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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, MAY 5, 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, May 5, 2003. Former Mayor and longtime Councilman Rick Daily 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. David Kirsch
Absent: Mr. Joseph Renner
City Manager Dave Daily was also in attendance.
MINUTES AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
Councilman Kirsch moved to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2003 and acknowledge receipt of the May financial reports. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 03-29
Morris Fudge has retired from his position as Public Maintenance Division Supervisor on April 30, 2003. This resolution honors his 33 years of dedication to the City. Mayor Stonecash and Rick Daily presented Morris with this resolution.
Councilman Kirsch moved to adopt Resolution 03-29. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ball and passed as follows:
Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 03-30
David Walker has retired from his position as Treatment Plant Operator on April 30l, 2003. This resolution honors his 30 years of dedication to the City. Mayor Stonecash and Rick Daily presented Dave with this resolution.
Councilman Ball moved to adopt Resolution 03-30. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kirsch and passed as follows:
Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 03-31
Mr. Daily reported that, by Resolution 03-14, Council authorized the advertisement for bids of a new mower for the Public Maintenance Division. One bid was received and opened on April 30, 2003. This resolution awards the bid for the purchase of a mower to Steinke Tractor Sales, 707 South Barron Street, Eaton, Ohio, in the total amount of $14,500 less the trade-in amount of $4,000 for a net bid of $10,500. A total of $15,000 has been budgeted for this purpose.
Finding it to be in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the community, Councilman Ball moved to adopt Resolution 03-31. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kirsch and passed as follows:
Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 03-32
Mr. Daily reported that in 2001 the City razed the former J.E. Parker Poultry structure at 120 McCabe Street. The door surround on that building was from the 1851 Courthouse and the Preble County Historical Society had been given this doorway. This resolution reflects Council's permission to make this donation and memorializes that gift.
Councilman Kirsch moved to adopt Resolution 03-32. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ball and passed as follows:
Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)
Nays: None (0)
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
a. Each quarter Eaton City Council and the Preble County Commissioners meet in joint session. For this quarter, the meeting will be at the Courthouse and Mr. Daily reviewed the dates and times that had been set for this session. It was determined that the joint meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. at the Courthouse.
b. Mr. Daily reported that Police Chief Phil Romeo has received his orders and will be leaving Germany on May 9th. He is believed to be back with us on May 20th. Police Officer Nick Freisthler remains in Iraq and no further information is available on his status.
c. Police Officer Brian Carpenter has been placed on the Dean's List at Sinclair College.
d. Mayor Stonecash read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Reeves of Lakengren. This letter thanked the Fire and Squad members who assisted them recently on an illness with Mrs. Reeves.
e. Mr. Daily reported that the re-write of the zoning code is set to begin in June. Prior to the actual start it is desired to have a joint meeting of Council, Planning Board and Appeals Board with staff and representatives from ACP so that information and questions can effectively set the path for this process. This meeting has been set for Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 5:30 p.m.
f. The contracts for the sanitary sewer extension on Hillcrest Drive with the four various entities has been distributed. Notations are being made and one contract will be formulated and brought back for Council's approval. The contract with the School and the County Engineer for widening of roadways in that same area has been modified and will also be brought back for Council's approval in the near future.
OLD BUSINESS
a. At the April 21, Council learned of some problems with the Fire Division's ladder truck. Details continue on this situation and the truck remains out of service. It was determined to make repairs to the ladder which is estimated to cost $45,000 and to continue to accrue money for the replacement of this truck. Mr. Daily and Fire Chief Rick Crowe will continue to monitor this situation.
b. Mr. Daily reported that the Gasper Township Trustees had executed the EMS contract for service through May 31, 2003. Mr. Daily also pointed out the need to advise the Gasper Township Trustees and County dispatch operations that, once the contract expired, the City would not provide coverage for primary EMS dispatches. The City will provide back-up service as mutual aid but only secondary to primary calls. In order to properly prepare all involved authorities in any changes following May 31, Mr. Daily asked for Council's intentions on any further extensions on this contract. Lakengren POA President Hal Yoder was in attendance and asked for Council's forebearance in extending the EMS contract with Gasper Township for six months, through December 1. The reasoning for the extension is to allow Gasper Township and Camden-Somers Fire Department to properly train and organize personnel to take this over at the end of this 6-month period. Lakengren has assembled an ad hoc fire and EMS committee of three volunteers to work with the Trustees to ensure that progress continues in a timely manner. Mr. Yoder assured Council that they would be kept up-to-date on this ad hoc committee's findings. With Lakengren's intervention as represented by Mr. Yoder, Council will consider this extension. As the contract is with trustees of Gasper Township, the official request must come from them. The Trustees will be invited to the
May 19th Council meeting to allow for further discussion prior to the current deadline of May 31st. Representatives from Lakengren POA will be also be in attendance that evening. Council thanked Mr. Yoder for his participation in a positive resolve to this situation.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Michelle Brown and Mary Ann Rosenkrantz, from the Children's Medical Center, were in attendance to discuss a bike helmet safety program. They brought along sample legislation. Council will consider this program further at a later meeting.
b. Mayor Stonecash noted that the lot on East Main Street where the Central House had stood is available for sale at an asking price of $25,000. He believed the City should consider purchasing it. Other Councilmembers expressed questions and comments on this proposal with no decision being made.
ADJOURN
With unanimous approval, the meeting adjourned.