|
Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS December 3, 2007 Comments from the Public are welcomed at two different times during the course of the meeting: (1) Comments on items not on the Agenda will be heard under Citizens Concerns, and (2) Comments on all items listed on the Agenda will be heard during Council's consideration of said item. A Sign-In sheet will made available on the small table at the rear of the Council Chambers. Please first write your name and the topic you wish to discuss.
ROLL CALL ANNOUNCEMENTS Van der Heiden - Village Mediation Program is sponsoring a Workshop on Public Discourse on December 2 nd at the Senior Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES. Review of the minutes from November 19, 2007. Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to ACCEPT the minutes as submitted. The MOTION PASSED. REVIEW OF AGENDA No additional new items were added to the agenda.
OML re: Vacancy and Application List-State Boards & Commissions OML re: Legislative Bulletin from November 30 th (New Business) Ellis Jacobs re: Position of Consumer Advocate Against Coal Power YS Community Council, Inc. Board Report WYSO re: Foodbank Donations EMA re: Pandemic Flu Exercise Douglas Bailey re: Reappointment Request to EC (New Business) Antioch College re: Seeking Co-op Positions Dimi Reber re: Smart Growth-Energy Forum (Old Business) Allen County Citizens for the Environment re: AMPGS MVRPC re: Little Miami Basin Meeting YS Chamber Newsletter Board of Elections re: Certification of YS Charter Amendments YS Chamber re: Third Friday Fling Victoria Hennessy re: Waste Water Treatment Plant (Goals) Brian Chase re: Application-Cable Advisory Panel (New Business) Press Release-Amer. Electric Power- 73% Rate Increase-SB221 PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATION 1 st Reading and Public Hearing Ordinance #2007-19 Prairie States Power Plant, Emergency. Van der Heiden explained that the Village did not know the financial impact but she did support diversifying the Village's energy portfolio. She added that coal is the primary energy source in Ohio . Wintrow explained that the Electric Systems Task Force had been having good discussions regarding alternative energy sources. She added that the Village could work with AMP-Ohio on their conservation efforts. Askeland was concerned with the 50-year commitment to the project and believes that other choices would be available in the next decade. Booth explained he was looking for options and more information regarding purchasing options for power. Hempfling explained that the legislation was being readdressed because normally the legislation would have passed with the original 3-1 vote but due to the "emergency" nature of the legislation it would take four affirmative votes to pass. Hempfling opened the public hearing. Public Hearing: Bill Firestone asked Council to vote no because of the 50-year commitment. Dawn Johnson also agreed with Firestone and requested a no vote. Rick Donahoe citing an article from the NY Times did not support the legislation for more coal power energy. Dimi Reber supported not getting locked into using more coal. Pat Murphy was concerned that if the Village committed all of its resources to coal power that there would be no resources left for alternatives. Bob Brecha agreed with Murphy. Mary Donahoe supported "environmentally sound" alternatives. She did not support more coal power. Brian Chase supporting the legislation explained that the 50-year contract could be sold if the Village wanted to get out of the commitment. He added that the Village would have 70% of its power needs gone in five years. Ellis Jacobs suggested that a comparison of costs for various energy sources would show coal as the most expensive. Sue Abendroth suggested that lobbying in Columbus and in Washington D.C. to bring pressure to the policy writers would be a positive step. Hempfling closed the public hearing. Van der Heiden MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. The roll was called. The MOTION FAILED with Wintrow and Van der Heiden voting for the legislation and Askeland, Booth and Hempfling voting against the legislation. CITIZENS CONCERNS Bill Firestone expressed concerns regarding a group of unidentified individuals who have been participating in counter demonstrations to his group's "peace" demonstration during the last few weeks. Police Chief Grote explained that an assembly permit was on file for both groups. Swansen explained that the Village had to be careful not to infringe upon the rights of either group to demonstrate. Firestone explained that his group had a "peace vigil" and that they support non-violence, but is concerned that the other group's actions could be interpreted as troublesome. Chief Grote would continue to monitor the situation. Ray Olds urged property owners to keep their sidewalks in repair and with the onset of winter, clear of snow and ice. Swansen explained that letters had been sent to property owners regarding replacement and repair of their sidewalks. He reminded Council that there had been sidewalk survey and a meeting with residents to begin the process for repairs. Council gave appreciation and thanks to staff for their work on this project, especially Antioch students Kai and Michael.
SPECIAL REPORTS There were no special reports.
OLD BUSINESSAlternative Energy/Coal-Special Meeting Agenda. Hempfling explained that the Smart Growth group would be hosting a workshop. She added that the Electric Systems Task Force had not made a decision pro or con about the upcoming coal power legislation. Dimi Reber-Smart Growth Energy Forum. Reber explained that the group had decided on January 15 th or 17 th as possible dates for the forum. They were hoping for a three-part program to include NRDC, ESTF and AMP-Ohio. Council had also wanted a special meeting. Council considered ways to combine the forum and their special meeting and agreed to a joint discussion for January 15 th . Wintrow suggested that the NRDC meet with the Electric System Task Force (ESTF). Wintrow added that she would like to know what energy alternatives are available to power our base load and our intermediate power needs. Pat Murphy stated that he thought it would be important for Council to extend an invitation to AMP-Ohio to attend the forum. Swansen suggested that Council hold its special meeting and have the ESTF facilitate the discussion and keep the record. Reber disagreed and suggested that this be a community discussion and not limited to Council. She added that the Village Mediation Program facilitate. Swansen reported that Mack Thompson for AMP-Ohio has been working on a pilot program with Vermont Energy. There is a teleconference scheduled with Thompson, Swansen and representatives from the ESTF. Council will continue this discussion after more information becomes available.
NEW BUSINESS Preliminary Discussion re: 2008 Council Goals. Swansen suggested and Council agreed to begin drafting preliminary goals at this meeting; have staff wordsmith and add any costs; a second review would be scheduled and then a final list would be completed. Swansen reviewed the goals from February 2006 and the update from October 2006. Council members then began listing possible goals for 2008. (See attached.) Antioch Faculty Chair Pat Mische offered items that could assist the College in its endeavors to becoming more vibrant college with tenured faculty. She also suggested a greening in the physical plant, entrepreneurial endeavors for students, supporting he Coretta Scott King Center , and participation in environmental health studies. Bob Barcus suggested an annual investment of $50,000 to Tecumseh Land Trust for its continual work on the greenbelt. Nancy Schwerner suggested more support for Home Inc. Bill Firestone asked for respectful civil discourse. Sue Abendroth suggested a commitment to assess the economic impact and overall affordability of Council decisions. Dawn Johnson suggested that Planning Commission update the planning and zoning code and its maps. Hempfling MOVED and Askeland SECONDED a MOTION to draft a small blurb in the YS News, Channel 5 and WYSO about topics to be discussed in upcoming Council meetings. The MOTION PASSED 4-1 with a no vote from Van der Heiden. Hempfling volunteered to draft the first notice regarding the budget. Swansen also suggested topics for discussion regarding Council goals. They included items such as Marketing of YS; the Vernay Site; Utility infrastructure and roadwork at the Center for Business and Education; Levy options; Design Project-Waste Water Treatment Plant; Capital Improvement Projects and Comprehensive Planning. Discussion of Village Legislative Interests. Swansen suggested draft legislation that would allow the Village Manager to write letters expressing to the State legislators any concerns about policies that could potentially be harmful the Village. Swansen also suggested that Council host a meet and greet with the State representatives to begin building a stronger relationship with them. Van der Heiden MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION directing the Village Manager to draft such a resolution. The MOTION PASSED. Doug Bailey. Hempfling MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to APPOINT Doug Bailey to another term on the Environmental Commission. The MOTION PASSED. Brian Chase. Hempfling MOVED and Booth SECONDED a MOTION to APPOINT Brian Chase to the Cable Advisory Panel. The MOTION PASSED.
MANAGER'S REPORT Swansen reported that he had met with Mary Rogero Architect for the FCC Senior Apartments who would be putting up a display of the conceptual plan for the project. Swansen also reported that AMP-Ohio has informed him that the Village's credit score has been ranked "ok".
AGENDA PLANNING The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2007 Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton Street. Items for discussion on the Monday, December 17, 2007 Budget Graphs Temporary Budget/Day-to-Day Expenditures Resolution/Temporary Budget Caboose Update CEMEX Letter from EC- Resolution-Legislative Issues Accessibility Committee Draft of Goals in Packet
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMSAnnual Reports: Commissions, Committees and Boards (Jan/Feb) Presentations -AMP-Ohio/ESTF/NRDC (Jan 15) 1 st Reading of Ordinance re: 2008 Annual Appropriations 2 nd Reading of Ord #2007-18 AMPGS Base Load (Jan 22 '08) Economic Development-Task Force Electric Systems Task Force-Phase 2 Solid Waste Contract YSA Economic Development Request Amending Public Records Policy Personnel Policy Manual-Amending Annexation Ordinance re: Control of Demolitions Guidelines for Utility Resolution Dispute Commission Fairfield Pike/Polecat Rd Citizen's Petition Update Marking State Route 68 Bikeway
EXECUTIVE SESSIONHempfling MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION for an Executive Session for a discussion on Personnel-Employment, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22 (G)(1). The MOTION PASSED at 10:20 p.m.Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to return to the General Session. The MOTION PASSED at 11:35 p.m.
Having no further business, Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 11:36 p.m. Judith Hempfling, President of Council
__________________________________ Deborah Benning, Clerk of Council |
|