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 19, 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 19, 2003. Father Fitzsimmons 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.

WELCOME

Mayor Stonecash welcomed Police Chief Romeo back from military service. Chief Romeo thanked all for their support in the time that he has been activated.

INTRODUCTION OF POLICE OFFICER

Chief Romeo re-introduced Patrol Officer Shanda Clark. Shanda has recently been appointed to a full-time position with the Eaton Police Department.

MINUTES

Councilman Kirsch moved to approve the minutes of the May 5 regular meeting. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Kirsch (4)

Nays: None (0)

Abstain: Renner (1)

Councilman Kirsch moved to approve the minutes of the May 14 special meeting. Mayor Stonecash seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Kirsch (2)

Nays: None (0)

Abstain: Ball, Petry, Renner (3)

RESOLUTION 03-33

The annual salt contract bids were opened on May 14, 2003. Mr. Daily reported that the bid from North American Salt Company in the amount of $36.87 per ton was the lowest and stated it was staff's recommendation taht the bid be awarded to North American. This resolution awards the bid to North American for the supply and delivery of rock salt in the amount of $36.87 per ton.

Councilman Renner moved to adopt Resolution 03-33. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ball and passed as follows:

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

Nays: None (0)

RESOLUTION 03-34

The annual paving project bids were opened on May 14, 2003. Two bids were received: Walls Asphalt Brothers of Greenville, Ohio in the total amount of $156,400.03; The Shelly Company of Cincinnati, Ohio in the total amount of $132,324.00. A total of $120,000 had been budgeted for this project and, with both bids exceeding the allowable 10%, a line item, the planing of 232 square yards was removed from the bid. The bid from The Shelley Company in the revised, total amount of $131,999.20 was the lowest and this resolution awards this contract to them.

Councilman Renner moved to adopt Resolution 03-34. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kirsch and passed as follows:

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

Nays: None (0)

RESOLUTION 03-35

The Public Works Division needs to replace a 1988 Chevrolet S-10 4x4 pick-up truck. A total of $30,000 was included in the 2003 sewer fund budget for this purchase. This resolution authorizes advertising for bids for a full-size 4x4 pick-up vehicle.

Councilman Ball moved to adopt Resolution 03-35. The motion was seconded by Councilman Renner and passed as follows:

Ayes: Stonecash, Ball, Petry, Renner (4)

Nays: None (0)

Abstain: Kirsch (1)

RESOLUTION 03-36

As discussed at the May 5 meeting, repairs are needed for the Fire Division's ladder truck. An estimate has been determined by the Seagrave Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin, in the amount of $46,500. A safety alarm system was detailed and will be installed on this apparatus. This resolution authorizes these repairs to be made to the ladder truck in a total cost not to exceed $50,000.

Councilman Kirsch moved to adopt Resolution 03-36. The motion was seconded by Councilman Renner and passed as follows:

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

Nays: None (0)

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

a. A joint meeting of Council, Planning and Appeals Boards, ACP representatives and staff will be held on Tuesday, June 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m., to begin the City's Zoning Code update.

b. A meeting is being conducted tonight with regard to creating a new economic development position for the County. With the City expected to fund one-third of this position, the same presentation may be made to Council at an upcoming meeting.

c. Mr. Daily reviewed the May 14 meeting with the Preble County Commissioners. Topics included retail development, sludge, sanitary sewer project on Hillcrest Drive, the proposed indoor soccer facility, landfill issues, and the economic developer position just previously discussed.

d. A representative from ISO is scheduled to review and rate the City's fire operation beginning on May 20.

e. Mr. Daily explained that the City would like to step-up efforts on addressing property maintenance issues, due to the number of complaints. Council approved an informational article being placed in the newspaper.

f. The Downtown Eaton Inc. meeting is Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 p.m., at the City Building.

g. The litigation with Cy and Gen Acheson has been resolved, with Summary Judgement having been granted to the City.

h. Neighbors in the Wayne Trace area in the City have experienced continually increasing drainage/flooding problems believed to be caused by a beaver dam on the Rocky Run creek. City staff has researched this issued and outlined several options. Those options were explained to Council. Council directed staff to discuss details with County Engineer Steve Simmons and return to Council with further details on the possibilities of petitioning this area as a County ditch.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Resolution 03-37. Gasper Township Trustee Mike Allen, Lakengren P.O.A. President Hal Yoder and several Lakengren residents were in attendance regarding the contract for primary EMS service to Gasper Township. The current addendum to the contract with Eaton providing primary emergency medical services will expire on May 31. Mr. Allen requested that Council consider another addendum that would expire on December 31, 2003 with the same terms and conditions that are in place currently. He believed this timeframe would allow for Gasper Township/Camden-Somers Fire to be in operation to serve their citizens in this capacity. Mr. Yoder concurred with this timeframe and explained that a committee consisting of Lakengren representatives Bill Connerley, Deb DeVous and Tony Pfister has been formed and will work with Gasper officials to monitor progress of this effort. Mayor Stonecash applauded Gasper Township's efforts to provide their own emergency services. He continued that while Council's primary responsibility is to the City of Eaton, there is some moral obligation to the citizens of neighboring Gasper Township. All other members of Council agreed. Resolution 03-37 authorizes the City Manager to execute an addendum to the EMS contract with Gasper Township with the same terms and conditions to expire on December 31, 2003.

Councilman Kirsch moved to adopt Resolution 03-37. Councilman Ball seconded the motion which passed as follows:

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

Nays: None

b. Mr. Daily updated Council on the contract with Eaton Community Schools that had been approved on April 21 by Council had been modified slightly, not changing the basic terms of the contract. Council agreed with the changes and encouraged the project to move forward.

RECOGNITION

Mayor Stonecash recognized Public Works Superintendent Andy Eddy for his outstanding efforts in operating the City's wastewater and water plants. Mayor Stonecash understood that the local EPA upholds the Eaton operation as a model.

Councilman Kirsch left the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS (continued)

c. Doug Kramer, representing Kramer and Associates, presented options for the Hillcrest Sanitary Sewer project and the extension of sidewalks to the new school on Hillcrest. Council determined to proceed with the extension of sewer from the Deer Trail area and to proceed with plans for the walkway down Camden Road and West Main Street.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Kyle Aughe, representing Rumpke, encouraged Council to consider competitively bidding the upcoming refuse contract. The current contract with Waste Management expires September 30 and, if the City chooses, can be extended for one additional year. Council indicated the advertising the bid for refuse would be considered.

ADJOURN

With unanimous approval, the meeting adjourned.