Council of the Village of Yellow Springs

VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS

MINUTES

IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS June 5, 2006

CALL TO ORDER
Council President Jocelyn Hardman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Jocelyn Hardman, Karen Wintrow, Bruce Rickenbach, Judith Hempfling and Kathryn Chase were present as was the Village Manager Eric Swansen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Gaunt Park Pool would open on June 12 th . Passes for the pool can be purchased at the Utility Window in the Bryan Center . The Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority has purchased passes that they will sell on a sliding scale to eligible Village residents. A villager does not have to reside in Greene Met housing to be eligible.

The Annual Clean-Up is scheduled is June 19 th . Swap weekend is generally held the weekend before.

REVIEW OF THE MINUTES.

Minutes from the May 15 th meeting were reviewed and approved at the May 30 th special Council meeting.

REVIEW OF AGENDA
Hardman suggested and Council agreed to add the letter from Carol Gasho regarding the Kroger Gift Services Application under New Business.

PETITIONS/COMMUNICATIONS
The Clerk will receive and file:
AMP-Ohio Newsletter(s)
AMP-Ohio re: Business Services Meetings
Community Round Table re: Economic Planning Forum ( New Business)
YS Chamber of Commerce News
Greene County Recreation re: "Coffeehouse night at the lodge"
Greene County Recreation re: July-At-A-Glance
Greene County Public Library Board re: June 14 th Meeting
Paul Cooper re: Motorcycles Noise
Ohio Municipal League e-Bulletin
Northern Gateway Project-Grant Application, Synopsis & Scope of
Services (Manager's Report)
MVRPC re: Session on "State Budge Overview"
Mayor's Monthly Statement
YS Chamber of Commerce re: Grant Workshop
Carol Gasho-Kroger Gift Services-Letter of Support (New Business)
MVRPC hosting State Budget Briefing
Legislative Briefing-Quarterly Meeting-June 8 th , Springfield

Public Notice re: Isolated Wetland Permit Application: Swansen explained that this was a routine notification of the application. Municipalities in the immediate area can review and comment.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATION

1 st Reading of Ordinance #2006-14 Amending Cable Advisory Panel. Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. The legislation calls for an increase in Panel membership from five to six and decreases the terms to two years. Paul Abendroth, a member of the Panel offered support for the ordinance. Rickenbach and Chase agreed to a friendly amendment to change the word repealing to amending in the title of the legislation. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The public hearing was scheduled for June 19 th .

CITIZENS CONCERNS

Resident Jerry Papania stated his concern that Antioch College was proposing to place a barrier around their chiller unit with consulting a technical person. He further stated that if the barrier fails it could put the Village into litigation because the Village was allowing the College to execute a plan that was not well thought out. He added that he was gathering signatures on a petition regarding this noise issue and would present the petition to Council at a later date.

Hempfling explained that it was the Village's responsibility to enforce the law and that noise pollution is a public health hazard. She suggested that the Village be proactive in prevention. She added that perhaps the Village should fine-tune its existing policies. She further suggested that the Village revisit its noise ordinances and direct the Village Manager to investigate what other communities do to address this issue.

Hardman explained that areas that located in the CEDA agreement were chosen for this very reason, to put businesses further away from residential districts. She added that the Village has no staffing for a noise commissioner.

Resident Jennifer Sherwood spoke against the Northern Gateway Project. She felt that fixing the roads and sidewalks were more important than spending money on this project at this time. She added that the sidewalk in front of Mills Lawn School was in disrepair and had cause people to trip and some to fall.

Resident Carol Cobbs expressed concern regarding the lack of support of the Village's young people. She asked if there could be some type of organized way to address this problem.

Hardman explained that the former Teen Center was closed due to lack of attendance. She added that young people prefer to have the freedom to "hangout" and not be confined to a particular area.

SPECIAL REPORTS
There were no special reports scheduled for this meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
Volunteer Response /Acknowledgment & Application. Because Wintrow was absent, this item was postponed until the June 19 th meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
Revenue Sources -Program Cuts for 2007 Budget. Swansen made a presentation to Council regarding potential new revenue sources and potential program cuts for the 2007 budget. Highlights of the presentation included that the total budget deficit would be approximately $967,943; additional revenues could come from an increases in property tax, income tax and/or service fees; cuts in mandated services such as the police department could save as much as $291,000, but would lessen the police presence in the Village; and program cuts in the various youth related programs and the parks and pool could save approximately $348,000. Swansen cautioned that cutting some of these programs would take away from the very things that bring people to the Village. (Copies of the presentation are on file in the Administrative Office and with the Clerk of Council).

Community Round Table re: Economic Planning Forum. Council was asked to appoint a representative from its membership to join in Forum III, "Qualities of Growth". A program co-sponsored by Community RoundTable "to move support for change in the community forward by providing an opportunity for discussion of the kinds of change and growth". Hardman suggested and Council agreed to ask Wintrow to represent them in this effort.

Carol Gasho -Kroger Gift Services-Community Resources. Gasho has made a request on behalf of the YS Miami Township Community Improvement Corporation for a letter of support from Council and the Village supporting their grant application to the Kroger Gift Services. If approved the funds would be used as part of their capital campaign. Rickenbach MOVED and Hardman SECONDED a MOTION to direct the Village Manager to draft the letter. The MOTION PASSED.

Council Goal- Internet Wireless . Due to time constraints, Council postponed this item until the June 19 th meeting.

MANAGER'S REPORT

Northern Gateway. Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION to postpone the project for one year. Hardman explained that there was no funds available for the project and that postponing it for one year would give more time to outside fundraising efforts. She further explained that some are characterizing this project and a bridge or bike spur project, which is not correct. The proposed project was based on the need to increase parking in the Central Business District. Based of previous survey information, the Parking Subcommittee agreed that there was a need to add long-term parking spaces near the CBD and shorten existing parking time in the CBD. The former Council agreed not to change the parking at Mills Lawn School or use portions of Beatty-Hughes Park for additional parking, but to use the lot on Cemetery Street and the front of the Bryan Center for long-term parking needs. Those Council members agreed that the Northern Gateway Project was a necessary investment for the economic development and growth of the Village. The MOTION PASSED by voice vote.

In support of Hardman's comments, audience member Denise Swinger stated that she appreciated Council's decision to postpone and not eliminate this project. Swinger was a member of the previous Council that approved the project.

Sue Abendroth asked if the bulk of the funds needed was for the bridge and was there another design that could be used without the bridge. Swansen answered yes to both questions.

AGENDA PLANNING
The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2006 Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton Street.
Resolution Establishing Special Revenue Fund
Resolution Authorizing Collection re: RITA
1 st Reading Approving Stancliff Neighborhood-Final Plan
2 nd Reading & PH Cable Advisory Panel
HRC Brochure Update
Volunteer Application Process


FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Resolution 2007 Tax Budget
Resolution Awarding Bid-Dayton Street
Thistle Creek, Phase 2-St. Paul's Crossing
Center for Business & Education-PUD-I
Appointments to Charter Review Committee
Appointment to Cable Advisory Panel
Appointment to Human Relations Commission
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
Pole Contact Agreements
Marking State Route 68 Bikeway
Conservation Easement-Well fields
Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Review of the Village Manager Search Process

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a motion to go into an Executive Session for a discussion-Court Action- Imminent Litigation. This is accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22(G)(3). The Village Solicitor John Chambers was present. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a motion to return to the General Session. The MOTION PASSED.

ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 10:20p.m.