Description

NORTHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Date

May 26, 2011

Location

Council Chambers 

DISCLAIMER - The following proceedings from the Regular City Council Meeting of May 26, 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

7:36:35 PM

Call to Order:

The regular meeting of the Northwood City Council was called to order by Mayor Mark A. Stoner on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 7:36 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Northwood Municipal Building.

7:36:37 PM

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance was then given.

7:36:39 PM

Roll Call:

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

7:36:41 PM

Minutes for Approval:

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Hughes to approve the minutes from the regular Council meeting of May 12, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  6 yes votes/1 abstention (Hughes) Motion passed.

7:36:43 PM

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

7:36:44 PM

Communications:

There were no communications.

7:36:46 PM

Committee Reports:

Council committee reports were given as follows: 

7:36:48 PM

Economic Development:

Councilman Gallaher reported that an Economic Development committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room prior to the Committee of the Whole meeting.  Meeting scheduled for June 2, 2011 at 7 pm in conference room.

7:37:02 PM

Environmental/Solid Waste:

No report.

7:37:06 PM

Finance:

No report

7:37:08 PM

Recreation Board:

Monday, June 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room.  Note:  The meeting is being held a half hour earlier than normal at the request of the Ball Commissioner as confirmed by the Clerk of Council.

7:37:40 PM

Agenda request:  Mayor Stoner asked if the Recreation Board would discuss the potential of having an ice rink for skating and hockey at the shallow end of Ranger Park Pond.  The City will have to check with the insurance carrier as well.

7:38:47 PM

Safety:

Councilman Kozina reported on the Safety meeting items reviewed at their meeting of May 26^th prior to the Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room:   

7:38:52 PM

1. Police vehicle - totaled in accident and a van not being used - traded for new 2012 Crown Victoria.

7:39:28 PM

2. Computer Aided Dispatch to cost 14,007.00

7:39:51 PM

3. Sergeant's Promotion - Top 3 tested being reviewed.

7:40:05 PM

4. Fire Department:

7:40:17 PM

Item for reporting and motion later

7:40:22 PM

5. Mosquito Spraying referred by service - program 1 per week spraying and using briquette in the storm water system and standing water areas - will save by use of this as opposed to the spraying with better results.

7:41:28 PM

6. Veterans Appreciation Event – recommendation to allow for event signs in the city’s r-o-w.

7:41:43 PM

Other item - Investigating the city joining a joint fire district - City Administrator directed to do a more formal investigation.

7:42:13 PM

Fire Chief position discussion.  Recommendation of the Safety committee made by motion as follows:

7:43:31 PM

Safety Recommendation to Council for Full Time Fire Chief position advertising:

It is the recommendation of the Safety committee to authorize advertising for a full time Fire Chief.

7:43:50 PM

Motion/Vote:

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Myers to concur with the recommendation of the Safety committee; to advertise for the position of full time Fire Chief for the City of Northwood.  Council Vote:  6 yes votes/ 1 no vote (Barton) Motion passed.

7:43:54 PM

Council Discussion:

Mayor Stoner advised that  funds will need to be moved to cover approx. $88,000.00 for salary and benefits for the full time position and  there is the potential for other cuts if the current revenue does not cover this.

7:44:34 PM

Councilman Gallaher stated the city should decide what is best for the city and the decision is made on this; then it is decided on how to pay for it.

7:44:56 PM

Service:

No report.

7:44:57 PM

Utilities:

No report.

7:44:59 PM

Pending Legislation:

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

7:45:46 PM

Ordinance 2011-14:

Ordinance 2011-14 amending Chapter 208 of the Northwood Codified Ordinances, titled General Fee Schedule and establishing fees within the Business & Taxation Code for Contractor Registration.  Council action to date:  Second reading held on May 12, 2011.

7:45:54 PM

City Attorney Note:

City Attorney Ballenger advised and confirmed that Ordinance 2011-8 concerning establishing Contractor Registration was adopted (non-emergency) at the Council meeting of May 12, 2011. 

7:46:16 PM

Council Discussion:

Councilman Myers confirmed with Council that they had discussed and concurred with amending the fees within Ordinance 2011-14 to charge an initial registration fee of $30.00 and a renewal fee of $15.00 across the board. 

7:53:17 PM

Council Action for Ordinance 2011-14 – Motions/Votes:

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Myers to amend Ordinance 2011-14 to amend fees to an original registration fee of $30.00 and renewal fee $15.00 for all contractors across the board, listed under Chapter 208, subsection 208.04 (i).  Council Vote:  4 yes votes/3 no votes (Gallaher, Schimmel and Edwards) Motion passed.

7:53:26 PM

A motion and second were made by Council members Kozina and Myers to adopt Ordinance 2011-14 as amended.  Council Vote:  4 yes votes/3 no votes (Gallaher, Schimmel and Edwards) Motion passed.

7:53:29 PM

 Ordinance 2011-14 adopted as amended and effective (30 days) June 24, 2011:

Council Action for May 26, 2011:  Ordinance 2011-14 adopted as amended and effective in 30 days from date of passage; June 24, 2011. 

7:53:37 PM

Ordinance 2011-16:

Ordinance 2011-16 providing for the compensation of personnel of the City of Northwood, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

7:53:43 PM

Council Action for Ordinance 2011-16

Motions/Votes:

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Schimmel to adopt the emergency clause for Ordinance 2011-16.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Schimmel to adopt Ordinance 2011-16.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Mayor Stoner stated he supported both this legislation and moving forward.

7:53:45 PM

New Legislation:

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

7:53:48 PM

Ordinance 2011-19:

Ordinance 2011-19 amending Chapter 880.14 of the Northwood Taxation Code titled Allocation of Funds; specifically deleting (a)(2)(C); and declaring an emergency. 

Council action for May 26, 2011:  First reading of Ordinance 2011-19.

7:53:52 PM

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Stoner gave the following report:

7:53:54 PM

Fire Department Information:

- Marty Koch has resigned from his position as Captain and firefighter for Northwood Fire Department District No. 2, effective May 21, 2011.

7:53:55 PM

Information:

- A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony originally scheduled for the Pilkington North America and Hull & Associates’ Solar Field has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 10:30 a.m., 2401 East Broadway, Northwood, Ohio.

7:53:57 PM

City Administrator's Report:

City Administrator Recker gave the following report:

Recommendations to City Council as follows:

7:54:01 PM

1.  Approval of event signs in r-o-w for Veterans’ Appreciation Day in August 2011:

1.  Recommendation to Council to approve a temporary suspension of the local sign code to allow the Northwood VFW Post to advertise the Veterans Appreciation Day Event using yard signs posted in the public right-of-way from August 5, 2011 through August 23, 2011.

7:54:06 PM

Council Action – Motion /Vote:

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Edwards to concur with the City Administrator’s recommendation.  Council Vote:  5 yes votes/2 abstentions (Myers and Gallaher) Motion passed.

7:55:21 PM

2.  Request for Committee of the Whole Agenda Item:

2.  Request for Standing Council Committees as an item on the June 2, 2011 Committee of the Whole agenda.

7:55:27 PM

List of Bills:

There were no bills over $10,000 for approval at this time.

7:55:29 PM

City Clerk:

No report.

7:55:30 PM

City Attorney:

No report.

7:55:33 PM

City Engineer:

1. 2nd or 3rd week of June for project

7:55:45 PM

2. CDBG grant application preparation

7:55:54 PM

New Business:

7:55:59 PM

1. Charter Review Committee:

Mayor Stoner reported that he had received names of residents submitted by Councilman Gallaher who have volunteered to serve on a Charter Review Committee.  Mayor asked if other Council members had names they would like to submit for the Charter Review committee.  There were no other names submitted by Council. 

7:56:09 PM

The names as submitted by Councilman Gallaher are as follows:

7:56:46 PM

- Kelly Wills, Louis Fahrbach, Deb Hornstein, Gary Weatherholt, Laura Perkins and John Melnyk.

7:57:15 PM

Mayor Stoner asked Councilman Gallaher if there have been any complaints concerning the City Charter.  Councilman Gallaher stated that several months ago he had asked at Council for a review of the City Charter.

7:57:49 PM

Mayor added Craig Kohring as a member and Councilman Gallaher asked the Clerk to notify Craig of this appointment by letter.

7:58:11 PM

Councilman Gallaher scheduled the first Charter Review meeting for June 1, 2011 at 7 pm in the conference room. 

7:58:31 PM

It was confirmed by the City Attorney that the Mayor makes appointments to a committee and then it is approved by Council. 

7:58:56 PM

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Kozina to approve a City Charter committee of  volunteer resident members as listed by the Clerk of Council with the first meeting being held June 1, 2011.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:01:07 PM

Old Business:

No old business was reported. 

8:01:09 PM

Persons Appearing Before Mayor and Council:

Marilyn Komives, of Sharon Dr., Northwood, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Council and introduced herself as a resident and Fire Chief Tim Romstatd’s aunt.  Marilyn expressed her disappointment and concerns in regard to recent articles in the Metro Press concerning the Northwood Fire Department.  Mrs. Komives stated she was very saddened as well about the unfortunate incident concerning an EMS call .  Mrs. Komives continued with a list of several comments regarding the state of the city’s Fire Department and issues surrounding the Fire Chief Tim Romstadt and how he was treated by the mayor prior to his resignation as the full time Fire Chief.  Mrs. Komives read from a prepared statement and pointed out that in the past Fire Chief Pack who was full time,  was never asked to work specifically for the City of Northwood Fire Department; he held a teaching position as well as volunteer status for the City of Oregon while serving as the city’s full time Chief.   Why would Tim Romstadt be expected by the Mayor to give up his EMS teaching or volunteer service elsewhere? 

Mrs. Komives felt that all of this was very unfair and unnecessary when someone is doing their job for the city.  

8:08:07 PM

Mr. John Dierkes, 3431 Piper Dr., Northwood, Ohio, appeared before the Mayor and Council and stated he wished to commend the city crew on the excellent job of snow removal this past winter.  Mr. Dierkes also commented on the city’s EMS service and stated his experience with the Northwood EMS was very quick and considerate.  Mr. Dierkes stated that the volunteers work hard, and they do have another life. 

8:09:12 PM

Mr. John Dierkes, 3431 Piper Dr., Northwood, OH: 

Mr. Dierkes stated he wished to express concerns about ditch maintenance and mosquito control in the city and provided photos of a ditch area behind his home on Piper which lies on the line between Lucas and Wood Counties.  Mr. Dierkes stated, as was illustrated in the photographs provided, that water continually stands 4 ft. behind his fence.  The ground is always saturated and cannot be mowed.  Mr. Dierkes stated he has obtained pellets for mosquito control, but did not know what else can be done at this time concerning the blockage within the ditch.  Mr. Dierkes stated that a tree is growing out of part of the ditch in one neighbor’s property and another neighbor has enclosed the ditch area so this would obviously block the flow of water through the ditch.  Mr. Dierkes concluded by asking if the fill could be removed from the ditch and cleaned to alleviate the problems in this area. 

Mayor Stoner advised Mr. Dierkes that it was a not a question and answer segment of the meeting for Council at this time, but would like to meet with Mr. Dierkes after the meeting adjourns. 

8:11:48 PM

Adjournment:

There being no other business before the Mayor and Council and all being in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

8:11:53 PM

Attest:

Lynn E. Goertz, Clerk of Council

8:11:55 PM

Approved:

Mark A. Stoner, Mayor