CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

MARCH 9, 2006

 

 

The meeting was called to order by President Gore at 7:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Ms. Sellers, Mr. Fogt, Mr. Gore, Mr. Burke, Mr. Reams, Mr. Pleasant   Excused:  Mr. Marshall

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Director of Administration House, Finance Director Morehart, Asst. Law Director Eufinger, Clerk Patterson

 

REPORTERS PRESENT:  Ryan Horns-Journal Tribune, Lois Gruenbaum-WUCO

 

CITIZENS PRESENT:  Rick Shortell, Liz Meeder, Roger Yoder, Eric Phillips

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on February 23, 2006 were approved as written.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:  Ms. House reported that the closing on the purchase of the land for the Wastewater Reclamation Facility was held today at 10:00 a.m.

 

REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL:  No report.

 

REPORT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:  Mr. Eric Phillips distributed the new Quality of Life booklets to Council.  From that booklet, Mr. Phillips noted the following interesting facts:

 

q       Less than two percent of the land area of Union County is commercial and industrial yet provides almost 40% of the property tax valuation in 2004. 

 

q       In 2004, the City of Marysville received revenues in its general fund totaling $11.1M, of which $5.3M (48%) was received from the business community.  If you add in all businesses in Union County, such as Honda and those outside, it accounts for 53% of the general revenues.

 

q       In 2003, in Jerome Township, for every acre of commercial and industrial land, $680 was generated, whereas for agricultural/residential $36 was generated

 

q       Since 1996, over 120 businesses have opened along the Industrial Parkway corridor in Union County.  That number now exceeds approximately 180. 

 

q       In 2004, Honda of America paid $13.9M in real estate and personal property taxes to Union County. 

 

q       Through December 1, 2005, 66% of all the real estate and personal property taxes and the sales tax were provided by the business community to the County.

 

q       In 2004-2005, Marysville Exempted School District received $42M in general fund revenues.  41% was provided by the commercial and industrial businesses.  This means that for every $8700 it takes to educate a pupil, $3500 is provided by the business community.  The other percentages come from the State of Ohio and from agricultural residential, about 30% equally from each.

 

Over 400 people attended the Annual Chamber Dinner.  Dave and Donna Burke were named Business Leader of the Year.  Frankie’s Wood Products received Small Business of the Year and Velocys received Large Business of the Year.

 

The Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council will meet on Monday, 3/13, to review three active tax abatements.

 

HEARING OF CITIZENS:  Ms. Liz Meeder, Uptown Renewal Team representative, addressed Council regarding the Uptown Renewal Historic Walk.  She distributed a booklet and named responsible parties as follows:  Marysville Public Library, Marysville Uptown Renewal Team, Union County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Historical Society.  The date of the walk is May 26, 2006.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

“A RESOLUTION STATING THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE 2.830 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, IN PARIS TOWNSHIP, UNION COUNTY, OHIO TO THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY” was presented for second reading, public hearing.  Motion was made to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

 

The “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING D.A.R.E. PROGRAM FOR THE 2006/2007 SCHOOL YEAR” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Morehart explained this legislation is for the annual D.A.R.E. application. 

 

ORDINANCES

 

The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE $1,500 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS FOR MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR THE U.S. 33 CORRIDOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENDITURE” was presented for third reading, title only.  Motion was made to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Gore  YES  Mr. Burke  YES  Mr. Reams  YES  Mr. Pleasant  YES  Ms. Sellers  YES  Mr. Fogt  YES

 

Ordinance 9-06 passed.

 

The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE $4,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS FOR MAINTENANCE AND FUEL FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT VEHICLE, AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THESE EXPENDITURES” was presented for third reading, title only.  Motion was made to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Burke  YES  Mr. Reams  YES  Mr. Pleasant  YES  Ms. Sellers  YES  Mr. Fogt  YES  Mr. Gore  YES

 

Ordinance 10-06 passed.

 

COMMENTS OF COUNCIL PERSONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION

 

1.     Parks & Recreation Representative

Ms. House stated the skate park equipment installation has begun.

 

 

Mr. Burke announced that Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, March 13th at 6:45 p.m.

 

Mr. Reams stated he’d been a runner the past few years and has run some marathons.  A friend and co-worker was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.  Mr. Reams stated that he can’t cure him, but he can run and explained there is an organization, “Team in Training”, where people train to run a marathon, 26.2 miles.   The organization raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Mr. Reams will run the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.  Anyone interested in contributing or receiving more information, please contact him. 

 

Mr. Gore thanked Messers. Phillips and Shortell for the nice event on Saturday night.  The Chamber of Commerce is doing an outstanding job. 

 

Mr. Roger Yoder of the Planning Commission stated Planning Commission would like to hold a joint meeting with City Council to discuss the proposed legislation for the Design Review Process.  Clerk Patterson will work with City Council to schedule this meeting. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.