Minutes
West Carrollton City Council Meeting
March 14, 2000
PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Council Members William Gordon, Vern Angerer, Jack Jensen, Linda Lotspaih, Donald Mounce and Jeff Sanner; City Manager G. Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager David Watson; Law Director Patrick Carney; Service Director Don Hill; Fire Chief Jack Keister and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Pastor Mark Scroggins of First Baptist Church gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Girl Scout Troop 1109. Mayor Gilman thanked the girls.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Mounce, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 22, 2000. A roll call vote was taken, all members voted yes and the motion carried.
Mr. Jensen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lotspaih, to approve the minutes of the Joint Meeting of City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission on February 15, 2000. A roll call vote was taken, all members voted yes with the exception of Mr. Sanner who abstained. The motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no Communications or Presentations.
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no Comments by the Audience.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no Unfinished Business.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
REPORTS BY OFFICERS
Mr. Williams noted that bids had been accepted for a 3/4 ton pickup truck for the Street Department. The low bid was awarded to White-Allen Chevrolet with a bid of $17,604.00.
Bids had been accepted for a side-load refuse truck with the low bid going to World Wide Equipment with a bid of $138,184.00. Low bid for the Primrose Tributary improvements was awarded to Glover Construction Company with a bid of $144,395.30. Mr. Williams also said that he was pleased with the progress of the renovation of the branch library and that he appreciates the citizens' understanding and patience. Mr. Williams also informed Council that the application had been made for a Community Block Grant in the amount of $290,000.00 for various projects in the City. He noted that Fraser Paper has committed $24,000 and West Carrollton Parchment has committed $6,000 to the projects. Mr. Williams noted that the Census is being mailed to residents and urged everyone to complete and return the forms. He added that West Carrollton has a Census Assistance Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 14th for anyone needing help or who has questions. He thanked the citizens involved in the program.
Mr. Carney requested an Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter.
UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no Comments by the Audience.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Sanner said that he was pleased to have the Girl Scouts and students from the high school government classes at the meeting. He commended the school board for their work in getting the levy passed.
Mr. Gordon thanked the voters for their support of the school levy.
Mr. Angerer congratulated the school board. He also stated that it is important to complete and return the census forms.
Mr. Jensen echoed everyone's comments.
Mr. Gordon made a motion to appoint Kent Gardner to the Business Advisory Council. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Mayor Gilman thanked Ron Ziemkowski on cameras. She also noted that it is very important to complete the census. She added that it is completely confidential.
RECESS
Mayor Gilman made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to recess to an Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter and to a Work Session to discuss the items on the agenda. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Council recessed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Council held an executive session to discuss a real estate matter.
WORK SESSION
Those present for the Work Session in addition to City Council were G. Tracy Williams, City Manager; David Watson, Assistant City Manager; Don Hill, Service Director; and Fire Chief Jack Keister.
SOFTENING of CITY'S POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
Mayor Gilman asked if there were any questions on Don Hill's report. Mr. Hill gave a brief presentation covering various alternatives for softening water in the city of West Carrollton water system. There was considerable discussion on the different technologies that are available to soften water, and what those technologies involve. Following some discussion Council agreed to poll, or survey, the residents on the interest to soften water. However, prior to that, it was felt that an education process is needed so that the citizens can make a more informed decision when surveyed. Staff is look at programs to educate the citizens on water softening through the water system, versus homeowners' individual water softening systems.
Water softening discussion concluded.
HOLES CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT VIDEOTAPE
Mr. Hill asked if Council was interested in watching the tape of the Holes Creek bridge replacement. Council responded that they would like to view the tape. Mr. Hill ran the tape of the demolition of the Holes Creek bridge and its replacement. After viewing the tape, Council thanked Mr. Hill for sharing the tape, finding it fascinating to watch the process on time elapsed film.
His presentations for the evening concluded, Mr. Hill left the meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATION - FIRE CHIEF JACK KEISTER
This continues the series of presentations by department directors. Fire Chief Keister presented the organization and operations of the West Carrollton Fire Department. Chief Keister distributed a hand-out outlining the department, including the types of personnel and the equipment currently in use in the department. Chief Keister stated that personnel has, and will always be, the main concern to continue operations. Recently a few volunteers have joined the department. It is hoped that this is a trend, as in the past ten to twenty years the department has seen a sharp decline in the number of persons who volunteer on the fire and EMS services.
Councilmember Jensen asked a question about the education incentives, and how long personnel stay on the department after completion of the programs. Chief Keister did not have exact longevity data, but stated that generally most persons who attain certifications obtain full-time jobs in the local area. Those persons often return to work part-time for the city of West Carrollton. Additionally, the money for most of the education (50%) is available through state grants.
Areas covered in Fire Chief Keister's presentation were: personnel; apparatus; training; emergency services response; certification of employees; response criteria and response goals; equipment; apparatus needs; the SAFE program; the Miami Valley Fire EMS Alliance; and the future goals of the department.
City Manager Williams thanked Chief Keister for his service and the presentation.
COMMENTS by COUNCIL
Mayor Gilman then asked Council to consider the memo that Mr. Williams had included in the packet with regard to Charter review. After considerable discussion, council members suggested the names of several persons to serve on the Charter Review Commission. Council asked City Manager Williams to contact potential Charter Review Commission members and invite them to serve on the Commission.
Mayor Gilman then moved on to Local Government Week. Mayor Gilman discussed with city council members present the upcoming dates of April 10th through April 14th, for Local Government Week at the West Carrollton High School. Council reviewed the initial sign-up dates to see who might be available to attend. After some discussion, time slots for all four class periods were filled with the names of council members who will be present for those meetings.
Mayor Gilman then reviewed a memo and some letters concerning change in the income tax law as proposed by the Ohio Township Association.
Mayor Gilman asked the council members if they had any comments or concerns prior to adjournment.
Councilmember Don Mounce thanked Council for the flowers sent in sympathy at the recent loss of Mrs. Mounce's father. Mr. Mounce then asked that staff look at working with people along the back side of Tulip Drive to keep them informed of the Primrose Tributary widening project, so that there is good communication with those citizens as to what future activities will be happening along the tributary.
Mayor Gilman asked Councilmember Jensen if he had any comments. Mr. Jensen stated that the School Board/Government Liaison Committee will be meeting the next day. Major issues to be discussed include public relations and a joint retreat.
Councilmember Vern Angerer mentioned to staff that he continues to be concerned about the tributary from Elm Street down to the river, indicating that area may be considered for some future work to relieve possible flooding issues.
There being no additional comments from Council, Mr. Mounce moved and it was seconded by Mr. Gordon, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, meeting adjourned.
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MAYOR CLERK of COUNCIL