President of Council Marjorie Harlow called Council to order on
December 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
The governmental body and those in attendance recited the pledge of
allegiance. Mrs. McNear gave the invocation.
Mrs. McNear took roll call. Present were Council members Diehl,
Emerson, Galster, Hawkins, Squires, Vanover and Harlow.
The minutes of December 1, 2009 and December 2, 2009 were approved with
seven affirmative votes.
COMMITTEE AND OFFICIAL REPORTS
Civil Service Commission – Mr. Thamann stated that they approved
the certification for fire captain. The list is Anthony Stanley, Kurt Kerchival and Tom
Lindsay.
Rules and Laws - no report
Finance Committee - budget
discussion
Planning Commission - Mr. Galster said Tony Butrum was elected Chairman, Dave Okum,
vice-chairman and Rich Bauer, secretary. The cell tower application was tabled until
January. The Kemper Pond Center/IHOP variance request from the Tree Preservation Ordinance
was continued until the next meeting. The applicant did not show up and if they do not
respond by that time we will have to take other action to get them to respond.
Board of Zoning Appeals – Mr. Hawkins said Mr. Okum was elected chairman, Bob
Weidlich, vice-chairman and Jane Huber, secretary. A request to allow a garage to be used
as living area at 11988 Marwood was denied 7-0. A deck at 12065 Greencastle eleven and
one-half feet from the rear property line was granted 7-0.
Board of Health – Mr. Squires said the regulation establishing the new food license
fees was passed. A letter from NIOSH about the Springdale Hotel mold damage was read into
the minutes. There is concern that the building could be inhabited by someone who breaks
in and there could be the potential for a fire to break out. The nuisance animal control
policy has been changed and the City will no longer trap animals. Residents will be
referred to critter services or be allowed to use traps that the City has. The H1N1
vaccine will be available to all people and a clinic will be held December 18 from 12:30
p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again on December 21 and January 7.
Mayor Webster said our big concern at the hotel is that the owners have had the power
turned off. With the power off there is no sprinkler system above the second floor. If
there is a fire on the upper floors our safety personnel would be risking their lives in a
property that is not properly sprinkled. We are doing everything we can to lean on the
owners to at least make them board up the first floor to keep people from getting in
there.
Mayor Webster said the animal control policy is a recommendation from the Board of Health.
If Council wants to continue this program we need to discuss this under the budget
discussion. We spend about $10,000 a year and think the recommendation is a good
alternative. However, if Council thinks otherwise we would be receptive to restoring the
program.
Veteran’s Memorial Committee – Mr. Galster said there is no report and I
don’t expect much activity so it would probably be okay to remove it as an agenda
item. When there is an update I’ll try to let you know prior to the meeting.
O-K-I - no report
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Webster said SOS has helped 42-44 families. We have added
three families to the list. We’ve had an outstanding response from the community. We
are still getting donor families. We have received $1500 in donations. People have brought
in toys and clothes. John Morrell has donated an ample supply of meat, La Plaza Tapatia
has donated thirty baskets of food. Target has stepped in WalMart’s position and
sponsored the Shop With a Cop program. Even without the Food for Fines program we have
received as much food as in prior years. I’d like to thank the community.
Clerk of Council/Finance Director – Mrs. McNear said everyone put a lot of work into
the budget. I want to thank everyone in advance and request that everyone approve the
budget as we go through it.
Administrator’s Report – Mr. Parham said in reference to the hotel situation, we
were able to gain access to the facility and have now learned that the pipes froze and
there is currently no sprinkler system working at all at the facility. We’ve made
continual contact with the representatives of the Shubh Corporation who owns the property.
They also own property in Pittsburgh, who has had challenges with them as well as they
were making renovations to that hotel. We are very concerned relative to safety to our
personnel if an event occurs there. We did have a number of windows broken out. We have
had graffiti up there. We have tried to contact the owners. We have cited the owners who
reside in Boca Raton, Florida in trying to get them to have the power restored. As the
Mayor described earlier, prior to the pipes freezing, the sprinkler system would only work
up to the second floor because it’s an electrical pump system and there is no power.
Because the power is off and the pipes have burst there is no sprinkler system at all. We
will continue to try to take steps to require that they reinstall the power to that
facility and then make repairs. The problem right now is that we have no zoning issues
that can get them into a civil court. The things we have are more on the criminal side. I
don’t know if the owners have ever been to Springdale but we‘re trying to get
them up from Boca Raton and address them in a court of a law and get the power restored.
Their rep resides in Pittsburgh and was in town earlier this week. He indicated to the
Fire Chief after he was directed to have the power restored that they are planning to come
in and begin renovations. Our hope is that that is truthful but we have said we can’t
wait until then. We need the power restored now.
Mr. Diehl asked is management cooperative, uncooperative or a little bit of both?
Mr. Parham replied I can’t say they are being cooperative. We have made a number of
attempts to contact their representative who resides in Pennsylvania. The Fire Chief and
Assistant Chief did meet with him at the facility about a month ago. At that time we
directed them to have the power restored. They did not do so. We cited them and the next
time the Chief tried to contact them the cell phone was turned off. If you contact his
office you get a voice recorder. There is no way to contact him, nor have we received a
response from the owners in Florida.
Mr. Vanover said you could see the seals on the outside of the building that were repaired
three years ago. With the presence of mold do we have anything from NIOSH to put the lid
on this?
Mayor Webster said we just last week got the report from the work they did up there in
2001. I have zero faith in this company or any company rehabbing that structure and
reopening it as a hotel. I think it has to be razed. Inside and out it’s just not
feasible.
Mr. Vanover asked do we know how long the current owner has held that property?
Mayor Webster said I was working with one man trying to help him find some money six or
seven years ago. After that he sold it to Shubh Corporation.
Mr. Galster said the outer skin has failed. The first time there was all kinds of mold and
spores. The skin has actually separated where water gets down inside it. If they are
finding mold on the top three or four floors, it’s going to be extensive and
it’s going to work its way back down. It will be extremely expensive to re-skin that
building. Based on the mold, is there any way of getting condemnation for health reasons
or is that something we have to wait until someone wants to occupy it and then we tell
them no?
Mr. Parham said my understanding of the report we received from NIOSH, it seems like it
was 1998 when we began having the issue with the mold. We just received the results of
that study three weeks ago. The study says they have remediated the building; however, it
then indicates an employee at some point had ingested something and suggested to employees
that if they are in the facility, make sure they wear the proper safety respirators and
equipment. Some of the suggestions in that report seem to say the problem is now fixed but
there are still precautions you must take. The current group took over in 2006 or 2007.
Mr. Galster said it’s obvious the mold has returned. Do we have to start the process
again? I’m just wondering if there are additional steps we can take to have it
condemned. I look at the apartments on Lippelman that Sharonville had a problem with. It
may have taken them three years from condemnation to getting them torn down but I would
assume that our Health Department would say that that building can’t be occupied
based on the level of mold that is there.
Mr. Parham said I’m not sure what we are referring to when we say the mold is back.
We just received that report the other day and that report says it is no longer there.
Mr. Galster said the Health Department says mold is there on the top floors. How do we
know that if, in fact, we haven’t observed it ourselves?
Mayor Webster said this report was based upon conditions as they were in 2001 and 2002
when they closed the hotel. This does not reflect the current conditions. Mrs. Mitrione,
didn’t the Health Department do an inspection and find mold on the tenth floor?
Mrs. Mitrione, Health Commissioner, stated we did get that report about three weeks ago
and I talked to Ken at NIOSH. He said there was such a large amount of data collected from
that experience that they ended up doing that as a research project. They just pulled it
all together into a concise report and posted it on their website. There had been a
medical report that had been published in a journal years ago related to the illnesses
that were related to the folks who worked there. The manager and assistant manager who
pulled down the wallpaper had gotten really exposed and had serious lung issues. They did
a full remediation of that entire building because the exterior had failed and there was
water behind the wallpaper which sealed in the water and created mold. So, at some point
that was resolved for that moment. Mold has spores and can get into all kinds of spaces.
All it needs is warmth and moisture to grow. Part of the recommendation in that report was
that they would have to keep it dry. Probably within the last two years we have had
complaints. Apparently their flat, rubber roof was punctured by some painters and it
caused water to leak down. They had a significant mold issue on the tenth floor. They even
had an employee who was having an allergic response. The Health Department went in and
asked them to remediate. Our hotel/motel regulations say they have to do certain things
and because the mold was larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, they had to have it remediated by
a professional. They pulled out all the drywall that molded on the tenth floor and I think
they have left it that way. That complaint was finished but beyond that, we haven’t
looked at the exterior seal.
Mayor Webster said they had not used the tenth floor for a year or so.
Mr. Galster asked if we investigated other floors?
Mrs. Mitrione responded we look at all the floors when we do a hotel/motel inspection. We
were looking at the ninth floor as well but it looked like it was concentrated on the
tenth floor.
Mayor Webster said we need to use everything we can to try to keep that place closed and
even have it razed if possible. I don’t believe anybody is going to be able to do a
rehab job and make that a safe, viable business.
Mr. Galster asked how often are we allowed to go into a hotel for an inspection?
Mrs. Mitrione said they pay a license fee and we have the ability to go in at any time. We
have two regular inspections and go in if we get complaints. We are trying to look at all
the rooms in a year’s time.
Mr. Galster asked when did we go in and find the mold on the tenth floor?
Mrs. Mitrione responded two years ago. They removed the molded drywall. The Building
Department had issued orders to get the roof fixed. We were satisfied with the work they
had done to that point. Then we had done one or two routine inspections since then.
Mr. Galster said if this building has this mold history and we should be doing an
inspection every six months, one year maximum, we should get the owner’s approval to
get in there and find out if there is additional mold on other floors and build the case
that it has never been remediated properly and the problem continues on and on and on.
Mrs. Harlow stated I was on the Board of Health when we first had that problem in 1998. I
recall that a lot of the mold was not evident when a visual inspection was being done
because wallpaper was hiding that mold. If I recall correctly, it was closed for 15 to 18
months. They wore the contamination suits. Then it reopened and two years after that they
had another issue on the second floor.
Mr. Galster said I think we should try to get access to the building and have somebody
come in and do a proper evaluation of the condition.
Mayor Webster said the mold on the second floor was a plumbing problem. If we try to get
somebody in there it will be at our expense. We can send them bills but you can’t get
blood out of a turnip. I’m not opposed to starting down that path because it has to
happen at some point.
Mr. Vanover said remediation is removal of mold. Until you fix the outside you will be
re-remediating forever. If the wall board is down, that is a safety issue especially if
the power comes back on because you have exposed wires. If pipes have been broken somebody
will have to find the extent of the breakage.
Mr. Parham said we have made every attempt to gain access to the building. The only reason
we were able to get access this week is because apparently someone had broken the glass
out. We weren’t even aware that they had a local security company. Our only contact
had been with the individual in Pennsylvania. Our Fire Chief heard through the local band
radio and decided to make a visit to the hotel. We were then able to meet with the
gentleman from Pennsylvania who came in that afternoon. Trying to get into the building,
inspecting whether the power is on and then trying to find out if there is mold there will
be a challenging task to get access to the building. I guarantee you it will not be on
their dime until such time, if they decide that they are able to repair the building and
begin to look at opening the facility, then I think we have the ability to perform those
inspections. Right now it’s just a challenge getting them to come to the facility and
meet us.
Mrs. Emerson asked is there any way we can isolate the area where the mold is present and
salvage part of the building?
Mrs. Mitrione said they were doing that before the power was shut off.
Mr. Galster said we owe it to the people who stay there to know if there is mold on the
tenth floor. I think we should go after it aggressively with EPA or whatever we need to do
to make sure it doesn’t open with these types of conditions.
Mr. Vanover said that mold is circulating through the air handlers. At what threshold can
we issue warrants for arrest?
Mr. Schneider said if there are standing violations there are provisions for us taking
action and putting a lien on the property for destroying properties that are a safety
hazard. The Building Department has the authority to issue warrants for violations of
Building Code matters. You give notice for repairs and if they don’t make them, you
move our people in or hire contractors and seek to repair it.
Mr. Vanover asked at what point can we take it from not cutting the grass to an upper
level felony?
Mr. Schneider said we have that ability now. Whatever violations are present, that’s
what we have to cite them for. We pursue that through the court. I’m not aware of any
felony charges that would fall into that category but if there’s a danger to the
public maybe there’s something I have to check and find.
Mayor Webster said let me assure Council and the public that we are going to do everything
we can to try to hold these people to their responsibilities. We’re not going to let
them come in and just slap a coat of paint on a room and then open for business. If they
want to reopen that hotel they will have to obtain the proper building permits for
renovation and the Health Department will have to go in also. If we have to get NIOSH
involved before we issue an occupancy permit, we will do that. We’ll do everything we
can to bring this to the right conclusion but it will probably be a long siege.
Law Director’s Report
-
no report
Engineer’s Report – Mr. Shvegzda said the punch list items are underway for the
SR 4 continuous northbound lane at Glensprings. One aspect of dealing with the undulations
in the cross section of the pavement will be taken care of next spring along with the
paving work on I-275. The punch list items for Crescentville Road at SR 747 were submitted
to ODOT. The SR 747 paving work is complete. The construction on SR 4 southbound lane
addition will begin in April 2010.
Mr. Galster said back to Board of Health, I heard about an H1N1 vaccine recall. Do we know
if Springdale or Hamilton County received any of those doses?
Mayor Webster replied they did not. Clermont County had 500 doses but the children
received their second vaccines.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mrs. McNear said I have a follow up letter from Duke Energy regarding
an increase of $1.04 for residential service and they’ve added additional information
for general services. We have received the Certificate of Results for the election of all
of our issues.
Mayor Webster said I have a thank you note from Jo Roberts at
Springdale Elementary. It reads: “I would like to thank the Springdale Health
Department and Fire Department for administering the H1N1 vaccines to the students of
Springdale. This is a huge undertaking for the district and the local health departments.
The preparation leading up to this event was several months long. Due to the requirements
for students nine years old and under to receive two vaccines, it was necessary for them
to come to our building twice. We completed our second round on Tuesday. (This letter was
written in November.) The expectation of how things would go was tremendous. However, due
to the organization’s professionalism and friendliness of all those who participated,
things went fantastic. I was extremely pleased with the outcome of our clinics. I have had
the privilege of working with the Springdale Health Department and Fire Department in the
past with other projects. They are always very accommodating. Please express our
appreciation for another job well done. I look forward to continuing the partnership we
have between the school and the City of Springdale.”
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none
BUDGET
Mr. Diehl said the Finance Committee met December 11, 2009 to review
the budget for the year 2010. The City has a rocky road ahead of us but it will lead to a
positive direction in the end. There is a reduction in revenue and also a reduction in
expenses while still maintaining a good quality of life here for the residents of the
City. During 2010 the Finance Committee will review ongoing programs and projects that the
City is undertaking and make recommendations to Council as to whether to keep, increase or
reduce them. At this time we ask that you approve the budget.
Mr. Parham said we are experiencing a significant decrease in revenues
for 2009 with the trend continuing in future years. The revenues for 2009 are projected to
be $17,723,091 which is $1,459,000 below the budgeted number. The City income tax makes up
75% of our total revenues and we projected $14,469,000 for 2009. At this point we are
anticipating collections to be $13,635,000. We are projecting revenues of $16,038,000 for
2010. We are continuing to have a decline in revenues. We know that it is primarily the
economy. We have had a number of retail closings. At the end of this year GE will be
relocating 1200 jobs out of Springdale into West Chester and at the end of 2011 they are
scheduled to remove the remaining 900 jobs. We estimate $3 million of revenue lost based
on that moved. We also received notice this year that Avon will be closing their facility
beginning in 2010 and conclude the process in 2012. Mr. Tulloch is working diligently to
bring in new organizations to the community but at this point there is a severe drought in
revenue expenditures.
Mr. Parham said we have tried to get a handle on expenditures. We began
cutting back in 2008. Our expenses in 2010 are expected to be $17,564,000, $1,525,000
higher than our revenues. The 2010 expenditures have been reduced by $1,734,000 from the
2009 budget. We have talked about the programs we are implementing in 2010; cost
containment measures, salary reduction, furloughs. Our goal for 2010 and beyond is to
reduce costs, protect services as best as possible and still maintain our full-time
employment base.
Mr. Parham said our revenues have decreased every year since 2005
except for 2006. We are projecting an earnings tax collection for 2010 of $11,967,000.
That is a tremendous drop in earnings tax, approximately 15 percent. The City will have
experienced a loss in revenue since 2007 of $5,260,000, nearly a 25 percent decrease. We
are showing a general fund balance of 2009 of $3.9 million. The proposed number for 2010
is $2.4 million. Even with cost containment measures we see $1.5 million reduction. Our
year end budget projection for 2011 is $728,000. In 2012 we are projecting a $2.2 million
deficit.
Mr. Parham went through the budget by department. He said in some
departments personnel is 80 percent of the budget. Seventy-two percent of the total budget
is personnel related items; wages, pensions, insurance, etc. We have tried to avoid
layoffs and look at reducing employees through attrition. In 2010 we are showing ten
vacant positions: two police officers, one sergeant position, two police clerks, two
firefighters, one crew leader, one maintenance worker and one administrative assistant in
public works. The public works assistant superintendent is vacant and we need to fill that
position. All ten positions are planned to remain vacant in 2010. Also, one employee in
Parks Department has applied for disability retirement and one in Public Works is expected
to retire in January. By 2014 thirty-five employees will be eligible to retire. After
thirty plus years this is the first time we are not recommending a pay increase for
employees. The only pay increase scheduled is 3.5 percent for patrol officers as part of
their contract. The firefighters are currently in labor negotiations and we suggest no pay
increase. That decision will be reached by an arbitrator if no agreement is reached. Step
increases will continue as well as longevity pay. The City pays 14 percent for PERS
retirement, 19.5 percent for police officers and 24% for fire personnel. We have scaled
back our capital improvement projects. Unless we are receiving dollars from outside
sources we are placing projects on hold. The 2010 capital budget anticipates $2.8 million
in spending. Of that amount, $1.7 million is for two new projects. The balance of capital
budget is to pay for current project costs that we anticipate will be closed out until
2010. Our only debt is on the Community Center. We issued a fifteen year bond for $5.9
million at an interest rate of 3.72 percent. Each year we have paid the principal plus the
interest. The City created a TIF at Tri-County Mall for the traffic signal and entrance
way on Kemper Road. The City advanced the dollars into the TIF and we were expecting to
begin receiving service payments in 2009. Unfortunately, the value of the mall was reduced
and it did not generate service payments for the TIF. We believe the value of the mall
will adjusted to generate service payments in 2010.
Council went through the document by department.
Mr. Galster asked for a breakdown on the $9500 for community
activities.
Mr. Parham said we increased the fees for participants in the yard
sale.
Mr. Galster asked does bicycle safety cost money?
Mayor Webster said we can give you a breakdown because we drastically
cut that down. We eliminated a lot of the advertising. We increased the fees.
Mr. Galster said a breakdown would be great.
Mayor Webster said we do not have any money budgeted for debris removal
in 2010. There seemed to be some sentiment in the Finance Committee that we have that. We
started charging $25 for a pick up truck and $50 for a dump truck in 2009. We had 165
requests in 2008 and 97 request in 2009. We generated $3275 in fees. Mr. Agricola did a
cost analysis and said for 100 percent cost recovery it would $262 to have a truck
delivered to your house and then dumped at Rumpke. We are not proposing to charge that. If
there is a desire to continue the program I suggest we bump the charge up to something
like $50 for a pick up and $75 for a dump truck. We could probably do that program with
out of pocket costs of $7500.
Mr. Diehl asked for a breakdown on the $262 cost.
Mrs. McNear said I wonder why you want to charge more but not cover our
costs. I liken this animal control where we put the onus back on the homeowner. I love
this program but with the financial situation I would like to see the fee bumped up if we
are not going to charge the entire cost.
Mr. Galster said estimated expenditures were $5600 in 2009. Is that the
out of pocket expense?
Mr. Parham responded that was just the dumping fee. Mayor Webster proposed $7500 to cover
the dumping fee.
Mr. Galster asked if said we are using overtime to do this program. Mr. Parham said no.
Mrs. Harlow said even with a fee increase it is still a valuable service. I would be in
favor of increasing the fees to $50 or $75 for a pick up and $75 or $100 for a dump truck.
Mayor Webster said cost analysis can make the numbers prove whatever you want it to prove.
We will have the trucks and the labor whether we do this program or not. The only fees
left are gasoline and tipping fees. If you want to continue the program you can use the
numbers and recover the direct costs. If you don’t want to do the program you can
take Mrs. McNear’s approach, and say I want full recovery.
Mr. Diehl made a motion to continue the program for 2010 with fees of $50 for a pickup
truck and $80 for a dump truck. Mr. Vanover seconded.
Mrs. Harlow said the Finance Committee can come back to Council and ask to raise the fees.
Mr. Vanover said the program could be suspended if necessary.
After discussion the motion passed with seven affirmative votes.
Mr. Parham said we will continue our current rates with Rumpke for waste pick up. The
Center for Local Government is looking for a cooperative for local governments to bid on a
facility and haulers.
Mayor Webster said eighty-four percent of the residences have requested recycle bins, but
not all using those. The City is billed for those recycling bins so please use them.
Mr. Galster said the City gets money back based on the amount of recycling we are doing.
Mr. Galster asked what is the $155,000 street light fee?
Mr. Parham said that is to pay the utility bill.
Mr. Galster asked can we have every other light turned off?
Mayor Webster said I don’t think we want to intentionally turn the lights off. They
are there for public safety.
Mr. Squires said there is nothing in the budget for snow and ice removal.
Mr. Parham said we have enough salt to get us through this season. We have put $20,000 for
road salt in two other line items.
Mr. Galster asked is there any consideration to eliminating or reducing the amount of the
donations to the Chambers of Commerce?
Mr. Parham said we receive a great benefit from both organizations. The Cincinnati USA
Chamber provides opportunities for exposure on a national and international level. Through
the years they have provided opportunities for us. Fairfield has benefited tremendously.
Even though they are not in Springdale we benefit with our retail and restaurants.
Mrs. Emerson stated I questioned that at the Finance meeting with the understanding that
$10,000 is what Springdale was expected to pay. I did not question the Springdale Chamber.
Is there any way we can reduce that amount.
Mr. Parham said it is Council’s pleasure. We will reduce them if you want us to.
Again, I think the local Chamber has been a benefit for the City.
Mayor Webster said it’s hard to state definitely that it works. Our primary objective
is to get the business but if it locates around us, we get a benefit from the fallout. We
have given to the local chamber since its inception.
Mrs. Harlow said in this economic environment I don’t think we can afford not to
participate in the Chambers.
Mr. Galster said my personal opinion is that we get benefits from real estate brokers.
I’m not sure we get the benefit like we think we do from the Chambers.
Mr. Hawkins said I understand Mr. Galster’s concerns but I also agree that
there’s likely to be some benefit to the Chamber putting Springdale’s name out
there. What would be good is if we could have some means of objectively measuring new
businesses and companies that come in to see how much of that is by way of the Chamber.
Mrs. Emerson said I was not questioning the importance of the Chamber. I was just
wondering if we could cut some of the money. We have cut a lot of the other programs.
Mrs. Harlow stated the amount we give the Cincinnati Chamber is a level of participation.
Mr. Parham said if you reduce it you may not be competing at the same level. There will be
times when companies are brought to our doorstep.
Mr. Vanover said the Chamber was involved in helping us salvage Avon when we went to the
Enterprise Zone.
Mr. Parham said the Chamber brought the free trade zone in conjunction with Avon.
Mr. Parham said the Jobs Incentive Program has brought us Cincinnati Bell Technological
Solutions and PCMS Datafit.
Mr. Galster asked is this the first year of two years that we have CMI in the budget under
the Finance Department.
Mr. Parham said 2010 is the first budget year for the project. We have had CMI since
I’ve been here. Our Tax and Finance Departments use CMI. CMI in formed the City that
at the end of 2009 they will no longer provide a service agreement on our existing system.
They want us to go to their newest system at $50,000. They are proposing to increase our
maintenance fees from $4,000 to $7,000. We are looking at other options.
Mayor Webster said under Council and Legislation the numbers do not reflect the 3.8
percent pay reduction. Mr. Galster raised the issue of boards and commissions taking a cut
and Mayor Webster questioned the cost efficiency of changing those pay reductions.
Mr. Galster said I was approached by board members who still felt they should be
participating.
Mr. Galster asked do we have a breakdown for the funding to the traffic signal upgrade?
Mr. Parham responded we have already been awarded 80 percent funding. This is scheduled
for 2011. We were told if we pushed it off until 2012 it would jeopardize the funding. We
hope by 2011 we can find the $209,000 to pay for our share of the upgrade.
Mr. Galster asked is the funding for northbound SR 747 to I-275 lane addition secured? We
are going to spend $280,000 in order to get $480,000.
Mr. Parham said that funding has been identified by the State. It was originally a $1.4
million project but it has been scaled back. The funding has already been secured. We just
had a meeting with ODOT yesterday to discuss the project. We wanted to create two left
turn lanes on SR 747 to I-275 westbound and bring the stacking lanes underneath the
bridge. The State said no. The project at this point is just north of the bridge. We are
able to create two left turn lanes and the only other work is the widening of the entrance
to westbound I-275 at that same location. This is a project where we first engaged in
creating a study that had to be accepted by the State, then was sent to the Federal
Highway Administration. Once they signed off on it, we now know what we’re able to
do.
Mr. Galster said we are still at 30 percent with construction engineering at 30% based on
ten percent of that amount. In the 2009 budget we had originally put in $49,495 for the
engineering and we spent $6,000 and pushed the project off.
Mr. Parham said we didn’t push the project off. In 2008 we budgeted $25,000 for the
study. We budgeted another $25,000 in 2009 and 2010. TEC’s costs were expended mainly
in 2007. The only thing spent in 2008 was $505. The remaining part to finish getting it
prepared was $6,089. The $75,000 was prior to the information I received yesterday. The
numbers will be dropping down.
Mr. Galster asked about the $10,000 amount under Revenues for Parks and Urban Forestry.
Mr. Parham said there is a project before Planning Commission.
Mr. Galster said I don’t anticipate $10,000 will be the number. The goal for Planning
is to get the trees replanted. Nothing has ever been budgeted in the past.
Mr. Williams, finance director said this is based on conversations with Bill McErlane that
we should be getting some money.
Mr. Parham said an appropriation ordinance will be before you in January.
ORDINANCE NO. 31-2009 “ADOPTING COST CONTAINMENT MEASURES (A FURLOUGH PLAN AND A
SALARY REDUCTION PLAN) FOR THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Ordinance 31-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
ORDINANCE 33-2009 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO
ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BERNINGER-MADDOX, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR
THE AUDITS FOR YEAR-ENDED 2009 THROUGH YEAR-ENDED 2013”
First reading.
ORDINANCE NO. 34-2009 “SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION/ESTIMATED RECEIPTS ORDINANCE TO
MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES AND ADJUST ESTIMATED
RECEIPTS FOR THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE, OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
2009”
Mr. Diehl asked do we have history with this company? Mr. Parham replied no.
Mr. Diehl said then why are we going with a five-year contract?
Mr. Williams, Finance Director, said since I’ve been here we have always done a
five-year contract. You can get a better price. We don’t have any experience with
them but we didn’t have any with the company before either and that turned out well.
They send proposals and I have to grade them. The Auditor of State does not give us their
costs until after we grade them. Then you make your choice and the State has to agree with
your decision.
Mr. Diehl said we have our pick of different companies. What happens if we don’t pick
a good company?
Mr. Williams said that would affect their reputation if we complained to the Auditor of
State.
Mr. Diehl asked could we get out of the contract?
Mr. Williams replied we would have to take that up with the Auditor of State but if we
have just cause there would be no reason we couldn’t get out of the contract.
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Ordinance 34-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
ORDINANCE NO. 35-2009 “TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1,
2010, UNTIL THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 PERMANENT APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED BY CITY
COUNCIL”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Ordinance 35-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
ORDINANCE NO. 36-2009 “TEMPORARILY REDUCING THE COMPENSATION OF THE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL, AND THE CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Galster seconded.
Ordinance 36-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
ORDINANCE NO. 37 -2009 “AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 32 OF THE SPRINGDALE
CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Mr. Parham stated since we are reducing the option of whether an employee can receive
payment for vacation time in lieu of taking that time, Section 2 of the ordinance puts the
option of taking vacation time as pay at the Mayor’s or Mayor’s designee’s
discretion. Since we are not going to allow employees to get compensation for leave time,
this will give employees more flexibility to use their vacation time. Under holidays we
have added “or upon the approval of the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee”.
Under conversion of vacation hours we added “subject to the approval of the Mayor or
the Mayor’s designee.”
Mr. Parham said under Section 10, we are not providing uniforms for building inspectors.
Instead they will dress appropriately and use their badges. We took out the language that
says the Mayor is “directed” and simply said the Mayor is “authorized”
so at some point in the future, if we provide the uniforms the language already exists.
Mr. Parham said there is language in the Code that allows employees to receive $125 for
new safety boots or shoes each year. We are not going to make it automatic but if new
shoes are needed we are going to reimburse the employee up to $125.
Ordinance 37-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
Mrs. Harlow said Mr. Coleman is interested in returning to the Civil Service Commission.
Mr. Galster nominated Bob Coleman and Mr. Squires seconded. Mr. Coleman was appointed by
acclamation.
RESOLUTION R23-2009 “APPOINTING ROBERT COLEMAN AS A MEMBER OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION”
Mr. Galster made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Resolution R23-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
Mr. Vanover nominated Sharon Conrad for Charter Revision. Mr. Squires seconded. Mrs.
Conrad was appointed by acclamation.
RESOLUTION R24-2009 “APPOINTING SHARON CONRAD AS A MEMBER OF THE CHARTER REVISION
COMMITTEE”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Resolution R24-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
RESOLUTION R25-2009 “COMMENDING PAM WILLIS FOR HER DEDICATION AND YEARS OF SERVICE TO
THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE IN HER TENURE AS A MEMBER OF THE SPRINGDALE BOARD OF HEALTH”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Mayor Webster said Pam Willis has been on the Board of Health for five terms. Her job has
continued to grow to the point that she has a hard time making the meetings. She’s
decided that it’s not fair to her or the board to continue. We appreciate what she
has brought to the board and wish her well.
Resolution R25-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
RESOLUTION NO. R26 -2009 “CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S REAPPOINTMENT OF LYNN JONES AS
A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Resolution R26-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
RESOLUTION R27-2009 “CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S REAPPOINTMENT OF GEORGE KELLNER AS A
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH”
Mr. Squires made a motion to adopt and Mr. Vanover seconded.
Resolution R27-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
RESOLUTION NO. R28 -2009 “CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF NOREEN MOCSNY AS
A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.
Mayor Webster said Mrs. Mocsny has a diploma in nursing from Flint, Michigan; Master Of
Science degree from the University of Cincinnati, and she’s retired from the
Veteran’s Administration. She does volunteer work at the Drake Center. She’s an
infection control nurse at Drake. She’s published magazine articles and even
contributed to a chapter in a book in 1995. She’s extremely qualified.
Resolution R28-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.
Mrs. Harlow said with the exception of an appointment to OKI in January that takes care of
boards and commissions.
Mayor Webster said I still owe you a Parks and Recreation appointment. I’ll have that
to you in January.
Mr. Parham said there is one for the Tax Review Board in January.
OLD BUSINESS
- none
NEW BUSINESS
- none
MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Planning Commission
-
December 22
Rules and Laws
- December 29
Board of Health
- January 14
Board of Zoning Appeals
- January 19
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - none
UPDATE ON LEGISLATION STILL IN DEVELOPMENT
Ordinance 33-2009
RECAP OF LEGISLATIVE ITEMS REQUESTED
Appropriation Ordinance
Tax Review Board
Council adjourned at 10:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy McNear
Clerk of Council/Finance Director
Minutes Approved:
Marjorie Harlow, President of Council
__________________________, 2009