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MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF EATON, OHIO HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, AT 7:00 P.M., ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2003

Mayor Robert Stonecash called the regular meeting of the Council of the City of Eaton, Ohio, to order at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, August 18, 2003. Father Tom Fitzsimmons of the Visitation Catholic Church delivered the invocation and led the pledge to the flag. The Deputy Clerk called the roll and found the following to be:

Present:     Mayor Robert Stonecash

                    Mr. Robert Ball

                    Mr. Lawrence Petry

                    Mr. Joseph Renner

                    Mr. David Kirsch

Absent: None

City Manager Dave Daily was also in attendance.

 

MINUTES

Councilman Renner moved to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2003, regular meeting and to acknowledge receipt of the July financial reports. Councilman Kirsch seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 

RESOLUTION 03-46

Ione Hiestand has served the City=s Appeals Board since 1989. She retired in July, 2003. This resolution honors Mrs. Hiestand for her dedication and for her service.

 Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-46. Councilman Kirsch seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 Mayor Stonecash and Councilmembers each shared their appreciation to Mrs. Hiestand. Mrs. Hiestand spoke of her time on Appeals Board and especially noted her time on the Charter Review Committee, as her father had been a part of writing the original City Charter.

 PATRIOTIC EMPLOYER AWARD

Eaton Patrol Officer Brian Carpenter was in attendance along with local National Guard Recruiter, Sgt. Megan Moore. Officer Carpenter had nominated Police Chief Phil Romeo for the >Patriotic Employer= Award through his training with the National Guard. He explained that Chief Romeo is understanding and supportive of his military obligations, as Chief Romeo is a Naval reservist as well. Sgt. Moore presented Chief Romeo with this Award. Chief Romeo responded that he follows the values set forth by Brian, the National Guard, Council, City administration, all of those who are supportive of his military and police decisions.

 SPECIAL PRESENTATION

The Annual Police/Fire Softball Game was held on August 9. Fire Chief Crowe awarded Chief Romeo with a baseball with all the winning firemen signatures on it along with the final score. He noted that it was a fun time and a hard fought game. Chief Crowe also thanked Mayor Stonecash, Councilman Joe Renner and City Manager Dave Daily for their officiating and Vice Mayor Ball for leading the cheering section. The Safety Department then attended a family cookout and party at the Pool. Mayor Stonecash added that it was a great game, building goodwill between the departments. There were many good players and the umpiring crew was exceptional with no calls being questioned.

RESOLUTION 03-50

Bids for the City=s refuse contract were opened on Thursday, August 7, 2003 with two companies responding. The bid results were: Rumpke $1,012,965.36 total for the contract and Waste Management total $1,100,835.36 for the contract. Staff recommends the bid be awarded to Rumpke of Ohio, Inc. This resolution awards the refuse contract to Rumpke of Ohio, Inc., 10795 Hughes Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251 in the total amount of $1,012,965.36 for 3 years. It was confirmed that recycling and accepting large items as a part of the weekly pick-up was included in the bid specifications. The considerable savings was also discussed. Councilman Kirsch stated that Waste Management had done the community well and hoped that Rumpke would be an asset to the community as well.

 Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-50. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 RESOLUTION 03-51

Seven bid invitations and five bid packets were issued for the moving earth as a part of the Seven-Mile Park Project. Bids were opened on August 13th, with one bid received from C.A. Shindeldecker and Sons, P.O. Box 98, West Alexandria, Ohio 45381. The bid for site clearance was $6,500.00 plus the earth work bid of $38,280.00 for a total bid of $44,780.00. Staff recommended the bid be awarded to C.A. Shindeldecker and Sons. This resolution awards that contract to Shindeldecker=s. City crews will install drainage and the area will be seeded for the proposed four adult softball diamonds. Running a water line and electrical conduit is being considered.

 Councilman Ball moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-51. Councilman Renner seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 

RESOLUTION 03-52

The five-year, .8 mill-tax levy for Mound Hill Union Cemetery expires this year. This resolution declares it necessary to renew this tax levy, at the same rate for a 5-year term, and directs that the question of renewal to be placed on the November, 2003 ballot. This levy brings in approximately $66,100 per year or 2/3rds of their total budget.

 Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-52. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

RESOLUTION 03-53

Issue 2 funds have been applied for as part of the funding for the upcoming Aukerman Street Improvement Project. Having just received a high score on the application at the County level evaluation, the City Engineer is encouraged that this $250,000 grant application will b approved when it goes to the district. This resolution authorizes the City Manager to apply for these Issue 2 funds.

 Councilman Kirsch moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-53. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 RESOLUTION 03-54

In updating the City=s Zoning Code, representatives from the City-appointed zoning boards, City staff and Council will be actively working with ACP on this revision. This resolution was to appoint a committee consisting of two Council representatives, Mayor Bob Stonecash and Councilman Joe Renner; two Planning Board representatives, Members Gary Wagner and Tim Lane; two Appeals Board representatives, Chairman Tom Kline and Member Tom Jordan; two Downtown Eaton Inc. representatives, Tad Stewart and Kevin Connors; and, from City staff, City Manager Dave Daily, City Engineer Doug Spitler and Building Official Bob Wehrley. Councilman Renner believed that this group did not cover a wide enough sweep and suggested that Council bring back four citizens at-large to be added to the Committee. Carolyn House volunteered to be considered for this committee. It is believed that this Committee will be appointed prior the scheduled meetings beginning in October.

RESOLUTION 03-55

Issue 2 funds have been applied for as part of the funding for the upcoming roadway widening project on State Route 732/Hillcrest Drive and Camden Road, in anticipation of the opening of the new high school. This request just received a high score at the County level evaluation, with approval for this $250,000 grant reported as >encouraging= as it goes to the district for final approval. This resolution authorizes the City Manager to apply for these Issue 2 funds.

 Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 03-55. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 CITY MANAGER=S REPORT

a. Representatives from ACP met with City staff recently and will be presenting a first draft of the revised zoning code to Staff in the next few weeks.

 b. The Economic Development Committee is moving forward.

 c. The City received notice that Historical Days has been canceled this year, due to lack of volunteers.

 d. The Old Fashioned Days event is set for Saturday, August 23rd.

 e. Each year, the City of Englewood does a survey of area water and sewer rates. The City of Eaton consistently remains in the lower one-third to one-half of all communities in both water and sewer rates.

 f. There has been several burglaries in the downtown area. The City police department, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s office and downtown businesses, was able to apprehend the suspect, who confessed to many of these robberies. Mayor Stonecash expressed thanks to Chief Romeo for the professionalism that he has brought to the Division.

 g. A meeting has been scheduled for August 19 at the Preble County Engineer=s office with the property owners in the Wayne Trace Road area to discuss water/drainage issues and the status of the County ditch

OLD BUSINESS

a. Looking ahead to the future development of softball fields at Seven-Mile Park, Councilman Renner questioned if some preliminary, infrastructure work needs to be completed now before getting too far into the seeding project. The installation of electrical conduit to light at least one of the four fields should be a consideration. City Manager Dave Daily stated there is a lack of available funds to do this. Council then discussed the possibility of locating sponsors to assist in funding this part of the project. Councilman Kirsch stated he believed that the Parks Board should oversee this fundraising and at least plan for the lights now, not later. Timing is good now for next year=s budget and a Parks Board Meeting will be scheduled before the September Council meeting.

b. The City Manager reported that, as discussed last month, the former Shaver=s Ice Cream building on West St. Clair Street is being demolished, but the debris has not been removed. The property is being sold by David Oyler on land contract to James Mann who is doing the demolition work. Mr. Mann was given a deadline for getting the cleanup done, and Mr. Mann is attempting to locate a contractor who will assist in the cleanup. Mr. Mann has inquired if the City would participate in the cleanup. Council discussed this, an declines this request.

 c. Councilman Petry asked about the status of the former Southwestern Bowl facility on East Main Street. The City Manager reported that the weeds have just been cut and the owner made application for a zoning certificate to allow a large vehicle storage facility at that location. The use is not permitted in the C-3 zoning district (which it is in) and the owner has been given options on possible ways to proceed, with no new application having been received at this time.

d. Councilman Petry inquired of the status of the house across from Arby=s on North Barron Street. The City Manager reported he believed that the property is in foreclosure, and since that property is in the County, the City has no jurisdiction over this property.

 NEW BUSINESS

a. Resolution 03-56. The resignation from Planning Board member, Pat Kieffer, has been received. Councilman Renner moved to accept the resignation of Planning Board member, Pat Kieffer. The motion was seconded by Council Kirsch and passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5) 0356

Nays: None (0)

 b. Resolution 03-57. Councilman Renner moved to appoint Chris Atkins to the vacated Planning Board position which expires December 31, 2004. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kirsch and passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 c. Resolution 03-58. Councilman Kirsch moved to appoint Brenda Conley to the vacated Appeals Board position which expires December 31, 2005. The motion was seconded by Councilman Renner and passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner, Kirsch (5)

Nays: None (0)

 d. On August 17, a potentially dangerous domestic violence situation existed in the City. Councilman Kirsch complimented the police department on its professionalism in bringing this situation to a peaceful ending.

 e. Councilman Renner noted that the Rusk property on Walnut Street may be running a car repair business and that the garage is falling down. The City Manager stated staff believed that significant progress cleaning up the property had been made, but the property will be inspected for compliance.

 f. It was noted that a property at Spring and Walnut Streets has been selling rabbits for a number of months.

 g. With the good news to report to the citizens regarding the water/sewer rate comparison report, Councilman Kirsch believed that great justice has been given to the community, attributed to the proactive management of City administration and the Public Works Division, having looked ahead and investing for our future.

 h. Public Maintenance Supervisor Bill Smith has made notable improvements in the short time he has been on the job. Mr. Smith noted that he has good employees and enjoys working for the City.

 ADJOURN

Councilman Renner moved, seconded by Councilman Ball, to adjourn. With unanimous approval, the meeting adjourned.

 

________________________________ _____________________________________

Deputy Clerk of Council                                                                      Mayor

 

 

Approved as to form_______________________________________________________

Donnette A. Fisher, Director of Law