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Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS October 15, 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 be made available on the small table at the rear of the Council Chambers. Please write your name and the topic you wish to discuss. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Karen Wintrow, Bruce Rickenbach, Judith Hempfling, Kathryn Chase and Kathryn Van der Heiden were present as well as the Village Manager Eric Swansen. Assistant Planner Ed Amrhein, Police Chief John Grote and Village Solicitor John Chambers were also present. ANNOUNCEMENTS Smart Growth Forum - October 21 st at the Senior Citizens Center-3p.m. YS Men's Group/Candidates Night-October 25 th at Mills Lawn Auditorium-7p.m. Antioch McGregor Open House-October 31 st at Dayton-Xenia Rd. location-3p.m. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES Review of the minutes from October 1, 2007 regular meeting. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes as amended. The MOTION PASSED. REVIEW OF AGENDA YSA Economic Development-Moved to Future Agenda Items PETITIONS/COMMUNICATIONS The Clerk will receive and file: AMP-Ohio Newsletter(s) Dimi Reber re: In Opposition of AMPGS Ellis Jacobs re: In Opposition of AMPGS Antioch College Environmental Group re: In Opposition of AMPGS 2007 Goals EMA re: Pandemic Flu Seminar Time Warner re: High Definition Launch Invitation re: Antioch University McGregor-Open House OML Legislative Bulletin-October 8 th and 15 th Notice re: Greater Springfield Business Summit Pam Sullivan-Amp-OH/Amp-OH article in Akron Beacon Journal YS Charter Review-Presentation from October 9 th Mayor's Monthly Statement PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATION 2 nd Reading and Public Hearing of Ordinance #2007-18 AMPGS Base Load. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Wintrow explained that the Village is a member of AMP-Ohio, which offers a variety of services that will help the Village with its electric utility. Wintrow also explained that the some of the Village's existing utility contracts were due to expire and that the Village must look at alternatives to those contracts. AMP-Ohio is proposing that the Village join in supporting a new proposed coal-power plant in Meigs County . Van der Heiden read a statement that included her concerns regarding the Village needing reliable power service; having more time for discussion about alternative energy sources and the making a 50-year commitment to this proposed plant. She suggested a special meeting on energy that would include council, residents and a variety of presenters. Chase reading from her statement which reviewed the concept of "clean" coal based on newer technologies, the decrease of availability of natural gas and the ability of the Village to sell its interest in the plant if it found it necessary to do so. Hempfling suggested that more time would be needed to understand the implications for a "no" vote as well as a "yes" vote. Wintrow explained that the plant would be built whether the Village participates or not. She supports conservation and hopes that more conservation programs would be available to residents. She expressed concern regarding the economic impact of any power plant decision made by Council. She added that she did not want the Village having to go on the open market to purchase needed electric because of the high cost associated with that possibility. Wintrow opened the public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING: Jacob Stockwell representing the Antioch Environmental Group read a statement that in support of postponing the decision. Abigail Cobb, who lives in the Vale, supports Council postponing the decision and hopes to be a part of a discussion on alternative energy sources. Ellis Jacobs stated that the deregulation of power plants would be re-regulated in the near future. He added that based on remarks he had heard by a representative from the Ohio Consumer Council, he agreed that no new coal plants should be built. He supported and encouraged energy alternatives. Dimi Reber stated that the Smart Growth Committee would be organizing a forum, which would include presenters and discussions on alternative energy sources. Eli Hurwitz a member of the Environmental Commission explained that the Environmental Commission recommends that Council delay voting on this issue and give more time for discussion. The public hearing was closed. Van der Heiden MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION to postpone the vote on Ordinance 2007-18 until after the receipt of the updated information but before the March 1, 2008 deadline. The roll was called and the vote PASSED 4-1 with Chase voting no. Wintrow directed Swansen to bring forth both the Hydro Plant and the Prairie State Plant proposals before Council so that Council can begin their discussions on these proposals. Resolution #2007-34 Wheeling Gaunt Flour and Sugar Expenditure. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Wintrow explained that the Village would continue its commitment honoring Wheeling Gaunt by distributing flour and sugar to widows residing in the Village. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CITIZENS CONCERNS There were no comments. SPECIAL REPORTS Electric Systems Task Force. Wintrow thanked the members of the Committee and for the commitment and hard work they demonstrated during Phase One. Benji Maruyama Chair of the Electric Systems Task Force (ESTF) acknowledged committee members Pat Murphy, Carol Gasho, Reggie Stratton, Roy Eastman, David Heckler, Richard Zopf and Steve Conn. He also acknowledged Council liaisons Judith Hempfling and Karen Wintrow and resource persons Bob Brecha, Eric Swansen and staff members from AMP-Ohio. Maruyama reviewed the process the Committee used to complete its work, the various documents used as resource information, the capacity and quality of the electric system, and recommendations by the committee. The Committee agreed that the electric system needs to be upgraded and that an electric substation was not needed at this time. The Committee recommended the addition of a third voltage regulator and/or a third 3-phase distribution circuit would enhance the quality. The costs for the improvements for the voltage regulator would be $120,000 and the distribution circuit, $210,000. Swansen is concerned that the Village would rely to heavily on DP&L for service and should be more independent. He added that the power service agreement with DP&L would expire but he would investigate the possible increase of service from DP&L. Council thanked Maruyama for his report and agreed to continue this discussion as well as moving forward to Phase 2. Pat Murphy invited Council members, the Village Manager and council candidates to the Peak Oil Conference as guests of Community Service. OLD BUSINESS YSA Economic Development-moved to Agenda Planning NEW BUSINESS Antioch Alumni Board-Update. Steve Schwerner representing the Antioch College Alumni Association gave a report on The College Revival Fund. Schwerner explained that the Alumni Board had been spending most of its time doing fundraising and drafting a plan to keep the College open. He also reviewed the Proposed Governance Structure of Antioch College. The Board proposes that the College remain open and have its own Board of Trustees and not be governed by the Antioch University Board of Trustees. He added that the Alumni group had raised $20 million in pledges. He asked that Village Council support the efforts of the Alumni. Council members were in support of the work of the Alumni Board and their efforts to keep the College opened but were concerned with supporting a plan that they had not seen. Hempfling MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to authorize Karen Wintrow to draft a letter to the Antioch University Board of Trustees stating that the Council "appreciate very much that you have given the Antioch Alumni Board the opportunity to develop a plan to keep the College open." The letter also thanked University Board of Trustees for considering the impact of the decision on the community. Chase cautioned that although she supported the Alumni Board, the University is a private entity and the decision was theirs and that Council had limited influence of the Board of Trustees. The MOTION PASSED. Council Clerk-Employment Agreement. The Clerk Deborah Benning gave an overview of the past year's activities of the Council office. She also outlined her goals for 2008. There was a brief discussion of the impact of the House Bill 9 regarding public records and retention schedules. The Clerk would continue to work with staff to bring the Village into compliance. Council agreed to meet with Benning in Executive Session to continue their discussion under Personnel-Employment.
MANAGER'S REPORT Swansen reported that ODOT informed the Village that funding for the Northern Gateway Project was being delayed one year. Greene County is seeking projects from municipalities to be considered by the Dayton Development Coalition for federal monies. The Village is considering projects that would qualify for the grants. Swansen will be attending the AMP-Ohio meeting scheduled for October 22 nd . The Regional Income Tax Agency will be holding delinquent tax hearings on the 16 th and 17 th of October in Council Chambers. STANDING REPORTS Kathryn Chase Village Mediation Program Kathryn Chase Community Council Judith Hempfling Environmental Commission (on file)-Solid Waste Contract is about ready to go out for bids. Judith Hempfling Human Relations Commission Kathryn Van der Heiden Library Commission Kathryn Chase Cable Advisory Panel (on file-Jim Rose the leadership provided by Jean Payne and the commitments made by members of Channel 5 volunteer staff including Paul Abendroth and Millard Mier. Karen Wintrow Chamber of Commerce (on file) Kathryn Van der Heiden Reg. Planning & Coord. Com. Greene Cty. Bruce Rickenbach Planning/Bike Comm./N. Gateway Commission (on file) Karen Wintrow Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (on file) Wintrow announced that Council had agreed to slow down the budget process in light of other pressing agenda items. Council would renew its budget discussions after the new Council members are seated.
AGENDA PLANNING The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5th in Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center , 100 Dayton Street .
Items for discussion on Monday, November 5, 2007: Resolution re: Clerk of Council's Employment Agreement EDRLF- Don Beard Economic Development-Next Steps Resolution re: Change Order for Elm-Walnut Sts. Project Resolution re: HB 9 Designee Resolution Awarding Contract Services-Project. Mgr./Ctr Bus. Ed
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1 st Reading of Ordinance re: Prairie States Power Plant (11/19)
EXECUTIVE SESSION Wintrow MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION to go into an Executive Session under Personnel-Employment to discuss the Council Clerk-Employment Agreement. This is in accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22(G)(1). The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Rickenbach MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to return to the General Session. The MOTION PASSED at 9:55 p.m. GENERAL SESSION Council agreed to amend the Clerk's employment agreement to include a 4% salary increase.
ADJOURNMENT Having no further business, Rickenbach MOVED and Hempfling SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 10:25 p.m.
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