Alliance City Council

MINUTES OF MAY 18, 2009

REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL

The meeting was called to order by President Benincasa at 7:00 P.M. Councilman Phillips 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 May 4, 2009, Regular Council Meeting. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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: Updated on the Odor and Taste issue with the water and the possible use of UV light treatment process. Also Deferred to Dr. Reynolds for further information.

Reported the Railroad crossing at Mahoning Avenue is currently being repaired and recommend a motion instead of formally adopting Ordinance 26-09.

Reviewed Ordinances 40-09; 41-09; 42-09; and 43-09

Law Director Andrew Zumbar: Updated Council that Lawsuit has been filed by Stark County on the Jail Housing matter and the matter has been referred to mediation with four dates set in July.

Reviewed Ordinance 43-09 and the affect on vacant, abandoned, tax delinquent properties

Auditor Knowles: Reviewed the General Fund Summary / Operational Budget Report as of April 30, 2009.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Safety & Judiciary: Andreani: No formal report. Need to schedule a meeting to review ordinances 23-09; 25-09; and 32-09

Motion and Second to waive the hearing for the liquor license transfer from Alliance Food Mart to Add Petroleum Inc.. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

Properties and Lands: Clunk: No formal report.

Finance: Okey: Reviewed the downtown business roundtable meeting on May 5, 2009 at Shaffer’s Diner and the discussion of the need for downtown sign ordinance change, better communication, and a development master plan for downtown.

Discussed Ordinance 42-09 and the hiring of the Community Development Planner. Asking for support of Ordinance 42-09.

Addressed the water odor and taste problems and discussions with area business owners/managers regarding the problem. Announced he will re-introduce an ordinance to rebate customers at the next meeting.

Expressed interest in the County Jail lawsuit and noted a desire to participate in the mediation process.

Community Development: Phillips: No formal report. Commended Director Marion for his work on recent grant applications.

Motion and Second to appoint Steve Okey as the Council representative to the mediation team on the Stark County Jail lawsuit mediation. Motion and Second to excuse Councilman Okey from vote due to conflict. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS. Roll Call on original motion: 2 in favor (Phillips and Ryan) 4 against (Andreani, Clunk, Rhome, and Thompson) MOTION FAILED.

Utilities: Rhome: No formal report.

Streets & Alley: Ryan: No formal report. Questioned if Ordinance 42-09 would help elevate some work

from the City Engineer and briefly discussed the summer paving program schedule.

Planning, Zoning, & Housing: Thompson: No formal report. Need to schedule a meeting to review ordinances 23-09

Ordinance 26-09: Introduced by Okey: An Ordinance Ordering the Norfolk and Southern Corporation to repair and maintain its Railroad crossing located on Mahoning Avenue, Immediately North of Railroad Street, in the City of Alliance; and declaring an emergency. NO FORMAL ACTION.

Ordinance 40-09: Introduced by Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to apply for and accept a Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $378,025 for the purpose of acquiring Fire Apparatus and Equipment for the Alliance Fire Department; 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 41-09: Introduced by Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to submit an application for and enter into a grant agreement for Federal Matching Funds from the U.S. Department of Justice to provide bulletproof vests for the Alliance Police Department; 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 42-09: Introduced by Phillips and Okey: An Ordinance creating the position of Community Development Planner in the Department of Planning and Development; 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 43-09: Introduced by Rhome, Phillips and Clunk: An Ordinance designating the Greater Alliance Development Corp. as a Community Improvement Corporation in the revitalization and redevelopment of land in the City of Alliance. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

ADJOURNMENT: Noting no further business to come before this Council, President Benincasa adjourned the meeting at 7:50 P.M.