President of Council Marjorie Harlow called Council to order on December 17, 2008, 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 Danbury, Diehl, Galster, Squires, Vanover, Wilson and Harlow.

    The minutes of December 3, 2008 were approved with seven affirmative votes.

    COMMITTEE AND OFFICIAL REPORTS
    Civil Service Commission                     -     no report
Rules and Laws        -    no report
Finance Committee        -    no report

Planning Commission – Mr. Galster said Hooter’s requested building elevation color changes. The restaurant was damaged during a windstorm and during repair they painted the brick gray and roof orange. They are supposed to be earth tones. That was tabled so the applicant can get in compliance with the Corridor Review District.

Mayor Webster asked were the Hooters people in?

Mr. Galster replied it was not the store manager or property owners. It was the reconstruction group.

Mayor Webster asked how long is the signage going to stay with a light missing in Whiskey Willy’s and the sign on the street?

Mr. Galster responded we have a one out, all out policy so if they are missing a letter that sign should have to go dark. There were no repairs made other than the entry way.
   
Board of Zoning Appeals – Mr. Diehl reported there was a shed within two feet of the property line and three garage conversions as a result of rental inspections that were all approved.

Board of Health – Mr. Squires said the food service fees regulation was passed. Next year residents will only be allowed to use the trapping service one time and then they will have to pay for the service. Homeowners will have the opportunity to borrow a have-a-heart trap from the Health Department. They will be provided a copy of regulations stating what they have to do with an animal caught in the trap. The food sampling program will continue with existing staff doing the sampling. Flu vaccine is still available.

Mr. Danbury asked have there been many coyote sightings the past year?

Mayor Webster replied no.

Mr. Galster said with the state of the economy the budget for trapping animals was cut to $10,000 last year and $6,000 this year. I can see that funding going away in the future.

In response to questions about disposing of animals Mr. Parham stated that along with the waiver release there are requirements and rules for the treatment of those animals.

Mr. Galster asked for a breakdown on the items passed at BZA.

Mr. Diehl responded the garages were done in the 1980s. They passed 6-0. The shed also passed 6-0.
   
Veteran’s Memorial Committee        -     no report
O-K-I        -    no report

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Webster said I’d like to talk about our SOS program. We have assisted forty-eight families. Most of the people on the dais have been involved in the program and I’d like to say thanks. We have gotten money and adoptIons from department directors, employees, companies and individuals. It has been a fantastic success and was a heartwarming experience. There’s not only presents but also food. A lot of people who don’t have fines are still donating to the Food for Fines program and John Morrell has helped with food. Thanks everyone for your efforts.

Mr. Danbury said I think a word of praise should go to Officer Marsha Bemmes. She puts a lot of effort into it. Mayor, do you mind naming some of the businesses.

Mayor Webster said I just hope we don’t leave anybody out. Riley’s Restaurant donated 25% of your check for four days, Wal-Mart with Shop with a Cop, John Morrell. Krazy City, Sterling Temporary, Brooks & Sons, Maple Knoll, Northside Bank all donated.
   
Mr. Galster said to take a look downstairs and see the volume of stuff is just amazing. There was a lot of work to coordinate that.

Clerk of Council/Finance Director – Mrs. McNear said the supplemental appropriation ordinance and temporary appropriation ordinance are on the agenda. Mr. Williams is here to answer any questions.
   
Administrator’s Report        -     no report
   
Law Director’s Report         -     no report
   
Engineer’s Report – Mr. Shvegzda said that all the punch list items in the railroad right-of-way for the Kemper Road Phase 3 project have been addressed and they are in the process of releasing the force account back to us. The ODOT ordinance for the continuous northbound lane for SR 4 at Glensprings recognizing our local deposit is on the agenda tonight. OPWC funding for the SR4 lane addition at I-275 was not successful. It is first on the contingency list and could be viable for 2010 construction. The Northland Boulevard repair and resurfacing was also not successful for OPWC funding. The Police Department bridge repair is complete.

Mayor Webster said from what I read about what’s going to happen in Washington with the new administration, there may be money made available for infrastructure improvements, especially for projects that could bring it to the marketplace quickly. If that money was available could we get those to the market in 2009?

Mr. Shvegzda replied that’s very possible. There are several projects that have completed plans ready to go. We will be discussing that with ODOT particularly on the SR 4 projects. We will make our other plans available to OKI, state representatives, etc.

    COMMUNICATIONS

    Mrs. McNear read an e-mail written to Bob Diehl from Sandy Taylor suggesting that Springdale become more dog friendly and consider a dog park in Springdale.

    Mr. Danbury said as a baseball coach that’s the last thing we need is a dog park. Some people won’t clean up after their dog.

    Mayor Webster said I agree. If we want to seriously consider that then I suggest we designate a park as a dog park.


    COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE -    none

    ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

ORDINANCE NO. 43-2008 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO INCREASE BILLING RATES FOR LIFE SUPPORT SERVICE RUNS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Danbury seconded.

Ordinance 43-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

ORDINANCE NO. 44-2008 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT WITH
WOOD & LAMPING LLP FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.

Mr. Galster said my comments are more in general, not to pick on the law firm, but this ordinance, the one with CDS and also the one for non-union workers. I know we just went through our budget process and we looked for places to cut out of the budget. The Administration made a wonderful job of making some cuts that were not easy to do but I think we may need to look at a freeze for some of these wages. I know it’s late notice for this year but surely next year if this economy continues the way it is, it’s going to be tough to pass increases. I think we need to look at getting a rein in on some of these numbers. A three and a half percent raise has a pretty hefty impact on the City. It’s probably $170,000 for the non-union workers. I think we have to look a lot harder at the work that other contractors do. I did have a conversation with the Mayor prior to the meeting and it’s my opinion that it’s not too late for this year but I would open that up for Council to debate. It’s surely not too late to make sure everybody is aware and in tune to the prospect of these kinds of increases in the future. I want to go on record now as saying that these increases are going to be awfully tough to pass in the future. I’m having a hard time holding off even now. We have to look at all these things really hard and I think the sooner we do it the more jobs we’ll save in the long run. I’d rather see three to six employees not lose their jobs as opposed to an across the board increase. I would also recommend that elected officials look at a deduct if the climate continues.

Mr. Danbury said I agree that we have to look at how we cut things but I look at CDS and Wood and Lamping and what we have is two extremely competent organizations. Mr. Schneider and Mr. Shvegzda add a lot to what we have here.

Mr. Wilson said the Administration is going to be looking at our budget quarterly or maybe monthly. That’s not to say we won’t be making any changes in the future. We have a deficit but it’s not doom and gloom. You pay for what you get. If you want to get a lawyer with two or three years of experience that’s what you pay for. You also pay for experience. When the lawsuits come out you want the best. With engineering you want the best.

Mr. Galster said I was not in anyway saying we didn’t have quality people doing work for the City, not only on a contract basis, but also our City staff. While it’s not gloom and doom the economy does continue to turn downward. When that downward spiral will stop I don’t know. How long it will take to recover I don’t know yet. We need to start taking a hard look at these things. Just because you have it today doesn’t mean you should spend it today. Cutting some of these things this year that we may be cutting next year anyway and hoarding those savings will allow us to weather the recession if it continues to happen.

Mayor Webster said I I’m sure it was a slip of the tongue, Mr. Wilson, but we don’t have a deficit. We did submit a balanced budget to Council. The last Council meeting was probably one of the most depressing Council meetings that I’ve experienced in the thirty plus year I’ve been sitting here. I heard what all of you are saying and you heard what we said but we are not on our last leg. The City is not close to going bankrupt. We’re not on fiscal watch by the State. We will end the year with close to a $3 million surplus. We have submitted a balanced budget which means we will carry that same balance into 2010. We know the trend is going in the wrong direction so we will have to continue to rein in on the expenses but it’s not doom and gloom. We are still going to contribute $900,000 in capital improvements next year.

Mr. Squires said these organizations that are asking for increases I’m sure have taken into consideration the times we are facing. I’m also well aware of the fact that if things get worse, then perhaps an adjustment along the way would be recommended by the people who are even asking for this. I have no problem with what they are asking for at this time.

Mr. Wilson said I didn’t mean to say deficit. I meant downward trend and we had allotted for an amount of incoming money that we didn’t get. I viewed that as a deficit and I apologize if anyone thought I meant we were at a deficit.

Mr. Vanover said we tightened the budget a few years ago and it cost us dearly in road repairs because the fell into disarray. It took three seasons to bring those back up.

Mr. Galster responded when we went through the downturn with the streets we increased the income tax a half percent tax or we’d still be struggling through that situation. I just want to make sure everyone looks at all the expenditures in the City. I think we need to do the best we can do to avoid having to raise the tax again.

Ordinance 44-2008 passed with six affirmative votes. Mr. Galster voted no.

ORDINANCE NO. 45-2008 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO AMEND THE CONTRACT OF CDS ASSOCIATES, INC., FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES TO THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

Ordinance 45-2008 passed with six affirmative votes. Mr. Galster voted no.

ORDINANCE NO. 46-2008 “AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 68-2007 AND ORDINANCE NO. 38-2008 TO PROVIDE FOR WAGE INCREASES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

Mr. Squires made a motion to adopt and Mr. Vanover seconded.

Ordinance 46-2008 passed with six affirmative votes. Mr. Galster voted no.

ORDINANCE NO. 47-2008 “SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR THE CITY OF SPRINGDALE, OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

Mr. Danbury asked do you think the price of asphalt might go down?

Mr. Shvegzda replied it could because the companies need work.

Ordinance 47-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

ORDINANCE NO. 48-2008 “TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2009, UNTIL THE FISCAL YEAR 2009 APPROPRIATION PERMANENT ORDIANCE IS ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.

Ordinance 48-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION R24-2008 “CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF RITA HART AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

Mayor Webster said Mrs. Hart and Dr. Ketring are two of the most valuable members on the board.

Resolution R24-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION NO. R25—2008 “A RESOLUTION CREATING A VOLUNTARY WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM”

Mr. Parham said that the Administration has been looking at other ways to reduce costs throughout the City. Health Commissioner Cammie Mitrione and Finance Officer Jeff Williams came up with an idea that would allow employees to take time off without pay. Under the furlough program, we are offering employees an opportunity to take up to 10 days off without pay. This will not affect their health insurance, seniority, etc. To our knowledge, a few employees have indicated an interest in the program. I believe those most likely to take advantage of the program will be employees who have not reached the maximum accrual rate or those who do not have a chance to accumulate compensatory time. As for retirement, the program will not have an affect on those employees in the Public Employee Retirement System unless it is in the last three years of employment. It would then affect their final wage calculation at retirement. In the case of the Police and Fire Pension System, if the employee uses the program, the system will not give them credit towards retirement for days without pay.

Mr. Danbury asked will the time off be scheduled so there is not a problem with overtime or providing services?

Mr. Parham replied yes. All leave except sick leave is supposed to be approved by the department directors before it is taken.

Resolution R25-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

Mr. Wilson nominated James Bush to be reappointed to the Charter Revision Committee.

RESOLUTIN R26-2008 “APPOINTING JAMES BUSH AS A MEMBER OF THE CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.

Resolution R26-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

Mr. Vanover nominated Tony Potts to continue on Civil Service Commission.

RESOLUTION R27-20008 “APPOINTING TONY POTTS AS A MEMBER OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.

Resolution R27-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION R28-2008 “CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF KEVIN KETRING AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Galster seconded.

Resolution R28-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION R29-2008 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE OF OHIO TO PROVIDE FOR IMPROVEMENTS ALONG SR 4 NEAR GLENSPRINGS AND I-275”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

Mayor Webster stated with have $4.1 million in capital improvement projects and the City will only pay $900,000. This is an $800,000 project and our cost is $80,000. The residents have asked for this for 25 to 30 years. This will help move traffic onto eastbound I-275.

Resolution R28-2008 passed with seven affirmative votes.

COUNCIL REDISTRICTING REVIEW
Mrs. Harlow said Council redistricting was brought to our attention because we may have had more voters in the last election. I’d like to set up a review board and come back with a recommendation to Council in February.

Mr. Schneider stated that won’t be necessary. In fact, it can’t be done because there is not more than 10.7% change in the preliminary figures.

Mr. Danbury said the rolls are not purged of people who have died or moved away.

Mr. Vanover asked did we ever figure out what happened with the Charter items that were not on the ballot?

Mrs. McNear replied we had a snafu. They will be on the ballot with the next general election.

OLD BUSINESS                     -     none

    NEW BUSINESS                     -     none

    MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Firefighters Voluntary Relief Fund             -     December 19
    Board of Health                     -     January 8
    Board of Zoning Appeals                 -     January 20
   
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE    -     none

UPDATE ON LEGISLATION STILL IN DEVELOPMENT-    none

RECAP OF LEGISLATIVE ITEMS REQUESTED    -    none

Council adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

                        Respectfully submitted,




                        Kathy McNear
                        Clerk of Council/Finance Director

Minutes Approved:
Marjorie Harlow, President of Council



__________________________, 2008