Description

NORTHWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Date

June 23, 2011

Location

Council Chambers

DISCLAIMER - The following proceedings from the Regular City Council Meeting of June 23, 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

7:34:49 PM

Call to Order:

The regular meeting of the Northwood City Council was called to order by Mayor Mark A. Stoner on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 7:34 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Northwood Municipal Building.

7:34:53 PM

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance was then given.

7:38:12 PM

Roll Call:

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

7:38:16 PM

Motion to Excuse:

A motion and second were made by Council members Myers and Gallaher to excuse Councilman Gallaher from the regular meeting of June 23, 2011.  Council Vote:  All present in favor.  Motion passed.

7:38:19 PM

Approval of Minutes from

May 26, 2011: 

A motion and second were made by Council members Barton and Hughes to approve the minutes from the regular Council meeting held on May 26, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  5 yes votes/1 abstention (Kozina)  Motion passed.

7:38:22 PM

Approval of Minutes from

June 9, 2011:

A motion and second were made by Council members Myers and Barton to approve the minutes from the regular Council meeting held on June 9, 2011, as submitted.  Council Vote:  3 yes votes/3 abstentions (Kozina, Hughes and Schimmel).  Motion passed. 

7:38:25 PM

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

7:38:31 PM

Communications:

 There were no communications.

7:38:34 PM

Council Committee Reports:

The Council committee reports were given as follows:

7:38:44 PM

Econ. Dev.:  7/7/11 6 pm

Councilman Gallaher reported that the next Economic Development committee meeting would be held on July 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room. 

7:38:53 PM

City Charter Review: 

Councilman Gallaher reported that the Charter Review committee members held a second and final meeting on June 7, 2011 and upon review of the City Charter, there are two recommendations to City Council as issues for consideration on the November 2011 ballot as follows: 

7:39:11 PM

Charter Amendment Recommendations and Council Discussion:

1.  Article III, Section 3.01, Number, Selection, Term:  Recommendation from the Charter Review committee to reduce the number of Council members serving from seven members at large to 5 members at large. 

7:39:20 PM

2.  Article XVI, Section 16.04 Military Service:  Recommendation from the Charter Review committee to amend this section by removing the portion which states that a vacancy in office exists if a person holding an elective office is called to full time military service for a period exceeding forty-five (45) consecutive days.

Councilman Gallaher lead a discussion of the recommendations with Council and Councilwoman Hughes stated she would have concerns with reducing the number of Council members when they have a super majority or quorum needed at times at a Council meeting or a committee meeting.  Councilman Gallaher stated that a member of Council is expected to make meetings regardless of how many Council members there are and he believed that five Council members can take care of things in a city this size. 

7:41:12 PM

Council members briefly discussed the second recommendation for an amendment to a portion of Section 16.04 concerning military leave and were in agreement with the recommendation.  

7:43:15 PM

7:44:08 PM

Councilman Gallaher stated that legislation would be needed that contains ballot language and would like it to be prepared by the City Attorney for consideration at the next regular meeting on July 7, 2011. 

7:44:27 PM

7:45:11 PM

7:47:09 PM

Councilman Barton stated he would like Council to hold a public hearing concerning the recommendations.

7:47:14 PM

Councilman Kozina stated that a public hearing would be needed as well as three readings of the proposed legislation.  ting and 3 readings

7:47:38 PM

Councilman Schimmel commented on the recommendation to reduce the number of Council members serving from seven members to five members and stated he would like the idea of districts and maybe those at large.   

7:48:50 PM

In regards to an amendment to the military service leave for a Council person, both Councilman Kozina and Councilman Schimmel stated they were concerned with what is currently in the charter and whether there are laws concerning military leave. 

7:48:58 PM

Motion for amendment to Charter – Article III, Section 3.01:

A motion was made by Councilman Gallaher to authorize the City Attorney to prepare legislation for ballot language concerning an amendment to Article III, Section 3.01 of the City Charter to reduce the number of Council members from seven to five members at large. 

Note:  There was no second to the motion; therefore; there was no Council vote on the motion. 

7:54:30 PM

Motion for amendment to Charter – Article XVI, Section 16.04:

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Barton to authorize the City Attorney to prepare legislation for ballot language concerning an amendment to Article XVI, Section 16.04 of the City Charter titled Military Service to remove the portion which states that a vacancy in office exists if a person holding an elective office is called to full time military service for a period exceeding forty-five (45) consecutive days.

Council Vote:  4 yes votes/2 no votes (Kozina and Schimmel)  Motion passed.

7:54:41 PM

Motion to schedule public hearing on July 14, 2011 re:  City Charter proposed amendments:

A motion and second were made by Council members Gallaher and Kozina to schedule a public hearing of City Council for the purpose of receiving public comment pertaining to the recommendations for City Charter amendments on Thursday,

July 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

7:54:58 PM

Finance:

No report.

7:55:02 PM

Rec. Brd.:

No report.

7:55:04 PM

Safety:

Councilman Kozina reported on items reviewed by the Safety committee at their meeting of July 7, 2011:

- Full time ALS program – pending further discussion at Committee of the Whole meeting of July 7, 2011.

7:56:03 PM

- Council security items ( 4 items)

7:56:09 PM

- Narrow banding reviewed - pending - Chief is doing licensing (Police) continuing process.

7:56:44 PM

- Next Safety meeting to be announced

7:56:48 PM

Service:

Councilman Barton scheduled a Service meeting at the request of City Administrator Recker for Thursday, August 25, 7 pm - conference room.

7:57:14 PM

Comm. of Whole:

The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

7:57:18 PM

7:57:22 PM

Request for Executive Session:  City Attorney:

Prior to presentation of pending and new legislation, City Attorney Ballenger an Executive Session of Council for the purpose of discussing the potential acquisition of property for the City of Northwood. 

7:59:06 PM

Motion for Executive Session:  Barton/Hughes at 7:58 pm:

At this time, a motion and second were made by Council members Barton and Hughes to concur with the recommendation of the City Attorney to hold an Executive Session of City Council for the purpose of discussing the potential acquisition of property for the City of Northwood with the Mayor, Members of Council, City Attorney and City Administrator attending in the conference room.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.  The time was noted by the clerk as 7:59 p.m.  Those attending the Executive Session left Council Chambers to meet in the conference room.

8:08:50 PM

Call to Order:

The regular meeting was called back to order by Mayor Mark A. Stoner at 8:08 p.m.

8:08:52 PM

Roll Call:

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

8:09:46 PM

Mayor:

Mayor Stoner advised that an Executive Session was held to discuss potential acquisition or sale of real property and no action was taken. 

8:09:53 PM

Motion to Excuse:

Councilman Schimmel had to leave the Council meeting at 8:09 p.m. and a motion was requested to excuse him.

8:09:57 PM

A motion an second were made by Council members Hughes and Kozina. 

Note:  At this time, Councilman Schimmel entered the Council Chambers (8:10 p.m.) and stated he did not need to leave the meeting; no motion was needed at this time.

8:11:10 PM

Pending Legislation:

Ord. 2011-19:

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

Ordinance 2011-19 amending Chapter 880.14 of the Northwood Taxation Code titled, Allocation of Funds, and declaring an emergency.

Council action to date:  First reading of Ord. 2011-19 held on May 26, 2011. 

(Note: June 9^th meeting was not held)

Council action for June 23, 2011:  Second reading of Ord. 2011-19.

8:11:53 PM

8:11:56 PM

New Legislation:

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

8:12:24 PM

Ord. 2011-20: 

Ordinance 2011-20 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with J6 Investments LLC, doing business as NAMSA, and declaring an emergency. 

Council action for June 23, 2011:  First reading of Ord. 2011-20.

8:13:08 PM

8:13:12 PM

Ord. 2011-21:

Ordinance 2011-21 authorizing the City Administrator to enter into a Real Estate Transfer Agreement with the Board of Education of the Northwood School District for the real estate located at Lark School; and declaring an emergency.

Note:  This legislation was prepared by the City Attorney for Council’s review/consideration.

Motions made as follows for adoption of Ordinance 2011-21:

- Motion and second made by Council members Schimmel and Barton to suspend the three reading rule for Ord. 2011-21.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

- Motion and second made by Council members Schimmel and Barton to adopt the emergency clause for Ord. 2011-21.

Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

- Motion and second made by Council members Schimmel and Barton to adopt Ord. 2011-21. 

Council Vote:  4 yes votes/2 abstentions (Gallaher and Hughes) 

Note:  Councilman Gallaher stated he abstained from voting for adoption due to his wife’s employment with the Northwood Local Schools.  Councilwoman Hughes states she had abstained from voting for adoption due to her current employment with the Northwood Local Schools.

Legislation concluded.

8:14:55 PM

Mayor's Report:

Mayor Stoner gave the following report:

8:14:57 PM

Income Tax Collections - May 2011

 Income Tax collections for year-to-date May 31, 2011 were $1,969,732; an increase of $354,904 or 22% from year-to-date May 31, 2010.  This total is greater than what was collected in year 2008, but lower than what was collected in year 2007.  May 2011 year-to-date general fund revenues were $2,351,668 and expenditures were $1,642,818 leaving a general fund balance of $1,043,901.  We will continue to monitor revenues and expenditures on a month-to-month basis.

8:16:07 PM

Northwood Court Receipts for May 2011

The Northwood Court receipted for the month of May 2011:

Fines = $4,804.00; Forfeitures = $5,401.00 and Misc. Costs = $4,741.50 for a total of $14,946.50

8:16:32 PM

1. Recommendation for Douglas Marshall

1.  Based on the recommendation of Police Chief Cairl, Mayor Stoner recommended the promotion of Patrolman Douglas Marshall to the position of Sergeant effective Monday, July 4, 2011.

8:16:40 PM

Motion/Vote:

A motion and second were made by Council members Myers and Hughes to concur with the Mayor’s recommendation.

Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:17:11 PM

2. Recommendations for Probationary firefighters 7/1/11

2.  Based on the recommendations of Deputy Fire Chief Romstadt, I recommend the hiring of the following individuals as probationary firefighters for the Northwood Fire Department, effective July 1, 2011:

1)  Anthony Shirey to be assigned to District No. 2

2)  Corey Sobse to be assigned to District No. 1

3)  John Leonard to be assigned to District No. 1

4)  William Hartford to be assigned to District No. 1

8:17:22 PM

Motion /Vote:

A motion and second were made by Council members Hughes and Kozina to concur with the Mayor’s recommendations.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:18:26 PM

Information/Update:

Ranger Park

Mayor Stoner advised that upon his inquiry as to the possibility of establishing an area on Ranger Park pond for ice skating and ice fishing, this has been discouraged by the city’s insurance carrier.  There will be no need at this time to have the Recreation Board address this matter. 

8:19:08 PM

Announcement pending from Jeep:

Mayor Stoner announced that within the next two weeks there should be a major announcement coming from Jeep Corp. and it is hoped that this will carry over to the automotive suppliers doing business in the City of Northwood.   

8:20:01 PM

Proposal for 24/7 for ALS service:

Mayor Stoner referenced a proposal his is working on with staff concerning 24/7 ALS/EMS staffing and stated that he believed that it is more important for the city to have someone available to respond to emergencies and upon discussions of potential solutions at the prior Safety meeting, the proposal for a 24/7 ALS program is being worked on; it is needed.  Tax levies are not needed and funding the full time ALS program can be accomplished through allocations. 

8:21:35 PM

City Administrator:

City Administrator Recker stated he had no recommendations requiring Council’s consideration or action at this time.  A written report was submitted to Mayor and Council dated June 23, 2011 containing information/meetings attended.

8:22:05 PM

List of  Proposed Expenditures Over $10,000:

City Administrator Recker presented a list of proposed expenditures over $10,000 in the amount of 14,007.26 for the Alert Tracking Systems annual maintenance agreement for police records and dispatch reporting software from June 30, 2011 – June 29, 2012.

8:22:12 PM

Motion/Vote:

A motion and second were made by Council members Myers and Barton to approve the list of proposed expenditures over $10,000 in the amount of $14,007.26.  Council Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

8:22:47 PM

City Clerk:

No report.

8:22:48 PM

City Attorney:

 No report.

8:22:52 PM

City Engineer:

City Engineer Kuhn reported that the resurfacing on Olde Curtice Road is set to begin.

Mayor Stoner added that the track work on Drouillard Road will continue and be completed by tomorrow (June 24, 2011).  Work was being held up due to issues with Railroad equipment.

8:23:09 PM

8:23:51 PM

New Business:

There was no new business reported.

8:23:52 PM

Old Business:

There was no old business reported.

8:23:53 PM

Persons Appearing:

No one appeared before the Mayor and Council.

8:23:56 PM

Adjournment:

There being no further business before the Mayor and Council, and all being in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

8:24:00 PM

Attest:

Lynn E. Goertz, Clerk of Council

8:24:01 PM

Approved:

Mark A. Stoner, Mayor