CITY OF TWINSBURG, OHIO
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005
Mr. Steve Murphy President of
Council called this meeting to order at 8:25 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 January 25,
2005 stand approved as written.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS/COMMUNICATION (MAYOR’S REPORT):
Finance Department:
§
City Income Tax receipts as of February 3, 2005 totaled over
1.59 million compared to February 3, 2004 were in receipts of 1.4 million. This reflects an increase of 33% for this
time of year.
§
Summit County Council has approved the Community Development
Block Grant for $10,500.00 for Life-Line.
Stated she feels that program will be cut at the Federal level.
Fire Department:
Engineering Department:
Parks and
Recreation Department:
Police Department:
Mayor Procop stated she vetoed 2 pieces of legislation at
the last Council meeting. She commended
Council for calling in all the residents who had not been interviewed.
COMMITTEE AND/OR COMMISSION REPORTS:
§
Recycle met February 7, 2005 and Mr. Scaffide stated he
would have his report for the next Council meeting. They will meet again March 7, 2005 at 7:00 PM.
§
Reported the Safety Committee met this evening. They
reviewed 2 schemes for the new fire station, one with one bay and one with two
bays. The fire station will consist of
two bays and will have 6,926sq. ft. It
is a good plan and Council will have to review it. There should be something definite by the next meeting.
§
BZA met February 2, 2005. They reviewed a sign for Geis Company. There were no hardships for this variance so
the variance was turned down. Mrs.
Studer stated she checked with the Law Director to see if there was anyway to
go about overturning the decision.
There was not. They still will
be able to do a sign but they have to condense it down.
§
Stated Mr. Furey will give the Finance Committee report
tonight.
§
Planning Commission met February 7, 2005 and discussed 2 lot
splits. They
had their
organizational meeting.
§
The Finance Committee met this evening. They briefly discussed the salary ordinance,
which will be on the second reading tonight.
A majority of the meeting involved discussion of the recommendations on
Capital Improvements. At this time
there are 7.38 million dollars in capital improvements. They will be recommending to the Capital
Improvements Board on some of the items that are higher priority than
others. The Capital Improvements Board
will be meeting on February 10, 2005 to finalize the budget in the March time
frame.
§
Stated Lt. Nash from the Police Department came in with a
presentation for a request for legislation to add 4 patrol cars to the
department.
§
Stated the next Board meeting is scheduled for March 23,
2005
§
Stated the Parks and Recreation Commission will meet
February 16, 2005 at 7:00 PM and will report at the next meeting.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Kevin Sterling, 8893 White Oak
Dr.:
Mr. Sterling stated the Sheetz location
is at a bad intersection. There is too
much traffic making different turns.
Cars are backed up on Twins Hills at times. Last year there were two sinkholes on Twin Hills from the sewers
and more water in that area will be a disaster. There will be too much water run off. Stated he understood service stations go in on a conditional use
and allows the City to say yes or no on certain items. It is not a guarantee. Just because you let one doesn’t mean you
have to let 2, 3 or 4 more. The
conditional use is to safeguard the City to say no when they want to say
no. Stated he would hope Council would
exercise that right, as the Planning Commission did not.
Colleen O’Neill, 9002 Twin Hills
Parkway:
Mrs. O’Neill stated she missed the legal
notice about the Sheetz station being proposed for the property adjacent to her
neighborhood. She is disappointed to
think Council would consider a welcome addition to one of the City’s
residential neighborhood. How can you
grant zoning variances without input from the residents? Stated she feels this project has been kept
a secret as she feels Council knows this will have a significant impact on the
residential development. There are
currently many cars speeding down the street by using it as a cut through. Sheetz will increase the traffic. Inquired if a traffic study has been done?
Asked if Council considered the noise from the tankers or considered the lights
that will be needed for the 24-hour operation or the piped in music? Inquired about the dangers of underground
fuel tanks and fuel spills? Stated
there are already 2 gas stations in the area neither of which abuts a
residential area. Why is a third one
needed within less than a mile?
Mrs. O’Neill stated this proposal would
have a severe negative impact on property values, create serious safety
problems and increase traffic where children live and play. Asked if Council would like this in their
back yard?
Jim O’Loughlin, 8884 White Oak
Dr.:
Mr. O’Loughlin stated his comments echo
those of Mrs. O’Neill. Stated he does
not feel the Planning Commission took into consideration the negative impact
this gas station would have on the residents.
He feels once Council really looks at what is going to happen in the
area Council will see that the conditional use should not be permitted. There are no other gas stations in the City
of Twinsburg located so close to residential housing that operate on a 24- hour
basis. The only other business that
operates 24-hours is the hotel and it is very disturbing in the winter to hear
the truck drivers parked there, start their engines at 5:00 AM in the morning
to warm their cabs before they go on the road.
It wakes him up and rattles his windows. He has called the hotel and asked them to have the drivers move
their trucks. What is going to happen
when you have cars circulating through the gas station through all hours of the
night? What about the tankers? When are they going to come to fuel up the
tanks, the afternoon late at night?
What kind of a buffer zone is going to be created? Right now there is nothing. Is the convenience store going to be selling
alcohol? He also questioned the
diminished lighting and hazardous materials for leaks of the gasoline.
Mr. O’Loughlin stated he understands one of the criteria for
a conditional use says it should not be hazardous or disturbing to the
neighboring uses. If you talk to the
residents of our neighborhood, they will tell you that it is hazardous and will
be very disturbing to them.
LEGISLATION:
Mr. Murphy stated according to the
Charter regarding the Mayor vetoing of Resolution 11-2005 and Resolution
13-2005 read the following memo from the Mayor: “This is to inform you that I
have vetoed Resolution 11-2005 and
Resolution 13-2005. The reason I am
vetoing these resolutions is that not all of the applicants were interviewed.
Every applicant deserves equal
treatment and a right to the interview process. Furthermore, all council representatives should be given the
opportunity to meet and interview all applicants.”
MOTION: TO
ADOPT RESOLUTION 11-2005
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B.
Furey. Upon roll call with a vote of 6
–1 the motion passed with Mrs. Studer dissenting.
Mr. Murphy stated this overrides
the Mayor’s veto and naming Donald Spera to the Civil Service Commission.
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 13-2005
Moved by
S. Murphy, seconded by B. Furey.
Mrs.
Studer stated the reason she voted no previously was that Mrs. Hollows name was
taken off who has done a tremendous job on the Board. Stated she doesn’t see the reason to take a member off who has
done such a good job.
Mr.
Scaffide stated that along with Mrs. Studer he has nothing against Mr. Cianci
but why remove someone from a Board or Commission that has done a good job,
served it well, attended all of the meeting, done her homework. Stated there are two names on this
resolution and he will support Mr. Wilner however, if he is forced to vote to
keep one and remove one, he will vote no on this resolution.
Mr. Hon
stated there are many qualified people working on Boards and Commissions and in
fact we are having so many applicants Council is turning qualified people
down. Someone is going to win and
someone is not going to win. He stated that he would hope these qualified
people would apply again in the future.
Mr.
McDermott stated he reviewed the meeting of January 25, 2005. He stated the only new low Council reached
was the accusations of wrongdoing.
Stated he feels there was no wrongdoing. This is not the first time a candidate has been appointed or put
onto a committee without an interview.
Mayor
Procop stated she has no problem with anyone Council appoints. Stated her concern was the interview process
and stated she would like to thank Council again for calling everyone in and
fulfilling the interview process.
Upon
roll call with a vote of 5 – 2 the motion passed with Mr. Scaffide and Mrs.
Studer dissenting.
ORDINANCE
04-2005 – CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
(Stands on second reading)
Read by S. Murphy.
MOTION: TO
ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-2005 AS READ
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by A.
Romito. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE 09-2005 – ABOLISHING THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF
COUNCIL AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S.
Murphy for second reading.
ORDINANCE 10-2005 – ABOLISHING THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S.
Murphy for second reading
ORDINANCE 12-2005 – ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL
#436 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Stands on first reading)
Read by S.
Murphy for second reading.
MOTION: TO SUSPSEND THE RULES AND PLACE ORDINANCE 12-2005 ON
THIRD AND FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by B. McDermott. Upon
roll call the motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 12-2005 AS READ
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by B. McDermott. Upon
roll call the motion passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE 19-2005 – 2005 SALARY ORDINANCE (Stands on first
reading)
Read by S.
Murphy for second reading.
ORDINANCE 20-2005 – NATURAL GAS OPT-IN PROGRAM
Read by S.
Murphy for first reading
ORDINANCE 21-2005 – 2005 BUDGET
Read by S.
Murphy for first reading.
ORDINANCE 22-2005 – HIRING CITY FORESTER
Read by S.
Murphy
MOTION: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PLACE ORDINANCE 22-2005 ON
THIRD AND FINAL READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by A. Romito.
Mr. McDermott
asked why this Ordinance was on an emergency?
Mayor Procop
stated it is the beginning of the year and the City will have work to do on its
tree program and Davey is the consultant the City uses and she wants to get
them started. If you go through three
readings in 30 days they wouldn’t be on board until the middle of April.
Mayor Procop
stated this authorizes payment on an hourly basis for the representative.
Upon roll call
the motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 22-2005 AS READ
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by B. Furey.
Mr. Murphy
stated he needs some clarification regarding the last sentence of the first
paragraph of Mr. Knowles letter that the proposed increase is $50.00 an hour
and that is a big increase.
Mayor Procop
stated he is going from $45.00 an hour to $50.00 an hours it is a $5.00
increase.
MOTION: SECTION II OF THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO SAY “ AT
AN HOURLY RATE NOT TO EXCEED $50.00 PER HOUR”
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by B. Furey. Upon roll
call the motion passed unanimously.
Upon roll call
the motion to adopt as amended passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 23-2005 – CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Read by S.
Murphy
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-2005 AS READ
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by J. Studer.
Mr. Hon stated
there are a lot of points brought up by the public, which should be taken into
consideration. Stated he feels with the details and the presentations that were
made this evening, this resolution should be tabled for further
discussion. He would like the motion
rescinded.
Mr. Murphy
stated he was at the Planning Commission meeting and according to his memory,
Mr. Finch stated the conditional use was one separate item for the gas station
and another one for the restaurant and then the preliminary site plan. This resolution for conditional use lists
eleven (11) different conditions that he feels are not part of the conditional
use. Mr. Murphy read the minutes from
the Planning Commission dated January 24, 2005 states under a motion to grant
preliminary approval for the gas and convenient store all of the conditions are
listed, but they are listed under the conditional use.
MOTION: REFER BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR FURTHER
CLARIFICATION
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by A. Romito.
After
discussion Mr. Murphy withdrew his motion to adopt and Mrs. Studer withdrew her
second.
Mr. Murphy
stated Resolution 23-2005 for the conditional use for Sheetz gas station has
been sent back to the Planning Commission for some clarification.
Upon roll call
the motion to refer Resolution 23-2005 back to the Planning Commission passed
unanimously.
ORDINANCE 24-2005 – AGREEMENT WITH ORIANA HOUSE
Read by S.
Murphy for first reading.
RESOLUTION 25-2005 – APPOINT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD
MEMBER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Read by S.
Murphy.
MOTION: TO ADOPT
RESOLULTION 25-2005 AS AN EMERGENCY
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by S. Scaffide
MOTION: TO RECOMMEND THE NAMES BE CHANGED AND RECOMMEND AND
APPOINT DR. MICHELE CIANCIOLO TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS BOARD
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by B. Furey
Mrs. Studer
stated this goes back to the last meeting.
Council has a name and they said they wanted the appointment and then
the day before the meeting Council gets another name and all of a sudden the
original name is taken off and another name put on. Mr. Harrison, when he spoke this evening during the interviews
has a fantastic background for this Board. A couple of people are allowed to
put in whom they want and everybody else is following it and she feels this is
wrong.
Mr. Furey
stated the letter he got states the letter was sent in on February 3,
2005. Council had an interview with Mr.
Harrison and Dr. Cianciolo and he feels they are both qualified
individuals. Democracy is working, as a
majority will rule.
Mr. Scaffide
stated no one applied for the Capital Improvements Board from Ward 1. Typically past practice of this Board has
been that the Ward Councilman would be given the opportunity to recommend a
name, which he states he did as the Ward Councilman. Seems like this Council is not hearing the majority of Ward 1
votes because as he states he is not on the majority side of this Council. Stated again, past practice of this Council
has been that the Council Representative for that Ward has recommended a person
and they have been appointed. This
happened as recent as last year with Mr. McDermott and Mr. Romito as Council
appointed people from their Ward that they recommended without question. The process is not taking place the way it
should be and it is unfortunate for the residents of this City as they are the
losers.
Mr. Hon stated
he takes exceptions to the comments of Council. The residents are not losers. Council had two qualified people
give presentations, they both gave good interviews and he asked both of them
questions. The residents are being
heard they are not losers. Mr. Hon
stated he would vote for whomever he feels is best qualified. Mr. Hon stated he missed the original
interviews due to an illness in his family but when he got back he stated he
called several of the applicants that were interviewed and spoke to them in
great detail and felt he wanted to know more of the people he did not
know. Mr. Hon stated he did go out of
his way and he does not like the comments of Mr. Scaffide.
Mr. Scaffide
stated that Councils recommended appointment is the spouse of the President of
the City’s Planning Commission. Stated
he sees this as a conflict of interest.
Stated again he feels it is wrong and it is the wrong appointment.
Mr. Murphy
stated that the City Charter does specify that Council make the appointments to
committees. The process of selecting
members to those committees is not specified and suggests that is something
Council should start working on as these appointments cause so much dissention
among Council. Some rules should be put
in place as to how this process takes place.
Upon roll call
the motion to amend passed with a vote of 5 –2 with Mrs. Studer and Mr.
Scaffide dissenting.
Mr. Murphy
stated Resolution 25-2005 has been amended to name Dr. Michele Cianciolo to the
Capital Improvements Board.
Upon roll call
the motion to adopt Resolution 25-2005 as amended passed with a vote of 5 – 2
with Mr. Scaffide and Mrs. Studer dissenting.
ORDINANCE 26-2005 – CHANGE ORDER/DLZ
Read by S.
Murphy
Mr. Murphy
stated he would like this to go to the Committee of the Whole for the meeting
of February 15, 2005.
MOTION: TO REFER ORDINANCE 26-2005 TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Moved by S.
Murphy, seconded by W. Hon. Upon roll
call the motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: TO RECONSIDER ORDINANCE 163-2004
Moved by B.
Furey, seconded by J. Studer. Mr. Furey then read the title of the Ordinance.
Mrs. Studer
stated that after the last meeting she had time to think about this Ordinance
and feels it should go to a vote of the people.
Upon roll call
the motion passed with a vote of 6 – 1 with Mr. Murphy dissenting.
MOTION: TO ADOPT 163-2004 AS READ
Moved by B.
Furey, seconded by S. Studer.
Mayor Procop
stated the rezoning of this property is in the City’s comprehensive plan and it
is appropriate that the voters, as in all zoning issues, have the opportunity
to vote on this.
Mr. McDermott
stated that during the public hearing, there was two residents made some
statements and expressed their concerns.
Mr. McDermott stated he could vote for this only with one condition is
should this pass in the general election that the owner of the property try to
find a way to alleviate the fears of the residents.
Upon roll call
with a vote of 6 – 1 the motion passed with Mr. Murphy dissenting.
MOTION: TO RECONSIDER RESOLUTION 05-2005
Moved by B.
Furey, seconded by J. Studer.
Upon roll call
the motion passed with a vote of 6 - 1 with Mr. Murphy dissenting.
MOTION: TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 05-2005 AS READ
Moved by B.
Furey, seconded by B. McDermott. Upon
roll call with a vote of 6 – 1 the motion passed with Mr. Murphy dissenting.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS:
Mayor
Procop:
Mayor Procop stated she was at the
Relay for Life kick off yesterday and it looks like the City will have another
very successful year. The City has
raised over $400,000.00 in the last few years.
There will also be a fundraiser at
the Outback for Relay for Life, if anyone is interested, please call City Hall
and information will be given to you.
That will be held February 26, 2005.
J. Studer:
Mrs. Studer stated she has to
mention that with the Commission appointments that depending upon how it worked
out best for the people that had the majority vote was the excuse Council used
to put the people on those Commissions whether the Ward person picks the person
and then hears from others on Council that there are no rules stating that, it
is a Council decision it doesn’t have to be the Ward person. Mrs. Studer stated she did not feel the
Commission appointments went well this time, hopefully Council can work on this
throughout the year so that next year there will be a better standard in
place. Hopefully Council can learn from
their mistakes.
S.
Scaffide:
Stated he received an e-mail from
Amy Mohr, City Engineer, that from his Ward meeting there was an issue
regarding street lighting in Glenwood Acres.
A study of the area was conducted and Ohio Edison found out that some of
the lights are low wattage and they do need to be replaced. It would cost about $20,000.00 and he would
appreciate Council and the Capital Improvement Board to consider this project.
Stated he received a call from a
Glenwood resident, regarding the resolution that was passed with regards to the
truck traffic on Chamberlin Rd. The
resident would like to know what could be done to pass something similar on
Glenwood Dr. because the residents are having the same issue with truck traffic
between Ravenna Rd. and Route 91.
Mayor Procop stated she would talk
to the Engineer to see what the criteria is.
Mr. Scaffide apologized to the
candidates that got caught up in the situation with Commission
appointments. It was nothing personal
against any of the candidates.
B.
McDermott:
Stated he has received a lot of
phone calls and e-mails about the sound barriers and the noise coming from
I-480. The Lake Plata homeowners are
also expressing concern as all of the foliage is down from winter and they can
state the noise is amplified. Stated he
has been in contact with Brian G. Williams, Twinsburg’s representative from the
State and has been working on obtaining some funding. Stated he will keep everyone informed.
A. Romito:
Stated he feels the same thing
happened to him when appointing Committee members. He wanted to appoint Paul Shiffer to the Planning Commission and
Council chose to appoint his opponent who ran against him. People have short
memories and what comes around goes around.
W. Hon:
Mr. Hon stated to Mr. Romito that
he would like to put something to the Beautification Commission. It has to do with the City’s tree
program. Stated he would like the
residents to be considered part of that program where maybe they could buy
trees as part of the program. They
would have to plant them but he would like the thoughts of the Beautification Commission.
Stated he has a letter from the
Warren Parkway Condominium Association asking for trees and that would be
appropriate. In that letter they also
mentioned they are against the widening of SR 91. Mr. Hon stated everyone would get a copy of that letter.
Mr. Hon advised residents that the
City’s State Representative; Brian G. Williams will be at the Twinsburg Library
to meet all residents on February 28, 2005 from 5 to 7 PM. It would be a good time to listen to his
presentation on a state level and a good time to ask him questions.
Mr. Hon asked Mr. Webster for
legislation drawn up and then Council can discuss it. This evening Council put two issues on the ballot for the
residents to consider. Stated he thinks
legislation should be considered November 5, 2005 on the ballot that allows
Council to appoint commission members without interference from persons outside
of City Council.
Stated he is bringing up a second
request for legislation against MERT.
This is a system that compromises our safety departments, fire and
police. It is wrong and although
Council has been told that the City has systems in place where MERT will not
work, but he is not comfortable with that.
Stated he would like a law on the books, legislation passed that outlaws
this system. Stated to Mr. Webster that
this again is a second request and could legislation be drafted for next month.
Mayor Procop stated there was a
discussion with the safety forces and they feel it is totally unnecessary to
draw up that legislation.
B.Furey:
Reminded residents that the City
is currently advertising for one person from each ward for the Recycle
Committee and will be interviewing for that at the meeting after next.
Stated he received letters from
residents regarding equipment and maintenance at the Fitness Center. He thanked the Mayor for working with Jim
Seikel and Lisa Thompson who are both doing an outstanding job at the Fitness
Center. January has been the busiest
month they have had and puts the largest drain on the equipment. Stated they
are expanding with 6 more machines already in place or on order. They also do an outstanding job on keeping
the Fitness Center clean during these winter months.
Thanked Bob Smoltz and the
Twinsburg Athletic Boosters for a very successful Super Bowl Party fundraiser.
Announced that on February 26,
2005 there will be the Northcoast Choir Show competition from 9 to 5 and then
at 7:00 PM they will have the six finalists from the 18 schools that will be
participating. Cost of admission is
$8.00.
Stated he watched the Macedonia
Council meeting and noticed Mr. Finch and other people from the area had a
chance to speak regarding the Kimball transfer station. There was mention of a joint task force
between Macedonia and Twinsburg.
Mayor Procop stated Mr. Finch did
attend but has not given her the specifics but it is being worked on.
Mr. Furey stated he would like an
executive session to discuss litigation at the end of the meeting.
S. Murphy:
Stated he also attended the Relay
for Life kick off and it is a great program.
Last year Council had a team.
Mentioned another fundraiser from
Wilcox school. One of the pre-school
children, Isaiah Andrews was born with many physical problems. There will be a spaghetti dinner and Chinese
Auction benefit held at Grantwood Golf Course, Saturday March 19, 2005 and
tickets are $15.00. Contact Pam Kopsic
at 963-7501 if interested in going.
Mentioned that appointments to
Committees is a tough job. He received many phone calls from people who were
appalled at the Mayor’s remarks as quoted in the Sun newspaper questioning his
ethics because she didn’t like the way Committee appointments were done. Stated
the Charter specifically states that Committees are appointed by Council. Twinsburg’s Charter gives a strong Mayoral
type government and therefore limits what Council can do, but one of the powers
of Council specifically stated by Charter, is selecting Committee members. As he mentioned before the process is not
spelled out. He would like to work out
a system to better this process.
Mayor Procop stated that she also
received many e-mails and phone calls and people were very, very happy that she
upheld the process used in the City of Twinsburg for interviewing all
applicants. She was encouraged by all
of the feedback she received.
Stated she attended the Cuyahoga
Falls competition for show choirs and Twinsburg’s Show Choir took grand
champs. The City is proud of them, as
it was a tough competition. Also stated
that at the Northcoast Show competition our show choir performs but they are
not competing.
Mr. Murphy apologized to anyone that was offended by the way
the Committee appointments were conducted.
MOTION: TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS
LITIGATION
Moved by S. Murphy, seconded by B. Hon. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
Council reconvened and Mr. Murphy stated litigation was
discussed.
ADJOURNMENT:
This meeting unanimously adjourned at 10:05 PM.
ATTEST:
__________________________________ ______________________________
Cynthia A. Kaderle, CMC Steve,
Murphy
Clerk of Council President
of Council