| December 6, 2004 MINUTES OF COUNCIL A regular session of Troy City Council was held Monday, December 6, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Members Present: Baker, Clark, Hutchinson, Mercer, Saxton and Wise. Upon motion of Mr. Mercer, seconded by Mrs. Baker, Mr. Douglas was excused from this meeting by unanimous roll call vote Presiding Officer: William F. Lohrer, President of Council Others Present: Michael L. Beamish, Mayor W. McGregor Dixon, Jr., Director of Law Richard L. Cultice, Auditor David E. Anderson, Director of Public Service and Safety INVOCATION was given by Council member Clark. MINUTES: The Clerk gave a summary of the November 15, 2004 meeting of Council. There were no corrections or additions. Upon motion of Mrs. Saxton, seconded by Mr. Clark, these minutes were approved by unanimous roll call vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS: BUILDINGS, STREET & SIDEWALKS COMMITTEE: Mrs. Baker, Chairman, reported as follows: 1) Committee recommends legislation be prepared as an emergency measure changing the name Wood Park Drive (in the Edgewater Subdivision) to Wooden Lane to avoid confusion with Parkwood Drive in another subdivision. Committee noted no houses now exist on Wood Park Drive. 2) Committee recommends legislation be prepared establishing a “vanity” name of Veterans Parkway on Staunton Road from Market Street to Adams Street to honor and recognize local veterans – past, present and future. Committee noted that the vanity name does not replace Staunton Road for address purposes. Reports signed by Hutchinson and Baker. Discussion. Mrs. Baker noted that some proposed signs for Veterans Parkway were available for review of Council. LAW & ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mrs. Saxton reported as follows: 1) Committee recommends the zoning change of 10.92 acres on Experiment Farm Road from M-2 to a Commercial Planned Development contained in O-46-04 be approved. 2) Committee has discussed a requirement for landlords to report their rental units and occupants of those units, and this subject will be further reviewed. Reports signed by Wise, Mercer and Saxton. Discussion. Regarding the landlord reporting regarding rental units and tenants, Mrs. Saxton stated she has talked to landlords from other communities and has found that such a requirement is not unusual. Mr. Anderson stated he has been contacted by a landlord requesting a meeting to provide some information on the subject, PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Mr. Clark, Chairman, reported as follows: 1) Committee recommends an adjustment be made in the compensation for the Engineering Technician & Construction Inspector position as an internal and external review has indicated that the compensation should be adjusted. The approving legislation is to be an emergency measure to be effective January 1, 2005. 2) Committee recommends legislation be prepared further extending the military leave benefits by six months. The benefit was first extended following September 11, 2001 and is only applicable to employees who were members of a reserve military unit or Ohio National Guard Unit at the time the initial legislation was enacted (10-28-01) and might be called to active duty as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The legislation is to be an emergency measure to be retroactive to December 1, 2004, the date on which the most recent extension terminates. 3) (a) Committee recommends emergency legislation be prepared to establish the January 1, 2005, contribution for the group health insurance premium for non-bargaining unit employees at 11%, which will be consistent with the premium contribution paid by bargaining unit employees. (b) Committee recommends emergency legislation be prepared to be effective January 1, 2005 to increase the ranges for management and mid-management employees by 3.5%, which is consistent with the 2005 salary adjustment for bargaining unit employees. (c) Committee recommends emergency legislation be prepared to be effective January 1, 2005 to increase the ranges for all other regular non-bargaining unit positions by 3.5%, which is consistent with the 2005 salary adjustment for bargaining unit employees. (d) Committee recommends emergency legislation be prepared to be effective January 1, 2005 to increase the wages by 3.5% for the part-time position of temporary clerk in the Auditor’s Office and the two part-time positions in the Cemetery Department who routinely work in excess of 20 Dec. 6, 2004 Page Two hours a week nearly all year, to not increase the wage for 2005 for the Graduate Interns and Interns as the compensation is competitive, and increase the wages of all other categories of non-full time employees by 2%. (e) Committee recommends emergency legislation be prepared to no longer provide the longevity benefit to new non-bargaining unit hires after December 31, 2004. (f) Committee supports the realignment of the positions of Development Director and Administrative Services Director to move the planning function of the City under the supervision of the Administrative Services Director. Reports signed by Mercer, Saxton and Clark. AUDIENCE COMMENTS – COMMITTEE REPORTS OR AGENDA ITEMS: -Jerry Stichter, 467 W. Staunton Road, noted that the report on Veterans Parkway did not reflect his objections to the vanity naming of the roadway. He suggested the legislation not be acted on yet and there be a written plan and formal drawings for the signs for the public to review. -Mike Burkholder, 465 W. Staunton Road, stated he is a veteran, does not belong to any veterans organization that requested the vanity name of Veterans Parkway, is upset that the veterans are approving the roadway recognition off the beaten path as if it is worth naming a roadway for the veterans it is worth doing right, he and his father have a brick at the Veterans Memorial, the Veterans Memorial is very nice and he does not understand why that memorial is not enough, and he asked when is the City going to involve effected residents in these issues. -John Evans, 1410 W. Canal, commented that he is a Vietnam veteran and Commander of the Miami County Veterans Council representing six veterans organizations, and all the organizations and their families support establishing Veterans Parkway as proposed. He further commented that some of the veterans and their families are upset at the attitude of those opposing the naming. -Mr. Clark noted that in his invocation he commented that the next day is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and the Council supports the veterans and this project. He stated the location, fronting Troy High School, also helps show an attitude of patriotism to students. -Mrs. Baker showed two proposed sign designs. -Mayor Beamish commented that the signs could be of a different size. -Lester Conard, 1210 S. Clay, commented that he hates to see the City cutting the pay and benefits of the “little man” in favor of bonuses and higher salaries to those who “wear ties”. Mr. Anderson noted that the bonus system is for outstanding merit, and longevity has no merit attached to it, and the elimination of longevity will eventually save the taxpayers money. Mr. Clark stated nothing is taken from existing employees as the change in longevity only impacts new non-bargaining unit employees. Mr. Conard referred to an earlier reduction in the wage of the City Hall custodian. Mr. Anderson commented that the custodian wage will change when the incumbent in the position changes and the new wage is competitive for the job. -Debra Stichter, 467 W. Staunton Road, stated she had little advance notice of the meeting on Veterans Parkway, at the meeting she felt there was much confusion as to what was intended, and she was in disbelief that the Parkway was reduced to the area stated. She further commented: “We are honored to have the street have the vanity naming.”, then saying she thinks the signs are beautiful, and she is striving for more public input on decisions. -John Evans 1410 W. Canal, stated it is the veterans who suggested the area for the roadway, and the veterans will purchase brackets, flag poles and flags for the area. RESOLUTION NO. R-70-04 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Resolution was given first title reading. Mr. Mercer moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Clark. Yes: Wise, Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark and Saxton. No: None. Mr. Clark moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Hutchinson. Yes: Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton and Wise. No: None. RESOLUTION ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. R-71-04 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE NAME OF STAUNTON ROAD FROM ADAMS STREET TO MARKET STREET AS VETERANS PARKWAY This Resolution was given first title reading. Dec. 6, 2004 Page Three ORDINANCE NO. O-46-04 AN ORDINANCE CHANGING ZONING FOR 10.92 ACRES, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO, FROM M-2, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT, TO A COMMERCIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT This Ordinance was given first title reading on 11-15-04. Given second title reading. Mr. Wise moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Mercer. Yes: Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton. Wise and Baker. No: None. Mr. Wise moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Hutchinson. Yes: Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker and Mercer. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-47-04 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE NAME CHANGE OF WOOD PARK DRIVE TO WOODEN LANE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mrs. Baker moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Clark. Yes: Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker, Mercer and Hutchinson. No: None. Mr. Wise moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Mercer. Yes: Saxton, Wise, Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson and Clark. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-48-04 ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT THE APPLICATION FOR THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY CONTAINING 287.965 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, IN STAUNTON TOWNSHIP TO THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO This Ordinance was given first title reading. ORDINANCE NO. O-49-04 ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. O-8-04, AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NUMBERS O-39-04 AND O-45-04, APPROPRIATING FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES OF THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO FOR THE YEAR 2004 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mr. Clark moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton. Yes: Wise, Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark and Saxton. No: None. Mr. Mercer moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Wise. Yes: Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton and Wise. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-50-04 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUATION OF MILITARY LEAVE WITH PAY AND THE CONTINUATION OF CITY-PROVIDED GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE TO CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY IN RELATION TO THE ATTACK AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, FOR THE DURATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mr. Clark moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Hutchinson. Yes: Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton. Wise and Baker. No: None. Mrs. Baker moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton Yes: Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker and Mercer. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED Dec. 6, 2004 Page Four ORDINANCE NO. O-51-04 ORDINANCE REMOVING THE LONGEVITY PAY RECOGNITION FOR NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mr. Clark moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Mercer. Yes: Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker, Mercer and Hutchinson. No: None. Mr. Clark moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Hutchinson. Yes: Saxton, Wise, Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson and Clark. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-52-04 ORDINANCE FIXING SALARIES AND WAGES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mr. Hutchinson moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton. Yes: Wise, Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark and Saxton. No: None. Mrs. Saxton moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mr. Mercer. Yes: Baker, Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton and Wise. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-53-04 ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mrs. Saxton moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Clark. Yes: Mercer, Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton, Wise and Baker. No: None. Mr. Clark moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton. Yes: Hutchinson, Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker and Mercer. No: None. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-54-04 ORDINANCE FIXING SALARIES AND WAGES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Ordinance was given first title reading. Mr. Clark moved for suspension of rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Wise. Yes: Clark, Saxton, Wise, Baker, Mercer and Hutchinson. No: None. Mr. Wise moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton. Yes: Saxton, Wise, Mercer, Hutchinson and Clark. No: Baker. ORDINANCE ADOPTED COMMENTS BY MAYOR: The Mayor thanked John Evans, Frieda Iddings and others who requested a roadway vanity name honoring the veterans. Mayor Beamish further commented that he feels Committee Reports are to reflect the recommendations of the Committee, that officials are elected to make decisions that can be tough, he felt the vanity naming of Veterans Parkway is appropriate and he was disappointed the decision was delayed. Dec. 6, 2004 Page Five Mayor Beamish made further comments that: 1) Working with a committee, including Council President Lohrer, there will be a number of events in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday holiday. 2) Complimented staff who presented the Comprehensive Plan at the public meeting on December 2. 3) Provided a reminder that Troy Oriented Policing meetings coming up December 9 and 16 at 7 pm at schools. COMMENTS BY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND SAFETY: Mr. Anderson commented that City Hall will be closed December 23 and 24, and that the Grismer Tire sign is back on in violation of law and will be addressed. COMMENTS OF COUNCIL: - Mrs. Baker commented that taking a legislative item to a second reading that does not have an urgency is not an indication of a vote on the issue and does not reflect an opinion opposing the issue. - Mrs. Baker asked about an update on alternate fencing materials for the Aquatic Center and when the Committee may be meeting to review the fencing materials. Mr. Anderson noted that Council does not routinely become involved in the level of detail such as fencing design, but the information will soon be forwarded. - Regarding a new State Law concerning train noise, Mrs. Baker asked for information as to which CSX crossings have lights and/or gates and a cost estimate as to what a set of crossing gates and lights cost. In response to a question, Mr. Dixon stated that if the City proceeded to place lights and gates, such cost would be borne by the City. - Mr. Hutchinson thanked the Mayor for seeing that two trees at the E. Main Street/E.Franklin Street “point” were lighted for the holidays. - Mrs. Saxton commented that the family of an employee called to active military duty is appreciative of the extension of the military pay benefit. There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:39 p.m. _______________/s/_________________ ________________/s/____________________ President of Council Clerk of Council |