City Council Minutes

Monday, November 19, 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

Council observed a moment of silence in honor of Joe Nuxhall who passed away on November 15. Councilmember Miller 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 to discuss employment and compensation of personnel. A roll call vote was taken by Clerk. The executive session was approved 7-0.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 12, 2007 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Traffic and General Offenses Code: Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Judd, moved to amend the following ordinance by including the crime of possession of counterfeit controlled substances in the ordinance. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Snyder presented the second reading of an ordinance to amend various sections of the Traffic and General Offenses Codes of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for suspension of the rules requiring a third reading of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 139-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

NEW BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Amendment to Agreement with T.R. Gear Landscaping: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended an amendment to the existing Enterprise Zone Agreement between the Butler County Commissioners and T.R. Gear Landscaping, Inc. The amended agreement would adjust the real property investment requirement from $725,000 to the lower amount of $609,650. Legislative Action - Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of a resolution approving an amendment to the existing Enterprise Zone Agreement between the Butler County Commissioners and T.R. Gear Landscaping, Inc. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the resolution. Rules Suspended 7-0. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption. RESOLUTION NO. 24-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

PUBLIC UTILTIES COMMTTEE

Note: Councilmember Abbott abstained from voting on the following ordinance, removing himself from the Council Chambers during the discussion and legislative process.

Auxiliary Electrical Generator: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with Duke Energy One, Inc. for the installation of an auxiliary electrical generator at the Water Treatment Plant. The cost of this equipment is $765,870. He stated this item has been anticipated for quite some time and is one of the things that have come in the aftermath of the consequences of 9/11 and security. Mr. Pizzano stated the generator in question would allow the City to stay up and running for a considerable period of time should a catastrophic disaster or national emergency occur. He stated because of the City’s long term relationship with Duke Energy and the reliability they provide and the importance of this particular item, it is being presented to Council as a non-bid item. Legislative Action – Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 6-0. Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Duke Energy One, Inc. for installation of an auxiliary electrical generator at the Water Treatment Plant and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved for adoption. Councilmember Meyers asked if part of the contract would require Duke to service the equipment. Mr. Culberson responded by saying yes, we currently have a contract with Duke for the other distribution grid and the servicing of the new generator would be included in an amended agreement to be presented to Council at a later time. He stated the ordinance before Council is for procurement and installation only. Mr. Culbertson also clarified that the new generator would be in the same vicinity—on Groh Lane to the right side of the facility. Mr. Pizzano added that the facility is monitored by a security system that was put in place following September 11. Following several questions from Councilmember Oler regarding the awarding of the contract, Mr. Culbertson stated we have compared the numbers given to us by Duke with other companies and the numbers are comparable and considering the fact that Duke provides service to all high voltage equipment and to the internal power distribution grid at the Water Plant complex, the recommendation is to award the contract to Duke Energy One. ORDINANCE NO. 140-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 6-0.

Note: Councilmember Abbott returned to the Council Chambers following the vote on Ordinance No. 140-07.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

County-Wide Radio System: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended an ordinance to authorize the lease of the city-owned radio tower at Harbin Park to the Board of County Commissioners for the County-wide radio system. He stated on Friday, a request was made by the County asking Council to consider first reading only of this item, noting that they still had a few questions that needed to be answered. Legislative Action: Councilmember Snyder presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute a lease of the city-owned radio tower at Harbin Park to the Board of Butler County Commissioners for the county-wide radio system and declaring an emergency. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Readings (2) by Title Only: Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Miller, moved to read the following two ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 7-0.

Golf Course Notes: Background – City Manager Pizzano recommended the issuance of $2,000,000 in Golf Course Improvement Notes, noting that bids will be accepted until noon on November 26. He noted that proceeds of the notes will be used to fund the construction of the Golf Course Club House. Legislative Action – Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an Ordinance providing for the issuance of $2,000,000 Golf Course Improvement Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2006, First (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 Oler, 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. 141-07 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

2007 Budget Amendment (Non-Contractual Items): 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 $8,200 for equipment and upgrades at the Route 4 Water Booster Station and $2,900 for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Golf Course Club House. 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. 142-07 ADOPTED 7-0.

Note: Councilmember Abbott abstained from voting on the following ordinance, removing himself from the Council Chambers during the discussion and legislative process.

2007 Budget Amendment (Contractual Item): Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Approved 6-0. Councilmember Miller 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 $765,870 for the auxiliary electrical generator for the Water Treatment Plant. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 143-07 ADOPTED 6-0.

Meeting Notices

Monday, November 26 NO MEETINGS

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

Saturday, December 8 Special Meeting of Council, 8:00 AM (Quarterly Discussion with City Manager)

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

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

All members of Council recessed to executive session at 7:24 p.m. to discuss the employment and compensation of personnel.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:20 p.m. No announcements were made as a result of the executive session of Council.

Adjournment

The Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Last updated: 06/14/2008