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April 2, 2007 MINUTES OF COUNCIL A regular session of Troy City Council was held Monday, April 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Members Present: Baker, Clark, Douglas, Harrah, Kendall, Mercer, and Saxton. Presiding Officer: William H. Lohrer, President of Council Others Present: Michael L. Beamish, Mayor Patrick E. J. Titterington, Director of Public Service and Safety Richard L. Cultice, Auditor INVOCATION: An invocation was given by Council Member Kendall. INTRODUCTION New Firefighter, Richard Morrett, was introduced. PUBLIC HEARINGS: At 7:04 p.m, Mr. Lohrer declared open the pubic hearing on Ordinance No. O-22-2007, the rezoning of IL 6506, 6507, 6509, 5989, part of OL 438, located at SR 55 & Stonyridge Ave. from R-7 to B-2. Jill Eisenburg, applicant, stated the plan is to expand the veterinary clinic by adding an additional 2,300 square feet. There were no comments opposing the rezoning. At 7:06 p.m., Mr. Lohrer declared this public hearing closed. At 7:07 p.m., Mr. Lohrer, declared open a public hearing regarding the application of Evelyn Sheafer for approval of her placing 83.177 acres in an agriculture district for taxing purposes. The property address is shown as 2373 Washington Road. Mrs. Sheafer stated she intends to continue the agricultural use and commented that this application must be filed every five years. There were no comments opposing the application. At 7:10 p.m., Mr. Lohrer declared this public hearing closed. MINUTES: The Clerk gave a summary of the minutes of the March 19, 2007 meeting of Troy City Council. There were no corrections or additions to these minutes. A motion was made by Mr. Harrah, seconded by Mrs. Baker, to approve the minutes. Motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE COMMITTEE. Mr. Mercer reported that Committee recommends legislation be prepared to approve a $25,000 loan from the Small Business Development Loan Fund to Sound City Rentals, Inc. with the interest rate of 3%, payable over 48 months with interest only payments the first nine months, and collateral being a security lien on the business assets and a second mortgage on the residential real estate of the applicant. Committee noted that this will assist the business in staying in Troy as the business has to relocate (to 945 W. Main ) due to a roof collapse on the building of the current location. Committee further recommended the legislation be prepared as an emergency measure so that the relocation can be accomplished soon and to hold the interest rate. Reports signed by Douglas, Kendall and Mercer. In response to a question of Mr. Douglas, Mr. Dando commented that there will be a one-time charge of 5.32% (points) at the time of closing. UTILITIES COMMITTEE. Mrs. Baker, Chairman, reported that Committee has met regarding the request of the Healthy Teeth Committee of Miami County regarding the plan of that committee to have a ballot initiative for the voters of the City to consider approval of fluoride being added to Troy’s water. Committee noted that there is a great deal of information on this subject. Report signed by Harrah, Mercer and Baker. Mr. Harrah commented that it would take a vote of the citizens, not a vote of Council, to approve the addition of fluoride to the water system. Mr. Douglas clarified that this would be through an initiative petition process. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON COMMITTEE REPORTS OR AGENDA ITEMS. – none. RESOLUTION NO. R-15-2007 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF SOUND CITY RENTALS, INC. FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY This Resolution was given first title reading. April 2, 2007 Page Two A motion was made by Mr. Harrah to suspend the rules requiring three readings. Motion seconded by Mr. Clark. Yes: Douglas, Mercer, Harrah, Saxton, Kendall, Clark and Baker. No: None. Mr. Harrah moved for adoption. Motion seconded by Mrs. Saxton. Yes: Mercer, Harrah, Saxton, Kendall, Clark, Baker and Douglas. No: None. RESOLUTION ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. O-22-2007 ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING OF INLOTS 6506, 6507, 6509 AND 5989 AND PART OF OUTLOT 438 IN THE CITY OF TROY, OHIO FROM R-7, MULIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT TO B-2, GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT This Ordinance was given first title reading. COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR. The Mayor commented that the Lincoln Community Center rededication/tribute to retiring Director Alphas Wicker on March 31 and the Habitat for Humanity dedication on April 1 were both well-attended events. COMMENTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND SAFETY. Mr. Titterington commented: - At the last meeting he was asked about two issues. The trees in the Southview area are being removed. Regarding the drainage issue near the property of Dexter Marshall, he and the Public Works Director have walked the area and have agreed to have some work performed to flatten the grade a little. - Engineering staff members are marking sidewalks in the northeast area for the next phase of the sidewalk replacement program. COMMENTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: -Mrs. Baker also commented on the enjoyable events at Lincoln Community Center and the Habitat for Humanity dedication. -Mr. Mercer asked for clarification of work being done at Hunters Ridge. Mr. Titterington replied that his inspection of the area indicated there was a swampy area that was not draining well, and a contractor has been authorized to change a pipe to help drain and dry out the area. -Mr. Harrah commented that developer Jessica Minesinger is working to correct some drainage issues at SR 55 and Nashville. -Mr. Clark asked about the meeting to be established with the City and Townships. STAFF COMMENTS: -Fire Chief Chris Boehringer advised Council that on March 30 the Fire Department moved into new Fire Station No. 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: -John Schweser, 518 Lincoln Avenue, asked Council to hire an outside consultant or request the assistance of a college student program to survey citizens to determine what acceptable growth would be. -John Evans, 410 W. Canal, representing local veterans organizations, asked for permission for the organizations to place about 200 8”x10” American Flags in the green area around the fountain on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Mr. Titterington was asked to review the request and provide a response. -Dave Murray, 104 S Market Street, thanked Council for approval of the loan to Sound City Rentals, Inc. and stated he felt the new loan program was for the benefit of the community. -Charles Davis, 605 Indiana Avenue, asked Council to consider 6” rather than 10” as the point at which there would be a violation of tall grass Ordinances. Mr. Cundiff, Planning Director, commented that a number of neighboring communities had been contacted in this regard, and it was found that the point of reference in this regard runs between 8” – 12”. It was indicated that information on this would be forwarded to Council. April 2, 2007 Page Three -Debra Stichter, 467 W. Staunton Road, read from some publications associated with communication and public involvement in government, stated she hopes there will be more ways to provide citizens with information, she hopes televising Council meetings will not be discounted based on a small audience, and stated she felt expenditures such as the levee electrical upgrades and a ticketing system may not be as worthwhile as the costs of televising Council meetings. -Lester Conard, 1210 S. Clay Street, stated he read in the paper that the City may look at raising some fees (water, sewer, trash collection, etc.). He said he would rather see meetings televised than “cobblestone” alley ways or the replanting of trees. He also commented that the City depends on surveys of other communities on issues, and a survey would find that many cities televise meetings. Mr. Lohrer mentioned that pending SB 117 could result in money spent on televising meetings virtually wasted if the bill’s provisions eliminated funding for public access. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. __________________/s/____________ __________________/s/_______________ President of Council Clerk of Council |