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Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS October 1, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Budget Meetings : Wednesday, 10/3 & Thursday, 10/11 at 7 p.m. in Meeting Rms A and B. This session will be videotaped for Channel 5 Charter Review Presentation on the Amendments: Tuesday, 10/9 in Council Chambers. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES. Review of the minutes from September 17, 2007. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL as amended. The MOTION PASSED.
REVIEW OF AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda.
Greene County Parks and Recreation Update YS Library Commission Minutes Press Release re: Martha Gardin-2007 Hall of Fame Librarian (Congratulations) Ellen Duell re: Coal Contract Greene County Library Board Meeting OML re: LGF Clarification (Same amount as 2007/8) Ohio Attorney General Office re: HB9 Training Pat Murphy re: Amp-OH Presentation Pomeroy , OH re: Technology Overview-Coal Ellis Jacobs re: Amp-OH Presentation OML Legislative Bulletin-September 28, 2007 John Chambers re: Amp-OH Legislative Action John Chambers re: Confidential Business Records Paul Abendroth re: Resignation from the Electric Systems Task Force (Accepted)
2 nd Reading and Public Hearing of Ordinance #2007-16 re: Amending the Personnel Manual-Two Additional Holidays. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. This ordinance would allow for two additional paid holidays for Village employees and staff, the Friday after the Thanksgiving Day holiday and a floating holiday. Wintrow opened the public hearing. Having no comments, the public hearing was closed. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 1 st Reading of Ordinance #2007-18 re: Base Load Power-Amp-OH. Rickenbach MOVED and Chase SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Wintrow explained that several of the Village's power contracts would be expiring over the next five years and that it was important for the Village to replace those contracts. Swansen explained that the project was for a new coal power plant. The plant would use the latest technology in order to greatly reduce CO2 emissions. Van der Heiden explained that in Ohio the main power producer is coal. She stated that she had heard mixed support from various members of the community. She stated that she was an environmentalist and is concerned with global warming but also wants good reliable base load power for the Village. Hempfling stated that she felt that this was a rushed process and that community members were not up to speed on this issue. She expressed concerns regarding how the discussions had been framed and that there was not equal time for opposing points of view or adequate discussion about alternative energy sources. She felt that there needed to be more discussion before making any decisions. Wintrow stated that she was concerned about how to balance the environmental issues and affordability for the residents. Van der Heiden suggested that conservation would play a major role in this issue. Her concerned was how to get the public involved in conserving energy. She explained that when she was a member of the Environmental Commission, there had been some conservation ideas that were to be recommended for implementation; such as updating the lighting of the Bryan Center and budgeting funds for property owners so that they could retrofit their homes. Chase expressed concern that if the Village does not become a member in this new power plant it could end up paying a premium price from a less modern facility in a profit driven business. Chase also supported investing in conservation programs and alternative energy. Hempfling suggested that the community should try and reduce their power usage by 25%. Van der Heiden suggested a contest that would begin November 1 st and last until Earth Day. A prize would be given to the family who conserved the most energy.
Comments from the audience. John Booth stated that he had not heard enough about alternative energy. He also asked if the Village could commit to a shorter term rather than the fifty years. Helen Eier asked who paid for the cost of the research and effort that has gone into this issue. She also supported a plan to promote conservation and alternatives. Pat Murphy asked what atmosphere are we leaving for our children. He stated that he and Bob Brecha wanted to provide some education information to council and was told to go to the Environmental Commission. He further explained that they approached the EC but nothing happened. He added that the Electric Systems Task Force has been working with Amp-OH on other items, but not this issue. He would support more IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) plants. Jerry Sutton explained that if Council signed the contract that it would give the Village a seat at the table for further discussions and decisions regarding the new power plant. Marianne MacQueen expressed concerns about this critical issue and suggested that everyone needs to be thinking about this issue. She also expressed concerns regarding the environmental impact. She supported delaying the decision to give more time to discussion and education. Joan Edwards supported exploring energy alternatives but she added that she was uncomfortable with the 50-year contract. She further added that she practices conservation and did not see how she could conserve an additional 25% of energy. Lori Askeland agreed that this was a difficult decision, however her concern was that Meigs County has four coal plants and that they also had the highest rate of heart and lung disease along with high instances of asthma. She added that the plants were all located in a very narrow location. Stan Bernstein supported the discussion and was glad it was taking place. He felt that there was no down side to waiting to sign the contract in March. He stated that Council should get information from all sides of the issue. Benj Maruyama expressed concern that the Village would bear full responsibility of the cost and the estimates keep rising. He stated that support for this plant is risky and reckless. Patti Dallas suggested a blog be generated on the web that would provide a place for villagers to share their thoughts and ideas on this issue. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED 4-1, with a no vote from Hempfling. Council would hold its second reading and public hearing at the October 15 th Council meeting. Resolution #2007-32 re: Issue 2 Grant-Waste Water Treatment Plant. Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. This ordinance would authorize the Village Manager to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for funds capital improvements to the Wastes Water Treatment Plant. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Resolution #2007-33 re: Amending Supplemental Appropriations. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. This resolution amends the Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance #2007-17, which had the incorrect grand total. The amounts within the ordinance were correct. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CITIZENS CONCERNSJohn Booth expressed concern that this Council was voting on the budget prior to December 31 st and prior to the seating of the new Council in November. Peggy Erskine expressed thanks for the paving of the streets.
Yellow Springs Alliance for Economic Development. Citing her employment with the YS Chamber, Wintrow recused herself. Rickenbach chaired this agenda item. Dan Young representing the YSA explained that the group was made up of members from Community Resources, the Community Information Project and the YS Chamber. There were twelve members in the initial planning group. Young explained the planning process, its mission and the feasibility of a group such as this that would work in a joint effort to bring economic development to the Village. Young asked that Council designate this group as the economic development authority for the Village; allocate any economic development funding to this group and use Community Resources as the agent. Hempfling suggested that this is part of a much larger discussion, which should include Antioch College , representatives from the arts community, Environmental Commission, Smart Growth, the Human Relations Commission and other relevant groups. She also would like to see practices and policies used by other communities. Chase added that these three groups had work diligently to the benefit of the Village. She further added that they have a proven track record.
Questions from the audience. In answering a question from Jim Rose, Young stated that Glen Watts and Toni Murdock were the representatives from the College. Rose felt that they represented the University and not the College. Stan Bernstein asked if Council had defined what it means by "economic development" and if not, it should. He added that the YS Chamber does not represent all the not-for-profit entities in the Village. Brian Harris questioned Young about his motives for asking for the funding and challenged his reasons. Chase tried to explain to Harris that Young is not asking for money for his own business but for the economic development group and that he along with some of these representatives had done many things to support the Village. The manner in which Harris responded was not in keeping with the conduct expected by audience members when making public comments. Chase then exited the meeting. Marianne MacQueen offered thanks to Young for his presentation and was not supportive of the behavior that was just previously demonstrated by Harris. She did suggest that Council take time to decide how to spend the funds. Sue Abendroth supported the effort by this group and asked that Council not allow discouragement when proposals such as these are brought forth. Patti Dallas suggested a special meeting in order to allow for more comment from the community. Brian Springer explained that 80% of colleges that close do not reopen. He added that economic development could assist in supporting the College. Benj Maruyama applauded the effort of the group and asked that if Council approves their request that some form of measurement be used to track their efforts and periodic reports be made to the community. Young asked that Council make a decision soon, which would assist the group in their endeavors. He added that if Council does not support the requests, the group would still move forward on their plan. Hempfling explained that she did not want to discourage voluntarism and would like to know the next steps. Council agreed to place the item on a future agenda for further discussion.
OLD BUSINESS There were no items listed under Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS Clarification of ordinances re: Junk Cars. Swansen asked Council for clarification on the ordinance regarding junk cars. Council agreed that one junk car was allowed and that there was no need to amend the ordinance. MANAGER'S REPORT Swansen reported that a reminder regarding enforcement of the sidewalk ordinance would be placed in utility bills. The tree survey indicated that there were 1549 street trees of which 4.7% were ash trees. He also reported that he had been notified that Vectren had petitioned the Public Utilities Commission for an 8% increase. Swansen explained that there would be a change order for the work being done on Elm Street . The change order was needed in order to replace and reroute the existing water lines, change out the inside meters and move them outside and placement of a fire hydrant on Elm St. AGENDA PLANNING The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2007 Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton Street.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMSEDRLF Application-Don Beard EXECUTIVE SESSIONVan der Heiden MOVED and Rickenbach SECONDED a MOTION for an Executive Session to discuss Potential Litigation and a Personnel item in accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22(G)(3) Imminent Court Action and #121.22(G)(1) Personnel. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY at 9:57 p.m. The Village Solicitor John Chambers was present in the Executive Session. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to return to the General Session. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENTHaving no further business, Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 10:30 p.m.
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