Minutes
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; Police Chief Don Rice; Director of Planning and Economic Development David Humphreys and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Tracy Williams gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call followed
MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Mounce, seconded by Mrs. Lotspaih, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 14, 2000. A roll call vote was taken, all members voted yes and the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING PLANS
Roberta Longfellow addressed Council regarding the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Home Program. Ms. Longfellow listed some of the services funded by these programs. She noted that this is the second of three public hearings in the plan and application process. This hearing is to obtain and give information regarding housing needs, etc. in the area. Mr. Angerer asked if the budget is still $2.5 million. Ms. Longfellow stated that there are various budgets within each of the programs and she listed each. Mr. Angerer noted that the money for these programs is obtained from the federal government based in large part on the information from the census.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - OFFICER STEVEN S DAVIS
Chief Rice addressed Council with information regarding Officer Davis. He noted that two fellow officers and a supervisor nominated Officer Davis for this honor. Chief Rice read some of the comments made in the nominations. Chief Rice added that Officer Davis is an asset to the Department and to his profession. Mayor Gilman presented a plaque to Officer Davis who was accompanied by his family. Chief Rice invited Council to attend a reception in the lobby following the Council meeting.
All Council members offered their congratulations to Officer Davis and said that he is an asset to the department. Mr. Gordon also noted that it is commendable that Officer Davis came up through the ranks, first as an Explorer, then Reserve Officer before being hired as an officer. He congratulated Officer Davis.FIRE SAFETY
Fred Peckolt of 1350 King Richard Parkway reminded everyone to change the batteries in their smoke detectors this weekend when Daylight Savings Time begins. He said that everyone should change the batteries twice a year and check the monitors monthly. He cited some instances in which the homes either had no smoke detectors or the detectors were not in working order. He also reminded everyone to be careful when working with paint and other flammable items.
PROCLAMATION: VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 9 - 15, 2000
Mayor Gilman read a Proclamation proclaiming April 9 through April 15, 2000 as Volunteer Week in the City of West Carrollton. The Mayor said that the volunteers are greatly appreciated.
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no Comments by the Audience.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no Unfinished Business
NEW BUSINESS
PROPOSED 2000 STREET RE-SURFACING PROGRAM
Don Hill reviewed the streets that are a part of the proposed program. He noted that some will be slurry sealed and some will be an asphalt overlay. Mr. Gordon asked why they stopped at Elm Street. Mr. Hill stated that area is in decent shape so any work will be put off until funding is available. Mr. Angerer asked if Fame Road is a private road. Mr. Hill noted that Fame Road and Progress Road east of Alex Road are public roadways. Mr. Gordon asked about the large cut on Lowery where it was re-paved last year. Mr. Hill responded that they had to dig up a line there and that it will be repaired. Mr. Hill stated that the streets are in very good condition with few potholes. Mr. Jensen asked about doing a lot of small sections over a large area and if that is more expensive. Mr. Hill stated that in the past they have done the work by neighborhoods but now they only need to do some of the "loose ends". Mr. Jensen asked if the alleys are in good condition and Mrs. Lotspaih asked if the street cleaner can do the alleys. Mr. Hill said that the alleys are in good condition, but the street sweeper cannot do the alleys very well because they are not flat surfaces.
ED/GE GRANT APPLICATION FOR FINDLAY INDUSTRIES
Mr. Humphreys addressed Council, stating that an Enterprise Zone agreement had been made with Findlay Industries for a large expansion project. As a result, Findlay has asked West Carrollton to sponsor an Ed/GE Grant application which will be used for dock doors.
Mr. Mounce made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sanner, to authorize the city manager to submit an application for the ED/GE Grant for Findlay Industries. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
ORDINANCE NO. 3157: BIDS FOR FIRE STATION
Ordinance No. 3157 - An ordinance authorizing the City Manger to advertise for bids for the construction of a new Fire Station No. 1 and improvements to Fire Station No. 2 in the City of West Carrollton, and to expend a sum in excess of $15,000 therefore.
Mr. Jensen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance No. 3157. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Mr. Sanner made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lotspaih, to approve Ordinance No. 3157. All members voted yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried.
2000 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
Mr. Mounce made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to authorize the appointment of members to the 2000 Charter Review Commission, as presented to Council. Mayor Gilman read the list of persons appointed: Dana Green, Chairperson; Gerald Houston; Joe Lucas; Donald McElwee; Janet Myers; Peg Rinaldi; John Tracy. She noted that if anyone had any questions, he or she may contact Mr. Williams at the Civic Center or any member of the Commission.
REPORTS BY OFFICERS
There were no Reports by Officers.
UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments by the Audience.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Angerer reminded everyone that they may volunteer for the After Prom. He also thanked Mr. Hill for checking into a question he had about Owl Creek.
Mayor Gilman reminded everyone to complete their census and also, that assistance is available at the Civic Center. The Mayor thanked Ron Ziemkowski on cameras.
RECESS
Mayor Gilman made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to recess to a Work Session to discuss the items on the agenda. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
WORK SESSION
In addition to City Council those present for the Work Session included: G. Tracy Williams, City Manager; David Humphreys, Planning & Economic Development Director; Don Hill, Service Director; and David Watson, Assistant City Manager.
Mayor Gilman asked Mr. Hill and City Manager Williams for the presentation on the Primrose Tributary project. Before the discussion got underway, Councilmember Jensen left the meeting due to a potential conflict of interest.
City Manager Williams advised Council that Dayton Power & Light and Ameritech had requested payment for moving their utilities out of the drainage easement. This cost was not included in the project budget, as it was anticipated that the utilities would not charge for these relocations. Williams noted that he would have further discussions with the utilities to reduce the cost if possible.
Councilmember Sanner left the meeting, as did Mr. Hill. Mr. Jensen returned to the meeting.
Mayor Gilman asked Mr. Humphreys, Director, for his presentation on the Planning & Economic Development Department, in the ongoing series of presentations to City Council from the major city departments on the departments' functions, activities, and personnel.
Mr. Humphreys began his presentation by discussing current personnel and current staffing of the department. Mr. Humphreys' presentation covered several main areas: the first being General Planning; secondly, Zoning Administration and Development Reviews; third, Community Development; fourth, Economic Development; fifth, Building Inspection; sixth, Volunteer.These are the major function areas of the Planning & Economic Development Department as reorganized with the new position, Assistant to the Director of Planning & Economic Development, including volunteer activities.
Mr. Humphreys then spoke, and there was some discussion, about economic activity in the city of West Carrollton; use of the new position of Assistant to the Director and how those will interrelate.
Mr. Humphreys concluded his presentation with a discussion on the reorganization of the department, and the need to add a full-time code enforcement officer while eliminating a full-time building and zoning inspector. After discussion, Council agreed to proceed with a full-time code enforcement officer position.
Mr. Humphreys' presentation completed.
Councilmember Jensen asked about the current status of the paint program. City Manager Williams responded that he will review the program and update Council at a future date.
Mr. Humphreys left the meeting.
COMMENTS by COUNCIL
Mayor Gilman asked for any additional comments or concerns.
Deputy Mayor Gordon introduced the issue of school crossing guards, inquiring about the status of a response to that request from the West Carrollton School District. City Manager Williams stated that he had been in contact with other jurisdictions. Mr. Williams had found that some paid; some split the cost of the crossing guard with the school district; others use older students in a volunteer system.
Following discussion, it was felt that the City of West Carrollton will not commit financially to hiring school crossing guards, as the program would be difficult to manage and could include crossing guards in addition to the ones originally discussed. However, Council wishes to work with the School District and to be involved in enforcement activities from the Police Department, and increased awareness and enforcement in those areas in which the students will now be walking. It is also Council's desire that staff work with the School District to ensure that there is proper pedestrian access for the students.
Mr. Jensen then introduced the topic of improvements to the low dam recreation area, in conjunction with the Five Rivers MetroParks levy to fund improvements to the downtown Dayton riverfront project. Mr. Jensen's concern involves West Carrollton looking at funding which also could be received from this levy to improve the low dam area.
City Manager Williams indicated that he would talk with the Miami Conservancy District and with Five Rivers MetroParks, inviting those agencies to come and talk to Council at a future date.
Mr. Jensen then reviewed with Council some of the items which had been on the recent School Board/Government Liaision Committee agenda. First, school crossing guards. Second, attendance officers in the future. Third, a retreat with all jurisdictions, possibly to be held in October. Fourth, the public relations program for the School District.
Mr. Jensen then introduced the issue of large trash pick-up. With the onset of Spring, his concern is with the large trash items being placed at the curb, not on the proper date, and without special pick-ups being arranged. Enforcement of codes may need to be pursued so that the streets are clear of unwanted large trash items. City Manager Williams responded that staff will identify offending locations and pursue clean-up. He added that anyone noticing an instance should contact the city manager's office or staff so that the matter can be resolved. After some discussion it was suggested that an educational process begin to inform both new and long time residents of the process for disposal of large trash items.
Mr. Jensen then advocated that City Council become more proactive in the interchange improvements along I-75 at Central Avenue and Dixie Drive, working with the South Metro Regional Chamber of Commerce to encourage the Chamber's involvement in support of those improvements.
Deputy Mayor Gordon indicated his concern regarding the upcoming construction on I-75 during the next thirty days. I-75 will be down to one lane resulting in a substantial amount of traffic being diverted onto Dixie Drive and S.R. 725. He wants the West Carrollton Police Department and other emergency and street personnel to be aware of this situation with planning and contingency plans underway.
Mayor Gilman asked which members of Council plan to attend the Citizens Focus Group on April 4th. A show of hands indicated that a majority of Council will be present.
There being no more items, it was moved by Councilmember Vern Angerer, seconded by Mr. Gordon to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, meeting adjourned.
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MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL