CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2007
The meeting was called to
order by Vice President Burke at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Sellers, Mr. Fogt,
Mr. Burke, Mr. Gore
Mr. Marshall (arrived @ 7:12
p.m.), Mr.
Reams (arrived @ 7:20 p.m.)
EXCUSED: Mr. Pleasant
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Kruse, Director of Administration
House, Finance Director Morehart, Law Director Aslaner, Clerk Patterson
REPORTERS PRESENT: Ryan Horns – Journal Tribune
CITIZENS PRESENT: Rick Stevens, Bill Kelley, Kathy Young, Lloyd
Baker
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no additions or corrections, the
minutes for the meeting on January 25, 2007 were
approved as written.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Mayor Kruse gave the State of the City as
follows:
STATE OF THE CITY
-2007-
MAYOR THOMAS L. KRUSE
Over the last two or three
years in presenting the State of the City address, I have taken a rather
general approach, highlighting many of the general accomplishments as well as
general goals for the coming year. This
year, rather than giving an overview of the condition of the City and the
things that have been accomplished; I would like to be a bit more specific both
on where we have been and where we are going.
A great deal of our effort,
up until 2006, has been involved in planning. Although the planning effort continues and the
plans will always continue to be updated, we have spent more of our effort this
year moving forward with implementation.
Clearly this past year less effort was expended in “putting out fires”
as opposed to doing substantive things that are positioning us for the future
growth and development that we are and will be experiencing.
Much of our effort and
planning has gone into the Finance area in an attempt to find ways to make the
City more financially viable while providing the quality public services that
the residents of the City deserve at as reasonable a cost as possible. In doing that, we created a financial plan
that I think has moved us very successfully towards accomplishing those
ends. We have averaged an increase in
income tax revenue of about eight percent over the last several years. That kind of growth in the income tax is due
directly to our economic development efforts and our ability to bring in new
industry, new business and create new jobs so that we are deriving more income
from our income tax rate of one percent.
I want to thank Eric Phillips with the Chamber of Commerce for helping
us with this economic development effort.
Without him it would not be nearly as successful. We have also successfully created the income
tax division within the Finance Department and brought collection of the income
tax back in-house as opposed to outsourcing.
This has also been a significant help to us in maximizing our return on
our income tax. Thanks to Finance
Director John Morehart, we have been able to leverage
our state gasoline tax funds to borrow three million dollars for street
improvements. I think we can all
remember just three years ago the condition of the streets. Until three years ago, there had been no
street paving for almost eight years. We
have created nine residential tax increment financing districts and created two
commercial tax increment financing districts to help with our wastewater
projects. These economic development
projects have been able to keep our rates in the wastewater area within
reasonable limits. We have provided the
means and the opportunity for division heads and supervisors to further take
ownership of their budgets and hold them accountable for the same. This has been so successful that in 2004-2005
alone we increased our reserves in the general revenue fund by $1,464,886. That clearly is a very commendable
accomplishment. On September 1, 2006,
the City Hall General Obligation Bond was completely paid. The bond was issued in 1986. We have also developed a financing strategy
to provide funding for capital needs in the general revenue fund. This year we are going to take some of the
reserves that we have been able to build in the general revenue fund and pay
off a little over $480,000 worth of outstanding debt that was incurred for
vehicles back in previous years, quite frankly, the last century. This is going to put us in position of not
paying interest on vehicles that we don’t even own anymore. Issuing that kind of debt in order to finance
vehicles and rolling stock just does not make sense and I think is a dangerous
policy to pursue. All this good news is
clearly a reason for optimism but is not, again, a reason to become
complacent. While we are moving forward
in developing a sound fiscal base for the operation of the City, we certainly
aren’t out of the woods yet. I would
caution against any spending that is not part of a well thought out plan. Something worthy of note in the financial
area is the amount of money that we have been able to secure through
grants. Over the last three years we
have been able to secure $7,550,000 in grants of various types. I think this is a very significant
accomplishment in these days of little available grant money which is highly
competitive.
Some of the achievements in
specific areas are as follows:
In the Public Services
area, which is a great deal of what we do as public servants, over the last few
years we purchased the New California Water and Sewer Systems, we started
catching up with our vehicle and equipment replacements, we established a
vehicle replacement schedule and in the wastewater area, we completed the
publication of the wastewater master plan.
The update to this plan will be completed by early 2007, so you can see
we don’t just make plans one time, but we review them and continue to update
them. We have designed and started
construction on our sixty-five million dollar Water Reclamation Facility,
completed the design of the trunk sewer to connect that facility to the
existing wastewater plant, and spent over $272,000 in repairs to the Sanitary
Sewer system to remove clean water that infiltrates the system and does not
need treatment. Additionally, we instituted
the odor control program that has tremendously helped odor issues at the
treatment plant and pump station and again that is an ongoing process. I think we can all remember the odor that we
had to deal with driving the bypass or driving through town in the
summertime. Now, it is gone and we are
very thankful for that. We completed
about 1.8 million dollars worth of upgrades to the existing wastewater plant to
ensure that we meet our permit requirements while we are building our new
plant. Also, we have worked with
industries and established new local limits for the pretreatment program
thereby helping industries meet their EPA requirements. In the water treatment area we completed our
Water Master Plan. Certainly, as we all
know, we are looking forward to building our 1.3 billion gallon reservoir and
moving forward eventually replacing the existing water treatment plant with a
new one so we don’t end up in the same position we were in with wastewater,
solving issues on a crisis basis. City staff
has replaced many older and smaller water lines thereby increasing the pressure
and flow. Some of these areas we have
done are
Speaking of streets, again
we have done three million dollars worth of paving work over the last few
years. We have purchased quite a number
of new trucks for snow removal and we are building a new salt barn so that the
weather doesn’t cause us to lose the valuable salt that we are going to need in
the wintertime. We are doing a lot of
extra work in-house such as the handicapped ramps that you see at intersections
on the sidewalks with all of those being done by City employees, ultimately
saving the City money. Also we have
coordinated with CSX the upgrading of our railroad crossings. The concrete panels installed by CSX replaced
the old rubber ones and some of the other types of crossings and were financed
by the City. In the storm water area, we
have hired some storm water staff, one in 2005 and hopefully another one in
2007. There has been a reduction in flooding
during storm events because of this. We
are going to complete the eastside storm water study early in 2007 and are
helping fund the Bokes-Millcreek Watershed
Coordinator position to ensure that water quality goals are obtained.
In the Parks and Recreation
area, we have a new
In the Fire Department,
three years ago we had an aerial truck that was completely in need of repair or
replacement. The hydraulics were shot. We were
able to secure a $750,000 Homeland Security Grant and to replace that aerial
ladder truck with a new one. Also, we
had two medic units, both of which had significant mechanical problems. We replaced one very quickly and the
subsequent year we replaced another.
This is an ongoing issue and these units have a life span, with the way
we utilize them, of five to six years.
To replace one is a $150,000 expenditure and we
are anticipating in about two years replacing one of these again and the
following year the other. One of the
disappointing things relating to fire service is the fact that we had plans to
move forward with the design and perhaps construction of a new fire
station. We were not able to meet our
expectations with regards to this issue because of an inordinate amount of time
having to be devoted to other issues such as the Water and Wastewater
needs. We are making this one of our
priorities for this year and I have asked the Fire Chief to put together our
presentation with regard to this. In the
middle of June 2007, I would expect to hold a public meeting to seek public
input. We would be more than happy to
have Council’s participation in the form of a representative from Council being
on the steering committee.
The Police Department has
purchased eight taser units and all of Marysville
Police Officer’s have been trained in their use. The availability of these taser
units will reduce the possibility of injuries to officers or suspects when it
is necessary to confront a subject who is resisting arrest. We continue to replace our cruisers on a
regular basis, at least two every year.
Last year we were in a position to purchase three to help bring us a
little closer to the goal we are trying to reach. In order to efficiently respond to citizen
complaints of speeding vehicles and to efficiently use existing law enforcement
resources, we purchased an electronic device called a Stealth Stat. The portable device records vehicle speed
statistics for a given area for a specific time period. This allows us to utilize and assign Patrol Officers
to target areas that require extra enforcement.
The Marysville Police Division has not had a four wheel drive vehicle
that can be used in severe weather. Over
the past several winters, some officers have used their personal four wheel
drive vehicles to patrol the City and respond to calls. We have purchased a four wheel drive SUV and
this vehicle is assigned as a supervisor’s patrol vehicle. It can be used for regular patrol use during
severe weather and also serve as an incident command location during a critical
Police incident.
Another disappointing area
in 2006 was in the Human Resource area.
It was my goal to completely review all salary and benefit packages
within the City and to look at our personnel needs and develop a plan we could
implement over a long period of time.
Again, we were not able to complete that and it is on our priority list
again for this year. Also it is relevant
for you to know that this year is a bargaining year for our collective
bargaining units in the Police and Fire Departments. We are presently beginning preliminary
discussions with one of those units and we will keep you posted as talks progress.
Two things that we are very
pleased that we were able to accomplish in 2006 were in the Engineering
Department. We were able to hire a City
Planner which is clearly going to help us in terms of the whole planning
process and be of assistance to the Planning Commission. Also, the Assistant to the Engineer Bill Wening retired as you are probably aware. We were very fortunate to be able to hire his
replacement late last year. Both of
these new employees will help with updating our Comprehensive Plan including
neighborhood design standards, connectivity of paths and other recreational
links. Another area in the planning
sector is the commissioning of a traffic study.
Council has indicated that they would like to see us do a comprehensive
study of the entire City. Our
recommendation would be to ultimately have that as a goal but to break it down
into smaller pieces and prioritize the areas that have the most significant
difficulty, beginning with the east side of town. You will be hearing more about this as this
year progresses. We have also been very
pleased with our ability to develop an excellent working relationship with
There are many accomplishments
and issues that I could report on this evening but obviously time constraints
somewhat limit how much of that would be appropriate. I think it is clear to everyone that the City
is moving forward in a very aggressive fashion, and while aggressive, also
thoughtfully in an effort to plan our future for the people of the
community. While we are implementing
many of the things that are part of our plan for the future, there is no
question that the planning process must continue and that as we implement we
also have to update from a planning perspective. It is my goal to work with Council and the
community and surrounding political subdivisions to do that in a manner that is
going to put order and organization into how we live and conduct business in Marysville
for many years to come.
Again, I thank all those
that have been working with us over these last years and all of those that I
hope will be working with us in the future for all of our mutual benefit.
Thank you very much. Good night.
Mr. Fogt
asked for an update on the stop light at
REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL: Clerk Patterson reported receipt from the
Liquor Control Board of a request for a transfer of the D1, D2 and D3 license
from I & C First Choice LLC to S. F. Hofbrau LLC, dba San Francisco Hofbrau, 17811 SR 31, Marysville. The Police Department had no objections. Mr. Marshall, Ward Councilman for that area,
spread the word to his ward of this request for liquor permit. He heard no objections from anyone and had no
objections himself. Council had no
objections.
REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: Mr. Eric Phillips
reported that a brand marketing presentation was made to community leaders on
January 17th. Tag line
decided on is “Where Pride Resides.”
Best Hometown in Ohio
Celebration was held on February 2, 2007.
Marysville was presented with a plaque.
It was a great event.
Brian Palmer, Asst. City
Engineer, has taken the reins of the Transportation Enhancement Grant from ODOT
that the City received. Plans are drawn
up and landscaping will go in the spring of this year and if not then, in the
fall. It will go along
Mr. Phillips stated that the
Columbus Dispatch reported on a Membership Creed that was agreed to in the
7-county region in
HEARING OF CITIZENS: No comments.
RESOLUTIONS
“A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
UPTOWN MARYSVILLE REVITALIZATION PLAN” was presented for third reading, title
only. Ms. Sellers moved to pass the
legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Burke YES Mr. Reams
YES
Resolution 1-07 passed.
The resolution “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 third
reading, title only. Mr. Marshall moved
to pass the legislation and the question put, stood:
Mr. Marshall YES
Ms. Sellers YES Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Burke YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Resolution 2-07 passed.
“A RESOLUTION NAMING
PARKLAND” was presented for second reading, public hearing. Mr. Marshall moved to waive reading in full;
affirmative voice vote was unanimous.
ORDINANCES
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 third reading, title only. Mr. Marshall moved to pass the legislation
and the question put, stood:
Ms. Sellers YES
Mr. Fogt
YES Mr. Burke YES
Mr. Reams YES Mr. Gore
YES Mr. Marshall YES
Ordinance 6-07 passed.
The ordinance “AUTHORIZING
THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 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” was presented for first reading, title only. Mr. Morehart
explained this is the borrowing ordinance for the 2007 street paving
program. Plan is to borrow at least $1M
to continue this program for this year.
Mr. Fogt said the City has borrowed $3M, a
million each year for the last three years.
Mr. Morehart agreed. Mr. Fogt asked if
the City had paid any principle on those loans.
Mr. Morehart stated yes. For the note issued in 2004, principal
payments were made in 2005 and 2006 and will continue that in 2007, $200,000
each. The note issued in 2005, made a
payment of $200,000 last year and will continue payments this year. The note issued in 2006, made a $200,00 payment this year.
Payments will continue with the objective to have the notes paid off in
five years. Mr. Fogt
asked with the excess money in the reserves, can we pay that $1M in cash rather
than borrow it? Mayor Kruse said you
could, depending on what your priorities are.
That was not the plan when this program was started. Administration feels it’s best to pay off
vehicles that were purchased in the 90’s, vehicles that the City no longer
owns. City would like to eventually get
to the point where cash can be used for paving.
It is Administration’s recommendation to continue the plan the next two
years to continue the 5-year plan. City
will never owe more than $5M on this plan.
Mr. Fogt
asked the status of the concrete street, Collins, by Nestle’s. Mr. Roush said the Ohio Public Works notified
the City that the grant request for $400,000 to repair Collins has been
approved for this year.
The ordinance “TO APPROPRIATE
$375,000 FROM UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUNDS, AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF
$375,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE BOND PAYMENT FUND, AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL
APPROPRIATIONS OF $375,000 IN THE BOND PAYMENT FUND FOR THE ADDITIONAL PAYDOWN
ON THE VEHICLE NOTE AND MODIFYING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AS A RESULT OF
THESE ACTIONS” was presented for first reading, title only. Mr. Morehart
explained this appropriation is to be used for the vehicle payoff mentioned
earlier. Mr. Marshall moved to waive
third reading, title only and the question put, stood:
Mr. Fogt YES
Mr. Burke YES Mr. Reams
YES Mr. Gore YES
Mr. Marshall YES Ms. Sellers
YES
Motion passed.
COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR AND
COUNCIL PERSONS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION
1.
Parks &
Recreation Representative -
Mr. Marshall reported no activity since the last meeting in
January.
Mr. Fogt
stated the Ad Hoc Committee met regarding water rates. There was a lot of good information. From his view point, it was
disappointing. He was looking for better
numbers in order to decrease the amount of increase. He’ll continue to work on it. It was an interesting meeting.
He noted increased crime in
Greenwood Colony. He talked to Ms. House
and Chief Golden about getting a Block Watch started.
Mr. Reams asked Mr. Rick
Stevens to give a little more detail on the restaurant, San Francisco Hofbrau. Mr. Stevens
explained that it is high-end cafeteria.
Will have meat carving stations with a variety of hot
side dishes. Very
family-oriented. No fried
foods. Mr. Stevens is a Marysville
resident. Feels this restaurant will be
a very good fit for Marysville.
Mr. Burke said the Ad Hoc
Committee meeting was informative and factual.
Didn’t see the numbers he was looking for. They all have the same dedication to the end
outcome and will do their best to get there.
Mr. Marshall asked what the
next step is for this committee. Mr.
Burke explained the committee will work with the parameters, which are very
narrow. Looking somewhere between 7% and 8%. Mr. Marshall asked if there is imminent
legislation planned in the near future.
Mr. Burke plans to move the issue forward no later than April 1, 2007
and will sponsor the legislation.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come
before Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.