City Council Minutes

Monday, March 12, 2007

Editor Note: Students from Cincinnati Christian School participated in this meeting as elected officials of “Tradetown”, under the direction of Principal Donna Hempelmann. Students participating were: Student Mayor Tim Fleming; Student Vice Mayor Bryce Edmonston; and Student Police Chief Claire McIntosh.

Call to Order

Student Mayor Tim Fleming called the Regular Meeting of Fairfield City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Municipal Building, 5350 Pleasant Avenue.

Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

Student Vice Mayor Bryce Edmonston led in the Pledge of Allegiance and Student Police Chief Claire McIntosh led in prayer.

Roll Call

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Council. Present Councilmembers were Mike Snyder, Mike Oler, Steve Miller, Tim Abbott, Mitch Rhodus, and Tim Meyers. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to excuse Councilmember Judd. Motion Carried 6-0. Councilmember Oler noted for the record that Councilmember Judd is in Washington D.C. at the National League of Cities Congressional Conference.

Executive Session Request

Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for an executive session to discuss pending and imminent litigation, the appointment of public officials, and the evaluation and compensation of employees. A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk. The executive session was approved 6-0.

Public Hearing

Police Chief Michael Dickey stated the purpose of the hearing is to afford Council and the public the opportunity to comment on the use of the 2006 Justice Assistance Grant. This grant was formerly known as the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Under the terms of the grant being awarded to Butler County, the Fairfield Police Department will receive $8,733. The City of Fairfield will be required to match the grant by 10 percent. Chief Dickey stated in the past, the police department has used the funds for the purchase of equipment and technology improvements. A specific project has not been identified for the 2006 grant; however, it is anticipated that the funds will be used in these two areas.

Citizen Comments

Steve Kinney, Marcel Court, acknowledged and thanked Animal Control Office Chuck Geurin for assisting him in locating his stolen dog.

Ray McDaniel, Palm Springs Drive, addressed the issue of missing sidewalks along Mack Road.

Marc Conter, Casa Loma Drive, requested tighter controls regarding the maintenance of rental properties in Fairfield.

Mayor/Council Reports

Student Mayor Fleming thanked the voters who elected him as Mayor of Tradetown.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 26, 2007 and the Special Meetings of March 1 and 5, 2007 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Emerald Lake, Section 1 Subdivision: Councilmember Miller presented the third reading of an ordinance releasing the maintenance bond and accepting public improvements for Emerald Lake, Section 1 Subdivision. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 30-07 adopted 6-0.

Emerald Lake, Section 2 Subdivision: Councilmember Miller presented the third reading of an ordinance releasing the maintenance bond and accepting public improvements for Emerald Lake, Section 2 Subdivision. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 31-07 adopted 6-0.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Solids Storage Facilities at the Wastewater Treatment Plant: Councilmember Rhodus presented the second reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Arcadis U.S. Inc. for professional engineering services for additional biosolids storage facilities at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring a third reading of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 32-07 adopted 6-0.

Liquid Carbon Dioxide: Councilmember Rhodus presented the second reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a one (1) year contract with Continental Carbonic Products, Inc. for the purchase of liquid carbon dioxide for use at the Water Treatment Plant. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring a third reading of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 33-07 adopted 6-0.

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 6-0.

Purchase of Vehicles for the Fleet Division: Background – City Manager Pizzano requested the purchase of two pick-up trucks and one van for the City’s fleet division. He stated Unit 615 has 110,000 miles; Unit 6212 has 115,000 miles; and a 1996 van is in need of replacement. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Bob Ross Buick –GMC for the purchase of one (1) GMC Canyon Extended Cab Pick-up Truck; one (1) GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Pick-up Truck; and one (1) GMC Savana Van for the Fleet Division and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 34-07 adopted 6-0.

Janitorial Services: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with GSF North American Janitorial Services for janitorial services for the Municipal Building, Municipal Building Annex, Public Works Facility, and the Justice Center. He stated GFS is a large international company with offices world wide and a regional office located in Cincinnati. In order to have a smooth transition, the current contract will be extended to expire on March 31 and the new service will begin on Monday, April 2. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter a contract with GSF North American Janitorial Service for janitorial services at the various city facilities and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 35-07 adopted as an emergency 6-0.

Central Traffic System: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended approval of an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the construction of a central traffic system. He stated in 2006, Fairfield was approved for a federal grant under the Congestion Management Air Quality Program for the construction of a central traffic system. The project will upgrade traffic signals with new controllers, some LED signal heads and miscellaneous signal equipment and software. Mr. Pizzano noted in 2006, Lockwood, Jones & Beals was contracted to complete the engineering for this project. The company as completed the required Traffic Operations Report and they are currently under design for the full project. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the construction of the Central Traffic System. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for the suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 36-07 adopted 6-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Liquor Permit for Dixie Food Mart: Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved that no hearing be held on the liquor permit application for Mihir & Helly, Inc., DBA Dixie Food Mart, 4825 Dixie Highway (Permit Class: C1, C2, and D6). Motion Carried 6-0.

Purchase of Police Vehicles: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended the purchase of eight (8) police special, 4-door sedans at a cost of $163,198. He stated the vehicles are included in the State bid contract which authorizes municipal corporations the use of the contract. Legislative Action – Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 6-0. Councilmember Snyder presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with 32 Ford/Mercury for the purchase of eight (8) Police Special, 4-door sedans and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 37-07 adopted as an emergency 6-0.

PARKS, RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Reading’s (2) by Title Only: Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following two ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 6-0.

Seward Road Ingress and Egress Easement: Background – City Manager Pizzano requested authorization to execute an ingress and egress easement agreement with the Butler County Commissioners and grant a further non-exclusive right of use of said easement to adjacent property owners. He noted the Butler County Commissioners have granted a non-exclusive easement to the City to provide legal access to Seward Road for several undeveloped parcels in the City of Fairfield. The City will in turn grant such property owners the non-exclusive use of the easement for development of their property. He stated the adjacent property owners will grant the necessary easements on their property for the Miami-Erie Canal hike-bike path at no cost to Butler County or Fairfield. Legislative Action – Councilmember Meyers presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Butler County Commissioners for an ingress and egress easement and grant a further non-exclusive right of use of said easement to adjacent owners and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 38-07 adopted as an emergency 6-0.

Cultural Arts Advisory Commission: Background – City Manager Pizzano stated the Parks and Recreation Board have recommended an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to establish the Community Forest Commission as an advisory group to the Parks and Recreation Board. He stated the way it is now, the Forest Commission serves as an advisory board to the City in general but has no mechanism to report to any board, commission or Council directly. Legislative Action – Councilmember Meyers presented the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 170.02 of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio, relative to the City of Fairfield Community Forest Commission. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 39-07 adopted 6-0.

COMMUNITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Renewal Contract for Codification of Ordinances: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a four year contract with Walter H. Drane Company for the City’s codified ordinance service. He stated the Walter H. Drane Company has performed this service for the City since 1983 and provides excellent service, including software for publication of the ordinances on the City’s web site and ordinance research materials. The annual cost of this service is $10-$12,000 per year depending on the number of pages changed during the year. Legislative Action – Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 6-0. Councilmember Oler presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute a renewal contract for the City’s codified ordinance service with Walter H. Drane Company for a four year period. Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 40-07 adopted 6-0.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Reading’s (4) by Title Only: Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following four ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 6-0.

Wage and Salary Ordinance: Background – City Manager Pizzano proposed an amendment to the current Wage and Salary Ordinance to promote two additional full-time lieutenant positions in the Fire Department. He stated during the February 26 briefing, Fire Chief Bennett requested the additional two full-time position to provide improvement supervision of emergency medical services to the community. He stated two existing firefighter/paramedics would be promoted to these positions on the basis of the current Civil Service promotional list. Following these promotions, the number of authorized firefighter/paramedic positions would be reduced to nineteen so that there would be no increase in the total number of personnel authorized in the Fire Department. Legislative Action – Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an ordinance to establish salaries and hourly rates for certain salaried and hourly employees of the City of Fairfield, Ohio and to authorize and limit the numbers and types of certain employees, to repeal Ordinance No. 27-07 and all amendments thereto and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 41-07 adopted as an emergency 6-0.

Transient Lodging Tax: Background – City Manager Pizzano requested the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the City to levy a three percent (3%) lodging facilities tax with the City of Fairfield. He explained that under Ohio Revised Code, Fairfield is permitted to levy an excise tax for any lawful purpose not to exceed 3% on transactions by which lodging by a hotel is to be furnished to transient guests. The anticipated revenue is proposed to offset the operating difference between revenues and expenditures and for revenue generating program enhancements for the Community Arts Center. Mr. Pizzano recommended a public hearing be held on Monday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. for citizen input. Legislative Action – Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an ordinance to adopt a new Chapter 187 entitled “Transient Lodging Tax” of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio. Ordinance approved for first reading only and scheduled for a public hearing on March 26 at 7:00 p.m.

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 explained that this ordinance appropriates $16,801 for a Canyon extended cab pick-up truck; $23,310 for a Sierra regular cab pick-up truck; $17,239 for a Savana van; and $163,198 for the purchase of eight police vehicles. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Meyer, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 42-07 adopted 6-0.

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 explained that this ordinance appropriates $5,000 for the cable television consultant contract. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption. Ordinance No. 43-07 adopted 6-0.

Comments

Council extended sympathy to the family of Ron Smith who passed away this week. Councilmember Miller acknowledged the many contributions Ron made to the community through his work with the Fairfield Optimist Club, youth soccer and baseball organizations.

Meeting Notice

Monday, March 26 Council-Manager Briefing, 5 PM; Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, 7 PM

Monday, April 9 Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 7:46 p.m. to discuss the topics listed on Page 1.

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.

Last updated: 12/13/2007