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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Minutes of the Silverton City Council Meeting
Held Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Council of the City of Silverton met for a business meeting in Council
Chambers at 6860 Plainfield Road at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 15, 2009.
Mayor John Smith called the meeting to order.
OPENING REMARKS:
Mayor Smith led a moment of silent prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led
by Silverton Paideia October Student of the Month, Mr. Tevin Tolbert.
ROLL CALL:
Elected Officials:
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John Smith, Mayor
Willa Garner, Council
Joyce Glover, Council
Present
Present
Present
Shirley Hackett, Council
Present
Frank Sylvester, Council
Present
Mark Quarry, Council
Dottie Williams, Council
Present
Present
Also present:
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Mark Wendling, City Manager
Bryan Pacheco, City Solicitor
Meredith George, Clerk of Council
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REVIEW MEETING AGENDA:
No changes needed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETINGS:
Mayor Smith presented the minutes from the September 17, 2009 Council
Meeting for approval. Mr. Sylvester motioned for approval of the minutes with
any necessary corrections and was seconded by Mrs. Williams. All present
voted aye. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS AND GUESTS:
1. Mrs. Glover introduced Mr. Tevin Tolbert, Silverton Paideia Student of the
Month for October 2009. Mayor Smith presented Mr. Tolbert with a
proclamation. Congratulations Tevin!
2. Mayor Smith reported Mrs. Janna Gilmore has agreed to fill the vacancy
on the Civil Service Commission. Mrs. Glover motioned to appoint Mrs.
Gilmore to the Civil Service Commission and was seconded by Mr.
Quarry. All members present voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Pacheco
administered the oath to Mrs. Gilmore.
3. Mayor Smith introduced the new principal of Silverton Paideia School,
Ms. Susan Bunte. Mrs. Bunte thanked everyone for making her feel so
welcome in Silverton and looks forward to developing a strong
relationship with the City as things move forward at the school. Mrs.
Bunte stated there are 15 partners that have joined to help develop the
museum school concept. Among the partners are: Cincinnati Art Museum,
Playhouse in the Park, Gorman Heritage Farm, Cincinnati Nature Center,
Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Cincinnati Reds Museum, Cincinnati Zoo
and the Newport Aquarium. Mrs. Bunte also reported there will be a
carnival held for the students on Friday, October 30 in the afternoon.
4. Mayor Smith reminded everyone that Election Day is Tuesday, November
3, 2009. The two polling locations in Silverton are St. Theresa Village for
precinct A and the Municipal Building for precincts B and C.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Al Gammarino – Property owner of 6141 W. Fordham
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Mr. Gammarino addressed Council to report he felt the grass was cut at his
property located at 6141 W. Fordham before it had reached the 9” limit. Mr.
Gammarino presented pictures to Council and also stated he felt he was not
properly notified of the high grass violation. Mr. Gammarino requested all further
communication be sent to his residence.
Henry Hopson – Hedge Avenue
Mr. Hopson commended the service department on keeping the grass cut in the
vacant lots near his home. Mr. Hopson also asked if the recent waste collection
increase was sent out to bid. Mr. Wendling reported the increase was an
extension of a 5 year contract the City had with Rumpke, Inc. and the service
was not sent out for bid. Mr. Wendling reported the increase would in all
likelihood have been more if the contract had been re-bid this year. The City
accepted the extension because it was the best price we could get for waste
collection service.
Idella Thompson – 6528 Elwynne Drive
Mrs. Thompson complimented the City on the most recent newsletter. Mrs.
Thompson was pleased with the articles explaining the proposed charter
amendments and thanked the City for providing the residents with such good
information.
OLD BUSINESS AND GENERAL COMMENTS:
Ohio Municipal League Annual Conference Report:
Mrs. Hackett, Mrs. Garner and Mrs. Williams attended the Ohio Municipal
League Annual Conference on September 30 – October 2, 2009 in Columbus,
Ohio.
Mrs. Hackett reported that she attended a session presented by Chief Michael
Tussey, Baltimore, Ohio Police Chief. The topic of the session was the
importance and process of selecting a top-rate Chief. Chief Tussey stressed the
importance of leadership skills to be an effective police chief. Mrs. Hackett also
reported it is important to select a chief that fits the community.
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Mrs. Hackett also reported that she attended the Women in Government session
and was very impressed. Mrs. Hackett brought information back, respective to
their job duties, for Mr. Peterson, Mrs. Helmes and Mr. Lehmkuhl. Mrs. Hackett
brought information back for Council regarding open meetings, public records
and planning and zoning.
Mrs. Garner reported she was impressed with the turnout and thought the
conference was very well put together. Mrs. Garner too enjoyed the Women in
Government forum. Mrs. Garner brought back material regarding a discount
prescription drug program. They are in the lobby and available to everyone.
There are no income requirements. The program is in conjunction with CVS
Pharmacy.
Mrs. Williams reported that she also enjoyed the Women in Government
session, as well as a presentation about drug abuse and trafficking put on by a
local police department. The purpose of the presentation was to heighten public
awareness. Mrs. Williams also reported that unused narcotics need to be
disposed of discretely. They should not be flushed as that could contaminate
the water supply. Mrs. Williams reported she enjoyed the networking at the
conference.
Mrs. Glover reviewed the agenda and asked if anyone attended the Stimulus
Money class. Mrs. Williams stated she will research the Stimulus Fund status
and report back to Council. Mr. Quarry thanked all for sharing their experiences
from the conference. Mr. Quarry also stated that the conference cost around
$1200 to the City while we are experiencing budget problems. There was s
discussion regarding establishing a protocol for attending conferences in the
future. All Council members were in agreement that a protocol needs to be in
place.
NEW BUSINESS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. City Manager’s Report
1.1. 2010 CDBG Funding
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Mr. Wendling reported that assuming we receive SCIP funding for the
Montgomery Road project we will need to redirect the CDBG funding to
another project. Should we receive SCIP funding, Mr. Wendling is
recommending that we defer the CDBG program until 2011; Hamilton County
Community Development recommends the same. Mrs. Hackett motioned to
defer the CDBG funding until 2011 if our SCIP application for Montgomery
Road is approved. Mrs. Garner seconded the motion. All members present
voted aye. Motion carried.
1.2. 6949 Silverton Avenue
Mr. Wendling reported the City owned structure on Silverton Avenue has
been razed. The contract provided for a complete scrape of the site,
including removal of foundation and the paved areas (other than the
sidewalk). The property has been seeded and strawed. The cost of the
demolition was covered under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant.
1.3. Code Enforcement Officer vacancy
Mr. Wendling reported that Mr. Bill Knight’s last day as Code Enforcement
officer was today. Mr. Wendling plans to leave the position vacant for a
while, as the winter is a slow time for property maintenance. Mr. Quarry
asked if Mr. Lehmkuhl would handle any complaints until the position is
filled. Mr. Wendling reported the Police Department is generally the more
logical agency to handle any issues that may arise.
1.4. Fire Board Business Representative
Mr. Wendling reported that Mr. Will Meinzen’s term on the Fire District
Board will expire at the end of this year and he has tentatively indicated a
desire to step down. Mr. Meinzen has served on the Board since its
inception in 1999. Should Mr. Meinzen decide to step aside, Mr. Wendling
asked Council to start thinking of other merchants to fill the vacancy.
2. Clerk of Court Report
Mrs. George gave the September 2009 Mayor’s Court report. Mr. Quarry
motioned to approve the report and was seconded by Mr. Sylvester. All
members present voted aye. Motion carried.
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3. Budget Report
Mr. Peterson is out of town and will present the budget report at the
November Business Meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Councilman Quarry
OKI - Mr. Quarry reported that funds are being reallocated and redirected
at the state level from road projects to transit rails. This will impede our
area’s road projects. OKI has sent a letter to ODOT expressing
dissatisfaction about the funds being reallocated. We will see 5 local
projects get underway as a result of the Federal Stimulus funds,
including a portion of Reed Hartman Highway that runs through Blue
Ash.
HCSWD – No report.
2. Councilman Sylvester
Planning Commission – The public hearings for the zoning re-draft have
been held and the second reading of the ordinance is on the agenda
tonight. If the ordinance is passed they will become effective in 40 days
from the date of passage.
3. Councilwoman Williams
Fire District Board – Mrs. Williams reported the Fire Board met earlier
this week. The new Firefighter/EMS, Eric Wagner, was sworn in at the
meeting. The flu vaccine will be available at Deer Park Schools and
Cincinnati Public Schools soon. The Block Watch Halloween party is
Friday, October 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Meier’s Winery.
4. Councilwoman Garner
ICRC – No report.
5. Councilwoman Glover
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LSDMC – Mrs. Glover reported the Museum School partners and the
LSDMC are working hard to roll out the museum school concept along
with the Paideia school concept. Eleven of the fifteen museum partners
were present. Mrs. Glover reported the theater production “New Kid” was
wonderful. The next Playhouse in the Park production at Silverton Paideia
will be on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Admission is $5. Mrs. Glover
also reported that the schematic design for the new school was approved
by the CPS Board of Education.
6. Councilwoman Hackett
UFB – Mrs. Hackett reported that the UFB held their educational forum
on Saturday, October 3 at the Fire Department. The forum was well
received and a lot of good information was passed on to those in
attendance. Congratulations to Donna and Jim Bartlett for winning the
tree that was given away!
NEW BUSINESS/OPEN DISCUSSION:
Mr. Quarry noted that there were some potholes on Montgomery Road and
asked if the Service Department could be address them before winter by saw
cutting the holes and useing the tamper to fill them. Mr. Wendling stated that
fall leaf season will be in full swing next week, making it impossible to perform
such work.
Mr. Wendling reported the East Avenue project is waiting on Duke Energy to
finish (hopefully this week) and then Adleta Construction can complete the
project next week. The traffic flow will on East Avenue will be discussed at the
next workshop. The addition of the curbs on the east side of the street has
made the road too narrow for emergency vehicle traffic.
Mr. Wendling also reported that the Hampton/Aldon project is fully underway
and is expected to be completed by mid-November.
Mr. Sylvester asked if Diehl Avenue is in the budget to be repaired soon. Mr.
Wendling stated it is just not possible right now, but we will do our best to
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keep up with the potholes. Mrs. Williams asked if any saw-cutting can be done.
Mr. Wendling stated he would check with Mr. Lehmkuhl.
Mrs. Garner stated she had two residents on Hampton compliment the City on
the road project and they are so happy to have their street redone. Mrs. Garner
stated one of the residents requested speed bumps. Mr. Wendling stated they
create problems for the snow plows and are expensive, so we will not be
installing speed bumps.
INTRODUCTION AND READING OF LEGISTLATION:
Mrs. George gave the second reading of Ordinance 09-3306 An Ordinance
Adopting the Recommendations of the Silverton Planning Commission and
Amending Chapter 153 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances to Read as
Follows in Exhibit A. Mrs. Glover motioned for passage and was seconded by
Mr. Quarry. A roll call vote was taken. All members present voted aye. Motion
carried.
Mrs. George gave the reading of Ordinance 09-3307 An Ordinance to Levy
Special Assessments on Property for the Total Cost of Mitigating Noxious
Weeds and High Grass Pursuant to Sections 91.70-.73 of the Municipal Code of
Ordinances and R.C. 715.261 and Declaring an Emergency. Mr. Sylvester
motioned for passage and was seconded by Mr. Quarry. A roll call vote was
taken. All members present voted aye. Motion carried. Mrs. Garner motioned to
suspend the rules and was seconded by Mr. Quarry. A roll call vote was taken.
All members present voted aye. Motion carried.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING:
None.
MOTION TO RETIRE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mr. Quarry motioned to retire to executive session to consider the appointment,
employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a
public employee and to discuss pending or imminent litigation per ORC
121.22(G). Mr. Sylvester seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All
members present voted aye. Motion carried.
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MOTION TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING:
Mrs. Glover motioned to reconvene the regular meeting and was seconded by
Mrs. Hackett. All members present voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
Motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Hackett and seconded by Mrs. Williams.
All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Meredith L. George
Clerk of Council
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John A. Smith
Mayor
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Mark T. Wendling
City Manager