City Council Minutes

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Call to Order

Vice Mayor Martin H. Judd 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 Meyers led in prayer. Specialists 4^th Class Alexander Woeste, 411 MP Company and members of Boy Scout Troop 967 from Sacred Heart School led in prayer.

Roll Call

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

Executive Session

Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for an executive session to discuss employment and compensation of personnel. A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk. The executive session was approved by a 7-0 vote.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Councilmember Meyers presented a Mayoral proclamation to members of the Four Season’s Garden Club to recognize their ongoing efforts in the community and to declaring June 3-9 as National Garden Week in the City of Fairfield.

Councilmember Rhodus presented a Mayoral proclamation to Specialist 4^th Class Alexander Woeste, 411^th Military Company, United States Army to recognize his service in Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The proclamation also proclaimed Tuesday, May 29, 2007 as “Specialist 4^th Class Alexander Woeste Day” in the City of Fairfield.

Councilmember Miller presented a Mayoral proclamation to Technical Sergeant Tracy Woyat for his service in the United States Air Force by serving in Iraq to support Operating Enduring Freedom. The proclamation also proclaimed Thursday, May 31 as “Tracy Woyat Day” in the City of Fairfield.

Ray McDaniel, Palm Springs Drive addressed the contents of House Bill 57 regarding sex offenders and nursing facilities and asked for Council’s support.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of May 14, 2007 were approved as written.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Reading’s (4) by Title Only:Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following four ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 7-0.

Purchase of Tractor with Attachments: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with Zimmer Tractor & Turf for the purchase of a New Holland TN75C Tractor with Side and Rear Mowers for use by the Street Division. He noted this tractor will replace Unit #228, a 1987 model with over 4,200 hours, which will be traded in. The cost of the new tractor is $45,290. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Zimmer Tractor & Turf for the purchase of one (1) New Holland TN75C Tractor and Attachments for use by the Street Division and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Zimmer Tractor & Turf for the purchase of one (1) New Holland TN75C Tractor and Attachments for use by the Street Division and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 78-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

Purchase of Brush Chipper: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended the purchase of a brush chipper for use by the Parks Department. He stated the chipper would replace Unit #231 at a cost of $28,926. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Vermeer of Southern Ohio, Inc. for the purchase of one (1) brush chipper for the Parks Department. 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 Snyder, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 79-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Resurfacing of By-Pass SR 4: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended an agreement with the State of Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the resurfacing of By-Pass State Route 4 from State Route 4 (Dixie Highway) north to the north corporation limit south of Symmes Road. He stated the project consists of asphalt overall ad new pavement markings. Mr. Pizzano noted that the city will have options when the decision to widen the highway is made, noting that we’ll be able to salvage a lot of the road and widen the road around it. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the resurfacing of By-Pass 4 from State Route 4 (Dixie Highway) to the north corporation line south of Symmes Road and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption. RESOLUTION NO. 13-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

Purchase of Dump Bodies: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended the purchase of four (4) dump bodies required to keep four trucks operational in the City’s fleet. He stated the cost of the replacement dump bodies is $46,570. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with J. W. Devers & Son for the purchase and installation of one (1) 9’ Mark II Dump Body, one (1) 12’ Mark II Dump Body, and two (2) 14’ Mark I XD Dump Bodies and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Oler, 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. 80-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Renovation of Tennis & Basketball Courts: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with Barry L. Brown Paving for the renovation of tennis courts and basketball courts at Waterworks Park. He explained the overlay/sealing/striping of parking lots and/or tennis /basketball courts was projected in the Parks & Recreation Department’s 2007-2011 Capital Improvement Program and is a high priority for this calendar year. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Meyers presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Barry L. Brown Paving for the renovation of tennis courts and basketball courts at Waterworks Park. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 81-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Floodplain and Levee Analysis: Background - City Manager Pizzano requested a contract with Strand Associates, Inc. for engineering services for floodplain and levee analysis at a cost of $73,000. He explained on August 31, 2006, the City received a letter from FEMA requesting verification of levee flood protection levels. The primary assessment focus is the flood levee corridor along the GM Ditch, and the flood levee area along the Lindale Subdivision; Matthew Place region at Pleasant Run Creek and the Great Miami River juncture. Legislative Action – Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 82-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

HVAC System/Fire Headquarters: Background – City Manager Pizzano explained the need for a replacement HVAC at Fire Headquarters on Nilles Road. He stated the current system was installed in 1990 and due to frequent outages and increased maintenance costs, a new system is recommended at a cost of $45,000. Legislative Action – Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for adoption. ORDNANCE NO. 83-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

COMMUNITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Traffic Advisory Committee: Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Judd, moved to appoint Tony Steer, 785 Wyoming Avenue to the second ward seat on the Traffic Advisory Committee. Motion Carried 7-0.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Ohio Substitute Senate Bill 117: Background – City Manager Pizzano stated on April 9, 2007, City Council approved an appropriation to support financially the non-profit organization Local Voice Ohio in its effort to oppose the original proposed legislation. At that same time, Council adopted a resolution in opposition to the house bill. City Manager Pizzano requested a resolution be adopted in opposition to Ohio Substitute Senate Bill 117 passed by the Ohio Senate on May 9, 2007. This bill will reduce the City’s revenue from such operations, allow operators with a franchise to abandon it, and effectively remove the City’s ability to operate a cable television channel. Legislative Action – Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved to read the following resolution by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of a resolution opposing Ohio Substitute Senate Bill 117 and supporting true competition by video service providers; and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. RESOLUTION NO. 14-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Reading’s (2) by Title Only: Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following two ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 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 $45,290 purchase of a tractor with attachments; $28,926 purchase of one (1) brush chipper for the Parks Department; $49,300 renovation of tennis courts/basketball courts at Waterworks Park; $73,000 engineering services for floodplain and levee analysis; $325,360 resurfacing of By-Pass SR4 from Route 4 (Dixie) to north corporation line south of Symmes Road; $46,570 purchase/installation of four replacement dump bodies/Street Division; $45,000 HVAC system/Fire Headquarters. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 84-07 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 $323 remittance of forfeited funds to the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office; $11,000 for replacement filter elements at the Fairfield Aquatic Center; $23,000 roof repairs at the Water Plant Annex Building; $20,000 digital recording cameras for the Fire Department; $4,600 resurfacing of Civitan driveway. 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 Meyers, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 85-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Meeting Notice

Saturday, June 2 Special Meeting of Council, 9:00 AM

Monday, June 11 Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

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

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

Executive Session of Council

Council recessed to executive session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss the topics listed on Page 1.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at approximately 8:00 p.m. No announcements were made as a result of the executive session of Council.

Adjournment

The Regular Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.

ATTEST:

Dena Morsch, Clerk of Council
Ronald A. D’Epifanio, Mayor
Date Approved: June 11, 2007

Last updated: 12/18/2007