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Council Meeting Information
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Agenda
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May 5th, 2008
Regular Monthly Council Meeting
7:30 P.M.
Open Meeting - Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of Council by Clerk
Approval of April 7th Meeting's Minutes
Approval of Bills Paid
Open to Audience
Mayor's Report
Administrator's Report
Clerk/Treasurer's Report
Solicitor's Report
Council Committee Reports
Council Business:
1. Ordinance 2008-__, Amending Ordinance 1999-03, Rezoning One Block of Acland St., 3rd Reading
2. Ordinance 2008-__, Amending Ordinance 2002-04, To Regulate Parking within the Village of Gambier, 1st Reading
3. Ordinance 2008-__, Amending Ordinance 1999-03, Chapter 15, Section 15.0, Re-establishing and appointment of the Planning Commission, 1st Reading
4. Ordinance 2008-__, Amending Ordinance 2008-05 and 2006-05, Section 3, Emergency Passage
5. Approval of the 2008 revisions by the Gambier Planning and Zoning Commission and Gambier Village Council for the Preserving Sanctuary College Township Plan.
May Meetings:
Buildings & Grounds Committee - Monday, May 19th, 6:30 PM, Regular Monthly Meeting
Cemetery Committee -
Planning Commission - Tuesday, May 20th, 7:30 PM, Regular Monthly Meeting
Shade Tree Committee -
Finance & Income Tax Committee -
Police & Personnel -
Streets & Utilities - Monday, May 19th, 6:00 PM, Regular Monthly Meeting
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Mayor's Report
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1. Zoning Commission
The Zoning Commission recommends that we add two additional members to the Commission in order to have at least three members on the Commission who are not employed by Kenyon College. According to recent opinions by the Ohio Ethics Commission, one of which seems to be specifically targeted at Gambier, employees of Kenyon College who are on the Commission should not vote on issues which directly affect the College and require some discretionary judgment by the Commission member. (Interpretation of the ruling by our Solicitor) Beginning, perhaps this month, the College will be bringing several building proposals to the Commission which may require such discretionary judgments. Presently, only one member of the Commission is not employed by Kenyon. The Commission and the member do not think important zoning decisions should be made by just one member of the Commission. (If the Commission is unable to decide, the applications will be referred to the courts.) If these two positions were added to the Commission, I would nominate candidates who are not employed by the College. We are asking that this ordinance be treated under our emergency provisions.
2. Gunderson Sculpture
Barry Gunderson approached me about relocating one of his sculptures within the Village, perhaps on Village property. I asked him to write-up his proposal so that I could present it to Council. (Please read the enclosed letter and material from Barry.) We will discuss his proposal at Monday's meeting.
3. Plunkett Consultations
Suzanne and I would like to be able to consult from time to time with Doug Plunkett of Circuit Rider Management Group about Village problems and to get his assistance with such projects as selecting an engineering firm to do a preliminary study for providing waste water service to Kokosing Drive. (Doug assisted us with our latest VA search.) I have suggested to Doug that we begin this relationship by hiring him on an hourly basis for several months so that we can accurately estimate how much we will need his assistance. He seems to be amenable to such an arrangement. Thus I am asking for Council's approval to proceed on that basis with Doug for the next four months. In September we would revisit this issue to see if we want to continue it and, if we do, on what basis: hourly, retainer, or some other means.
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Administrator's
Report
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DUMPSTER DAY
The Village of Gambier and College TWP. had the annual Spring Dumpster Day on Saturday, April 26th, 2008. We used 2 metal dumpsters and 3 trash dumpsters. This is a little lighter than the last few years. The Village of Gambier and College TWP. will have another Dumpster Day in the Fall.
PIT METERS
The Village of Gambier has started installing pit meters for this year. We are about half finished with the ones were are going to do in the Village, then we will start installing pit meters at Kenyon. The Village will also be going back to the pit meters that were installed last year and rework any that need landscaped around or raised. Anyone who is on the schedule to get a pit meter this year will receive a letter about week before we get to our residence. If you have any questions please feel free to call the Village office at 427-2671.
PAINT STRIPER
The Village purchased a paint striper for painting the crosswalks and parking spaces in town. This will make the job easier because we can plan to paint when it we have time and when the weather is right. Sometimes we would rent the machine and it would rain for two days or the machine would back down for two days.
TREE CITY, USA
The Village of Gambier is official a Tree City. I attended the Awards Ceremony on April 17th, 2008 in Delaware. The Village received a nice big wooden plaque which is hanging in the hallway of the Community Center and a great flag which we have not decided where to put, yet. In celebration of Arbor Day the Village of Gambier planted 3 trees up town to replace trees that were removed. The Village maintenance crew is also in the process of enlarging the area around all the trees up town.
STORMWATER UTILITY
I have been working on getting the stormwater utility on the next water and sewer bills that are going out in the middle of May. There are a couple of issues in the set up that I have been working with Jim Roberts, from Jobes, and Greg from, Governmental Systems on. If everything goes right the utility charges will be on the May bills. If not, on the August bills for sure.
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Council
Minutes April 7, 2008
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Council present:Council present: Audra Cubie, Lee Cubie, Betsy Heer, Liz Forman, Susan Sukys
Also attending: Kirk Emmert, Mayor; Suzanne Hopkins, Village Administrator; Mary Samuell, Clerk-Treasurer; Dave McConnell, Kenyon College; Ken Lane, attorney, Dylan McCament, Mount Vernon News, Bill Smith
Mayor Emmert called the meeting to order.
The Council held a moment of silence for Lew Treleaven, a long-time council member and resident of the Village.
The minutes of the March meeting were presented to Council. It was moved, seconded and carried they be approved as amended.
The paid March bills were presented to Council. It was moved, seconded and carried they be approved.
Guests:
Dave McConnell from Kenyon College asked that given the frequency of boil orders, has council considered stockpiling a supply of drinking water that could be accessed by those affected by the boil order. He pointed out that college students didn't have the means to boil water. He felt that since the college purchased the water from the Village it was the Village's responsibility to provide safe drinking water no matter what happens. The Village Administer talked about the difficulty of keeping the stockpiled water fresh, distribution, etc. and that it would not be feasible. Ms. Hopkins stated she didn't know of any village that offered such a service. She went on to explain that an 8" PVC pipe had burst, draining the water tower and all pipes. The Village is considering what needs to be done to attempt to head off major breaks in that area of town. The ideas include replacing the thin-walled plastic pipe in the area, or installing pressure regulators through out. the system to reduce the pressure at the lower end of town.
Bill Smith, interim Fire chief for the College Township Fire Department, presented a summary report of the runs for 2007 and so far in 2008. He informed council the station has 6 new members, and is committed to providing the same excellent service continuing as a volunteer department. Finances are a challenge, and the department is applying for applicable grants and soliciting volunteer support staff as well. Normally 90 to 95% of all runs are EMS, but in 2007 15% of the runs were for fire.
Mayor Report:
The Village of Gambier has been designated a Tree City USA member for 2007.
Tree planting - The Village will plant a tree in front of the post office on Arbor Day, April 17th. Jerry Kelly, chair of the Tree Commission, will lead the ceremony. On April 18th, Middle Path Day, 2 more trees will be planted in front of Farr Hall and the Village Market.
Knox County Deputies - the Mayor and V.A. met with Sheriff Dave Barber to discuss renewal of our three-year contract. It will remain the same, as long as Ken Lane approves.
College Township Fire Department - The Mayor attended a meeting with College Township Trustees to discuss the future of the fire department. Kenyon College has committed $80,000 yearly for the next three years, and will help finance a new emergency vehicle.
Consultant - the Mayor met with Doug Plunkett to discuss the possibility of being a consultant to the Village. He could advise the Mayor or V.A. on specific problems and future projects. The Mayor will discuss this further with the personnel committee before deciding whether to bring this to council for approval.
V.A. Report:
Backflow - letters went out in early March to anyone needing to install backflow devices. The V.A. met with Ed Neal, the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at Kenyon to discuss the over 40 devices Kenyon will need to install. The deadline for these installations is August 15, 2008. Seven residents also need to install backflow devices by May 2, 2008. EPA requires these safe guards, to help keep boiler water from contaminating the system.
Part-time employee - Ed Rager will return this summer for mowing/trimming and other duties when needed.
Tree removal - Asplundh will remove 2 dead trees from Chase Ave. and 2 other badly damaged trees that could cause problems in the near future. They will also trim some dead branches around the Village. The wood will be stacked and is free to anyone who wants it.
Storm water utility - The storm water utility charges should be on the May water and wastewater bills. Ms. Hopkins will meet with Jim Roberts from Jobes Henderson and Associates soon to go over the application for credits, and the final ERU breakdown of rates for the bills.
Committee Reports:
Council Liz Forman asked if the Village will be replacing the damaged trash can in front of the Post Office. The V.A. told her that Kenyon had provided this in the past and she will contact them.
Council Forman also asked if the Village could sponsor a website for the dog park. Has the Building and Grounds Committee considered running water back to the dog park?
Council Audra Cubie reported from the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. They did discuss running water to the dog park, and the V.A. will provide them with an estimated cost. Ms. Hopkins will also provide the committee with a cost estimate for the new picnic pavilion from Roman Raber. The committee also talked about purchasing an emergency generator, and about providing garden plots on Village property for residents.
Council Lee Cubie reported from the Streets and Utilities Committee. They discussed monthly billing as a way of catching leaks sooner. They decided at this point to recommend a water reading mid-way through the quarter to check for leaks. This was completed this month and there were no unusual readings.
The Streets Committee is recommending the purchase of a paint striper. They also want to keep the use of sand for snow and ice control at a minimum. They also discussed adding a handicap parking space by Scott Lane near the bookstore, changing parking between Chase and Ward streets to be angle parking, and providing wastewater service to Kokosing Drive residents.
The V.A. will check if other municipalities have monitoring systems for their water towers and if so what systems they use, since we are having so many difficulties with our monitoring device.
Council actions:
Council Lee Cubie moved to hear by title only the third reading of an ordinance amending the wage and salary ordinance to include a 5% raise for 2008.
Council Sukys felt this raise was too substantial given the current salaries of the employees and the state of the economy. She moved to amend the ordinance to include a 4% raise. There was no second.
The vote approving the third reading was Audra Cubie, Lee Cubie, Betsy Heer and Liz Forman, yes. Susan Sukys, no. The motion passed.
Council Audra Cubie moved to accept the third reading of the ordinance amending the wage and salary ordinance and adopt the ordinance. Lee Cubie seconded, all approved.
Council Liz Forman moved to hear by title only the second reading of an ordinance rezoning one block of Acland Street to mixed use. Audra Cubie seconded.
Council Lee Cubie told council he was not sure why the amended, reduced area is valid. There seems to be no real benefit in limiting size, since the current zoning already limits the changes that could happen within the area. Those who opposed the zoning change at the last council meeting were not appeased by the reduction of the area being changed.
Lee Cubie moved to amend the ordinance changing back to the original borders: Wiggin Street, Brooklyn Street, Gaskin Avenue and Scott Lane. Audra Cubie seconded. The vote was Audra and Lee, yes, Liz and Susan, no. Betsy Heer recused herself from the vote. Mayor Kirk Emmert was unable to break the tie because he too is a contiguous landowner.
The vote on the second reading of the rezoning ordiance was Audra Cubie, Lee Cubie, and Liz Forman, yes. Susan Sukys, no. Betsy Heer recused herself during the vote since she is a contiguous landowner. The motion passed.
Council Audra Cubie moved to pass a resolution of support for the College Township Plan. Lee Cubie seconded. Council discussed various points and felt the need for clarification.
Council Liz Forman moved to table the resolution of support until the May council meeting. Audra Cubie seconded, all approved.
Council Susan Sukys moved to approve dumpster day for April 26th, Lee Cubie seconded, all approved.
Council Susan Sukys moved to approve the expenditure of up to $11,000 for sludge removal. Lee Cubie seconded, all approved.
Council Lee Cubie moved to authorize the purchase of a paint striper, up to $3200. Audra Cubie seconded, all approved.
Council Lee Cubie moved to authorize the purchase of a RAS pump, up to $6,600 for the wastewater plant. Audra Cubie seconded, all approved.
The meeting was adjourned. The next regular council meeting will be May 5th at 7:30 pm.
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