MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL
April 19, 2005
Council President Greg Gorrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Ward 1: Bob Valentine Absent
Ward 2: Greg Gorrell Present
Ward 3: Ruth Detrow Present
Ward 4: Paul Wertz Present
At-large: Glen Stewart Present
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Detrow to excuse Mr. Valentine.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
April 5, 2005 Regular session
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Wertz to accept the minutes as received.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Ord. 26-05
Item (a) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Detrow 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Comments:
Street Director Jerry Mack explained that in order to purchase through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program, a requirement is to pass an ordinance every year, telling them the City wishes to participate. Mayor Strine added that this gives the City an opportunity to take advantage of the State’s bids.
Moved by Gorrell and seconded by Stewart that the Ordinance be passed on the first reading.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Detrow 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Detrow and seconded by Stewart that the Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Motion carried.
Ord. 27-05
Item (b) AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE SUBDIVISION PLAT OF SOUTHERN VIEW CONDOMINIUMS, INC., JOHN ROWE, PRESIDENT FOR OAKBROOK SUBDIVISION – PHASE 5, IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OHIO, CONFIRMING THE DEDICATION OF THE STREETS SHOWN THEREON; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Detrow 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Comments:
City Engineer Jim Cooper told Council that this is Phase 5 of Oakbrook, Southern View, and Engineering has followed them with utilities and street construction. It is now a matter of approval, and he recommended that Council accept the plat.
Stewart asked if Engineering sets the specs for the asphalt, and Cooper responded that they have a standard set of specs for that. They also do a proof roll of the street before any asphalt work is done, in case there are soft spots that need more work.
Stewart added that as a personal observation, some of the subdivisions as they start to age show a definite swale where the new asphalt connects with the older part. Can this be, or has this been, remedied with new construction? Cooper said he didn’t think it could be remedied; even on highways that can be felt. That doesn’t mean that Engineering can’t try to do better with it. It is a problem.
Moved by Gorrell and seconded by Stewart that the Ordinance be passed on the first reading.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Gorrell 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Detrow that the Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Motion carried.
Ord. 28-05
Item (c) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH ASHLAND COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. FOR FY 2005 COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CHIP) WITH THE STATE OF OHIO TO CONSTRUCT AT LEAST TWO SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Detrow 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Comments:
Accounting Director Anna Tomasek explained that this is the third time the City of Ashland is going to be applying for the Community Housing Improvement Program. This is a three-year grant with the 2005 program beginning September 1, 2005 and going through August 31, 2007. This time a new section will be added. In the past, the City has asked for $500,000, but this year they are asking for $550,000 in order to give $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat will build two single-family dwellings inside the City limits, and they have until August 31, 2007, to complete the two houses. This is pure grant money running through the City to give to Habitat; there will be no funds from the City.
The application will be submitted at the end of this month, and the City should know by July if they receive it.
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Detrow that the Ordinance be passed on the first reading.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Detrow and seconded by Wertz 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: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Detrow that the Ordinance be passed.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Motion carried.
Ward 4: Paul Wertz
(a) 1024 Elm Street:
Wertz reported receiving two phone calls about problems at this address, and he will talk to the law director about it soon.
OLD BUSINESS
(a) Certified Local Government: Center Street Historical District
Gorrell clarified that this legislation is still being reviewed. Mayor Strine responded that there have been some additional comments from citizens; those are being reviewed, and a few minor changes are being made. He added that he did not find an appeal process included in this ordinance, and some Council members agreed, with Detrow saying that certainly Council wants the final appeal to come to them.
(b) Tabled ordinance concerning potable water:
Gorrell noted this ordinance was tabled earlier for further review. Mayor Strine responded that this would probably be at the next Council meeting.
(c) Sidewalk program as relating to subdivisions:
Stewart asked about the status of the letters to subdivision lot owners as to sidewalk requirements and/or requests for waivers. This project has been in process for a year and a half now, and he asked for an answer as to if it will be done or if it will not be done.
Cooper responded that it would be done, and he set a timetable of the next three weeks.
(a) Request for building permit:
927 Virginia Avenue; Owners, Jeff and Tami Norris; Petitioner, Ron Ross
Gorrell placed this item before Council for consideration and discussion, stating that this is an addition to the back of this house. There are houses to both sides of this property, and the zoning district is “M-2”.
The basic explanation is that this residential area is located within the heavy industrial zoning, and consequently, changes to these properties are prohibited. There is, however, a provision allowing Council to make an exception to the general plan, as the conditions exist already. Council can then give approval to the building permit if brought before them, as has been done.
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Gorrell to approve the building permit as requested.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
(a) Work session scheduled:
(b) Executive session held:
Gorrell announced that an executive session would be held immediately following the regular session. The session is to consider a matter of pending litigation, and no decisions or announcements will be made following the executive session.
Moved by Detrow and seconded by Wertz to adjourn to executive session to consider a matter of pending litigation.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Council adjourned to executive session at 7:21 p.m. and returned to regular session at 7:50 p.m.
Moved by Stewart and seconded by Wertz to adjourn the executive session and return to regular session.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Wertz and seconded by Gorrell to adjourn.
Ayes: Wertz, Stewart, Gorrell, Detrow
Council adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Submitted by
Elaine C. Bucklew
Clerk of Council