MINUTES OF THE MARCH 17, 2008
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL
The meeting was called to order by President Benincasa at 7:00 P.M. Councilman Rhome gave the Invocation and led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Alan Andreani, Roy Clunk, Steve Okey, Phyllis Phillips, Roger Rhome, Sue Ryan and Larry Thompson present.
Motion and second to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2008, 2008 Regular Council Meeting. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.
COMMUNICATIONS: :
3. Minutes of the March 3, 2008 Water and Sewer Advisory Board Meeting
4. Notice of Public Meeting of the Community Development Committee on March 14, 2008 @ 9:30 AM
5. Notice of Public Meeting of the Finance Committee on March 14, 2008 @ 8:30 AM
6. Letter from Mayor Middleton RE: Commission appoints for the Alliance City Board of Health
7. Memorandum from Auditor RE: Operational Budget Report by Department as of February 29, 2008
8. Copy of Letter from Councilman Okey to State Audit Manager RE: Committee meeting minutes
9. Notice from Board of Zoning Appeals that there will be no regular Board Meeting for March 2008 due to a lack of agenda
10. Letter from BIS Digital RE: Audio and video recording systems.
11. Written Statement from Councilman Okey in support of the Safe Housing Ordinance.
12. Letter from the Law Director to the Planning Zoning and Housing Committee chairman RE concerns with the Safe Housing Ordinance
Motion and second to receive and file all communications tendered to the Clerk. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Mayor Middleton:. No formal report.
Safety Service Director Blaser: No formal report.
Law Director Andrew Zumbar: Volunteered to serve as a citizen on the Downtown Special Events Commission.
Motion and second to appoint Andrew Zumbar, Larry Thompson and Roger Rhome to the Downtown Special Events Commission. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.
Auditor Alexander Zumbar: Reviewed the Operational budget Report by Department.
Reminded Council that March 31, 2008 is the deadline for the 2008 appropriations. Ordinance 20-08 needs passed a few days prior so that it can be filed.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety & Judiciary: Andreani: No formal report
Noted the need for a special council meeting to address ordinance 20-08 prior to the deadline.
Properties and Lands: Clunk: No formal report.
Finance: Okey: Reported on the March 14, 2008 meeting and the discussion of Ordinance 20-08 which is not yet ready for council action. Committee will meet again on March 21, 2008 @ 8:30 to finish it.
Noted the need for a special council meeting to address ordinance 20-08 prior to the deadline.
Community Development: Phillips: Reported on the March 14, 2008, 2008 meeting to discuss Ordinance 22-08.
Utilities: Rhome No formal report.
Streets & Alley: Ryan: No formal report. Questioned status of Ordinance 132-07 (Still waiting to hear back from property owners)
Planning, Zoning, & Housing: Thompson: Reported on the March 7, 2008 Committee meeting to discuss Ordinance 14-08. Discussed the Law Director’s concerns and relation of rental and owner-occupied prosecutions for housing code violations. There was a discussion by mayor as to impact on renters. There was a discussion by Safety and Service director discussed funding for inspections. Comments were made by Councilperson Phillips and President Benincasa as well as Jenny Beltz representing the Landlords Association and Eric Wolwend representing the Stark Realtors Association. Reported another meeting is needed to further examine the ordinance.
Public Speaks: Theresa Estock of 667 South McKinley Avenue spoke regarding the Housing Codes.
THIRD READINGS:
Ordinance 20-08: Introduced by Andreani: An Ordinance making appropriations for 2008 for the General Fund and other City fund, and authorizing the Auditor to draw his warrants for payment of any appropriations upon receiving proper certificates and vouchers; and declaring an emergency. NO FORMAL ACTION.
Ordinance 21-08: Introduced by Rhome: An Ordinance An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to advertise for bids and report his findings to City Council for further council action to enter into a contract fro municipal. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.
Ordinance 22-08: Introduced by Council as a Whole and the Administration: An Ordinance amending Alliance Codified Chapter 177 “Economic Development Program; and declaring an emergency. NO FORMAL ACTION.
SECOND READINGS:
Ordinance 23-08: Introduced by Rhome and Thompson: An Ordinance amending Substitute Ordinance S17-02 pertaining to wages and benefits for City of Alliance Employees while on Military Duty; and declaring an emergency. NO FORMAL ACTION.
Ordinance 25-08: Introduced by Okey and Clunk: An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance 8-08 in order to prevent the unnecessary spending of approximately $425,000.00 of public funds; and declaring an emergency. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous against adoption: DEFEATED.
Ordinance 29-08: Introduced by Thompson: An Ordinance accepting and approving the replat of lot 6384 on the east side of Sawburg Avenue between Overlook Drive and Raywood Drive in the City of Alliance, County of Stark, and State of Ohio. NO FORMAL ACTION.
Ordinance 30-08: Introduced by Ryan: An Ordinance vacating a North South Alley and an East West Alley East of South Union Avenue between Rosenberry Street and Milner Street, in the City of Alliance, County of Stark, and State of Ohio. NO FORMAL ACTION.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Motion and second for special council meeting on March 24, 2008 @ 7:00 PM in Council chambers to consider Ordinance 20-08. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.
ADJOURNMENT: Noting no further business to come before this Council, President Benincasa adjourned the meeting at 7:33 P.M.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN:
Ordinance 20-08 THIRD READING
Ordinance 21-08 ADOPTED
Ordinance 22-08 THIRD READING
Ordinance 23-08 SECOND READING
Ordinance 29-08 SECOND READING
Ordinance 30-08 SECOND READING
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JOHN BENINCASA, PRESIDENT GERARD T. YOST, COUNCIL CLERK