City Council Minutes

Monday, January 28, 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 Mitch Rhodus, Tim Meyers, Marty Judd, Mike Snyder, Terry Senger, and Tim Abbott.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Senger, moved to excuse Councilmember Mike Oler.  Motion carried 6-0.

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for an executive session to discuss the employment and compensation of personnel.  A roll call vote was taken by the clerk.  The executive session was approved by a 6-0 vote.

Prayer & Pledge

Councilmember Judd led in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Police Chief Mike Dickey and Kathy Becker, Hamilton City Councilmember and Transitional Living Representative, presented police commendations to Fairfield Officers Greg Bailes and Tom Wolf. Officer Bailes was recognized for assisting an elderly couple and for providing daily follow-up to make sure their needs were met. Officer Wolf was recognized for the help he provided to a homeless person and for helping to secure food, shelter and clothing.  

Ann Yungbluth thanked the City of Fairfield for their assistance with past soccer classics.  She announced the 2008 Mid-American Soccer Classic tournament for boys will be held April 5^th and 6^th and the girls’ tournament will be held April 12-13^th.

Fred Holzberger, Chairman of the Red, White and Kaboom Committee, suggested having a full-time coordinator under the Parks Department to spearhead this event or possibly hire a freelancer.  He stated a coordinator would be needed to solicit donors, work on graphics and design, and coordination.  Council thanked Mr. Holzberger for all of his efforts over the years.  Mayor D’Epifanio asked Mr. Holzberger to work with Jim Bell, Parks & Recreation Director, and report back to Council at a future Council-Manager Briefing. 

Mayor and Council Reports

Mayor D’Epifanio welcomed Ginger Shawver, Executive Director of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and Will McIlwain, member of the Fairfield Youth Commission, to the meeting.

Mayor D’Epifanio congratulated Councilmember Abbott for his recent induction into the New Miami High School Hall of Fame.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of January 14, 2008 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Rates:  Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the second 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 second reading only.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Water and Sewer Rates:  Legislative Action:  Councilmember Rhodus presented the second 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 second reading only.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Reading’s (2) by Title Only:  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to read the following resolution and ordinance by title only.   Motion Carried 6-0. 

Sidewalk Repairs:  Background: City Manager Pizzano recommended a resolution declaring the necessity for sidewalk repairs.  He stated this is the 14^th year of the annual sidewalk program in which all city sidewalks are inspected on a four (4) year rotating basis.  Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of a resolution declaring necessity of repairing sidewalks (including aprons).  Councilmember Judd discussed his intent to move forward with the resolution since property maintenance is a top priority of City Council. Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the resolution.  Rules Suspended 5-1, Councilmember Senger dissenting. Council discussed various aspects of the program. Law Director Clemmons explained that residents are given notice of the assessment and can follow an objection procedure if desired.  Mr. Clemmons further explained that ordinarily the assessment is based on a very favorable contract price and most people find the city’s contractor is cheaper than making the repairs themselves.  Mr. Clemmons commented there is a formal procedure to follow if residents disagree with the decision that the sidewalk replacement is needed.  City Manager Pizzano noted that information about the program has appeared in past newsletter articles and has been available through direct mailings.  Councilmember Meyers clarified that the intent of the program is public safety.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption.  RESOLUTION NO. 1-08 ADOPTED 6-0.

Hydrologic/Hydraulic Analysis of the GM Ditch and Pleasant Run Levee Areas:  Background: City Manager Pizzano recommended a contact with Stantec, formally known as Fuller Mossberger, Scott and May for hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the GM ditch and Pleasant Run Levee area. He explained that Stantec/FMSM will conduct a field study and prepare a hydrologic model as required by FEMA to review and certify certain levees.   Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the first reading of an Ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Stantec/FMSM for hydrologic/hydraulic analysis of the GM ditch and Pleasant Run levee areas.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 6-0.  Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 6-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 6-0.     

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

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

Raw Water Production Well Site:  Background:  City Manager Pizzano recommended a purchase agreement at 5731 River Road for use as a future raw water production well.  He explained approval is needed to secure an option with the property owner pending a successful environmental assessment.  He stated this property will also provide additional protection to the wellfields in the immediate area. Legislative Action: Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement for the property at 5731 River Road for use as a future raw water production well site in the Water Division.  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 6-0.  Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 7-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 6-0.     

Purchase of Lime:  Background:  City Manager Pizzano recommended a one year contract with Carmeuse North America for the purchase of lime for use at the Water Treatment Plant.  He explained that lime is a principal component in the water softening process.  Legislative Action: Councilmember Rhodus presented the first reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a one (1) year contract with Carmeuse North America for purchase of lime for use at the Water Treatment Plant.  Ordinance approved for first reading only. 

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

2008 Budget Amendments (Contractual):  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 the appropriation of $90,970 for engineering services for hydrological/hydraulic analysis of levee areas and $138,000 for the purchase of land for the raw water production well. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance.  Rules Suspended 6-0.  Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved for adoption.  ORDINANCE NO. 8-08 ADOPTED 6-0. 

Meeting Notices

Monday, February 11      Council-Manager Briefing, 6PM; Regular Meeting, 7PM
Monday, February 25      Council-Manager Briefing, 6PM; Regular Meeting, 7PM

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 7:37 p.m. to discuss employment and compensation of personnel.

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