CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

JANUARY 11, 2007

 

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

 

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

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Mayor Kruse, Director of Administration House, Finance Director Morehart, Law Director Aslaner, Clerk Patterson

 

CITIZENS PRESENT:  Lois Gruenbaum, Kathleen Crowley, Ron Rhodes, Bill Bowman, Ken Kraus, John Cunningham, Bill Kelley, Jim Page, Andy Thomas, Kathy Young, Martha Moore

 

REPORTERS PRESENT:  Ryan Horns, Journal Tribune

 

REORGANIZATION:

 

1.     Elect President – Mr. Fogt nominated Ed Pleasant.  Mr. Fogt moved to close nominations; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.  Affirmative voice vote was unanimous for Mr. Pleasant as President. 

 

Mr. Pleasant stated he appreciated the vote of confidence from Council.  He committed to continuing the communication and to get information that would assist Council in making decisions.  He committed to Administration to work with them to establish regular meetings in order to be able to make sure there are open lines of communication.  He thanked Mr. Gore for his time as President over the last two years. 

 

2.     Elect Vice President – Mr. Reams nominated David Burke.  Mr. Fogt moved to close the nominations; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.  Affirmative voice vote was unanimous for Mr. Burke as Vice President.

 

3.     Mr. Gore moved to reappoint Connie Patterson as Clerk of Council; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

 

4.     Review Rules of Procedure.  No changes were recommended.

 

5.     Appoint Council Committees.  Council members are to let Mr. Pleasant know what Committee they would like to serve on so it can be announced at the next Council meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on December 21, 2006 were approved as written.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:  Ms. House gave an update on the traffic light and pole at 5th St. and Maple.  The pole, as well as the traffic controller, will be replaced in the near future.

 

The intersection of Collins and Grove was converted into a four-way stop about a year ago.  The traffic light was left up there to flash red.  The last couple of months, that light has been working sporadically and as of this past week, has not been working at all.  Replacing that light will cost $7,100, which is about one-third of the traffic control budget for this year.  She checked with the Police Department and there have been no incidents there.

 

REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL:  No report.

 

REPORT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:  Mr. Eric Phillips presented the City of Marysville a framed copy of Ohio Magazine for Marysville being named one of the Best Hometowns in Ohio.  February 2, 2007, 1:30 p.m. at Creekview there will be a presentation by Ohio Magazine.  A number of events will be going on as well.  The public is invited.

 

HEARING OF CITIZENS:  Mr. John Cunningham updated Council on the issue he discussed at the last meeting regarding the sign variance before Board of Zoning Appeals.  The variance was voted down.  The sign was not appropriate for that area.

 

Mr. Marshall thanked Ernest Richendollar, who Mr. Marshall has worked with to communicate with Mill Valley residents.  His newsletter helped to get the residents involved to make their voices and concerns heard and allowed the process to work.  He thanked Mr. Cunningham as well.

 

Ms. Kathleen Crowley, Jerome Township, addressed Council.  She presented signed contracts.  At the November 29, 2006 meeting between Jerome Township, Marysville City Council and Administration, agreements were presented to move forward on a non-annexation agreement between Jerome Township and Marysville.  That task was given to the Land-Use Subcommittee.  That committee came up with the contracts presented this evening.  On January 3rd, the Jerome Township Trustees allocated the money, as well as signed these contracts.  Her request was for Marysville to sign these contracts so they can move forward.  As part of the non-annexation agreement there will be a plan.

 

Mr. Andy Thomas, Jerome Township Trustee, addressed Council.  As a whole, it’s very hard as Council Members and Trustees to look out on a daily basis, as well as monthly or years down the road.  He commended the Mayor and Council for looking at this and looking down the road.  This is a very beneficial factor for Marysville as a whole and for the southern part of the County.  We need to move forward.  Jerome Township has put a foot forward and would like for Council and Marysville to go along with them. 

 

Mr. Ron Rhodes, Jerome Township Trustee, addressed Council.  Working with Council and Administration, he thanked everyone on behalf of Jerome Township.  He is looking forward to a long-term relationship.  We’ve got a long way to go.  He’s excited about what can be done as well.  On behalf of the residents that are concerned about the future of Union County, they’re behind it. 

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

“A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE UPTOWN MARYSVILLE REVITALIZATION PLAN” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Phillips handed out copies of the Uptown Revitalization Plan.  URT has worked on this plan for over a year.  The URT Committee adopted this Plan on December 20, 2006.  Nearly 30 interviews were held with business and community leaders.  Well over 200 surveys were done of customers visiting uptown Marysville, as well as a lot of ground work being laid to make this a reality.  This Plan becomes the comprehensive plan for the revitalization of uptown Marysville.  The Plan includes recommendations and a market analysis.  This Plan will not be successful without public and private dollars going into the revitalization efforts.  There are 130 recommendations on how to improve uptown Marysville, and they are divided into four distinctive areas, organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring.  A special presentation by the consultant will be held on January 17th.  Council has been invited to attend.  Over the last two years, there has been over $1M invested in uptown Marysville.  A lot of that has to do with City Council and their efforts in creating the CRA, as well as the private sector that has put up the money to make reinvestment a reality. 

 

“TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE CONTRACT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 669 MILFORD AVENUE FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFIC ENGINEER” was presented for first reading, title only.   Mayor Kruse stated this is the Country Skillet property.  City wants to purchase this property so it can upgrade that intersection.  Two appraisals were received.  Administration recommended moving forward with the proposed purchase price, which is a number between the two appraisals. 

 

ORDINANCES

 

“AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE, ADOPT AND ENACT THE 2006 REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES; TO REPEAL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; TO PUBLISH THE ENACTMENT OF NEW MATTER; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY” was presented for third reading, title only.  Mr. Fogt moved to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:

 

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

 

Ordinance 1-07 passed.

 

The ordinance “AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,890,000 OF NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTING, RESURFACING AND IMPROVING CITY STREETS, WITH RELATED EQUIPMENT AND ALL NECESSARY APPURTENANCES, AND RETIRING NOTES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR SUCH PURPOSE; AND APPROVING AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT RELATING TO THE NOTES, IF NECESSARY” was presented for third reading, title only.  Mr. Fogt moved to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:

 

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

 

Ordinance 2-07 passed.

 

“AN ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE ANNUAL INDEXING OF THE SEWER TAP CONNECTION FEES” was presented for second reading, public hearing.  Mr. Burke moved to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

 

“AN ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE ANNUAL INDEXING OF THE WATER SYSTEM CAPACITY CHARGES” was presented for second reading, public hearing.  Mr. Burke moved to waive reading in full; affirmative voice vote was unanimous.

 

The ordinance “TO AMEND SECTION 1143.18, SIGNS IN B-1, TOC AND SD-1 ZONING DISTRICTS, OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Cunningham stated that as Coleman’s Crossing was being developed and now City Gate, the Planning Commission realized there were no provisions within the code for governing signs for these developments.  This amendment will provide provisions for those signs.

 

Mr. Fogt felt the proposed sizes are more lenient than surrounding communities, Dublin and Grove City specifically, as far as 25’ maximum height.  He suggested Planning Commission be more restrictive.  Mr. Cunningham said Planning Commission is open to discussion on this issue.  He suggested Council, Planning Commission, Design Review and Board of Zoning Appeals all meet to discuss overall signage in the City.  A Public Hearing was scheduled for February 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The ordinance “TO AMEND CHAPTER 1135, DISTRICT ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE, BY ADDING SECTION 1135.19, GOVERNMENT USE DISTRICT (GOV) AND CHAPTER 137, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, BY ADDING SECTION 1137.23, GOVERNMENT USE DISTRICT (GOV) OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Cunningham explained Planning Commission would like to create this specific zoning area for the purpose of government buildings.  This will be a zoning district that will allow for the various uses that the government will have for their properties, but at the same time, provide a limitation should that usage ever change, will allow the City to be very deliberate in their approach to any changes in the future should it ever not be zoned for government use.  In the interim, government usage will be limited to provisions as proposed.  A Public Hearing was scheduled for February 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The ordinance “TO AMEND SECTION 1109.16, DRIVEWAYS, OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Cunningham stated this issue came to Planning Commission.  They felt the 10% grade was a typo, so this is Planning Commission’s effort to correct that.  It takes out the minimum grade of 10%, and states it should be constructed according to the standards and the standard construction drawings of the City, which is much more reasonable and appropriate.   A Public Hearing was scheduled for February 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The ordinance “TO APPROVE THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE OAKS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mr. Cunningham stated this is the result of a number of months of work with the developer to come up with this design and zoning that he’d like to do with an overlay of a Planned Unit Development.  Planning Commission believes it is within reason and should fit very well within the area in which this site is located.   A Public Hearing was scheduled for February 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE $189,400 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE AND DEMOLITION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 669 MILFORD AVENUE, MARYSVILLE, OHIO, AND MODIFY THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THESE EXPENDITURES” was presented for first reading, title only.  Mayor Kruse explained this is companion legislation to the resolution previously presented for this property.  This appropriates the dollars to purchase and demolish the property.

 

COMMENTS OF COUNCIL PERSONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION

 

1.     Parks & Recreation Representative – Mr. Marshall reported that Parks & Rec will meet on January 17th.  Election of officers will be held.  Also renaming of South Park will be discussed.

 

Mr. Marshall was not able to attend the December 21st meeting due to work-related travel, so he was not able to vote on the water rate legislation.  He feels Council, by voting down the increase, reneged on the Plan that was decided on last year.  He challenged Mr. Pleasant in his new role, since Council reneged on the Plan in place, to put a plan in place to address the growth needs.  He feels the City has been collecting money from citizens for a reservoir that isn’t going to happen any time in the near future, because there is no plan.  We need to get a plan in place to make that reservoir and water treatment facility happen or we need to repeal it. 

 

Mr. Pleasant told Mr. Marshall he would see at the next meeting, an Ad Hoc Committee will be established to further address those concerns.

 

Mr. Reams reminded everyone of the Frozen Nose 4-Miler on January 20th.  The story in the paper did not address the application process.  He noted applications are available on the City’s website, www.marysvilleohio.org,.  Go to the Parks & Recreation link to obtain an application. 

 

Mayor Kruse asked Council’s consideration to give him an opportunity to make comments at this point on the agenda.

 

Based on Jerome Township’s presentation this evening, Mayor Kruse has been very aggressive in trying to work with Jerome Township so that the City of Marysville and Jerome Township can ultimately enter into some type of economic agreement so both our resources could be utilized and both reap the benefits of our joint efforts.  The City is in a position at this point that without a plan to move forward to provide more capacity, the City has reached the drop-dead number in terms of ability to provide additional water taps.  Since the last meeting, Administration has been doing research on water taps and the water system.  This will affect future discussions and the relationship with Jerome Township.  The only thing the City has to bring to the table is water and sewer taps and at this point, we don’t have any.  The Mayor is prepared to document this substantially.  Another issue is the contract that was presented by Kathleen Crowley to work with a consultant to look at land uses in a non-annexation agreement that’s compatible with both their interest and ours.  Since Mayor Kruse is the one who signs all contracts, he finds it difficult to commit the City to an expenditure under that contract, when he doesn’t know if there is going to be a relationship.  The City is at a standstill.  He has no idea as to how the City would fulfill any future water commitments.  There are other significant ramifications that aren’t pertinent to Jerome Township.  These have to be discussed.  The City is in a very serious situation in this community unless 1) build a reservoir and provide the revenue stream to pay for it and then subsequently build an additional water treatment plant.  Additionally, the City can decide not to build the reservoir, and the City doesn’t have the raw water available to treat the new wastewater treatment plant.  Everyone needs to pause and take a look at where we are at this point in time.  Ultimately, if we can not provide water taps, businesses won’t move in, consequently City won’t give new sewer taps and the economic model for paying for the new wastewater treatment plant “just went down the toilet.”    There is no way to pay for it because City factored so much in the way of new taps in the system when the rate structure was put together to pay for that project.  The ultimate bottom line is the City defaults.  The City is in a very serious predicament. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.