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Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsVILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS MINUTES IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS August 21, 2006 CALL TO ORDER President Jocelyn Hardman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Jocelyn Hardman, Karen Wintrow, Bruce Rickenbach, Judith Hempfling and Kathryn Chase were present. The Village Manager Eric Swansen was also present. ANNOUNCEMENTS Wintrow: Spoke at the Dedication of the Ellis Park Bike Spur. She stated that representatives from the county were present and that the Village had benefited from the enhancement of the bike trail. The County was the larger contributor to the grant for the spur. Wintrow: The 2006 Community Forum would be held September 30 th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Science Building on the Antioch campus. The main topic would be "Qualities of Growth". The cost would be $10. Chase: The AACW Blues Festival is scheduled for the second weekend of September. Anyone wishing to volunteer would receive free admission and a meal.
REVIEW OF THE MINUTES Review of the minutes from August 7, 2006 regular meeting. REVIEW OF AGENDA Council agreed to add an additional Citizens Concerns segment to the meeting following Petitions/Communications.
PETITIONS/COMMUNICATIONS The Clerk will receive and file: AMP-Ohio Newsletter(s) County Library-Alzheimer's presentation with Dr. G. Kraus County Library-Offering E-Audio Service News Release re: Temporary Closing-Portions of Little Miami Scenic Trail Southwest Ohio AWWA District Fall Meeting Highsmith Inc. re: Lead Content in Promotion Toys Sharon Potter re: Letter addressing Complaint-Collections Mary Agna re: County Council on Aging Report County Parks and Rec Activities Update Dimi Reber re: Materials from Energy Forum: Hempfling thanked Reber for the materials she had sent Council. Hempfling added the importance of energy conservation.
CITIZENS CONCERNS Rubin Battino requested an extension to the swimming season at Gaunt Park Pool. The pool was closed on August 19 th . Ali Thomas also requested that the pool be reopened with an abbreviated schedule of five hours per day using three lifeguards and a pool manager. Thomas reviewed her figures on the cost of reopening and running the pool until Labor Day. Swansen explained that to arrive at the true cost he would have to take the pool revenues which includes passes, concession sales and daily admission and then deduct the cost of staff, utilities, and chemicals. Swansen further explained that staffing employment agreements had terminated and that an order for pool chemicals would have to be placed. Hempfling asked for specific costs for reopening and running the pool for an additional few weeks. Adding that if it would not cost that much to keep the pool open it would be worth considering. She added that she felt there was an undercurrent of Council not hearing the public and any mistrust could undermine the proposed tax levy. Hempfling suggested that a few residents get together and meet with staff to see if and how the pool could be reopened. Hardman explained that because of the current financial state of the Village, she could not support extending the season. However, she would gladly give a personal donation toward a private effort to extend the season. Wintrow and Chase also were not in support of reopening the pool. Bob Baldwin stated that he was disappointed that the pool had to close but understands why it was necessary. He suggested that residents begin now to work on keeping the pool opened for a longer season next year. Terry Wharton suggested that residents did not have all the information and appreciated this discussion. She added that the pool was a positive alternative for kids. Jamie Adoff asked that the road maintenance budget be cut to lessen the proposed tax levy. He added that he felt Hempfling's comments and suggestions were not being fully discussed. Hardman explained that Council would have a broader discussion under Resolution 2006-24. Ali Thomas presented to Council a Petition to Extend the 2006 Public Swimming Pool Season from August 19 th until Labor Day Weekend and Re-open the Poll next Memorial Day Weekend 2007. The petition contained 195 names.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATION (This section began at 8:05 p.m. and ended at 8:26 p.m.) Resolution 2006-24 Approving the Ballot Language-Property Tax Levy. Rickenbach MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. In answering Jamie Adoff's request regarding a recap of the discussion of adding street maintenance to the levy, Hardman offered a brief review of the different points of view that had been previously discussed. Hempfling explained that she had proposed cutting the street maintenance budget to reduce the increased millage requested in the proposed property tax levy. She also suggested that if due to an unforeseen emergency, any additional budget cuts would be across all line items. She further suggested that an economic development policy be drafted that would include supporting economic diversity through various human institutions such as housing. Hardman explained that Council had agreed on $50,000 for economic development, But that the specific use of those funds had yet to be determined. She further explained that to bring all the streets up to the level needed, the funding for street maintenance would have a 3-1/2 million dollar price tag or an additional $700,000 per year over the next five years. That amount was cut down to the amount being considered in this levy. Sue Abendroth stated that containment of costs and being cost efficient contributes to affordability. She added that if Council is doing its job, making sound decisions, and being fiscally responsible there would be support for the levy. Peggy Erskine stated that the long-term solution was to increase jobs and businesses and to do that the Village must be able to provide constant energy without interruption and sound infrastructure. Helen Eier asked what is the standard mandate for streets? Swansen explained that there is a pavement management curve that is used to measure the viability of the street. He added that Council discusses what is the wisest use of public funds and then makes the decision. Chase added that she was uneasy and unhappy about this situation but Council is trying to offer away to offer mandated and non-mandated services. She added that even with the passage of the levy there would still be other financial considerations to be made. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Resolution 2006-25 VMP Coordinator-Employment Agreement. Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. This resolution would authorize the Village Manager to enter into a contractual agreement with Jayne Richeson. Richeson would serve as the new Mediation Coordinator. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Resolution 2006-26 Approving Property & Casualty Insurance Provider. Rickenbach MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Swansen explained that the Public Entities Pool of Ohio is able to provide coverage at an annual cost savings of $16,000 to the Village. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CITIZENS CONCERNS Jean Payne announced that the Leadership Institute of Y.S. would be starting its fifth year. She encouraged staff to enroll in the program. Peggy Erskine announced that the Y.S. Men's Group would be hosting an historical overview of the Village finances and an explanation of the proposed property tax levy. Council President Jocelyn Hardman would make the presentation, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A and B. Joan Edwards expressed concern about how sewer usage was billed to residents. She explained that she had a fairly large garden and she would pay for the water usage but not for the sewer. She suggested a reduction meter could be placed on the spigot that would measure the amount of water she used from her hose. She added that according to her calculations, she had paid $80 in sewer charges for water that did not go into the sewer. She feels that this is unfair and fraudulent. Hardman explained that the Village does not have feasible technology to separate the charges between water and sewer. Hempfling, referring back to the discussion regarding the pool MOVED that the Council authorize up to $4000 to the citizens' pool committee towards reopening the pool. The MOTION DIED for lack of a SECOND. Hardman suggested that since there is already a community recreation board, which would possibly be willing to expand to include the parks and pool and voluntary donations. Ali Thomas urged residents to volunteer for the upcoming AACW Blues Festival weekend. Anyone interested could call her at 767-9931. Peggy Erskine asked that if it were possible to raise $6000 for the reopening of the pool, could the pool be then be opened? Hardman stated that she was not sure this was possible. Swansen added that the pool was being drained beginning today. SPECIAL REPORTS There were no reports scheduled.
OLD BUSINESS Update on the Tax Committee Campaign of August 17 th. Hardman reported that there was an informational meeting for the proposed tax levy committee. Denise Swinger would be coordinating the committee's activities. Residents interested in participating in the campaign should get in touch with Swinger . Review of how Citizen's Concerns are integrated in other Municipality's Agendas. Council agreed that a protocol/statement regarding the process for audience participation during Citizen's Concerns be written and placed at the beginning of the written agenda. Council also agreed that when necessary, this agenda item could be moved to the beginning of the meeting prior to Legislation/Public Hearings.
NEW BUSINESS There were no items listed under New Business. MANAGER'S REPORT Swansen reported that he had attended an informational session on the Ohio Capital Asset Financing Program. The program allows for Villages in good financial standing to fund improvements using market-based bonds for a fraction of the financing costs. Swansen also thanked Suzanne Clauser for her donation of $3000. Clauser's donation has helped to fund repairs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. STANDING REPORTS Kathryn Chase Village Mediation Program Bruce Rickenbach Community Council Judith Hempfling Environmental Commission (On file) Judith Hempfling Human Relations Commission Jocelyn Hardman Library Commission Kathryn Chase Cable Advisory Panel (On file) Karen Wintrow Chamber of Commerce (On file) Jocelyn Hardman Reg. Planning & Coord. Com. Greene Cty. (On file) Bruce Rickenbach Planning/Bike Comm./N. Gateway Commission (On file) Karen Wintrow Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (On file)
Rickenbach would join Hardman in the interview of the applicant to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
AGENDA PLANNING The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 in Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center , 100 Dayton Street .
Items for discussion on Tuesday, September 5th: Resolution Accepting Amounts & Rates & Authorizing Tax Levies Resolution Authorizing Expenditures-Beggar's Night Ordinance Amending Parking-Town Drug Resolution Amending the Rules and Procedures of Council Resolution Authorizing the Bid for the Walnut Street Project
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Presentation re: Post Audit Ordinance Amending the Traffic Code Resolution: ODOT Grant re: Center for Business & Education Thistle Creek Phase-2/St. Paul's Crossing Center for Business & Education-PUD-I Appointment to Human Relations Commission, DAC, & BZA Guidelines for Utility Resolution Dispute Commission Fairfield Pike/Polecat Rd Citizen's Petition Update Katrina Relief Greenspace Fund Sidewalk Obstructions Interview for Village Treasurer Municipal Credit Card
EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no Executive Session scheduled. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business, Hempfling MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 9:37 p.m.
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