Description

NORTHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Date

April 14, 2011

Location

Council Chambers

DISCLAIMER - The following proceedings from the Regular City Council Meeting of April 14, 2011 have been submitted in draft form and have not been officially approved by City Council.  Corrections to the proceedings will be approved at the next Regular City Council Meeting.  Should you need more information, please contact Clerk of council Lynn Goertz at 419-690-1621 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

Time

Heading

Record of Proceedings

7:33:38 PM

Call to Order:

The regular meeting of the Northwood City Council was called to order by Mayor Mark A. Stoner on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at 7:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Northwood Municipal Building.

7:33:40 PM

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance was then given.

7:33:42 PM

Roll Call:

Motion to Excuse:

The roll was called by the Clerk of Council and those in attendance were as follows:  Mayor Stoner; Council Members Kozina, Hughes, Barton, Gallaher and Schimmel; City Attorney Ballenger, City Administrator Recker and Clerk of Council Goertz.

Those absent were:  Councilman Edwards, Councilman Myers and City Engineer Kuhn

A motion was made by Council members Barton and Kozina to excuse Council members Edwards and Myers and City Engineer Kuhn from the regular Council meeting of April 14, 2011.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

7:34:13 PM

Persons Appearing Before Council:

Ellen Jean Mix, 1956 Parc Rue, Northwood, Ohio:

Mrs. Ellen Jean Mix, 1956 Parc Rue, Northwood, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Members of Council to express her deep concerns about emergency services in the City of Northwood.  Mrs. Mix stated that Northwood emergency personnel were not responding to the citizens in a timely manner and she felt she must make the Mayor and City Council aware of this and hope that something is being done to insure that citizens can rely on the city’s emergency services in a time of trouble.  Mrs. Mix posed several questions to Mayor and Council to address and consider and most importantly wanted to know how long will it take to respond to an individual in trouble and cited an example of herself at this moment, if she were to fall ill or become incapacitated, how long would it take for someone to reach her and treat her?

7:34:51 PM

Mrs. Mix shared a recent emergency situation involving her late husband in which he became suddenly ill and was having difficulty breathing.  Mrs. Mix described her husband’s discomfort and her calls to 911 and the wait for emergency to their home which was a period of time up to 27 to 28 minutes until assistance arrived to aid her husband.  Mrs. Mix again stated that something needs to be done to insure that emergency personnel can respond quickly to someone in need.  Mrs. Mix concluded by asking what changes had been made since this incident. 

7:39:25 PM

Mrs. Mix concluded her address to Mayor and Council and asked what changes had been made since this incident?

7:40:56 PM

Mayor Stoner addressed Mrs. Mix and assured her that several changes have been made and more are being made with respect to emergency response in the city.  Mayor Stoner advised Mrs. Mix that City Administrator Dennis Recker would be contacting her to meet with him so as to thoroughly review her concerns and questions.   

7:43:18 PM

Approval of Minutes:  Public Hearing of

March 24, 2011:

A motion and second were made by Council members Schimmel and Hughes to approve the minutes from the public hearing held by City Council on March 24, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  4 yes votes/1 abstention (Hughes) Motion passed.

7:43:19 PM

Approval of Minutes:  Regular Council Meeting of March 24, 2011:

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Hughes to approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting held on March 24, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  4 yes votes/1 abstention (Hughes) Motion passed.

7:43:20 PM

Approval of Minutes:  Committee of the Whole Meeting of April 7, 2011:

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Kozina to approve the minute from the Committee of the Whole meeting held by Council on April 7, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

7:43:22 PM

Public Comment Regarding  Current Legislation

Brian Dempsey, W. Andrus Rd., Northwood, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Council and stated he appreciated Council’s attendance and support this evening in helping him with the issue of rezoning legislation before them.

7:44:06 PM

Bryan Ellis of Glass City Engineering & Surveying, Holland, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Council and stated he was appearing again before them in support of the current rezoning legislation. 

7:44:14 PM

Communications:

There were no communications.

7:44:16 PM

Committee Reports:

Council committee reports were given as follows:

7:44:20 PM

Economic Development:

Councilman Gallaher reported the next Economic Development meeting is pending and will be scheduled at the next regular Council meeting in two weeks. 

7:44:36 PM

Environmental/Solid Waste:

No report

7:44:54 PM

Finance:

Councilman Schimmel reported on items reviewed by the Finance committee:

- First quarter financial - 28.1% increase in revenue compared to last year at this time and the General Fund balances to date were reported.  Other items of discussion were:

7:45:26 PM

- Placing funds back in the Capital Improvement Fund. 

7:45:39 PM

- Paying off the fire station bonds.

7:45:51 PM

- Proposed use of Red Flex funds in the amount of $20,000 for Fire Department personnel training. 

7:46:30 PM

- Negotiating contracts this year with police officers and police/fire dispatchers.

7:46:45 PM

Recreation Board:

Councilwoman Hughes reported that there was no quorum in attendance at the Recreation Board meeting scheduled for April 11, 2011; however; the following items were discussed:

7:47:02 PM

- The asphalt pavement at the new ball diamonds is torn up and there is no longer any caution tape in this area.  Councilwoman Hughes asked if the City Administrator could check on this matter. 

7:47:20 PM

- Councilwoman Hughes also inquired as to the last payment which was received from Waste Management towards the city’s Recreation budget and asked if a portion of these funds could be used towards cleanup of the dug-outs at the new diamonds.  Refuse containers are also needed at the new ball diamonds.

7:48:30 PM

- It was also noted that more grass seed is needed in the outfields at ball diamonds No. 7 and No. 8 at Brentwood Park. 

7:48:48 PM

The next Recreation Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7 pm in the conference room.

7:48:54 PM

Safety Committee:

Councilman Kozina reported on items reviewed by the Safety committee at their meeting of April 14^th, held at 6:30 pm in the conference room prior to the Finance meeting: 

7:49:07 PM

- Computer Aided Dispatching/police communications

7:49:37 PM

- Phone system running for dispatchers to allow them to know who is responding and from where.

7:49:52 PM

- Chief Romstadt has resigned as Fire Chief and has asked to be assigned as the Deputy Chief to be in charge of EMS; this matter is pending with the Mayor.

7:58:06 PM

Safety Committee Recommendations to Council (3):

The following recommendations were made by the members of Safety committee for Council’s consideration: 

Note:  Council discussion was held prior to Council action by motion,  concerning the job position description presented and recommended, advertising the part-time Fire Chief position who would work 20-25 hours per week, as well as compensation changes recommended for Medic 800 staff and an increase in the current pager rate which will require preparation of legislation for Council’s consideration at the next regular Council meeting on

April 28, 2011.

7:58:42 PM

Job Position Description for Part-Time Fire Chief:

Council Motion/Vote:

1.  Recommendation to approve the part-time job position description for Fire Chief A motion and second were made by Council members Schimmel and Hughes to approve the job position description for part-time Fire Chief.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed. 

Note:  Prior to voting during roll call, Councilman Gallaher stated he would vote yes at this time, but with reservations.  Councilman Gallaher did state he had some concerns with this position being changed to part-time, but would support the recommendation at this time. 

7:59:22 PM

Advertising for position of Part-Time Fire Chief:

2.  Recommendation to authorize the advertising of the position of part-time Fire Chief per the job position description as presented and approved. 

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Hughes to authorize advertising for the position of part-time Fire Chief for 20 to 20 hours per week, per the approved job position description.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:04:12 PM

Authorization for Preparation of Legislation by the City Attorney Regarding  Deputy Chief compensation, Medic 800 compensation and pager rate:

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Hughes to authorize the City Attorney to prepare legislation for the Council meeting of April 28, 2011, concerning compensation for Medic 800 at $12.00 per hour for a period of 10 hours per day/5 days per week for a maximum of two people, and a pager rate of $4.00, retroactive to April 22, 2011.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Note:  It was confirmed and noted during Council discussion prior to the motion and roll call that fire inspections would resume. 

8:04:28 PM

Service meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm in Conference Room

Councilman Barton scheduled a Service committee meeting to be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room prior to the regular Council meeting. 

8:04:31 PM

Pending Legislation:

All pending legislation was read aloud by number and title only by the Clerk of Council as follows:

8:12:06 PM

Ordinance 2011-7: 

Council Motions:

Ordinance 2011-7 concurring with the Northwood Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve the zoning amendment application submitted by Ronald Gladieux, and declaring an emergency.  Council action to date:  First reading held on march 24, 2011, reviewed by Comm. of the Whole on 4/7/11 and a second public hearing was held April 14, 2011. 

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Hughes to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance 2011-7.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Hughes to adopt the emergency clause for Ordinance 2011-7. 

Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Hughes to adopt Ordinance 2011-7.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Council action for April 14, 2011:  Ordinance 2011-7 adopted as an emergency and effective April 14, 2011.

8:12:41 PM

Ordinance 2011-8:

Ordinance 2011-8 requiring registration of certain contractors and tradesmen performing work in the City of Northwood, Wood County, Ohio, and establishing fees, and declaring an emergency. 

Council action to date:  First reading of Ordinance 2011-8 held on March 24, 2011 and reviewed by Committee of the Whole on 4/7/11.

Council Action for April 14, 2011:  Second reading of Ordinance 2011-8.  Note:  Fees proposed for contractor registration were requested by Councilman Schimmel for review.  A chart of the proposed fees will be provided to all members of Council prior to the next regular Council meeting of 4/28/11.

8:12:52 PM

Council Comment/Discussion:

Council Discussion:  Councilman Gallaher noted that he would not want Council to make it a habit to adopt amendments to zoning in an emergency and to make sure in the future that proper notice is given concerning a rezoning request as well as posting of signs on the property in question prior to a scheduled public hearing.  Mayor stated that he would ask that the City Administrator make sure that these comments are relayed to the zoning office

8:14:41 PM

New Legislation:

All new legislation was read aloud by number and title only by the Clerk of Council as follows:

8:14:53 PM

Ordinance 2011-9:

Ordinance 2011-9 authorizing the transfer of funds, and declaring an emergency.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to suspend the three reading rule for

Ordinance 2011-9.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to adopt the emergency clause for Ordinance 2011-9.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to adopt Ordinance 2011-9.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Council action for April 14, 2011:  Ordinance 2011-9 adopted as an emergency and effective April 14, 2011.

8:15:07 PM

Ordinance 2011-10:

Ordinance 2011-10 authorizing the City Administrator to enter into a contract with Bowers Asphalt & Paving, Inc. for Northwood Street Resurfacing Improvements Project No. 10E06742, and declaring an emergency.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance 2011-10.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to adopt the emergency clause for Ordinance 2011-10.

Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to adopt Ordinance 2011-10.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed. 

Council action for April 14, 2011:  Ordinance 2011-10 adopted as an emergency and effective April 14, 2011.

8:15:19 PM

Ordinance 2011-11:

Ordinance 2011-11 authorizing the use of Red Flex funds in the amount of $20,000 for training of new firefighters, EMT’s and paramedics, for the City of Northwood, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Note:  Councilman Gallaher requested a first reading of Ordinance 2011-11.

Council action for April 14, 2011:  First reading of Ordinance 2011-11.

8:15:26 PM

Legislation concluded.

8:15:54 PM

Mayor's Report:

Mayor Stoner gave the following report for April 14, 2011:

8:15:58 PM

Income Tax Collections Summary for year-to-date March 31, 2011:

Income tax collections for year-to-date March 31, 2011 were $1,050,154; an increase of $230,121 or 28.1% from year-to-date March 31, 2010.  March 2011 year-to-date general fund revenues were $1,408,006 and expenditures were $894,604 leaving a general fund balance of $781,580.33.  Mayor stated they would continue to monitor revenues and expenditures on a month to month basis.

8:16:01 PM

Northwood Court Receipts for March 2011:

Northwood Court receipts for March 2011:

Fines = $2,592.35; Forfeitures = $6,280.00 and Misc. Costs = $5,032.70 for a total of $13,905.05 receipted for March 2011.

8:16:04 PM

Upcoming Events Announcements:

Annual Easter Parade: 

The annual Easter Parade hosted by the Northwood Volunteer Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary District No. 1 will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 with the parade line up starting at 11:30 am. at Brentwood Park with the parade ending for activities at the Northwood Fire Station No. 1 on Tracy Road. 

8:16:07 PM

Spring Brush Pick-Up for Northwood Residents:

The spring brush pick up will begin once throughout the city on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7 am and will be involve pick up of brush placed by Northwood residents at the road edge or curb. 

8:16:13 PM

Information:  Resignation submitted by Fire Chief Tim Romstadt:

Mayor Stoner reported that Chief Romstadt has submitted a letter of resignation from his position as the full-time Fire Chief and the Mayor has accepted his resignation. 

8:16:22 PM

City Administrator:

City Administrator Recker gave the following report. 

8:16:25 PM

Recommendations:

 Recommendations to City Council:

8:16:28 PM

Weight Loss Clinic/Use of Community Room:

Recommendation to approve the use of the Josie Reinhart Community Center for a New-Trition (second and last) weight loss seminar.

A brief discussion was held by Council as to future use/rental of the Josie Reinhart Community Center   This matter will involve further review and report to Council.  There were comments made by Council members Gallaher, Kozina and Schimmel with respect to establishing criteria for the future use/possible rental of the community center.    Councilman Gallaher stated that by developing a standard policy and criteria being established can allow for city administration and staff to monitor use of the community center without having need for Council approval. 

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Schimmel to concur with the City Administrator’s recommendation.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:21:14 PM

2.  Martial Arts Workshop /Use of Community Room:

Recommendation to approve Mr. Kent Nelson and Northwood Patrolman Michael Schwanbeck to jointly host a one day Martial Arts/defensive tactics Workshop in the Josie Reinhart Community Center later this year (July 2011).  The training will be similar in quality to that provided in the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.  The workshop will be free and they are asking for free use of the facility. 

8:22:04 PM

3.  Preparations for Joint Economic Development Zone (JEDZ) with City of Toledo Public Works:

Recommendation to authorize the City Attorney and City Administrator to work with the Toledo City Public Works Director to prepare a JEDZ Agreement for approval by the Northwood City Council and the City of Toledo. 

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Hughes to concur with the City Administrator’s recommendation.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed. 

8:22:42 PM

List of Proposed Expenditures:

There were no bills over $10,000 presented for Council’s review and approval at this time.

8:22:45 PM

City Clerk's Report:

No report.

8:22:51 PM

City Attorney:

No report.

8:22:54 PM

City Engineer:

8:22:57 PM

New Business:

Summer meeting schedule on next Council meeting of 4/28/11 - requested by Hughes

8:24:06 PM

Old Business:

8:24:23 PM

Persons Appearing:

Brian Dempsey, W. Andrus Rd., Northwood, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Council to thank them for their support in the passage of Ordinance 2011-7 approving rezoning of property on Williston Road to residential.  He and his wife can now proceed with building their new home on this property. 

8:24:35 PM

Mr. Dempsey also commented on the state of the City’s Fire Department and stated that last year was the worse year for the Northwood Fire Department due to a very large percentage cut from their budget.  Mr. Dempsey questioned why the city would be cutting a full-time position to part-time.  A full-time person at 40 hours can be available to assist with emergency runs.  Currently another part-time position is vacant.  Mr. Dempsey stated he did not understand this action and would like an explanation. 

8:25:26 PM

There being no further business before the Mayor and Council, and all being in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

8:26:53 PM

Adjournment:

8:26 p.m.

8:27:06 PM

Attest:

Lynn E. Goertz, Clerk of Council

8:28:16 PM

Approved:

Mark A. Stoner, Mayor