City Council Minutes

Monday, March 10, 2008

Call to Order

Mayor Ronald A. D’Epifanio called the Regular Meeting of Council to order at 7:05 PM at the Fairfield Municipal Building, 5350 Pleasant Avenue.

Roll Call

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Council. Present members were Mike Snyder, Terry Senger, Tim Abbott, and Tim Meyers. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Abbott moved to excuse Mike Oler, Mitch Rhodus and Marty Judd. Motion carried 4-0.

Prayer & Pledge

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

Request for Executive Session

Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Senger, 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 4-0 vote.

Special Presentations and Citizen Comments

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Board Director Neal Gray introduced Advanced Video Data Services owner Bob Link as part of the Chamber’s “Good News Minute” Program. Mr. Gray congratulated Mr. Link for celebrating 20 years as a small business entrepreneur here in Fairfield. Mr. Link discussed the video services offered by Advanced Video Data Services to business and consumer clientele.

Martha Tipton, 1587 Congress Hill Lane, commended the Public Works Department on the fabulous job they did with the snow removal over the weekend. Mayor D’Epifanio stated he has received many positive comments regarding the snow removal and offered his appreciation for the Public Works Department’s snow removal as well. Councilmember Abbott thanked Public Works Director Dave Bock for the great job and offered him best wishes as he retires at the end of March.

Mayor and Council Reports

Mayor D’Epifanio introduced Donna Hempelman of Cincinnati Christian School. Ms. Hempelman briefly explained the program at Cincinnati Christian School in which students create and participate in a pretend town called Tradetown to help them learn the various responsibilities associated with town operations including government positions and running a business. Students participating in the Tradetown program are: Claire McIntosh (Mayor); Nick Staff (Vice Mayor); Amanda Watts (Chief of Police); and Andrea Hewko, Carmen Hewko, Jacob Maggard, Paul Klusmeier, and Graham Bartsch.

Mayor D’Epifanio commented on the success of the Crystal Classic that occurred the previous weekend.

Mayor D’Epifanio recognized the American Heritage Troop 612 and thanked them for attending the Council meeting.

Councilmember Meyers commented on the challenge the City of Fairfield made to the City of Oxford as part of the Recycle to Win Program. Councilmember Meyers encouraged everyone to take the “recycling pledge” available on the city’s website.

Public Hearings

Clerk Morsch called the roll of Planning Commission. Present members were Jerry Dailey, Jeff Holtegel, Scott Lepsky, Terry Senger, and Deborah Rhees. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Abbott moved to excuse Diana Bailey and Don Hassler. Motion carried 4-0.

Tim Bachman, Development Services Director stated we currently do not allow electronic reader boards. He discussed the plans brought before the BZA in November 2007 regarding a Walgreens sign. He stated the item was discussed at the meeting and was then removed from the agenda by Walgreens. He further stated the sign committee reconvened in January 2008 to discuss this issue. Mr. Bachman stated the recommendation was taken before the Planning Commission and is now before Council. He clarified the difference between video LED signs, reviewed the definition of the “variable message reader board”, and discussed the locations where these signs would be permitted. Mr. Bachman explained the proposed time frame noting the item will come before Planning Commission on March 12^th at 6:00 PM. Gerald Hewko, Hamilton resident, asked if there was a need to address the brightness of a sign. Mr. Bachman stated the signs meet the code that is written in terms of their intensity. Councilmember Snyder thanked everyone for grappling with this issue again after having implementing a new sign ordinance in January 2007.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 25, 2008 were approved as written.

OLD BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Reading’s (2) by Title Only: Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved to read the following two pieces of legislation by title only. Motion Carried 4-0.

Ward Boundaries: Legislative Action – Councilmember Senger presented the third 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. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Abbott, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 17-08 ADOPTED 4-0.

Verizon Wireless Generator: Legislative Action - Councilmember Senger presented the third 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. Councilmember Senger, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 18-08 ADOPTED 4-0.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Sign Ordinance:Councilmember Senger deferred second reading pending Planning Commission’s recommendation.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

2008 Sidewalk/Apron Replacement, Pleasant Avenue Ramp Upgrade and Sidewalk Gap Program: Legislative Action: Councilmember Abbott presented the third 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. Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved for adoption. ORDINANCE NO. 19-08 ADOPTED 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Traffic Signal Controllers: Background: City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with Pathmaster for the purchase of replacement traffic signal controllers for the closed loop traffic signal system. He stated this is a precursor to a substantial ODOT project which is scheduled to bid in August 2008. Legislative Action: Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Senger moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion carried 4-0. Councilmember Abbott presented the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Path Master, Inc. for the purchase of replacement traffic signal controllers for the closed loop traffic signal system and declaring an emergency. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

COMMUNITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Butler County Board of Health Reappointment: Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Senger, moved to reappoint Steven L. Sawdai as Fairfield’s representative on the Butler County Board of Health for a term of office beginning on March 14, 2008 and expiring on March 13, 2011. Councilmember Meyers recommended that the entire Council be in attendance and that the motion be tabled. Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to table the simple motion. Motion Carried 4-0.

Boards and Commissions: Councilmember Snyder, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, moved to table the simple motion for appointment of residents to Fairfield’s boards and commissions effective April 1, 2008. Motion Carried 4-0.

PARKS, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Purchase of Fertilizers and Chemicals: Background: City Manager Pizzano recommended a contract with the lowest and best bidder Helena Chemical Company for the purchase of fertilizer and chemicals for use within the Golf Maintenance and Parks Maintenance Divisions. Legislative Action: Councilmember Meyers, seconded by Councilmember Abbott moved to read the following ordinance by title only. Motion Carried 4-0. Tradetown student Andrea Hewko presented the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Helena Chemical Company for the purchase of fertilizer and chemicals for use within the Golf Maintenance and Park Maintenance Divisions and declaring an emergency. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE

Reading’s (2) by Title Only: Councilmember Abbott, seconded by Councilmember Snyder, moved to read the following two ordinances by title only. Motion Carried 4-0.

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 that this ordinance appropriates $35,000 for the purchase and installation of replacement traffic signal controllers for the closed loop traffic system. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

2008 Budget Amendments (Non-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 stated this Ordinance appropriates $28,000 for a traffic signal upgrade at Pleasant/ Wessel intersection for a video detection upgrade in anticipation of the Pleasant Avenue paving project, $18,267 for an upgrade of preemption confirmation lights, $15,000 for replacement of a backwash pump at the Water Treatment Plant, $8,000 for preparation of architectural drawings/contract plans for construction of biosolids storage building at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and $20,675 for miscellaneous furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Fairfield Greens South Trace Golf Course Clubhouse. Ordinance approved for first reading only.

Meeting Notices

Monday, March 19 Special Council-Manager Briefing (Review of 2008-2012 Capital Improvement Program) including an executive session to discuss the appointment of personnel; 5:30 PM

Monday, March 24 Regular Meeting, 7 PM (no C/M Briefing)

Executive Session

Council recessed to executive session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss employment and compensation of personnel.

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: 03/25/2008