City Council Minutes

Monday, February 25, 2008

Call to Order

Mayor Ronald A. D’Epifanio called the Regular Meeting of Council to order at 7:10 p.m. at the Fairfield Municipal Building, 5350 Pleasant Avenue.

Roll Call

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

Prayer & Pledge

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

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Judd, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for an executive session to discuss the appointment of public officials and labor negotiations. A roll call vote was taken by the clerk. The executive session was approved by a 6-0 vote.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Mayor D’Epifanio presented a proclamation honoring and thanking Army Sgt. Dale R. Hamblin for his continued military service.

Allie Fowee and Chelsea Rice from the Fairfield High School Interact Club presented a skit to introduce the Summer Activities Fair which will be held on March 8, 2008 at the Fairfield High School at 11:00 a.m.

Jessica Green, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County updated Mayor and Council on the success of the program for the Fairfield elementary schools and the after school programs.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President Ginger Shawver introduced Herman McKelvey, Vice President of PNC Bank as part of the new Chamber program “Good News Minute”. She stated PNC bank is the first and only bank in the United States to design and build green branches in PNC bank. Mr. McKelvey discussed reasons for building green and PNC’s commitment to going green. He further explained the different green components of the bank.

Kris Roselle, Chair of the Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission updated Mayor and Council on the events held by the Forest Commission in 2007. She stated in April, 2008 the City will once again receive Tree City USA status for the thirteenth consecutive year. Along with Vice President, Tom Walsh, Ms. Roselle recognized volunteer Bob Breen as the 2007 Citizen honoree. Victor Smith and Joe Williams, of the Isaac Walton League were recognized as the 2007 group honoree.

Mr. Keith Davis, 1853 Vernon Place, encouraged everyone to attend the Butler County Children Services Program at 300 N. Fair Avenue in Hamilton, Ohio on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Earl Webb, Midwest Trailer Park, asked if there were any updates on the problems at Midwest Trailer Park, especially the sewer. Law Director John Clemmons stated he had a copy of an e-mail from Butler County Health Department Director Pat Burg that stated the park was re-inspected on February 25^th and that violations from a previous inspection have not been corrected and they are continuing to follow-up. He noted according to the report there were no obvious signs of sewage nuisance. Customer Service Manager Dave Crouch will provide Mr. Webb with a copy of the e-mail which includes the inspection report from Director Burg.

Mayor and Council Reports

Mayor D’Epifanio encouraged everyone to attend the Crystal Classic which will be held March 1^st at the Fairfield High School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the finals beginning at 7 p.m. He commented the Crystal Classic is an amazing competition of 30 show choirs. He further commented that all proceeds benefit the Lance Corporal Taylor B. Prazynski Foundation. Councilmember Meyers congratulated the Fairfield Choraliers and Rhythm Express for their being awarded as grand champions at the Hoosier Classic in Indiana this past weekend.

Mayor D’Epifanio recognized Girl Scout Troop 288 and thanked them for attending the Council meeting.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 11, 2008 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE

Purchase of Lime: Legislative Action: Councilmember Rhodus presented the third 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. Councilmember Rhodus, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE 14-08 ADOPTED 6-0.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Ward Boundaries: Legislative Action: Councilmember Senger presented the second reading of an ordinance to amend Section 105.02, entitled Boundaries of Wards, of Ordinance 166-84, The Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio, to reapportion the wards of the City of Fairfield, Ohio pursuant to Sections 3.03 (B) and (C) of the Fairfield City Charter. Ordinance approved for second reading only.

Verizon Wireless Generator: Legislative Action: Councilmember Senger presented the second reading of an Ordinance to authorize the City Manager to sign an addendum to the existing lease for Verizon Wireless to install a generator at Winton Road water tower. Ordinance approved for second reading only.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

2008 Sidewalk/Apron Replacement, Pleasant Avenue Ramp Upgrade and Sidewalk Gap Program: Legislative Action: Councilmember Judd presented the second reading of an ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a one (1) year contract with Prus Construction with an option to renew for two (2) years for the 2008 Sidewalk/Apron Replacement, Pleasant Avenue Ramp Upgrade and Sidewalk Gap Program. Ordinance approved for second reading only.

NEW BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Sign Ordinance: Background: Mr. Pizzano discussed an ordinance to amend sections of the Fairfield Codified Ordinances relative to signs. He noted the joint business and residential sign committee will present their recommendation to Council relative to electronic reader boards at the March 10^th Joint Public Hearing. Legislative Action Councilmember Senger seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 6-0. Councilmember Senger presented the first reading of an ordinance to amend Sections 1187.02, 1108.07, 1187.08 and 1187.10 or Ordinance No. 166-84, The Codified Ordinances of Fairfield, Ohio relative to signs. Councilmember Senger announced a Joint Public Hearing will be held March 10 at 7 p.m. to discuss this item. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

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

Wage and Salary Ordinance: Background: City Manager Pizzano recommended an ordinance to remove the GIS/GPS Mapping Technician Position from the Exempt Salary Ordinance due to restructuring prompted by a recent retirement. He stated the recommended ordinance will also modify the description and duties of the current Golf Superintendent position in an effort the streamline operations and cut costs. He further stated the Golf Superintendent will oversee both the Parks Maintenance and Golf Maintenance personnel. Legislative Action: Councilmember Senger presented the first reading of an ordinance establishing salaries for certain exempt and salaried employees of the City of Fairfield, Ohio and repealing previous Ordinances and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved to suspend the rules requiring three readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Rhodus, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 15-08 ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY 6-0.

2008 Budget Amendments (Non-Contractual): Legislative Action: Councilmember Senger 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 stated this ordinance appropriates $91,201 for additional engineering services for the design of the State Route 4 By-Pass Project; $6,120 for demolition of building at 5731 River Road and $5,600 for geotechnical services for the Northern Route 4 Gateway Stanchion Project. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Oler, moved to suspend the rules requiring thee readings of the ordinance. Rules Suspended 6-0. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. Councilmember Meyers questioned if the materials from the demolition were given to organizations or just trashed. Customer Service Manager Dave Crouch stated Development Services Manager Mark Parker will coordinate this demolition with other departments in the City. He stated there will be contact with Habitat for Humanity who has previously been involved in the FEMA buyout program to allow them to select any items that are usable. Mr. Crouch stated Public Works allowed the developer with the FEMA Buyout first rights of the property; however the developer also worked with Habitat for Humanity. ORDINANCE NO. 16-08 ADOPTED 6-0.

Meeting Notices

Monday, March 3 Specials Meeting (Executive Session) - Board /Commission Interviews; 5:30 PM

Monday, March 10 Regular Meeting, 7 PM

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 7:55 p.m. to discuss appointment of Public Officials and labor negotiations.

Regular Meeting Reconvenes

The Regular Meeting reconvened at approximately 9:00 p.m. No announcements were made as a result of the executive session of Council.

Adjournment

The Regular Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Last updated: 09/11/2008