Minutes
June 24, 1997
PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Council Members William Gordon, Bill Ennis, Jack Jensen, Donald Mounce, Jeff Sanner and Daryl Garrison; City Manager Tracy Williams, Assistant City Manager David W. Rowlands; Law Director Patrick G. Carney; Director of Planning & Economic Development, David Humphreys; Parks and Recreation Director, Rick Bolton; and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Thomas Sager of New Hope Community Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call followed.
Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Mounce and seconded by Mr. Jensen to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 10, 1997. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Garrison and Mayor Gilman abstained. All other members voted Yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Gordon made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mounce, to approve the minutes of the Focus Group Meeting of June 17, 1997. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Gordon, Mr. Mounce and Mayor Gilman voted Yes. Mr. Garrison, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Sanner and Mr. Ennis abstained. The motion carried.
Public Hearings
Ordinance No. 3056 - Rezoning Property at 545 W. Central Avenue
Ordinance No. 3056 - An Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance map attached to Ordinance No. 1880 and subsequently codified into Chapter 154 of the Code of Ordinances of West Carrollton, rezoning property located at 545 West Central Avenue, being City Lot No. 8, from B-2 General Commercial District, to R-3, Residential District.
Mr. Humphreys presented a brief report to Council regarding the petition to rezone the lot at 545 W. Central Avenue. Mr. Humphreys stated that while the property is in compliance with the zoning requirements, the Planning Commission recommends denying the request for a number of reasons. The Planning Commission feels that the lot is minimally sized, if not too small, to accommodate a residence, and the location is not conducive to residential development. The proposed rezoning would be counterproductive due to the fact that a vacant piece of property on the other side of Owl Creek was rezoned to B-2 in 1995, according to the Planning Commission, who also noted that rezoning the subject property to R-3 may raise the issue of "spot" zoning. Mr. Humphreys also noted that the subject property is in a flood plain. Mr. Garrison inquired as to the construction needed for the flood plain. Mr. Humphreys stated that the lot would need to be raised about four feet.
This was the first reading of Ordinance No. 3056.
Communications and Presentations
Resolution No. 23-97: Thomas G. Mick
Resolution No. 23-97 - A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said City by Thomas G. Mick.
Mayor Gilman noted that Mr. Mick was not present. Therefore, arrangements would be made to present the Resolution to Mr. Mick, perhaps at another Council meeting.
Comments by the Audience
There were no comments by the audience.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
Ordinance No. 3057: Purchase Service Credit on Tax-Deferred Payroll Deduction Basis
Ordinance No. 3057 - An Ordinance authorizing the Finance Director to implement a plan to allow City employees to purchase service credit in the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio on a tax-deferred basis by payroll deduction.
Mayor Gilman noted that this procedure is done similarly in the private sector. Mr. Garrison made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance No. 3057. Mr. Sanner seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion. A motion was made by Mr. Sanner, seconded by Mr. Mounce, to adopt Ordinance No. 3057. All members voted Yes to a roll call vote, and the motion carried.
Reports by Officers
Mr. Williams informed Council that the City will be changing the traffic controller at Alex Road and Gibbons Road within two to three weeks. The new traffic light will be activated only when traffic comes from Appleton Papers and will stop all other traffic for a designated amount of time. Mr. Williams also informed Council that additional signage will be erected at the S.R. 725/Watertower Lane/Byers Road area by Days Inn to warn of Entrance Only and Right Turn Only areas. Mr. Mounce questioned the size of the entrance. Mr. Williams stated that he will check further for improvements to this area.
. Unscheduled Business
There were no comments by the audience.
Mr. Sanner thanked Mr. Williams for checking into and arriving at a solution to ensure more safety at the Alex Road/Gibbons Road intersection.
Mr. Gordon thanked everyone for their support of the Paper Festival.
Mr. Ennis thanked Mr. Williams for checking into the Watertower Lane area.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to appoint Lu Ann Saunders to the West Carrollton Technology Advisory Group. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.
Mayor Gilman thanked Mr. Gordon for duties performed as Deputy Mayor in her absence and for all his hard work as Chairman of the Paper Festival. Mayor Gilman noted that the Soccer Blast event is scheduled for July 4, and will play host to 157 teams playing at Harold Schnell School fields and at the West Carrollton Soccer Complex.
Mr. Williams also wished to include congratulations to David Rowlands and his wife on the birth of their son, David Joshua.
Mr. Mounce reminded everyone that the fireworks would be held at the levee again this year, co-sponsored by the City of Moraine. The rain date will be July 5.
Mayor Gilman made a motion to recess to a work session to discuss the items on the agenda. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion. All members voted Yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried.
Council had moved to recess to a work session when a member of the audience came forward and wished to address Council. A motion was made by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to re-convene the regular meeting. All Council members agreed.
Mr. Walter Perkins of Moraine expressed concern over the intersection at East Central Avenue and the off ramp from I-75. Mayor Gilman stated that this area is controlled by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Mr. Williams was asked to contact ODOT regarding Mr. Perkins’ concerns.
Mr. Gordon made a motion to recess to a work session to discuss the items on the agenda. Mr. Mounce seconded the motion. All members voted Yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried.
WORK SESSION
In addition to City Council, City Manager, G. Tracy Williams; Assistant City Manager, Dave Rowlands; Law Director, Pat Carney; and Planning & Economic Development Director, David Humphreys were present.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
City Manager Williams explained to City Council that due to Mr. Carney’s workload and potential conflict of interest handling property maintenance code cases, the city should retain another lawyer to handle these types of cases if Mr. Carney has a conflict or cannot work on the case due to his workload. City Council directed Mr. Carney to recommend a lawyer to them.
ZONING ORDINANCE
City Council reviewed sample ordinance. David Humphreys will prepare an ordinance for the July 10 meeting between the Planning Commission and City Council.
Mr. Carney left the meeting.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Williams explained the current status of trying to fill the position and how the City is handling animal control requests. Council directed Mr. Williams to draft a letter for the City Newsletter discussing animal control services.
EL MESON RESTAURANT
Mr. Humphreys informed Council that the owners of El Meson were seeking any assistance from the City in their expansion efforts. Several options were presented to Council. Council suggested the City provide curb, sidewalk and landscaping to the site.
ISSUE 2 FUNDS
Council approved a $24,000 appropriation for the Issue 2 project.
TAX RATE
Mr. Williams mentioned that the property tax rates in West Carrollton are in the bottom 30% for property taxes.
FOCUS GROUP
Council scheduled a focus group meeting for Tuesday, August 19, at 7:30 p.m. with residents in precincts A and B.
MEETINGS WITH BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Council directed staff to see which Board and Commissions would like to meet with them.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Don Mounce would like to schedule a meeting with real estate professionals, and inquired about having the city maintain the historic house lawn.
Councilmember Bill Gordon mentioned that next year the Paper Festival may be moved to either the West Carrollton Senior High School or Wilson Park.
Mayor Gilman requested staff to clearly mark where patrons are not to sit during the Fourth of July fireworks show.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gordon moved to adjourn. Councilmember Jack Jensen seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.
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MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL