MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 2009

REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL

 

The meeting was called to order by President Benincasa at 7:00 P.M. Council person Okey 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 January 20, 2009,  Regular Council Meeting. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.         Letter from Stark County Commissioners RE: Thunder Hill Quality Annexation and accompanying documents.

2.         Memorandum from Auditor Knowles RE: January 2009 Alliance Municipal Income Tax Recapitulation.

3.         Letter from Police Chief Griffith RE: Law Enforcement Trust Fund Expenditures.

4.         Notice form Kent State University RE: Elected Officials Academy.

5.         Notice from Auditor Knowles RE: Pre-Audit Meeting set for February 11, 2009

6.         Judgment Entry of the Ohio Supreme Court denying to accept jurisdiction to hear the Thunder Hill annexation appeal

7.         Memorandum from Mayor Middleton RE: Receipts collected through the Mayor’s office in the month of January 2009.

8.         Memo from Safety Director indicating the Sludge removal and land application from the Alliance Waste Water Treatment Plant

 

Motion and second to receive and file all communications tendered to the Clerk.  MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

 

Mayor Middleton:  Will need quick action on a grant from the Development Department for HUD money for neighborhood stabilization program for $900,000 to off-set foreclosure and displaced tenants.   Discussed the process, committees, and objectives.

 

Discussion of application for Congressional Ear Marks that are becoming available and the current work with congressman Boccieri to get local projects funded.

 

Safety Service Director Blaser: Addressed the status of Ordinances 52-08 and 53-08 and reported that it is still tabled by the planning commission

 

Review Ordinance 1-09; 2-09; 3-09; 4-09; and 5-09.

 

Discussion of the status of the traffic signal at State Street and Brayton Avenue.

 

Law Director Andrew Zumbar: The City has filed for Summary Judgment in the Roy Kayes Matter

 

Reported on the Thunder Hill Quality Annexation appeal and status of the ability to act on Ordinance 10-08.

 

Auditor Knowles: Reviewed the January 2009 Alliance Municipal Income Tax Recapitulation.

 

Announced the pre-audit meeting is set for February 11, 2009 @ 8:30 am in the second floor administration building conference room

 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Safety & Judiciary: Andreani:  No formal report  

 

Properties and Lands: Clunk: No formal report

 

Finance: Okey:  Setting a committee meeting on February 5, 2009 at 8:30 am to address the funding applications and projects addressed by the Mayor in his report.

 

Discussed the introduction an ordinance to credit a  on time 10% to water customers due to taste and smell issues.

 

Explanation of Ordinance 6-09 and the reason for introduction.

 

Community Development: Phillips:  Committee will meet this Friday February 6, 2009 at 9:00 am to review CDBG applications.

 

Utilities:  Rhome: Reported on the Morning meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Board and the discussion of the odor and taste issues in the drinking water.

 

Committee recommends approval of ordinance 2-09

 

Streets & Alley: Ryan: No formal Report Noted that the committee will meet with jointly with the Finance committee on February 5, 2009 at 8:30 am to address the funding applications and projects addressed by the Mayor in his report.

 

Planning, Zoning, & Housing: Thompson:  No Formal Report. 

 

Asking for action on Ordinance 10-08

 

Motion and second to adopt Ordinance 10-08: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Public Speaks:  None

 

THIRD READINGS: None

 

SECOND READINGS:

 

Ordinance 1-09: Introduced by Rhome and Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to request qualifications and enter into a professional services contracts for engineering, design, and inspection services during phase III repairs and improvements to primary and secondary clarifiers at the wastewater treatment plant; and declaring an emergency. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Ordinance 2-09: Introduced by Rhome and Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Safety and Service to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the purpose of purchasing a new sludge applicator truck for the Wastewater treatment plant; and declaring an emergency. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Ordinance 3-09: Introduced by Clunk, Ryan, and Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into a professional services contract with MS Consultants to perform a Safety Study on the West State Street Corridor form Parkway Boulevard to Rockhill Avenue; and declaring an emergency. There was a brief discussion of the timing of the Ordinance and the possible need for a special council meeting to approve.  Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Ordinance 4-09: Introduced by Rhome: An Ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into a Grant Agreement for recycling with the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District; and declaring an emergency. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Ordinance 5-09: Introduced by Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Safety and Service to  enter into a contract for the purpose of purchasing a two new patrol vehicles for the Alliance Police Department  through the cooperative purchasing programs of the Ohio Department of Transportation or to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with another vendor at the lowest and best price, but for a cost not to exceed $44,000 in any case; and declaring an emergency. Motion and second to amend to change the amount to $54,000. Roll Call: Unanimous. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.