City Council Minutes

Monday, October 22, 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 Judd led in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

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.

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for an executive session to discuss pending and imminent litigation and the purchase of real estate.  A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk.  The executive session was approved 7-0.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

City Manager Pizzano and Police Chief Mike Dickey presented an Employee STAR Award to Officer Mike Sulfridge for his leadership during a recent emergency situation.  Mr. Pizzano, Parks & Recreation Director Jim Bell, and Park Event Manager Ben Strickler, presented an Employee STAR Award to JoBeth Yambrich for her leadership and expertise with the fitness programs and various events at the Community Arts Center.

Donayale Hawkins, 525 W. Point Pleasant Circle #38, addressed Council about a problem her son encountered after exiting a school bus.  She stated her 10 year old son witnessed a student being harassed and tried to stop the situation. The person causing the problem then threatened to shoot her son.  Ms. Hawkins stated she was told by the school transportation office that it was a police matter; she called the police and was told it was a school matter.  Ms. Hawkins asked Council when a threat becomes serious in Fairfield and who is responsible for dealing with these types of situations—the school or the police.  Chief Dickey assured Ms. Hawkins that he would look into the matter and report his findings back to her and Council.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of October 9, 2007 and Special Meeting of October 15, 2007 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Income Tax Ordinance: Councilmember Abbott presented the second reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 181, Income Tax, of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio, relative to the City of Fairfield Income Tax.  Ordinance approved for second reading only.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 

Reading’s (2) by Title Only:  Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following ordinance and resolution by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0.

Roadway Pavement Markings: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with A & A Safety, Inc. for the 2007 Application of Roadway Pavement Markings at a cost of $175,000.  He explained that this is an annual contract required to replace pavement markings on roadways within the City.  The contract provides that the bidder is to furnish all labor, materials and other supplies, as well as necessary traffic control for the repainting of existing pavement markings as specified in the bid document. Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a one (1) year contract with A & A Safety, Inc. for the 2007 application of roadway pavement markings 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. 133-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

State Route 4 & West Crescentville Intersection Project: Background – City Manager Pizzano explained the necessity and the City’s intent to appropriate property for the State Route 4/West Crescentville Road Project.  He stated this project has been in the capital improvement program for quite some time and will bring needed improvements to the southern end of Route 4. 

Legislative Action – Councilmember Miller presented the first reading of a resolution declaring intent and necessity of the State Route 4 and West Crescentville Intersection Improvement Project an declaring an emergency.  Resolution approved for first reading only.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Sewer Agreement with Butler County: 
Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended an agreement with the Butler County Commissioners for sewer treatment service for a section of northeastern Fairfield not sewered by the City of Fairfield.  He noted that this agreement would replace a previous agreement implemented in 1981 and does not require any appropriations as service would be paid to the Butler County Department of Environmental Services by sewer customers on a “per use” basis.  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following resolution by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Board of Butler County Commissioners for sewer treatment services for a section of northeastern Fairfield not sewered by the City of Fairfield, Ohio and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Judd, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution.  Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Judd, moved for adoption.  Councilmember Abbott asked if the rate structure for the end users would be similar to what our residents and businesses are currently paying.  Mr. Culbertson responded by saying that the rate is in line with our current rate structure. 
RESOLUTION NO. 21-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan:  Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved to accept the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan as prepared by city staff and the Community Forest Commission.  Motion Approved 7-0.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

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

Issuance of Bonds/Municipal Court-Police Services Project: Background – City Manager Pizzano explained the necessity of issuing $6,000,000 in Municipal Court-Police Services Project Notes which will be used to refinance the $6 million of the original $7 million issue for the construction of the Justice Center. Legislative Action – Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an ordinance providing for the issuance of $6,000,000 Municipal Court – Police Services Project Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2005, Third (2007) Renewal, by the City of Fairfield, Ohio, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds of the City and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Judd, 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. 134-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

2007 Budget Amendment (Contractual Item): 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 $175,000 for the 2007 Roadway Pavement Marking Program.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption.ORDINANCE NO. 135-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

2007 Budget Amendment (Non-Contractual Item): 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 $40,243 for the purchase and installation of upgraded confirmation lights for the city’s preemption system and $17,682 for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Golf Club House Project.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption. Councilmember Rhodus voiced his pleasure about recent improvements to the preemption system.ORDINANCE NO. 136-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Meeting Notice

   Monday, November 12    Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

* Monday, November 19    Council-Manager Briefing, 5:30 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

* Monday, December 3       Council-Manager Briefing, 5:30 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

* Monday, December 10     Council-Manager Briefing, 5:30 PM; Regular Meeting & Public Hearing (2008 Budget), 7 PM

   Monday, January 7           Special Meeting (Adoption of 2008 Operating Budget); 6 PM

* Council-Manager Briefing Topic:  Review of 2008 Operating Budget

  Normal Meeting Schedule Resumes

  Monday, January 14          Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

  Monday, January 28          Council-Manager Briefing, 6 PM; Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss pending and imminent litigation and the purchase of real estate.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m.  No announcements were made as a result of the executive session of Council.

Adjournment

The Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 

Last updated: 05/12/2008