Ashland City Council
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Council Chambers 3rd floor 7:00 p.m.
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 Stuart
Excused
Note: Throughout the minutes, Robert L. Valentine and Robert M.
Valentine are designated as to their ward representation, W1 and W2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Move to Excuse Stephen L. Stuart from tonight’s Regular Session
by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M. Valentine
W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES
(a) Regular Session March 18, 2008
(b) Special Session March 25, 2008
Move to accept the Minutes by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert L.
Valentine W1.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M. Valentine
W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
Minutes were approved, no corrections.
LEGISLATION
Ord. 10-08
Item (a) AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND (241) FOR THE
PO-
LICE DIVISION KNOWN AS THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PRO-
GRAM FUND.
Anna Tomasek: This is a fund that is required to be set up as a
special revenue fund according to the State Auditors office as well as
the State Attorney’s office. This revenue comes from the
Attorney General for reimbursement for training for our Police
Department.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Is this an ongoing Ordinance, is this new?
Anna Tomasek: This is new. This is the first
time the City of Ashland has received this revenue and it will be
revenue that will continue depending on the number of officers that go
through training.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Do we know how much it is?
Anna Tomasek: It is relatively small.
William Miracle: The State, a couple of years ago in 2006, started to
require Police officers to have Continuing Education credits and it is
part of those continuing education credits that they reimburse us a
portion of those training funds. So it depends on the number of hours
per year. Last year it was an eight-hour requirement; this year
it is a six-hour requirement and I think they reimburse of a rate of
about $60.00 dollars per hour. So it is in the amount of $1600.00
dollars in 2007; it will probably be a little less this year. But
again they a require a fund be set up to track those assets and then we
can use those assets this year to offset this year’s training
costs.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and 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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
rules requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and
that the Ordinance be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Robert L. Valentine W1 and seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2
that the Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Ord. 11-08
Item (b) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR,
DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC SERVICE, TO ENTER INTO A MODIFICATION OF THE WATER TREAT-
MENT PLANT VALVES REPLACEMENT PROJECT-PAGE EXCAVATING, INC. CON-
TRACT AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 48- 07; AND DECLARING AN EMER-
GENCY.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and 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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth, Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Jim Cooper: This is a request of Council to approve a one and
only change order for work done on the valve replacements at the Water
Treatment Plant. It was done last year 2007. We have held
it off until now; until the budget was passed and there were changes in
the field; there was an area where we had bad material. We had to
put a concrete pad under a large tee and they are really heavy and was
required to keep this from possibly settling and having a major
problem. This is a request that will finish up this contract and
this is a CDBG project I think, well Mike wasn’t here but I am
sure he values it because it improves our situation down at the Water
Treatment plant. The old valves were inoperable in most cases so
it makes this much more efficient.
Ruth Detrow: They are valves that do what?
Jim Cooper: Large water valves that they can control the water
that is going out of the plant, if they had to shut down certain
sections, it is a break.
Ruth Detrow: It is the treated water leaving the plant?
Jim Cooper: Different valves in the plant, it is a complicated area
down there.
Comments or questions? None.
Moved by Robert L. Valentine W1 and seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2
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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
rules requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and
that the Ordinance be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Ord. 12-08
Item (c) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO A
LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. (Known as the Jamison
Creek Nature Preserve also referred to as the Siler Property). NOTE:
The LEASE AGREE-
MENT has been changed and updated as of March 25, 2008
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2 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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Wertz.
Comments:
Robert L. Valentine W1: I am looking at the lease
agreement. That has all the changes, correct?
Paul Wertz: Correct.
Robert L. Valentine W1: This is a 10-year lease, is that correct?
Scott Brown: Richard P. Wolfe II, Director of Law had mailed that
to me before he left for vacation and my Board looked at it and I am
perfectly okay with what is in it. The lease which was a concern;
I think this new lease addresses that. It gives an out for the
city if we were noncompliant to what we were supposed to be
doing. For continuation of the lease, that is what we want. And
the other items that we talked about with the Port-a-pot and electric,
the way this is structured, we are okay with that.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Also, I think some of the concerns we had
were the subjects to negotiate. Like parking facilities and
improvements, restroom facilities, etc.
Scott Brown: It doesn’t commit the city but it does enable
us to come back to you and to re-look at the agreement down the road.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Your board was in agreement with this?
Scott Brown: Yes, they authorized me, based on the Council
tonight to sign it.
Mayor Stewart: Mr. Valentine, I found that we have a place to put
up to $2000.00 dollars of the costs for this year. If it goes
beyond $2000.00 dollars, we will have to sit down and find another
additional source. I also found that there was a question asked
about a dumpster and that dumpster is $34.00, roughly $35.00 dollars to
pickup. It is a four yard dumpster and Curt, you have dumpsters
available?
Curt Young: Yes.
Mayor Stewart: He has them available and they are $34.00 dollars
a pick up. That part has been addressed also.
Scott Brown: Yes, it will be on a “need be “ basis
and to be picked up if I understood that right.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and 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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Paul Wertz and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
rules requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and
that the Ordinance be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Robert M. Valentine W2 and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1
that the Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Resolutions:
Res. 5-08
Item (a) A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT FUND TO DEPOSIT
AND EXPEND MONIES FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT STATE
ROUTE 250 EAST SEWER LINE EXTENSION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Move 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: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
Anna Tomasek: This is a Resolution to establish a Capital
Improvement fund for the Issue 2 project for the sewer line extension
for the Route 250 project.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Is this separate from or is this a part
of?
Anna Tomasek: This is going to be a capital improvement fund, be
a separate fund to track the revenue and expenses for this Grant
program.
Mayor Stewart: It is the Financial tracking part of it Bob.
Anna Tomasek: This legislation, all it does is it sets up the
account so we can expend the projects.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 to invoke
Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as the distribution of this
Resolution has satisfied the requirements of said Section and that a
further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Paul Wertz and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
rules requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and
that the Resolution be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Robert M. Valentine W2 and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1
that the Resolution be passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
Res. 6-08
Item (b) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING OF
APPLICATIONS: PROJECT TITLE FY
2008 SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Move 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 Resolution has satisfied the requirements of said
Section and that a further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Jim Cooper: This is a request to allow us to apply for CDBG
money. Just today, the Mayor’s office received the
information that we are going to get $84,000.00 dollars this
year. So this just authorizes us to do that and then we will make
some presentations and fill up the list for Council to produce.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Is that less than what we have been getting?
Jim Cooper: Last year it was $88,000.00 dollars.
Robert L. Valentine W1: How do they determine that?
Jim Cooper: It is a formula that is based on the needs of the
people, or the people that are in need of this that comply with their
level throughout the state and then based on how many you have
percentage.
Mayor Stewart: What is the open date for receiving applications
Jim?
Jim Cooper: We have received one already. We consider those
and we will be generating a list of the City’s viewpoint also. We
will make that presentation and have a discussion at the next meeting
as far as what is required CDBG wise.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Have you set a deadline?
Jim Cooper: We haven’t set one yet. This whole
package has to be in around July 14.
Moved by Robert L. Valentine W1 and seconded by Ruth Detrow to invoke
Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as the distribution of this
Resolution has satisfied the requirements of said Section and that a
further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Paul Wertz, that the rules
requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and that the
Resolution be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Robert L. Valentine W1 and seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2
that the Resolution be passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Res. 7-08
Item (c) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF ASHLAND TO DE-
CLARE APRIL 10, 2008 AS “ALTA SIMS AND BETTY PLANK DAY”, IN
THE CITY OF
ASHLAND, OHIO; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Move for non-reading in full by Ruth Detrow, seconded by Robert M.
Valentine W2 to invoke Section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances as the
distribution of this Resolution has satisfied the requirements of said
Section and that a further reading be dispensed with at this time.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Comments:
Ruth Detrow: These two ladies are responsible for a great deal of
the written history of our city. Alta Sims is the woman who did
the first research and that established our Center Street Historical
District. Betty Plank actually was Alta Sims teacher, which I
didn’t know until she wrote a brief bio of herself. She
helped her with this work on establishing the historical
district. Betty Plank is also well known for the articles she
writes for the Times Gazette. They are both ladies who have a
deep interest in history, a lot of concern for the city of Ashland and
the Center Street historical district was the group that first came up
with the idea of having an Alta Sims, Betty Plank day and our Mayor
graciously agreed that that would be a good idea and that is why the
Resolution is here.
Comments or questions?
Robert L. Valentine W1: I didn’t know who Alta Sims was, I
apologize, I am sorry, but I didn’t know. Betty Plank, I
knew her.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
Resolution be passed on the first reading.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Ruth Detrow and seconded by Robert L. Valentine W1 that the
rules requiring the reading on three separate days be suspended and
that the Resolution be passed on the second and third readings.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1,
Robert M. Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Moved by Paul Wertz and seconded by Ruth Detrow that the Resolution be
passed.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
WARD REPORTS:
Ward 2: Robert M. Valentine
(a) I had a couple of things. I called Mr.
Cooper; he assured that he would take care of them.
(b) Curt, I really appreciate what you did for the
gentleman.
Ward 1: Robert L. Valentine
(a) We had a little sink hole up in Buena Vista, and
I called you about that and I guess they worked on it before and they
went up and took care of it and I want to thank you very much for doing
that.
Ward 3: Ruth Detrow
No Ward reports.
Ward 4/President: Paul Wertz
None
OLD BUSINESS:
(a) ANNEXATION – (14.420 acres Montgomery Twp.,
Bookmasters Inc., 30 Amberwood Parkway). For discussion only.
Richard P. Wolfe II- Director of Law: It really isn’t
convenient at this point but it is necessary to discuss. The
detachment was approved by the Commissioners, it is required to be
presented to Council at the first Regular Meeting after the passage of
60 days. This is the first Regular meeting 60 days after the
Commissioners have approved it. Bookmasters had requested that we
not act on it at this moment because they are in the process of
obtaining their building permits and as soon as that is completed, then
we can go ahead on it. We have 120 days to pass an Ordinance
accepting an annexation on that and it will complete it. So it is
a procedural matter to present it to you at this meeting and then at
the first meeting that it is ready to be entertained with
Legislation. It will be presented on the Agenda.
Comments or questions?
Robert L. Valentine W1: I think it is a step in the right
direction, certainly.
Richard P. Wolfe II-Director of Law: This will probably be within
the next six weeks or so.
NEW BUSINESS:
(a) Proclamation celebrating Public Health Week
Throughout Ashland County.
Mayor Glen Stewart: Read the Proclamation to Council at the
Meeting designating the Week of April 14-18, 2008 as Public Health Week
in the City of Ashland, Ohio.
Proclamation Celebrating Public Health Week Throughout Ashland County
WHEREAS, the founding of the Ashland City and
Ashland County Boards of Health in the spring of 1920 provided the
beginning of much needed uniform disease prevention, health protection
and education throughout all of Ashland County;
WHEREAS, the work of the Ashland County-City Health Department remains
ongoing due to the emergence and re-emergence of infection diseases due
to social inequality, antibiotic use to increase meat yields; microbial
adaptation; and different modes of global transportation;
WHEREAS, the Ashland County-City Health Department remains the prime
repository and multi-purpose clinic for seventeen different child and
adult vaccines in the county;
WHEREAS, for each dollar spent on immunization, $10-$14 will be saved
by preventing diseases in the future;
WHEREAS, underutilization of vaccines in adults is primarily due to
under-appreciation of the importance of adult vaccine-preventable
diseases; uncertainty or lack of knowledge about the safety and
efficiency of these vaccines; and lack of reimbursement for the cost of
adult vaccinations;
WHEREAS, screening and early treatment of childhood disease and
disabilities through numerous Nursing Division programs provide Ashland
City and County children early and effective treatment so that they can
live full and productive lives;
WHEREAS, health education of the residents of the County has been an
intentional positive endeavor of the County and City Boards of Health
for over the last 50 years;
WHEREAS, uniform and consistent enforcement of numerous state public
health and environmental health laws and rules helps to reduce human
illness and disability;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Members of the Council of the City of Ashland,
do hereby designate the Week of April 14-18, 2008, as Public Health
Week in the City of Ashland, Ohio.
Motion to accept the Proclamation by Paul Wertz, moved by Robert L.
Valentine W1, seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
(b) Liquor Permit Request: Bell Stores, Inc.:
DBA Bell Stores 59, 2115 Baney Rd., Ashland, Ohio 44805;
(Administrative only) Officer/Shareholders Disclosure Form.
Move to not request hearing by Robert M. Valentine W2, seconded by Paul
Wertz.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz
(c) Liquor Permit Request: TRANSFER FROM: STL Ashland LLC,
DBA Scorchers
Casual Eatery & Draft House TO: Triple J. Properties, LTD II.
(James H. Hovsepian will be present at tonight’s meeting).
Move to not request hearing by Paul Wertz, seconded by Robert L.
Valentine W1.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Comments:
Ruth Detrow: First of all, I want to attempt to explain something
which I didn’t know until today and that is our city has E.Gov
which is a website. It is something you can use and I mean that
in the most pleural sense. Anyone in Ashland can use to comment,
to complain, and to ask a question. First of all, you need to
know what the Ashland Ohio website. If you don’t have a
computer or if you don’t want to use the kids computer because it
is foreign to you; you can still call Valarie, our Clerk and she has
been using it and she is experienced with it. I did not know that
it existed until a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t know that it
was up and running in all of our departments for almost a year.
It is something we need to use. I went to our Tech person and
asked him questions and it is comparatively simple to use and it is
something that will track your requests/complaints and keep our City
people on the ball. How many times have you heard someone say,
“Well I called about that and I never heard another
word!” I have heard it from people and I’ll bet
some of you have heard it from people. That can’t happen
with E-govlink. Listen to that; that might be a little bit
strong, but it should never, ever happen with e gov. It is a way
of communicating with our entire city and it is meant for the citizens
of Ashland. If you don’t have a computer or you don’t
want to use your computer; the Public Library has lots of
computers. I talked with them by phone just today and they would
be happy if you went into the Library and walked up to the desk, they
would be happy to show you how to do it on their computers. You
get a reference number so in a week you can go back to the library and
check with that reference number and find out what the heck happened to
that request. It is just a terrific thing and it costs the city
some money and I think it is money well spent, but it is well spent
only if we use it and do something with it. So I want to urge you
to look at the Website, scroll down until you come to e govlink, click
on “click here”. There are several different things
you can do. The very top one is Action line, and you can go in
there and right a message to whomever you wish and you will get a
response and you will find out that the city is full of people who are
anxious to serve you and help you and this is a perfect way to do it.
Mayor Stewart: Ruth, that cannot be done anonymously can it? If
you respect a response obviously it can’t.
Ruth Detrow: Well if you expect a response, no. You can do
it anonymously; there is a page that asks for information about you;
your name, your phone number; your e-mail address. If you put
your e-mail address in there, you automatically get a response.
If you don’t obviously you don’t get a response. But
that does not mean that it doesn’t go to the right place and so
on. You still get a reference number, you can go back to check
and find out if anything has been done and what has been done without
ever putting in an e mail address or your name. I may have an
update at our next meeting Mayor.
Mayor Stewart: Mrs. Detrow I would respectfully suggest that
while I served on Council, if someone sent me a letter of complaint
without anyway of contacting them; I will tell you right here and now,
it went in the wastebasket and I am not going to say that I would be
inclined to do the same. But I feel there is some legitimacy in a
complaint where the complaintant offers to suggest who they are and how
they might help us to resolve the problem if we need to contact
them. So I am sure you are right. They can send it
anonymously but I don’t want my people chasing wild goose chases
because somebody has put a bunch of wacko information in there asking
for action. Now that is pretty strong too, but it can happen.
Robert L. Valentine W1: I am in agreement with you; I feel the
same way.
Mayor Stewart: I really believe we are here to serve the people
that want to be served and I believe we try and do that but to help us
serve, please use your identity. We are not out to be revengeful,
we will not probably always agree with everything that is said, but at
least we can have some dialogue if you give us the courtesy of a way to
contact you. I am not disputing at all what Mrs. Detrow has said
and the facilities are there to use and we should use them more than we
are today. As a matter of fact last Wednesday during our staff
meeting, this was one of the topics that we had talked about. How
much is e govlink being used within our departments and some are using
it more than others. But this is a way for you to contact us and
we don’t have to answer the phone, you don’t have to wait
for a phone answer. It is there. I share that somewhat
unrehearsed.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Can I ad that we will take all positives
too?
Mayor Stewart: Yes it will work both ways.
Robert L. Valentine W1: Sometimes we become reluctant I think and the
little things in life are the important things.
Ruth Detrow: I have a second thing. I am the chairman of
the subcommittee that is working on home maintenance. I think
that we are just about ready to have a Work Session to which the public
is invited. And I would like to schedule that please.
Paul Wertz: How about next Tuesday night, April 8, 2008 at 7:00
p.m., does that sound okay?
Robert M. Valentine W2: That sounds good to me. Will someone get
a hold of Steve Stuart?
Paul Wertz: He should be back tomorrow April 2, 2008.
Valarie Bishoff, Clerk of Council: A Work
Session? What is the topic?
Paul Wertz: Yes, Housing Codes/Maintenance.
Ruth Detrow: Val, that means you will have to hurry to send out
e-mails to all the committee members.
Valarie Bishoff: Yes, I will do that.
Paul Wertz: Any other New Business?
Robert L. Valentine W1: How many members are there?
Ruth Detrow: 12, I believe. I didn’t not want to
announce a meeting until Council agreed on when, so I do not know
if they can all be there.
Comments or questions?
MAYORS COMMENTS:
None specific. Any questions for me?
John Chorpening, 1126 Overlook Drive: I had a couple of questions about
the budget which passed last week. One question was, after
hearing about how the city is in financial difficulty and you are going
to review it again in six months which will be October.
Mayor Stewart: No. We are going to review it at the end of
six months into the budget which will be sometime around the first or
15th of July. So we will have some reaction time, John.
John Chorpening: That is what I was going to ask you about was
the reaction time, the money being spent for a Reservoir this
year. Because that is over 1 million dollars. That would be
the leeway for the city.
Mayor Stewart: That money is not allocated nor appropriated for
the new Reservoir. That is in the old Reservoir fund. Am I
correct Anna; it is in the Reservoir fund. It is not appropriated
for the new Reservoir.
Anna Tomasek: It is appropriated.
Mayor Stewart: It will not be spent on the new Reservoir. The new
Reservoir is not ready for any major work. In the event that we
start on the Reservoir, the reservoir is going to be a very long-term
project and in the event we start it, it will be probably, okay?,
probably be started with an outside with a firm that we contract with
to remove gravel and thus reduce our cost of developing the reservoir
significantly. That is still in development stages. We have
no plans to start excavating a reservoir ourselves with that 1 million
dollars.
John Chorpening: Okay. Another thing I was going to ask
about is on the issue of the sidewalks. I see where you are going
to borrow $150,000.00 dollars note?
Mayor Stewart: That hasn’t come across my desk yet.
Robert M. Valentine W2: They still have one meeting left for the
Sidewalks committee, so nothing has been brought to us from the
committee yet.
Mayor Stewart: I will share with you John, my thoughts on the
sidewalks or any other expenditure. Additional expenditures
without plans for revenue to repay it will be scrutinized significantly.
John Chorpening: Because on this budget I see a transfer in from
305 that $150,000.00 dollars which is shown as a no proceeds being
appropriated this year.
Mayor Stewart: At this point in time, any additional debt will be
scrutinized significantly or very thoroughly particularly if it does
not have a method of paying it off.
John Chorpening: Thank you.
Comments or questions?
Ray Herbst, Health Department: I would like to thank Council and
the Mayor for the Proclamation regarding Public Health Week and would
like to invite all of you to Public Health day celebration at the
Sheriff’s Annex on April 15,2008 from 7:30 – 8:30
a.m. We will be recognizing some individuals for their service
and also Dr. Daugherty will be speaking on the topic of Challenges
facing health today. I would like to encourage each one of you to
come.
Paul Wertz: Thank you.
Scott Brown: I would like to publicly thank Council and the Mayor
for the help and it is a win/win situation for the community and the
county. I appreciate the help.
Robert L. Valentine W1: I appreciate that and I appreciate
Rick’s compromise I think was a good compromise.
Comments of questions from the Audience: Items that are not included on
the Agenda.
Motion to adjourn Regular Session by Paul Wertz, moved by Robert L.
Valentine W1, seconded by Robert M. Valentine W2.
Ayes: Robert L. Valentine W1, Robert M.
Valentine W2, Ruth Detrow, Paul Wertz.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Submitted by
Valarie
Bishoff
Clerk of
Council