement of all parties. I would
especially like that to be perpetual lease where as long as our
organization would renew it every 10 years by both parties. My
concern is we get all this work done, this group may not be here in 10
years. If City Council and Mayor decide that they do not want to
renew the lease a lot of people will not be able to enjoy the fruits of
their labor.
Richard P. Wolfe II: I have no problem with that. I put that in
there for a starting point. Basically to make sure at least we
got beyond or to that point where something was done and it was an
ongoing process. It can be a longer period, whatever Council
chooses.
Robert L. Valentine W1: I have no opposition to what the Historic
Preservation Alliance wants to do. I have concerns with what they
want the City to do. Some of these commitments are pretty
expensive commitments down the road. Utilities to be paid for by
the City.
Scott Brown: Those are starting points. If there are
concerns about those, I am open for discussion. I think maybe the
Restrooms were one. I was just including restrooms in
because that was part of the original language that you presented to
the State that the city was looking to put restrooms out there anyway.
In the proposal that was submitted to the State of Ohio. The only
thing I would say is that the restrooms, we were trying to keep
everything in its Historical look.
Robert L. Valentine W1: I can understand the dumpsters. I
think that might be a problem. In the Spring, kill the poison
ivy. Long driveway, I don’t know what that means.
Scott Brown: I am just asking that that be maintained for now
until we get to a point where we can maybe take that over from the
city.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Are you saying then that the things
we have listed are not a part of this?
Scott Brown: Those are things that you are already doing anyway,
we would just like those to continue for now until we have enough.
Robert L. Valentine W1: We have six things here. Are these
six things not a part of this Ordinance or are they? I have
problems with it. The same way with construction, again I have no
problem with what you want to do. It is just the idea of the
commitment that the city has to make. Eventual construction of the
restroom, that is down the road, I understand that. Of
course the Ashland County Historical preservation Alliance has to
approve.
Scott Brown: If it would help to solidify the deal, we could take
that off. Because in the original proposal of the State of Ohio,
you indicated the long-range goals that restroom facilities were a
possibility on that property. What I was saying was, If the city
was going to go ahead with that, we would just like to make sure that
we had a look that would fit in with what we were doing in the
restoration of the house. The wording can be changed if not
worded properly.
Richard P. Wolfe II: Mr. Valentine, if I may, and all of
Council. This was something that I was to understand it was the
discussion started last fall between Mayor Strine and Mr. Brown and I
also understood that Mr. Brown had a discussion with Council at a Work
Session at some point previously. So we had their proposal, was a
meeting one day with Mayor Strine and myself and Mr. Brown and I
suggested he put in writing what his group wanted to do and then we had
a hurdle to get over before we could even consider any type of lease
agreement of this property because it was subject of a State
Grant. The restrictions on the Grant required the Ohio
Conservation to give us written approval first and so we just recently
got that. We were waiting a month or two to get that. That
is why there was not much activity or discussion. We got that
letter authorizing that. So then it was ready to come back to
Council. If the matter didn’t have enough discussion
previously or Council wants to make this a Work Session topic in order
to hash out some of these details; that’s fine. I think in
the earlier discussions, it was a question of what is the city getting
in exchange for what is being asked of us. The development of
this property was thought of being of great benefit to the city; to
restore the building before it becomes so deteriorated it is going to
have to be destroyed and torn down. I think it is rapidly getting
to that point where if something isn’t done with it soon, the
structure won’t be able to be rehabilitated, and this group is
willing to do that and that is a significant benefit to the city. So it
is simply a matter of working something out. It seems it is a
win/win for everybody here and it is utilizing this property in a way
it was intended through the Grant for Educational and Recreational
purposes and preserving a historical site. Doing a good thing for
the community in general and it seems that there is a lot that the city
is getting in exchange for the things that the group is asking the city
to do. If you want further discussion on it, and want to discuss
some of these details further, that is quite fine. There is no
time urgency in only that they would like to get going on this probably
in the next couple of months when the weather breaks. That is why
we want to try and work on this during the winter and get them ready to
roll as soon as the weather gets nicer. It would probably be good
if we are thinking that we are going to do something at all on this,
that we get it done in the next
month.
Scott Brown: The only thing in that proposal that was outside of
what the city is currently doing on that property would have been the
dumpster, which will be short term because there are lots of items to
be gutted and none with hazardous materials. The port-a-pot is
strictly a lot of our start up is going to be materials and labor and
when we can afford those things, obviously we will take care of them
but we cannot start it now. So, my personal opinion is a lot of
things I am asking for is not that big of an expense.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Well my concerns were 3, 5, and 6.
Scott Brown: Bob, I do not want this to be a deal killer for
either one of us. It is just I went by what was in the original
agreement. That was something the city was going to look at doing and
if they did, we would like to have a little bit of say in it.
Robert L. Valentine W1: The only way we can get this into an open
discussion where everyone can participate would be to table it.
Ruth Detrow: I would like to say something. I just want to
state that I really want to see this happen. I think that there
are a few things that need to be set as far as timing is
concerned. I don’t think the city wants to forever pay
utilities on that whole thing and that is the way this seems to be
written now. I think it is just a matter of fine tuning and
getting everything all organized. The whole concept I think is
marvelous and I think it is something that should happen. It just
needs a little fine-tuning.
Steve Stuart: Well as a person who didn’t participate in
this, I did not have that opportunity obviously then, that was at a
different time. I look at this very supportive of what you will
be doing; the benefits to the city of Ashland and the surrounding area
of Ashland. However, I also am looking at for the first time the
appropriations for 2008, where we are financially. So I do have
some concerns about this that you say you don’t want it to be a
deal breaker and I personally wouldn’t want it to be a deal
breaker either. But from my standpoint I would like to see some
further discussion on this.
Scott Brown: Like I said, the only thing and it is a short term at any
length of time on the electric, and it is the only utility out there
right now that I am aware of. We will be using a little bit more
obviously when we are doing restoration work out there and it can be
worked out upon occupancy when we would take over and we are willing to
pay the Insurance on it from the get go.
Scott Brown: Well if we can address Items 5 and 6, I would feel
very good about that.
Paul Wertz: Number 3, you have driveway and parking area and
there is no parking area out there now, so who is responsible for the
parking lot? You or us?
Scott Brown: Based on the proposal that I gave you is that we
would basically be managing that property and I am going back to what
was in the original, it was going to be looked at doing from the city
anyway. Now if you deem it is our responsibility to allow us to
use the property, that is fine, we will take care of that. I was
just going by the stuff that was indicated in the State of Ohio that
the City Council put in the Grant proposal and one of those was
roadways and parking in there.
Richard P. Wolfe II: Mr. Stuart brought up a good point I
hadn’t thought of in that he is being asked to vote on something
he hasn’t had the benefit of the past research. What might
be helpful to everyone is to rather than table, because you don’t
actually have a motion to approve it or vote on it, at this point you
just suspend the reading. You can simply just move to withdraw it
from the Agenda for tonight. That way you can entertain it at anytime
that you felt and you can even have it as a work session. If you
are going to adopt anything other than exactly what is before you, then
there needs to be some printing changes. So I think what will be
best is to provide Mr. Stuart with the Grant information, the
background that he doesn’t have yet and then it shouldn’t
be a very lengthy work session and we can specifically address the
issues that Council has concerns about and in fact you have indicated
those to Mr. Brown now and then whenever you are ready, we can bring
this back as an Agenda Item. I think the cleanest way is simply
to remove it from tonight’s Agenda.
Comments or questions?
Move to remove/withdraw this from tonight’s agenda by Robert L.
Valentine W1, seconded by Steve Stuart.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine
W1, Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Paul Wertz: We can set up a Work Session right now. Thursday,
February 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm here in Council Chambers Conference Room.
Ord. # 6-08
Item (d) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO
A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE DIVISION OF
FIRE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OHIO; OBVIATING FORMAL ADVERTISING
AND BIDDING; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved for non-reading in full by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Robert L. Valentine W1, to invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified
Ordinances as the distribution of this Ordinance has satisfied the
requirements of said Section and that a further reading be dispensed
with at this time.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine
W1, Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Comments:
Ron Workman, Asst. Fire Chief: Normally we end up putting a bid out for
a piece of apparatus and you bid the whole truck and just as an
example, one of the prices came back for the whole truck of
$266,000.00. I believe Council last year at some time authorized
$300,000.00 dollars for us to purchase a tanker. So that price
$266,000.00 was well below the 300,000.00 dollars. In that bid
that I wrote, I requested the right to be able to buy a chassis with
State Bid pricing. So I had each company when they bid the
tanker, they bid their truck, and then they bid their chassis
price. So what I did was I was able to take their chassis price
out and put the State Bid price in which ultimately ended up lowering
the cost. That one Company was $266,000.00; their chassis price
whoever they were going to buy it from was going to be $84,000.00
dollars. Through State Bid, going through Aber’s, I was
able to get the chassis for $76,000.00 dollars. So it was about
$8000.00 dollars less on the chassis. We seem to think everything
is going to be fine, but actually evidently it is not because we are
sort of going around with bidding because part of the chassis is a
State Bid. So I assume that is why we are here for Council
to okay for us to buy the chassis at the State Bid price and then the
rest of the truck.
Richard P. Wolfe II-Director of Law: Well we are making two
separate purchases, but we authorized the bidding for the
tanker. It was in the specifications it was optional to
either take one or both and we are seeing that it is financially
beneficial to separate the two. So we went ahead and bought the
tanker. So that previous Ordinance authorized that. Now
this is authorizing to go ahead and purchase the chassis without
bidding because we are using the State Bidding process. So you
put the two together and it gives us the whole package.
Mayor Glen Stewart: Ron, if I may ask a question. I presume
that the combined bid assembled the tanker to the chassis. Once
we separate the bids, does it still combine the chassis and the tanker
since we are buying them separately?
Ron Workman: The Company we went with is called Rosenbauer. Their
original price was $266,000.00. That is buying the truck and
chassis from them. Separating it out, it was $258,000.00 dollars.
Robert M. Valentine W2: Who is putting it together, we’re
asking?
Ron Workman: They are. And actually it is an International
Chassis. They were just going to order it from their dealer where
ever that would be. We just ordered it from Aber’s here at
International and they just drop ship it to anyplace in the United
States for no additional charge.
Ruth Detrow: It is the same chassis then?
Ron Workman: Yes it is the same chassis. The same chassis
they would have bought, the same chassis we bought. We save
$1000.00 dollars just going with the State Bid.
Paul Wertz: And it is local.
Questions or comments?
Phil Rafeld: The only question I have is; the $258,000.00, that
is going to be the total package. We are going to get a truck that is
all set up? We are not paying for a combination fee?
Ron Workman: Right. The truck manufacturers really
don’t care where they get the chassis from. So they would
have either gotten it from North or South Dakota. So they
would have gotten it from an International dealer up there. We
just got it from here.
Move the Ordinance be passed by Robert L. Valentine on the first
reading, seconded by Steve Stuart Council at Large.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine WI,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move to suspend the rules, 3 separate meetings, 3 separate nights by
Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move the Ordinance be passed by Paul Wertz, seconded by Ruth Detrow.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Ord. # 7-08
Item (e) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING PAYMENT OF
THE CITY OF
ASHLAND’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ASHLAND AREA COUNCIL FOR ECO-
NOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ON A CONTINUING BASIS; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Move for non-reading in full by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Steve Stuart to invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as the
distribution of this Ordinance has satisfied the requirements of said
Section and that a further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Comments:
Mayor Glen Stewart: This is an Ordinance, looking at it like a
housekeeping situation. We have been in agreement with the
Economic Development Council for the last couple of years to pay a
portion of their operating costs and this started out significantly
higher annual contribution than it is proposed for this year. We
are looking at $128,000.00 dollars as the city’s share to support
the Economic Development Council this year. The County puts in a
share. Mohican Area Growth Foundation puts in a share. And several
private entities are putting in money to support the Council. We
had an Ordinance on the books to authorize us to make this
payment. It is a quarterly payment through 4 payments of
$32,000.00 throughout the Calendar year. So basically we are
asking for your concurrence to authorize and make our payments.
We have been making them in the past and this is just a housekeeping
thing from my viewpoint to keep us legal.
Robert L. Valentine W1: And Glen, this is reduced from last year
too. And I appreciate the idea of the County and others getting
involved and I know they keep working to get others involved in that
too.
Mayor Stewart: This is down significantly.
Ruth Detrow: Have we reached a level now? I know we were
reducing it each year. Are we going to continue to reduce it, or
is going to stay at this $128,000.00 dollar level?
Mayor Stewart: I cannot answer that yet Ruth. We made a
commitment that took us to this level and further support absolutely,
they will need continued support, at exactly what level I am not
prepared to say.
Robert L. Valentine W1: I think though, down the road you are
trying to work toward having other contributions coming in.
Richard P. Wolfe II: It is not open-ended. In the past you
appropriated the monies and you budgeted the monies. You still
have control over your budget and your appropriations. If it
comes to a point where Council feels that is only a certain amount of
money that can be attributed to this and that is not sufficient, then
the representative of that Board will have to discuss that. But
at this point, this has been a progression with working down to this
level.
Ruth Detrow: Does this mean then that we will pass another
Ordinance in one year?
Richard P. Wolfe II: We really don’t need to do that.
Mayor Stewart: It would be governed by the appropriation process.
Ruth Detrow: Okay. Because it doesn’t set an amount.
Richard P. Wolfe II: It authorizes the payment. That is
what this is.
Robert L. Valentine W1: That is almost in half of what it was
four years ago.
Paul Wertz: Two to three years ago.
Mayor Stewart: We were the sole support of that Organization four
years ago.
Robert L. Valentine W1: That is certainly a plus. I think
it is good. If everyone shares in the cost, then everyone
benefits. We are not only promoting the City, we are promoting
the entire County which benefits everyone. It is a plus.
Comments:
Move the Ordinance be passed by Robert L. Valentine on the first
reading, seconded by Steve Stuart Council at Large.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine WI,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move to suspend the rules, 3 separate meetings, 3 separate nights by
Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move the Ordinance be passed by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Resolutions
RES. # 3-08
Item (a) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND TO
FILE AN APPLICATION AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO
ARTS COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING FUNDS FOR THE PARKS
& RECREATION DIVISION BANDSHELL; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Move for non-reading in full by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L.
Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Comments:
Tim Clingan: The Ohio Arts Council offers Grants to organizations
that book performers who are members of the Ohio Arts Council, they
promote their own people. We have booked four performances or
acts this year, 2008 for $7800.00 dollars and they will Grant us, if we
apply, approximately 1/3 of that which is about $2340.00 dollars.
It is tough to get those people. They are high quality acts and
we wish to obtain entertainment.
Ruth Detrow: This is for the Band shell, correct?
Tim Clingan: Yes. For the Band shell. Donations have
almost doubled from prior years.
Robert L. Valentine W1: It is an important service that is being
provided to other people, not only in the City but there are people
from outside in the County that come to these also. And I
think as they put on the type of programs that they are putting on,
each year it seems to get better and better and getting more and more
people.
Mayor Stewart: I have to agree with you Mr. Valentine. As many of
us has attended those performances, they frequently ask people to hold
their hands up from time to time and it is unrealistic how many people
come from outside of the community to attend our Band shell. It
is a real plus for our community.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Are we having that July 4th again with
the symphony? When the weather is nice, that is
packed. I am prejudice; My wife is in the choir.
Move the Resolution be passed by Ruth Detrow on the first reading,
seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine WI,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
Move to suspend the rules, 3 separate meetings, 3 separate nights by
Paul Wertz, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M. Valentine W2,
Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Move the Resolution be passed by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by
Ruth Detrow.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert
M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz.
WARD REPORTS:
Councilman at Large: Steve Stuart
None.
Ward 1: Robert L. Valentine
None
Ward 2: Robert M. Valentine
None
Ward 3: Ruth Detrow
(a) I had a couple of calls from people; one was
asking about what happens when a
mailbox is knocked down by the
snowplows; and also someone was suggesting
that Highland Avenue, the plowing be
done towards the center, toward the island
in the center. The cars aren’t
parked there. So those two things I have checked
with Jerry Mack on and would you like to
continue Jerry?
Jerry Mack: The mailbox issue, we normally if there is a report
of mail box down, we go look at it and take care of it. If
somebody has a million dollar mailbox though it is kind of hard for the
city to replace that. So we have a standard mailbox that we
use. I think the State does the same thing pretty much on
that. But as long as they call in, we try to get it taken care of
within a couple of days. Fortunately this year I have only seen a
couple. But it happens. People think sometimes that the
plow knocks it over; but with the slush and heavy snow, normally that
is the culprit and that is what takes it down coming off the end of the
blade because there is a lot of force with that. The other
issue with Highland, that was an oversight on my part. We have a
new operator and I forgot to tell him, but that is the norm, we usually
plow it always towards the island. But the one plowing we had, we
were notified right away about it and we alleviated that
situation. It was just an oversight on my part, when a new
driver took over. Normally we do that.
Ward 4/President of Council Paul
Wertz
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Robert M. Valentine W2: How is the new Park office? Are
they still working on it? Is there anytime that we could stop up
and take a peek at it?
Tim Clingan: About the middle of March.
Robert M. Valentine W2: Does that mean we are going to rip down
the trailer after that?
NEW BUSINESS:
(a) Informational only. Petition for annexation
of 14.420 acres; expedited petition for annexation, Twp of Montgomery
by Bookmasters, Inc., 30 Amberwood Parkway, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
MAYORS COMMENTS:
(a) I would like to introduce our newest Division
Director this evening. Most of the Council people have met
him. Michael Hunter. We would like to welcome you to the
City of Ashland. Mike started a week ago yesterday. He is
getting his arms around the operation. I asked him today how
things are going. He is still getting familiar.
Comments of questions from the Audience: Items that are not included on
the Agenda.
(a) Mary and Larry Traxler: we live on 642 Ward Drive
near the out pump station and there have been some problems with that.
I believe they are trying to be ironed out. We would like to have
that brought to your attention. February 5, we had a sewer back
up in our basement. It was a little disturbing and we would like
to know how this is going to be stopped with the problems they are
having with that pump?
Mayor Stewart: Anyone aware of this problem? Is it a pump failure?
Jim Cooper: Yes Sir. I talked to Mr. Traxler today and we
went out and there is a backflow preventer that was included by the
Contractor but it is so close to the drain that there is not much
storage capacity. Mike Hunter is going to go out tomorrow and
look at the situation and we will then discuss it and see what we can
do to help correct the problem.
Mayor Stewart: Will somebody be available tomorrow
for Mr. Hunter?
Jim Cooper: Yes.
Motion to Adjourn Regular Session by Paul Wertz, moved by Robert L.
Valentine W1, seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2.
Ayes: Steve Stuart, Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul
Wertz
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Submitted by
Valarie
Bishoff
Clerk of
Council