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Council of the Village of Yellow SpringsIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS January 22, 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. Council President Judith Hempfling called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Judith Hempfling, Karen Wintrow, Kathryn Van der Heiden, John Booth and Lori Askeland were present, as well as the Village Manager Eric Swansen. Police Chief John Grote was also in attendance.
Booth announced that on Wednesday, January 23 rd the Mad River Theatre Works will sponsor the play "Freedom Bound" at the Antioch Theatre at 7p.m.
Review of the minutes from January 7, 2007 regular meeting. Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes as submitted. The MOTION PASSED.
There were no changes to the agenda.
The Clerk will receive and file: AMP-Ohio Newsletter(s) WSU re: " Miami Valley Communities Night" Benji Maruyama re: AMPGS Paul Abendroth re: AMPGS John Barlow Hudson & Debbie Henderson re: FCC Senior Apts. Megan Werner re: Application to Environment Commission OML Legislative Bulletin January 11 th and 21 st OML Seminar for Newly Elected Council Members YS Chamber re: Third Friday Fling Final Report of the YS Men's Group Community Information Project
PUBLIC HEARINGS/LEGISLATION 2 nd Reading and Public Hearing of Ordinance #2007-18 AMPGS Base Load. Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Swansen gave a brief review on the Emissions related to SO2, NOx, and CO2 and coal power. Swansen also reviewed the "cost per consumer basis". Staff's recommendation was to adopt the ordinance based on the criteria established by Council in evaluating alternatives. Booth explained that for him cost issues and affordability issues are his concerns. He is also concerned with the long-term commitment to this project and the capture of the emissions from this project. He agreed that this was a very complex issue. Hempfling opened the public hearing. Byron Dann, Christine Roberts, Rick Donahoe ad Pat Murphy each spoke and gave various reasons against this project. Sue Abendroth asked that Council analyze the impact of saying no to this project and how saying no would impact new businesses, young families and residents in Greene Met housing. Dimi Reber and Reggie Stratton suggested Council look more to conservation and energy alternatives. Brian Chase explained that Westerville , Ohio went against their energy consultants and voted no on this project. He asked how long it will take the village to replace the current contracts once they have expired. Ellis Jacobs explained that the Village has five years to reduce its energy usage which is prior to the expiration of the energy contracts. Hempfling closed the public hearing. Askeland supported that this was an very complex issue and that there were good people on both sides however, her concerns was the "hot stop" that was being created in Meigs County and the fact that there had been no impact study within the county. She also was concerned with the impact on global warming. Booth added that there had been an increase in requests for assistance with utility bills. He suggested that the Village look at ways to increase this assistance as well as look at ways to lower costs and energy usage. Van der Heiden also expressed concern with how to help those who require assistance. She also explained that Ohio is now and will continue to be dependent on coal. She supported becoming more energy efficient, more usage in renewables and a commitment to conservation. Wintrow stated that any decision would have global impacts. She expressed concern with the ability of the Village to meet its base load needs. She supported continued research and development in renewables, and conservation. She also spoke briefly about the risks involve with a 50-year contract, a carbon tax, and energy regulations. Hempfling believes the country is historically at a place of transition on the issue of energy. She also believes Al Gore's statements regarding global warming and that each person and community must begin to reduce its energy usage. The roll was called. The MOTION FAILED 2-3, with Wintrow and Van der Heiden voting yes and Hempfling, Booth and Askeland voting no. Resolution #2008-05 Greene County Emergency Mgmt. & Dayton Reg. Haz Mat. Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION for APPROVAL. Swansen explained that the village is required to belong to a regional or county emergency management group. Swansen also recommended that the Village continue its membership with the Dayton Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CITIZENS CONCERNS There were no comments from the audience.
SPECIAL REPORTS Planning Commission's Annual Report. Chairperson John Struewing reviewed the annual report from Planning Commission. He explained that the present zoning code is now outdated and should be amended after approval of the latest version of the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission also recommended that they begin the work on a development code. Struewing also noted that it was imperative that Council begin its discussions on "growth/no growth" as well as housing issues. Hempfling suggested and Council agreed to have a presentation from PC on the Comp Plan with comments from staff. Pat Murphy encouraged Council to work on the issue of growth. Hempfling thanked Struewing and PC members for their work. (See report for details).
OLD BUSINESS Caboose Update. Swansen reviewed the criteria of the bid process for selling the cabooses. The criteria included purchase price, ability to satisfy the terms of the contract, proposed use of the cabooses and its future location within the region, and bidding for two cabooses. Van der Heiden MOVED and Wintrow SECONDED a MOTION to authorize the Village Manager to advertise the sale of the two cabooses and to evaluate the bids submitted based on the criteria listed. The MOTION PASSED. Continuation of 2008 Goal Discussion. Council had previous approved two goals and approved language for four additional goals. The wording is as follows:
Additional suggestions came from Van der Heiden who consideration for a council retreat. Sue Abendroth expressed concern of the phrase "representative governance" and asked for clarification. Helen Eier suggested that bridging the differences of the various points of view and having the citizenry vote on major issues. Council agreed to continue this discussion at their next meeting on Feb. 4 th .
NEW BUSINESS Schedule Budget Workshops. Council directed the Village Manager to draft a list of recommendations for use of the one-monies from anticipated revenue sources, such as the Estate Tax. He would have the list to council prior to their Feb. 4 th meeting. MANAGER'S REPORT Swansen made a brief statement regarding the recent incident on Omar Circle . A police officer was assaulted and the assailant was shot. Both parties are recovering. Swansen explained that there have preliminary discussions with the Village Solicitor and the case is currently under review by the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Swansen explained that he would be bringing forth legislation to release a large percentage of the performance bond on the Thistle Creek development. Swansen was appointed to AMP-Ohio's Board of Participants for the Hydroelectric Project.
STANDING REPORTS Lori Askeland Environmental Commission (on file). On behalf of EC, Askeland asked that information on Green Pricing be included the utility bills. Van der Heiden suggested that EC continue working on Earth Day projects. Earth Day is April 22 nd . Referring to a memo from EC, Wintrow asked why their recommendation that a $100,000 should be put into the Green Space Fund, seemed to be based on the belief there was no money in the fund? She explained that there was a little less that $100,000 all ready in the fund. Askeland stated that she would inform EC of the fund balance. Lori Askeland Planning/Bike Com/N Gateway (on file) John Booth Village Mediation Program John Booth Human Relations Commission. HRC has not had a quorum due to vacations, holidays, etc. No Rep. Community Council Judith Hempfling Cable Advisory Panel (on file). Paul Abendroth reported that CAP has added the Miami Township Trustee meetings and the Village's BZA meetings to its videotaping list. Past shows are being converted to MPEG on DVD. The new microphone setup in the council chambers seems to be working. They are look for volunteers to assist in various jobs at the station. Kathryn Van der Heiden Library Commission Kathryn Van der Heiden Reg. Planning Commission-Greene County. Karen Wintrow Chamber of Commerce (on file) Karen Wintrow Miami Valley Regional Planning (on file). Wintrow will be attending the Regional Planning Initiative, representing the Village. Hempfling reminded the audience that the Electric Systems Task Force will be meeting weekly at 7:30 am in meeting rooms A and B of the Bryan Center .
AGENDA PLANNING The next meeting of the Council of the Village of Yellow Springs will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 4, 2008 in Council Chambers, John Bryan Community Center , 100 Dayton Street . Items for discussion on Monday, February 4, 2008: Council Notes-Wintrow Bike Enhancement-Northern Gateway Annual Report 2008 Goals Resolution: Thistle Creek/Bond Release Process and Tools for Evaluation of the Village Manager Council agreed to a special meeting, February 16 th from 10 am to 2pm to discuss the budget. Lunch would be provided.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Comprehensive Plan Review (Feb. 19 th ) Village Manager Employment Agreement 1 st Reading of Ordinance re: Cable TV Annual Reports: Commissions, Committees and Boards (Jan/Feb'08) 1 st Reading of Ordinance re: 2008 Annual Appropriations Economic Development-Task Force YSA Economic Development Request YS Promotional Video/Dallas and Caputo Electric Systems Task Force-Phase 2 Solid Waste Contract Amending Public Records Policy Personnel Policy Manual-Update Annexation Guidelines for Utility Resolution Dispute Commission Fairfield Pike/Polecat Rd Citizen's Petition Update Marking State Route 68 Bikeway Conservation Easement-Well fields Parks & Recreation Master Plan
EXECUTIVE SESSION Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to go into an Executive Session for a discussion of Personnel-Employment in accordance with Ohio Revised Code #121.22 (G)(1). Police Chief John Grote would join in this session. The roll was called. The MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY at 10:05 p.m. Wintrow MOVED and Booth SECONDED a MOTION to return to the General Session. The MOTION PASSED.
ADJOURNMENT Having no further business, Wintrow MOVED and Van der Heiden SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASSED at 10:55 p.m. |
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