|
Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS February 5, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTSNone
REVIEW OF THE MINUTES Review of the minutes from January 16, 2007. Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes as submitted. The MOTION PASSED.
REVIEW OF AGENDA Add: New Business-Appointment to John Booth to the HRC. (Hempfling ) Village's Cash Position Press Release re: Fogg Annexation-Special Meeting YS Community Council re: Annual Report
Wally Sikes re: Property Tax Increase -Rickenbach pointed out that the percentage increase in property taxes that Sikes referred to in his letter was not because of the Village Tax Levy. There were additional county taxes that are included in this increase that have nothing to do with the Village's recently passed Property Tax Levy. PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATIONResolution #2007-02 Membership-Regional Planning Commission/Greene County. Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. The cost for the 2007 membership would be $711. 96. One of the duties of this Planning Commission is to review the Village's subdivision requests. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CITIZENS CONCERNS There were no comments from the audience.
Village Manager's Annual Report. This is Swansen's one-year anniversary of his five-year contract. Swansen reported that his first three months were consumed with drafting and approving the budget. Items highlighted in his report was the completion of the Dayton Street Project, securing permits from the EPA for the Walnut-Short Street Waterline Project, and completed State EPA progress reports. Swansen reported on the impact of loss in staffing and how it relates to existing duties that are still required. He aided Council in drafting budget policies, continue to explore regional dispatch opportunities, and continue to investigate ways to improve the Village's electric services. (See Swansen's report for more specifics.) Chase thanked Swansen for his hard work and dedication during this past year.
OLD BUSINESSEconomic Development. Wintrow reviewed Council's goal as it relates to Economic Development. Swansen explained that over the years the Village has lost employment and decreases in population, which causes expenditures to spread over a smaller group of residents. Swansen looking at the Village's limited resources, thought it be best that the Village did not duplicate work that is ongoing by other groups within the Village. The Council had approved $50,000 for Economic Development for 2007. Swansen briefly reviewed the role of the federal and state government as it relates to economic development and job creation. Swansen explained that Greene County has an Economic Development Plan. The County is also involved in a Business Retention Plan and the Business First Program. Swansen added that the Village could become a part of the Business First Program. The County will be kicking off its Marketing Program sometime in March. They also have a Labor and Education Program for businesses. Swansen stressed the importance of partnerships with these groups and non-profits organizations. Locally, Swansen explained that the Village has utilities available for businesses, manages the Economic Revolving Loan Fund, and provides services and items to the downtown area businesses. The Village also has many amenities that make it unique. Swansen added that affordable housing is also an issue that should be considered within economic development. Swansen made several recommendations for Council's consideration. Wintrow explained that a few groups in town are currently working on marketing. Rickenbach added that although the groups are individually working on marketing there is no overall marketing plan. Hempfling read a piece on economic localization, which is a concept that is gaining support in many communities. Hempfling suggested using this as a tool regarding economic development. Rickenbach suggested that a bringing together of the groups that are currently working on economic development to work on an over arching plan and to hear what each group is doing. Ellen Hoover explained that the YS Chamber met in a retreat to draft their goals. The goals including funding, economic development and looking at the needs of local businesses, strengthening and growth in their membership, enhancing their website and making the Village more visible. Hoover also spoke briefly spoke about Millworks. She explained that just recently they had lost a tenant, which was a major utility user. Although they have a tenant that would take the space, the newer tenant is an employer of one replacing the old tenant that had 20 employees. Hempfling added that the Human Relations Commission had been discussing economic development and how it relates to the diversity of the Village. Pat Murphy citing the decrease in staff supported hiring an economic development person. Van der Heiden suggested that the first step would be talking to these groups to get updates on what they are doing. Council directed Swansen to speak with the individual groups regarding economic development and report back to Council. Rickenbach suggested the drafting of a proposal that would be an agreement signed off by all the groups that outlines who would do what. He added that since these are all groups that do not have to report to the public, that Council could be the group that gathers the information and gets it out to the public. Council could provide the leadership for moving this issue forward. Scheduling of Council Retreat. Wintrow reported that she and Van der Heiden had met to review her draft of the agenda for the retreat. Bruce Heckman from the Village Mediation Program agreed to be the facilitator. Council tentatively agreed to March 31 st for the retreat. Wintrow and Van der Heiden will continue to work on finalizing the plans for the retreat.
NEW BUSINESSAgenda for February 13 th - Special Annexation Meeting. Swansen reviewed his suggested agenda. He expressed concern about the audio of the broadcast. He will be working with Channel 13 to see what can be done. Swansen offered some suggested topics including housing/affordability, energy, smart growth, greenbelt and economic development. He added that these topics would be in the context of the Fogg Annexation request. Wintrow suggested that the discussion could be further tailored by having the presenters give the pros and cons of the annexation without taking one position over another. Hempfling stated that she would like to see Village Council start out the discussion to allow for individual Council members speak on their thoughts. She would also like to have included speakers addressing the issue of diversity and the referendum process as it relates to this annexation request. Wintrow explained that the last meeting was for informational gathering from staff and consultants and this meeting would be more input from the community and groups within the community. Wintrow added that she would be unwilling to make a statement at this time until after she hears more from the community. Van der Heiden supported more interaction from the community and she would like Council to have a chance to dialogue if possible. Rickenbach supporting Wintrow earlier comments stated that he would also like to see the presentations focused on how it relates to this annexation request. Swansen suggested that the consultants from the former meeting be asked to attend this meeting as resources. He added that they would be available to answer questions but would not be apart of the roundtable discussion. Council then agreed to look at the 15 th of February as another date for consideration. Hempfling asked for clarity on what the process would be, could the time limits be changed and would Council agree to have John Booth speak on diversity in the Village and Mary Donahoe speak on a referendum process. Swansen in answering a question about Council just denying the annexation request from audience member Carlos Landaburu explained that Council must be careful not to make any decision that would appear to be arbitrary or capricious. Shannon Martin from the Village Solicitor's office stated that the referendum process is a rigorous process and it would not be appropriate for Council to comment. Council agreed that there would be presentations, dialogue with panelists and Council, audience comments, closing remarks from Council members and "next steps". On behalf of Council, Wintrow thanked and offered words of appreciation to the volunteers from Channel 13 for their long hours spent in editing the previous special meeting. Appointment to Human Relations Commission. Hempfling MOVED and Rickenbach SECONDED a MOTION to APPOINT John Booth to the Human Relations Commission. The MOTION PASSED. Pre-Annexation Agreement with Shannon Martin. Martin explained that pre-annexation agreements are fairly common and that a reference to such could be added to the Village's current Annexation Policy. She explained that these agreements would include covenants that would be between the Village and the developer. Martin agreed that timing was crucial and that Council did not want the Village to be contractually obligated. Rickenbach suggested that this conversation with the developer should begin. Swansen reviewed a list of items that could be included in the preliminary agreement.
MANAGER'S REPORTSwansen reported that there would be a bid process for janitorial services. Winburn's Janitorial Service stated that they could not continue because there was no profit after costs deduction. Swansen stated that Winburn's Janitorial Service did an excellent job. Swansen added that he would be getting the bid packet out soon. Swanson also reminded the community to monitor their pipes for leaks and watch for pipes freezing during this cold season. He also added appreciation for their keeping the streets clear and safe.
AGENDA PLANNINGThe next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton Street. Resolution: Village Manager Employment Agreement 2 nd Reading and Public Hearing: #2007-01 Ctr for Business & Education-Zoning Electric Consultant-Electric Utility Needs FUTURE AGENDA ITEMSEconomic Development Farm Leases Mowing Contracts Annual Commission, Committee, Board Reports Unified Building Code Audit Conference Ordinance re: Control of Demolitions/Control Burn Appointment to HRC, EC & DAC Guidelines for Utility Resolution Dispute Commission Fairfield Pike/Polecat Rd Citizen's Petition Update Greenspace Fund Sidewalk Obstructions (March 5 th ) Municipal Credit Card EXECUTIVE SESSIONRickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN into Executive Session for a discussion regarding Personnel-Employment/Village Manager and Real Estate-Imminent Litigation this in accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22 (G)(1) and Ohio Revised Code #121.22 (G)(3). Shannon Martin from the Village Solicitor's office would be present in the Executive Session. The role was called and the MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY at 10:10 p.m. Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION to return to the General Session. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
|
|