City Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, July 09, 2007

Call to Order

Mayor Ronald A. D’Epifanio called the Regular Meeting of Fairfield City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Municipal Building, 5350 Pleasant Avenue.

Prayer & Pledge

Councilmember Marty Judd led in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Council.  Present Councilmembers were Mike Snyder, Mike Oler, Steve Miller, Tim Abbott, Mitch Rhodus, Tim Meyers, and Marty Judd.

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss labor negotiations/collective bargaining.  A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk. The executive session was approved by a 7-0 vote.

Public Hearing - 2008 Tax Budget 

Finance Director Mary Hopton explained the proposed tax budget for 2008.  She stated the tax budget is an estimation of revenues and expenditures for funds which derive revenues from real and personal property taxes.

Joint Public Hearing - Revisions to Design, Construction & Materials Specification Handbook

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Planning Commission.  Present members were Jerry Dailey, Jeff Holtegel, Scott Lepsky, Marty Judd, Don Hassler, and Deborah Rhees.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to excuse Dan Murray.  Motion Carried 7-0.

Tim Bachman, Development Services Director, stated the last update to the Design, Construction & Materials Specification Handbook was in 1998.  The review process, which occurs every 10 years or so, involved several key city departments such as water, wastewater, fire, public works, etc. As part of the public input process, staff requested comments from various designers, developers and contractors who use the handbook on a daily basis. Their comments were collected and sent to the Ohio Valley Development Council for review.  Mr. Bachman stated the Ohio Valley Development Council’s response was received in June. Mr. Bachman reviewed the proposed changes relating to storm drainage, roadway, water supply, and wastewater.  Please listen to the tape of this meeting for details.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Mayor D’Epifanio presented proclamations to Airman First Class David C. Hoffman, Ohio Air National Guard; Lance Corporal Sean Hassler, United States Marine Corps; and PFC E/3 Joshua Calloway, United States Army in recognition of their service to our community and to welcome them home to the City of Fairfield.

Brent Delay and Jason Profit, residents of E. Highwood Drive requested stricter enforcement of the laws regarding the use of illegal fireworks in Fairfield.  Both residents discussed an incident in their neighborhood and requested further action be taken.  The matter was referred to Police Chief Dickey for follow-up.

Ray McDaniel, Palm Springs Drive, requested the City order the cutting of high weeds on Augusta Blvd. near the Ameristop.  The complaint was noted by Mr. Bachman who will provide follow-up.

Mayor/Council Reports

Councilmember Meyers and Mayor D’Epifanio complimented the organizers and city staff on the successful Red, White and Kaboom fireworks display on July 3. Mr. Meyers also thanked the business sponsors for putting their hard earned money to good use.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 11, 2007 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Property Maintenance Code:  Tim Bachman, Development Services Director, explained the changes being proposed to the Property Maintenance Code as it relates to swimming pools, address numbers on homes, exterior walls and trim, overcrowding in residential bedrooms and other rooms; and vacant structures.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to amend the following ordinance to conform to the 2006 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.  Motion Carried 7-0.  Councilmember Judd presented the second reading of an Ordinance to amend Chapter 1343, Property Maintenance, of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio to adopt the 2006 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to suspend the third reading of the ordinance.  Motion Carried 7-0.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption.  Keith Davis, Vernon Place, commented on the proposed changes and requested Council defer voting on this ordinance so that further review can take place.  Please listen to the tape on file in the Council office for details.  ORDINANCE NO. 93-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Design, Construction and Material Specifications Handbook:  Councilmember Judd deferred the second reading of this ordinance pending review and a written recommendation from the Planning Commission.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 

Reading’s (3) by Title Only:  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to read the following three ordinances by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0.

Re-Roofing of Public Works Facility:  Background – City Manager Pizzano requested a contract with Kelly Brothers Roofing, Inc. to re-roof the Public Works Facility on Holden Boulevard.  He stated the front section of the roof was replaced in 2004, and the back (high by) section is now in need of replacement. The cost of this project is $80,000.  Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Kelly Brothers Roofing, Inc. for completion of the Public Works Facility Re-Roofing Project and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 94-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Geotechnical Testing Services:  Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a three year contract with Thelen & Associates, Inc. for geotechnical testing services as it relates to infrastructure construction projects scheduled in the CIP.  He noted the current contract with Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott & May expires in August 2007.  Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a three year contract with Thelen & Associates, Inc. for geotechnical testing services. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO.  95-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Seward Road Railroad Crossing:  Background – City Manager Pizzano requested authorization to enter into a railroad construction agreement with CSXT for crossing upgrades at Seward Road at a cost of $115,475.  The project consists of installing a concrete crossing surface.  Mr. Pizzano stated the existing crossing surface was last upgraded to a rubberized crossing in 1994.  Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a railroad construction agreement with CSXT for crossing upgrades at Seward Road and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 96-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Seward Road Deferred Assessments:  Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended adoption of a resolution amending the Seward Road Sanitary Sewer Deferred Assessment previously approved by Resolution No. 8-82.  He stated at that time, there were 175 +/- acres that were put in to a special assessment district for purposes of sanitary sewer.  When the Union Center development came in, many of the properties tied into alternate sewer disposal areas and did not need, and could not justify, being tied into the original sanitary sewer deferred assessment project.  Mr. Pizzano stated there are hosts of properties front Union Center Boulevard that do not use the sewer system and by having the deferred assessments on their properties, problems are occurring with title searches which need to be alleviated.  Legislative Action – Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following resolution by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0.  Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of a resolution amending the Seward Road sanitary sewer deferred assessment previously approved by Resolution No. 8-82.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution.  Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption.  RESOLUTION NO. 15-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Reading’s (3) by Title Only:  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following three items by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0.

2008 Tax Budget:  Background – City Manager Pizzano stated the tax budget is an estimation of revenues and expenditures for funds which derive revenues from real and personal property taxes.  He noted the budget must be filed with the County Auditor on or before July 20.  Legislative Action – Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of a resolution adopting the Tax Budget of the City of Fairfield, Ohio, for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008 and submitting the same to the Butler County Auditor and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Mike Oler, moved for adoption.  RESOLUTION NO. 15-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

2007 Budget Amendment (Contractual Items):  Legislative Action - Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 1-07 entitled “An ordinance to make estimated appropriations for the expenses and other expenditures of the City of Fairfield, Ohio, during a period beginning January 1, 2007, and ending December 31, 2007.”  City Manager Pizzano stated this ordinance appropriates $80,000 for re-roofing the Public Works facility and $115,475 for upgrades to the Seward Road railroad crossing.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 97-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

2007 Budget Amendment (Non-Contractual Items):  Legislative Action - Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 1-07 entitled “An ordinance to make estimated appropriations for the expenses and other expenditures of the City of Fairfield, Ohio, during a period beginning January 1, 2007, and ending December 31, 2007.”  City Manager Pizzano stated this ordinance appropriates $5,300 for additional work associated with the upgrade of the Water Distribution System Telemetry System; $8,765 installation of voice, data and video premise wiring and paging system/Fairfield Greens Golf Course South Trace Clubhouse; $21,000 repairs to a channel grinder/Wastewater Treatment Plant; $22,000 professional services to conduct a study of sewer and water rates.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.

Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 98-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Meeting Notices

Monday, August 13            Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Monday, September 10       Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Monday, September 24       Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 8:15 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations/collective bargaining.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at approximately 9:15 p.m.  No announcements were made as a result of the executive session of Council.

Adjournment

The Regular Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

ATTEST:

Clerk of Council:  Dena C. Morsch                                                                                   

Mayor’s Approval:  Ronald A. D’Epifanio

Date Approved:  August 13, 2007

Last updated: 02/14/2008