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CLERK’S JOURNAL OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EATON, OHIO, HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, AT 7:00P.M., ON MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007
Mayor Robert Stonecash called to order the regular meeting of the Eaton City Council on Monday, May 21, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. Tom Haynes delivered the invocation, followed by the pledge to the flag. The Deputy Clerk called the roll and found the following to be:
Present: Joe Renner
David Kirsch
Ben Maffett
Gary Wagner, Vice Mayor
Robert Stonecash, Mayor
Absent: None
MINUTES
Councilman Kirsch moved to approve the Clerk’s Journal and to accept the tapes as the official minutes for the regular meeting of April 16, 2007 and the special meeting of May 8, 2007, and to acknowledge the April, 2007 financial reports. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wagner passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner*, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
*Abstained on approval of the May 8, 2007 minutes.
MILITARY AWARDS
The City was honored an ‘Above and Beyond’ Award from the State’s ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve‘ and the ‘Pro-Patriot’ Award from the Department of Defense. In attendance were Police Chief Phil Romeo and Patrolmen Nick Freisthler and Brian Carpenter who represented various reserve units and Staff Sergeant Richardson from the local National Guard unit. Councilman Ben Maffett along with Nick and Erin Freisthler attended the ceremony in Columbus and accepted the awards where Nick was given the only standing ovation that evening.
REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
Public Works Superintendent Andy Eddy reviewed recent Division topics, including the update on the water tower construction and improvement project at the Black Plant.
OATH TO THE AUDIENCE
The oath was administered to members of the audience who wished to speak during the public hearing.
ORDINANCE 07-04
This ordinance amends the zoning of four properties at 1737, 1739, 1743 and 1747 North Barron Street from ‘R-1A’ Single Family Residential to ‘C-1’ General Commercial. Planning Board recommended approval at their April 10, 2007 meeting. Mayor Stonecash opened the public hearing. Brad Kramer represented the four property owners in this application and reviewed the request. Of the nine single family home’ structures north of Arby’s, two properties 1727 and 1731 North Barron Street, did not wish to participate in this rezoning and would remain with the ‘R-1A’ zoning. The Public Hearing was closed. Mr. Kramer will continue to work with City staff on developing assurances that, if the properties were rezoned and developed, there would be a limited number of curb cuts onto Barron Street; further information will be presented at the June meeting. Council concurred that retail changes in that area would substantiate this zoning change and would agree to control the number of curb cuts on to Barron. Also, it would be preferred that the two properties, 1727 and 1731 North Barron Street, also participate in this rezoning.
Councilman Renner moved for the first reading of Ordinance 07-04, by title only. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Law Director Jill Richards read Ordinance 07-04, by title only.
ORDINANCE 07-05
A separate fund has been established with the remaining Bicentennial funds for the purpose of ongoing improvements to the Bicentennial Park. This ordinance amends the Annual Appropriation Ordinance 07-01 with the addition of the ‘Bicentennial Park Fund.’
Councilman Maffett moved for the reading of Ordinance 07-05, by title only. Councilman Kirsch seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Law Director Jill Richards read Ordinance 07-05, by title only
Councilman Kirsch moved for the adoption of Ordinance 07-05. Councilman Renner seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
ORDINANCE 07-02
This ordinance details several amendments to the Unified Development Code, most typographical corrections. Councilman Maffett moved for the second reading of Ordinance 07-02, by title only. Councilman Wagner seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Law Director Jill Richards read Ordinance 07-02, by title only.
Councilman Kirsch moved for the adoption of Ordinance 07-02. Councilman Wagner seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 07-21
This resolution approves the ‘final agreement’ with Ohio Department of Transportation for the Urban Paving Project of Richmond Pike, U.S. Route 35 West.
Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 07-21. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 07-22
Included in the 2007 budget was the replacement of flail mower for the Public Maintenance Division with a model being located through the state purchase program. This resolution approves this purchase and trade-in for a new John Deere flail mower in the net amount of $55,322, purchased from Koenig Equipment, Oxford, through the state purchase program.
Councilman Wagner moved for the adoption of Resolution 07-22. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
RESOLUTION 07-23
The addition of a position in the Divisions of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has been established, ‘Part-Time Intermediate (EMT-I),’ which will allow for more flexibility in EMS staffing. This resolution re-establishes the job titles, staffing levels and pay rates for the personnel in fire and EMS and includes this new position.
Councilman Renner moved for the adoption of Resolution 07-23. Councilman Kirsch seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Two recent medical emergencies were discussed
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
a. Planning Board recently reviewed and approved three major site plans, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store at the former Pet Place site on North Barron Street, McDonald’s Restaurant at their existing location on North Barron Street and Walgreen’s at the southwest corner of Barron Street and West Lexington Road.
b. Henny Penny purchased a small parcel of land just across the railroad track from their facility on U.S. Route 35 West and has given it to the City who will clear the land within the next few weeks.
c. Projects, in progress and upcoming, around the City were reviewed; those being the construction of a dialysis center and a neighboring office structure on East Washington-Jackson Road, expansions of Bullen Semi-Conductor on South Franklin Street, Vancrest Care Center on Park Avenue and Kettering Medical Center on the north side of the medical center portion of the YMCA on West Lexington Road and the City’s annual paving project as well as the State’s Urban Paving program of West Main Street.
d. Patrol Officers Nick Freisthler and Anthony Schmidt, along with Preble County Sheriff Deputy Josh Wing, were awarded ‘Officers of the Year’ by the Optimist Club. Their actions at a house fire in 2006 on East Main Street resulted in the saving of the residents’ lives.
e. Police Chief Phil Romeo, an Ensign in the US Navy Reserve, recently completed the Anti-Terrorism Officer (Level II) course at the Center for Security Forces in Chesapeake Virginia.
f. The annual report of comparison of water and sewer rates for the surrounding area was distributed with Eaton being just above the average in charges.
g. Thirty-two year veteran of the Fire Division, Lowell Ashworth, passed away recently; funeral arrangements were reported.
MAYOR’S REPORT
a. Flower pots have been placed in the downtown area.
b. Entrance sign, sign moved.
c. The need for grids around the trees downtown as well as the price for the various types were discussed.
d. Letters of appreciation were read.
OLD BUSINESS
a. A response has not been given to Twin Township Trustees who recently requested Council to consider taking part of their township for Fire and EMS protection. Further statistical information was requested prior to making official notification.
b. Property owner, Ron Wells, was in attendance to report that his home at 810 East Avenue, which had been destroyed by fire in 2006, will be demolished within the next week.
NEW BUSINESS
Businesses placing items in public right-of-ways were discussed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilman Renner moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters with the Law Director who was present as well as the City Manager, Finance Director and Project Manager. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Councilman Wagner moved to return to regular session. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
Mayor Stonecash announced there was no action taken.
Preble County Commissioner Jane Marshall was welcomed.
ADJOURN
Councilman Wagner moved to adjourn. Councilman Maffett seconded the motion which passed as follows:
Ayes: Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)
Nays: None (0)
______________________________________ ________________________________________
Deputy Clerk of Council Deputy Clerk of Council Mayor
Approved as to form___________________________________________________________________
Director of Law