Minutes
WEST CARROLLTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Held April 14, 1998
PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Council Members Bill Ennis, Daryl Garrison, William Gordon, Jack Jensen and Linda Lotspaih; City Manager Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager David W. Rowlands; Law Director Patrick Carney; Finance Director Tom Reilly; Police Chief Don Rice; Planning and Economic Director David Humphreys; and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.
EXCUSED: Jeff Sanner.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Pastor Richard S. Hinger of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call followed.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Ennis to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 24, 1998. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted Yes and the motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Garrison to approve the minutes of the Focus Group Meeting of March 31, 1998. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Ennis abstained; all other members voted Yes. The motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Resolution No. 9-98: A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said City by Viviano "Rod" Rodriguez.
Mayor Gilman read the resolution in its entirety. The Mayor then presented the resolution to Mr. Rodriguez, stating that all of his work has really been appreciated and that he will be missed. Mr. Rodriguez thanked the City staff and Council. He said that every venture needs collaborative effort and the various projects he was involved in were no exception. Mr. Rodriguez thanked Council for the resolution and said he enjoyed the work and all of the people involved. He hoped to be able to again become involved in future projects when time permits.
Human Services Levy - County Commissioner Vicki Pegg
County Commissioner Vicki Pegg addressed Council regarding the Human Services Levy which will be on the ballot on May 5, 1998. This levy is for a renewal only and will not increase the citizens’ taxes. The Human Services Levy was initiated in the 1980's and combined six single purpose levies into one. This levy is the only one of its kind in the State. It allows people to vote on levies which affect them locally. The Health District, alcohol programs, child care programs and elderly care programs are a part of this levy. Ms. Pegg urged area citizens to vote for the levy. She thanked Council for allowing her to speak at the meeting regarding this important issue.
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments by the audience.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 3090: Finance Department Computer System
Ordinance No. 3090: An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for the purchase of the Finance Department computer system and to expend a sum in excess of $10,000 therefore.
Mayor Gilman noted that the 1998 budget included the appropriation for this expenditure. Mayor Gilman asked if anyone wished to dispense with the second reading of this ordinance. Mr. Jensen said that he wished to see the ordinance go through the readings.
Resolution 10-98: Donation of Surplus Radio Console Equipment
Resolution No. 10-98: A resolution authorizing the donation of surplus radio console equipment from the City’s Communication Center to the Miami Valley Career Technology Center for use by their students.
Mr. Williams said that since the Police Department Dispatch Center is being replaced, the City felt that the Miami Valley Career Technology Center could benefit even though it is an older system.
Mr. Jensen asked if the Police Department is still maintaining the current system. Chief Rice said that they are not; they are using the new system. Mr. Jensen also asked if the frequency will be removed. Chief Rice indicated that the students will not be able to use the frequencies. The students will use the system to trace circuits, etc.
Mr. Ennis introduced and made a motion to approve Resolution No. 10-98. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. All members voted Yes to a roll call vote. The motion carried.
Resolution No. 11-98: Janne L. Woods
Resolution No. 11-98: A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said City by Janne L. Woods.
Mr. Garrison introduced and made a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-98. Mrs. Lotspaih seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Resolution No. 12-98: David W. Rowlands
Resolution No. 12-98: A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said City by David W. Rowlands.
Mr. Jensen introduced and made a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-98. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted Yes and the motion carried.
Agreement with Conrail for Railroad Crossing Work at Alex Road
Mr. Jensen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrison, to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Conrail for work to be done at the railroad crossing at Alex Road. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
REPORTS BY OFFICERS
Mr. Williams wished to thank Ronald McDonald charities for donating the funds for a new Ford van for the D.A.R.E. program. Chief Rice said that they had approached Ronald McDonald charities. Interstate Ford gave them a van for the $18,000 that Ronald McDonald charities had donated. Chief Rice thanked Interstate Ford and Ronald McDonald charities for the van.
Mr. Williams noted that National Volunteer Week is April 19th-25th. He thanked all of the volunteers.
Mr. Williams said that the last Citizens’ Academy session was last week. He thanked the Historical Society and David Humphreys and Renee Snodgrass for their presentations.
Mr. Williams noted that in early March the Montgomery County Sanitary District gave a presentation at the High School regarding the sewer lines in the Lindbergh plat area. Mr. Williams said that it will be up to the County and the citizens as to the outcome of this project although it doesn’t appear that it will succeed.
Miami Conservancy District will begin the Holes Project I in early May of this year. The work will be done in four 10-hour day shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will take about three months.
Mr. Williams also noted that the new firefighters/paramedics will begin April 27th. The service has always been excellent and now will be even better.
UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS
COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments by the audience.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Ennis, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Garrison, Mrs. Lotspaih and Mr. Gordon thanked Mr. Rodriguez for all of his work.
Mayor Gilman read a Proclamation proclaiming April 19th-April 25, 1998 as National Volunteer Week. Mayor Gilman said that everyday we see the volunteers at the City building. She thanked the volunteers, including Ron and Julie Ziemkowski on cameras at the Council meetings. Mayor Gilman also noted that April is Keep Ohio Beautiful month and, as part of the program, phone books may be recycled through April 23rd. Citizens may call the City Building for further information.
Mayor Gilman made a motion to recess to a work session to discuss the items on the agenda and to an executive session to discuss a real estate matter. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. All members present voted Yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried.
Council recessed.
WORK SESSION
Joining City Council in the work session were City Manager, Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager, David Rowlands; Planning & Economic Development Director, David Humphreys; Police Chief, Don Rice; Finance Director, Tom Reilly; Technology Advisory Group members, Lowell Henize and Earl Chadwick; and guest Ray Snider, and Richard Hinger.
YEAR 2000 COMPUTER CHANGES
Mr. Rowlands discussed the Year 2000 report prepared by staff. He informed Council that it was the recommendation of staff and the Technology Advisory Group that the existing Police Department computer system be replaced.
Mr. Humphreys mentioned that the Police Department uses three different systems which are over ten years old and are outdated. In addition, he mentioned that this is the perfect time to integrate the system, streamline the process and look at a new system.
Chief Rice mentioned that the department would be looking at purchasing a computer-aided dispatch system that would be integrated with other departments in the City. Further, we would be looking at geobased mapping and automatic vehicle locator systems.
Councilmember Jack Jensen would like to see staff look at the entire City for technological improvements.
Mr. Henize mentioned that the Technology Advisory Group feels the City should move forward and that there is justification for a new system.
Mr. Chadwick mentioned that the committee should look at the entire system and create standardization throughout the organization.
City Council encouraged staff to study and prepare a report.
Police Chief, Don Rice; Lowell Henize, Earl Chadwick; and Richard Hinger left the meeting.
BUDGET 1998
Councilmember Jeff Sanner entered the meeting at 8:10 p.m..
Mr. Williams gave an overview of the present budget situation after the first quarter of 1998 and mentioned that the City received a refund check for $31,000 from the Miami Valley Risk Management Association; and we expect our Workers’ Compensation cost to be about $70,000 under budget in 1998, due to over-charging by the state in the past.
Councilmember Jensen mentioned he would like to revisit the situation in May after Council holds their annual Vision Retreat in late April.
City Council agreed to wait and revisit the situation in May.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Williams mentioned that the City received the standard yearly notice advising us that we may object to the issuance of the renewal of a permit for any liquor permit holder within the City limits. Further, he mentioned that Law Director Pat Carney suggested that the City not object to the renewal of any liquor permit, but write a letter to the Liquor Control Board advising them that even though we do not object to the renewal of the permit for the present permit holder at Cheeks, we would renew our objection to the permit being transferred to the present applicant.
City Council said that this was fine with them.
Tom Reilly and Ray Snider left the meeting.
Councilmember Bill Gordon moved to enter into an executive session. Councilmember Daryl Garrison seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.
REAL ESTATE MATTERS
Joining City Council in the executive session were City Manager, Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager, David Rowlands; and Planning and Economic Development Director, David Humphreys.
City Council discussed the acquisition of property.
Councilmember Jeff Sanner moved to reconvene into the regular work session. Councilmember Bill Gordon seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Councilmember Bill Gordon moved to adjourn. Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.
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MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL