CITY OF TWINSBURG, OHIO
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2005
Mr. Steve Murphy President of
Council called this meeting to order at 8:37 PM.
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mrs. Studer bestowed the
Invocation. Council led in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: W.
Hon, B. McDermott, S. Murphy, A. Romito, S. Scaffide, J. Studer & B. Furey
Also Present: Mayor
Katherine Procop
Charles
K. Webster, Law Director
Cynthia
A. Kaderle, Clerk of Council
The minutes of the regular Council meeting of December 14,
2004 stand approved as written.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS/COMMUNICATION (MAYOR’S REPORT):
Mayor Procop welcomed Council and residents to the start of
the New Year 2005.
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Finance Department:
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City Income Tax receipts for the end of year total
$17,597,756.00 compared to receipts as of December 31, 2003 in the amount of
$17,535,738.00. This reflects an
increase of .35% at the end of the year. The breakdown of City Income Tax
collection for 2004 was withholding 84%, business 7% and individuals 8%.
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Sewer bills mailed for the year 2004 were 25,584 with a
collection totaling $1,863,426.00.
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Opened the year 2005 with a cash balance of $18,430,494.00
compared to last year at $15, 808,880.00.
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The opening balance
for the general fund is $4,147,314.00 which is a 2.3% increase over last year.
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Capital Improvements carry over is a little over
$7,000,000.00 and if the split continues at 80/20 the City will have
$8,600,000.00 in this years fund.
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Fire Department:
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Police Department:
Mayor Procop stated the Sherwin Dr. project has been
started, also Cannon Rd. sanitary sewer line is being installed so watch for
the detours.
Announced the appointment of Larry Finch as the Director of
Community Planning and Development. Mr.
Finch has great rapport with the business community.
COMMITTEE AND/OR COMMISSION REPORTS:
Recycle Committee met January 3, 2005 and discussed the
possibility of their committee being combined with the Environmental
Committee. There were concerns about
this and the committee prepared a packet with what they do which, Mr. Scaffide
passed out. The members feel their
committee is fruitful. They encouraged curbside recycling; they coordinated the
household hazardous waste day in the summer, which has been very successful.
Mr. Scaffide stated he would not like to see this committee disbanded.
Mr. Scaffide stated he received an e-mail from the chairman
of the Recycle Committee Mike Fetsko and read it to Council. The committee feels very strongly about what
they do and the importance to the Community and Council should look hard and
strong before they decide to disband or combine the committee
The Architectural Review Board met last week and will meet
again on January 20, 2005.
The Safety Committee met last week and there was a lot of
discussion with regards to the new fire station at Glenwood and SR 91. The committee decided to have Mr. Pervanje
submit another report with a compromise as to the size of the station that the
Fire Chief is satisfied with along with the operation of the building and that
it will benefit the community.
The BZA met on January 5, 2005 and
Holland Oil came before the committee requesting several variances. They are looking at demolishing the current
building at the corner of Glenwood and Ravenna and rebuilding it. After much discussion the variances
involving setbacks and for non-conforming use were approved.
Reported the Environmental
Commission met last month (December) and they are still reviewing different
ordinances. They will meet Thursday,
January 13, 2005 and will start looking at their new responsibilities, which is
the historical part.
Reported there has been no Finance
Committee meeting since December 14, 2004.
They will have one this month and the main topic will be the budget.
Reported the Gleneagles Advisory
Board will meet January 12, 2005 at 6:00 PM and the
Capital Improvement Board will
meet January 13, 2005 at 7:00 PM.
Reported the Parks and Recreation Commission will meet
January 19, 2005 at 7:00 PM.
S. Murphy – Planning Commission:
The Planning
Commission met January 10, 2005 and set a date for a public hearing to give
conditional use to Sheetz for a gasoline/slash convenience store to be located
on Aurora Rd. They also recommended
approving moving a sewer pump lift station on Liberty Rd. and moving it north.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Judy Huberty, 1903 Dooridge Dr.
§
Discussed RV'S and campers parked all
over the place in many wards. They are
an eye sore to this community and a disgrace to people who are trying to maintain
their properties. Stated she has
brought this to the attention of Council’s before and still nothing is being
done. This is a poor example for this
City.
Randy Simplican, 2443 Sandalwood
Dr.
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Suggested Council try to entertain the
idea of combining some boards and commissions on a trial basis.
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Would like to see the City’s website
updated with meeting dates. Also update
the site with the duties of the boards and commissions so the residents, when
visiting the website, have an idea of what they are about.
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Congratulated Mr. Scaffide and the
Recycle Committee on their good work but would be more helpful if residents had
access to more recycle bins.
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Stated he feels Mr. Romito has the right
idea about building something on the high end and he guessed it deals with
safety services. Stated he feels this
is the right idea.
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Questioned why the Marathon station on
Hadden Rd. and Route 82 is not operational?
He hopes it does not become an abandoned site.
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Questioned whom Council has in mind to
fill the void upon Mrs. Studer's departure.
Stated he feels he knows someone who would make an interesting addition
to Council.
LEGISLATION:
RESOLUTION
161-2004 – ACCEPTING AN EASEMENT
Read by S. Murphy
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 161-2004 AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by A. Romito. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
ORDINANCE
163-2004 – REZONING – COURTAD PROPERTY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S. Murphy for second reading.
ORDINANCE
164-2004 – REZONING – CONWAY PROPERTY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S. Murphy for second reading.
ORDINANCE
165-2004 – REZONING – SORACE PROPERTY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S. Murphy for second reading.
Mayor Procop mentioned that if Council passes these rezoning
ordinances then they would have to pass a resolution to place them on the
ballot so they will be voted on. They
will be on the May 3rd ballot and have to be filed with the Board of
Elections by February 17, 2005.
ORDINANCE 166-2004 – AMENDING SECTION 339.02 (c) OF THE CODIFIED
ORDINANCES (Stands on first reading)
Read by S. Murphy for second
reading.
Mayor Procop asked Council for
support on this ordinance due to the possibility of the Kimball transfer
station and she wants to make sure this area is protected by ordinance, as this
is a residential district. Macedonia has the same thing for Shepard Rd.
ORDINANCE 01-2005 – CHANGE ORDER –
GENERAL TREE SERVICE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Read by S. Murphy.
MOTION: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND
PLACE ORDINANCE 01-2005 ON THIRD AND FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by A.
Romito. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 01-2005
AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B.
Furey. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
RESOLUTION 02-2005 – APPOINTMENTS
– BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AND DECLALRING AN EMERGENCY
Read by S. Murphy
MOTION: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND
PLACE RESOLUTION 02-2005 ON ITS FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by J.
Studer. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
02-2005 AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by J.
Studer.
Mr. Hon read the names of the
residents on the Beautification Committee and stated they work very hard at
their job.
Mr. Romito concurred with Mr. Hon.
Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 03-2005 – APPOINTMENT
TO GLENEAGLES ADVISORY BOARD AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Read by S. Murphy
MOTION: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND
PLACE RESOLUTION 03-2005 ON ITS FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by
Mr. Romito. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
03-2005 AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B.
Furey. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
ORDINANCE 04-2005 – CONTRACT FOR
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Read by S. Murphy
MOTION: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PLACE ORDINANCE 04-2005 ON THIRD AND
FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Moved by S. Romito, seconded by J.
Studer. Upon roll call with a vote of 4
– 3 with Mr. Murphy, Mr. Furey and Mr. Hon dissenting the motion failed.
Mr. Murphy stated Ordinance
04-2005 stands on first reading.
RESOLUTION 08-2005 – APPLYING FOR
NATURWORKS GRANT
Read by S. Murphy
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
08-2005 AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by J.
Studer. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS:
J. Studer:
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Requested that the old sign at
Liberty Park at the stone house be removed.
S.
Scaffide:
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Thanked Mr. Simplican for his
comments.
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Stated recycle bins are available at the Public Works
department in the lobby.
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Stated Council members should attend committee meetings to
acquaint themselves with the members and what they do.
B.
McDermott:
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Discussed his interest in Chamberlin Rd. Stated he has a resident just north of I-480 who would like to put yellow caution
signs about the driveways.
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Questioned if a weight limit could be imposed on Chamberlin
Rd. due to that road not being up to standards.
Mayor Procop stated she had the Engineer research that and
you can’t impose a weight limit.
A. Romito:
§
Questioned if the Township employees are paying City income
tax yet?
Mayor Procop stated the City has had communication back and
forth and have instructed them to do so but she doesn’t know if they have
submitted anything. Stated she would check with the Finance Director.
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Stated regarding the fire station, the Fire Chief makes the
recommendation along with his assistant and the architect. The plans are then put in the hands of the
Chief and the Architect and go on from there.
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Stated the Twinsburg High School music department put on a
great Holiday concert.
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Questioned if there is anything Council could do regarding
the Twinsburg G.I. accused of murder while on duty in Iraq? Stated he would support him and encouraged
Council to do the same.
S. Murphy:
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Mr. Murphy stated Council has received as request from the
Twinsburg High School Vocal Music Boosters Organization asking Council to help
sponsor some trophies for their North Coast Invitational.
MOTION: TO SPONSOR SOME OF THE TROPHIES FOR THE NORTH COAST
INVIATIONAL
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B. Hon. Upon roll call the
motion passed unanimously.
MOTION:
AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO GO OUT FOR BIDS ON SANITARY MANHOLE
REHABILITATION AND STATE ROUTE 82 CONCRETE REPLACEMENTS
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B.
McDermott. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
MOTION:
AUTHORIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DONATE TURNOUT GEAR NO LONGER USED BY THE CITY
TO TRI-C FIRE FIGHTER SCHOOL
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by S.
Scaffide. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
Mr. Murphy asked the Law Director
that if the Marathon Station did not open for a period of time it is declared
abandoned?
Mayor Procop stated it is her
understanding there will be a quick turnover on that building.
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Stated cannot talk about replacing
Mrs. Studer as Council has had no official request from her. She would need to submit a resignation.
B. Furey:
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In support of the G.I. Eric
Anderson, there is a website www.defendourtroups.com
and there are petitions on that website that you can sign to show support. You could also call your Congressman and
State Senator.
Mayor Procop stated Ken Roddy is
also circulating a petition, which you could sign.
Mr. Furey stated you could get the
phone number of the VFW off Channel 27.
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Announced the Twinsburg Baseball
League is having open registration on another website, www.twinsburg.com/TBL which is also on
Channel 27. This is for T-ball up to
the majors and goes until January 31, 2005.
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Stated Twinsburg Athletic Boosters
are having a Super Bowl Party at Catered Elegance, tickets are $50.00 and the
information is also on Channel 27.
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Stated the fire station is now at
8,000 square feet and there is the option of using the house at Post Rd. Stated
he would like to see a rendition like that of the Aurora fire station.
MOTION:
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO HAVE TOM PERVANJE LAYOUT A PLAN FOR AN EMS STATION, WITH
THREE PEOPLE AND WITH TWO BAYS THAT WOULD NOT EXCEED 5800 SQUARE FEET
Mr. Furey used Northfield and
Aurora 2 as examples for his rational. This is to improve the response time at
the north end of the City and when the City completes the satellite station
there, then Council should look at the south end of the City, which is
industrial and put a satellite station there keeping within the same size and
keep the main station in the middle of town for quicker responses.
Moved by B. Furey, seconded by S.
Murphy.
Mayor Procop stated she could only
authorize up to $25,000 for professional services. Tom Pervanje’s contract is $22,000 . Stated she would have to have a cost proposal from him and
determine if it goes over $25,000, she cannot authorize it according to State
regulations. Stated another rendering and re-design for that station plus cost
estimates, she didn’t feel she could get that in under $3,000.
Mr. Furey asked how far into the
contract has the City billed so far?
Mayor Procop stated they are
pretty far into the contract as there was just another meeting with the cost
estimators, construction people, HVAC and plumbing. They are all working on getting their cost together and those
costs will be presented at the Council meeting of January 25, 2005. She definitely needs a cost proposal from
Mr. Pervanje as they are close to the $22,000 and cannot go over $25,000.
Discussion continued regarding the
motion with each Council person giving their thoughts and comments.
Mr. Murphy recapped the motion.
Upon roll call with a vote of 4 –3
Mr. Romito, Mr. Scaffide and Mrs. Studer dissenting the motion passed.
Mayor Procop stated again, that
even though there is a majority vote, if this motion takes her to over the
$25,000.00 limit it cannot be done.
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Mention there was discussion about
merging or eliminating or bringing up to speed the Recycle Committee. The Environmental Commission is a now a
charter commission and that it will fit together well with the Recycle
Committee. Stated this was discussed
Committee of the Whole.
W. Hon:
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Mentioned that East Ohio Gas
estimates gas bills every other month.
Stated he would like the Mayor, whenever she enters into negotiations
for a supplier, please ask for no more estimated bills.
Mayor Procop stated the
negotiations have nothing to do with meter readings, as we will be negotiating
with a supplier not East Ohio Gas.
Stated she could ask the selected supplier if they have any suggestions
regarding the matter of estimated bills.
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Discussed the job description of the Economic Development
Director and what words he would like to see added to that description.
Mayor Procop:
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Responded to the comments regarding the Website and stated
she would see it gets updated. Also
stated the City is working on a whole new website which will be much easier to
navigate.
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Responded to residents calls and e-mails regarding neighbors
feeding wild animals. Urged residents
to please do not feed raccoons or deer especially raccoons as
they have rabies and feeding them brings them into the neighborhoods.
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Mentioned Academic Boosters is an organization that
encourages academic achievement in the school system K through 12. They do a
lot of fundraisers and discussed the Mavis Winkles Monday, third Monday of the
month, where a portion of what you purchase there will be donated to the
Boosters. Please mention that if you
are having lunch or dinner there.
ADJOURNMENT:
This meeting unanimously adjourned at 10:00 PM.
ATTEST:
__________________________________ ______________________________
Cynthia A. Kaderle, CMC Steve,
Murphy
Clerk of Council President
of Council