City Council Minutes

Monday, January 14, 2008

Call to Order

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

Roll Call

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Council.  Present members were Tim Abbott, Mitch Rhodus, Tim Meyers, Marty Judd, Mike Oler, and Terry Senger.  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to excuse Councilmember Mike Snyder.  Motion carried 6-0.

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for an executive session to discuss the purchase of real estate.  A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk.  The executive session was approved by a 6-0 vote.

Prayer & Pledge

Boy Scout Troop 881 led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Councilmember Rhodus leading in prayer.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Mayor D’Epifanio thanked Councilmember Snyder and Councilmember Judd for previously serving as Vice Mayor.  He then appointed Councilmember Oler as the new Vice Mayor for 2008 and 2009. 

Mayor D’Epifanio noted the arrival of Councilmember Snyder.

Butler County Treasurer Nancy Nix presented information regarding an outreach program from Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray, “Rebuild your Credit”.  The program will be presented Monday, February 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Butler Tech.  She stated Hamilton, Middletown and Trenton City Councils have agreed to promote this program.  Councilmember Abbott thanked Ms. Nix and stated the City will discuss ways to promote this event.

Councilmember Meyers presented Kyle Conley and his parents a proclamation for Braille Literacy Month. 

Councilmember Rhodus presented a proclamation to Eagle Scout Brian Stone.

City Manager Pizzano recognized Zoning Inspector Clerk Janette Matala as the 2007 4^th Quarter Employee Star Award winner for joining the RASKALS program and assisting two residents with cleaning up their yards. 

Councilmember Oler swore in Sgt. Ken Gerold as Police Lieutenant of the City of Fairfield, Ohio.  Lt. Gerold thanked his friends and coworkers for their support. 

Earl Webb, 4980 Dixie Highway, Lot Number 18, Midwest Mobile Home Trailer Park, stated he is having a hard time with the City of Fairfield and the Butler County Health department with the property where he lives.  He asked for guidance on having the many different errors in the parks corrected.  Law Director Clemmons stated mobile home parks are licensed, regulated and inspected by the local board of health.  He further explained since we do not have our own health district, we fall under the Butler County Board of Health Jurisdiction and whatever regulations parks are required to meet are enforced by them.  Mr. Clemmons stated we have been in touch with the health department and told them we think there are violations in the park.  He further stated licenses are reissued annually, and we attempted to have the Health Department consider not issuing the license for this year.  He does not know if this happened.  He further commented that to his knowledge the Butler County Health Department has inspected the park and they do not feel that there are violations.  Mr. Bachman stated Customer Service Manager Dave Crouch submitted photos to the Health Department in November of concerns of the City.  Mr. Bachman further stated he also authored a letter to the Health Department with his concerns about issuance of a license and has not received a response.  Council expressed their concern with the lack of response and suggested going above Ms. Burg to prompt a response or visit.  Mr. Clemmons stated there is not a direct chain of command from the Butler County Commissioners.  Mr. Crouch commented he received a voicemail today from Ms. Burg and he will contact her again to schedule an onsite meeting.  He stated historically there have been problems in the past when there have been issues in or around trailer parks, specifically zoning issues because we cannot regulate the parks.  Mr. Bachman stated the City can be more involved if the county health department wants, and that is to request the assistance of the Law Director’s office.  Mr. Webb stated Ms. Burg believes all of the items have been addressed, however, Mr. Webb believes there are other items that need to be addressed.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Special Meeting of December 8, 2007 and the Regular Meeting of December 10, 2007 were approved as written.

Mayor/Council Reports

Councilmember Meyers commented on the father/daughter dance that was held over the weekend and thanked the Parks & Recreations Department for their efforts.  Councilmember Meyers stated he has been in contact with Oxford Mayor Prue Dana regarding the Butler County Recycle to Win Challenge.  He stated if Fairfield is number one as far as total percent of total recycled waste in  2008, Oxford City Council will serve Fairfield Council lunch and vice versa.  He stated Ann Fiehrer-Flaig is donating $100,000 grant to various award brackets as part of the Butler County Recycle to Win Challenge.  He stated if we come in with the exact same numbers as last year we will increase our amounts of money coming in from $12,000 to $31,000.  Mr. Meyers further commented the first Environmental Commission meeting was held this week. Councilmember Meyers thanked Mr. Crouch for participating. 

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Lease of Radio Tower at Harbin Park:  Legislative Action:  Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to read the following ordinance by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0. Councilmember Oler presented the third 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.  Councilmember Oler, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 1-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.       

NEW BUSINESS 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 

Reading’s (2) by Title Only:  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following two pieces of legislation by title only.   Motion Carried 7-0. 

Solid waste and recycling collection rates:  Background:  City Manager Pizzano requested Council amend the current rates charged by the City for the collection of solid waste and recycling. He explained the new contract with Rumpke increases the monthly rates charged for residential curbside service and dumpster service. For the term of the contract, the residential curbside service increases by 16.7% and dumpster service increases by 16.2%. He explained the rate structure through January 2011 and stated that Fairfield is currently the only city in the area that subsidies solid waste rates, noting a yearly subsidy of $300,000.  Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of an ordinance to amend Subsection 953.01 (a) of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio, relative to the service fees for residential garbage and solid waste collection.  Ordinance approved for first reading only.

Purchase of Road Salt:   Background:  City Manager Pizzano recommended a contact with Cargill, Inc. for the purchase of road salt.  He explained that for a number of years we have purchased our road salt with a joint agreement with the Butler County Engineer’s Office and other jurisdictions within Butler County.  Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of an Ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cargill, Inc. for the purchase of road salt and declaring an emergency.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 2-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.    

PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITEE

Watercraft Grant Application:  Background:  City Manager Pizzano recommended the execution of the Ohio Division of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft Grant Application for waterway access point along the Great Miami River.  He commented on two previous submissions the city has tried to get money for a put-in location along the Great Miami River in the vicinity of the 30 acre parcel of land that Council authorized several years ago.  Mr. Pizzano further stated it would basically allow us to have one of about four or five portage points along the Miami River in conjunction with neighboring communities that have that as well.  He commented this is part of the Martin Marietta quarry efforts along River Road.  Legislative Action: Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Oler, 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 execute and submit a 2008 ODNR/Division of Watercraft Grant Application for a waterway access point along the Great Miami River.  Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 7-0.  Councilmember Meyers commented this particular grant has the potential to bring economic development and boost Fairfield businesses.  He stated having this particular waterway and the a connector with the bike path to the 30 acres down on the river is phenomenal in what it will bring as far as recreational sports, value to the homeowners and potential impact to the businesses.  He stated the next piece is the Marsh Lake piece.  Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 3-08 ADOPTED 7-0.     

COMMUNITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE 

Simple Motion Regarding House Bill 9 Training: Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Judd, moved to appoint the Clerk of Council as designee for Fairfield’s elected officials relative to the mandatory three hours of public records training as required by House Bill 9, Ohio’s Public Records Act.  Motion Carried 7-0.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Water and Sewer Rates:  Background:  City Manager Pizzano stated last year, GRW conducted a rate study to reevaluate the financial condition of our public utility. He stated we have been highly competitive and for the past two years, Fairfield has had the lowest water and sewer rates in all of Southwest Ohio with the last water rate increase occurring in 1984.  He stated staff is recommending a water rate increase of 3% in 2008, 2009 and 2010; and a sewer rate increase of 4% in 2008, with subsequent increases of 5% for years 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Councilmember Rhodus thanked Mr. Culbertson and his staff for doing a great job with the city’s sewer and water services.  Legislative Action:  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved to read the following ordinance by title only.  Motion Carried 7-0.  Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 921.08 and Subsection 925.08 (b) (1) of Ordinance No. 166-84, the Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio, relative to water rates and sewer service user rates.  Ordinance approved for first reading only.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

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

Wage and Salary Ordinance:  Background:  Mr. Pizzano recommended an ordinance to establish salaries and hourly rates for certain salaried and hourly employees.  He stated funding for a number of new positions was included in the 2008 Operating Budget approved by City Council.  In order to fill those positions, a number of changes are required in the Wage and Salary Ordinance. In addition, one existing position is to be reclassified with a new job title. He also explained increases for some of the City’s part-time employees in order to meet the new minimum wage standards approved under Ohio law.  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. 151-07 and all amendments thereto and declaring an emergency.  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.  ORDINANCE NO. 4-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 7-0.

2008 Budget Amendment (Non-Contractual Items):  Legislative Action:  Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 154-07 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, 2008 and ending December 31, 2008”.  City Manager Pizzano explained that this ordinance appropriates $146,000 for the 2008 Grounds, Entry-Ways & Landscaping Program; $80,000 for the 2008 Annual Drainage Program; and $22,800 for construction management services for the Waterworks Park/Nuxhall Pavilion 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.  ORDINANCE NO. 5-08 ADOPTED 7-0 

Meeting Notices

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

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

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the purchase of real estate.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at approximately 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: 02/13/2008