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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, NOVEMBER 19, 2007

 

Mayor Robert Stonecash called to order the regular meeting of the Eaton City Council on Monday, November 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.    Following 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 AND FINANCIAL REPORTS

Councilman Kirsch moved to approve the Clerk’s Journal and to accept the tapes as the official minutes for the regular meeting of October 15, 2007 and for the special meeting of October 31, 2007, and to acknowledge the October, 2007 financial reports.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Maffett passed as follows:

            Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

            Nays: None (0)

 

APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTY PARKS BOARD

Following a presentation by the County Parks District Board, Councilman Maffett moved to approve a donation of $1,000 the Parks District.  Councilman Renner seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

            Nays: None (0)

 

APPEARANCE OF DAVID FERRIELL

David Ferriell inquired as to a possible ‘quiet zone’ for the trains passing through town.  It was explained that, if a crossing does not have arms and lights, the trains are required to sound a whistle; several crossings in town do not have arms.  Cost of installing this equipment is high and, therefore, a quiet zone cannot be requested.

 

REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF

Fire Chief Jack Royer presented facts and figures of recent activity of the fire/EMS operation.

 

BUDGET REVIEW 

The proposed 2008 budget of the Public Safety Department was discussed.

 

ORDINANCE 07-14

It is necessary to adjust appropriations to reflect anticipated changes in revenue and expenditures item.  This ordinance amends Ordinance 07-01, the annual appropriation ordinance, as presented.

 

Councilman Renner moved for the reading of Ordinance 07-14, 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 Allen read Ordinance 07-14, by title only

 

Councilman Maffett moved for the adoption of Ordinance 07-14.  Councilman Wagner seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

Nays: None (0)

 

Discussion regarding communication from the Preble County Auditor’s office on a financial issue was held.  It was stated that the Finance Director must have information from County Auditor Mindy Robbins by the December 3 Council meeting to report.

 

RESOLUTION 07-37

This is preliminary legislation that authorizes the City Manager to sign documents with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Park Avenue.

 

Councilman Kirsch moved for the adoption of Resolution 07-37.  Councilman Renner seconded the motion which passed as follows:

Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

Nays: None (0)

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

  1. With negative results from testing at the City’s closed landfill, it is reported that Malcolm Pirnie will apply to cease the program at that location.  Plans for the stream relocation are nearly approved.  It will be necessary to have certain trees removed so that Indiana bats do not roost there and to acquire approximately three acres from the County so that the creek bank can be properly constructed.
  2. Recently, members of the Optimist Club worked at the Fort.  Various community groups and individuals volunteered to put the decorations up at the Fort for Whispering Christmas.
  3. A grant has been applied for to replace 8 traffic signal systems; this will be an 80/20 grant.
  4. It was noted that the local natural gas provider, Vectren, has applied for a 7%-8% increase in rates.
  5. Middle school children are congregating at the neighboring library, primarily waiting on transportation, and have been disruptive.
  6. The Mayor thanked the citizens for supporting the City’s tax issue on the ballot, reminded that the White Christmas parade would be Friday, November 23, at 5:45 p.m., and Council would be judging light displays between the dates of December 7 and December 11.   

 

OLD BUSINESS

  1. Dr. Jill Vosler was in attendance to discuss Eaton Little League’s plans for offering girls’ fast pitch ball.  Two fields at the DP&L fields will be needed for this new program and Little League has discussed with the YMCA.  Councilman Maffett moved, seconded by Councilman Renner, to approve Little League’s sole use of two fields at DP&L for the upcoming season, providing the YMCA can coordinate scheduling, and with any improvements needed to be completed at those two fields to be done at Little League’s expense.  The vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

                        Nays:  None (0)

  1. Representatives from the City will meet with the County regarding the County’s concern of City address and street names.
  1.  An invoice has been received for the Bicentennial plaques; it is assumed they will be installed soon.
  2. Councilmember Gary Wagner discussed the fact that the southwest side of the new water tower is blank; he requested that a price be obtained for putting wording on that side.
  3. There is a public records training for Council on December 11, 9:00 a.m., in Hamilton.

 

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Councilman Joe Renner was recently elected to serve on Eaton Community School Board and submits his resignation from Eaton City Council, effective December 31, 2007. Council Wagner moved, seconded by Councilman Kirsch, to accept Mr. Renner’s resignation.  The vote was as follows:

Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

                        Nays:  None (0)

 

HIT FOUNDATION

Representatives from the HIT Foundation were in attendance to provide a summary of the 2005 CHIP

grant.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Maffett moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters with the Law Director who was present, the City Manager and Finance Director.  Councilman Renner seconded the motion which passed as follows:

            Ayes:  Renner, Kirsch, Maffett, Wagner, Stonecash (5)

            Nays:  None (0)

 

Councilman Maffett moved to return to regular session.  Councilman Kirsch 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.

 

ADJOURN

Councilman Maffett moved to adjourn.  Councilman Wagner 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