MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2009

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 May 18, 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:  Absent, no Formal Report.

 

Safety Service Director Blaser: Reviewed the Water odor and taste situation and the MIB counts affecting it as well as the ongoing efforts to combat it.

 

Relayed to council the status of the street paving list and the need to modify and reduce due to reduction in funds received in the road fund.

 

Motion and second to direct the Clerk to send a letter of thanks to Morgan Engineering.  MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.

 

Informed Council that Police and Fire Departments each received a $5,000 gift from Morgan Engineering and read the letter from Morgan Engineering commending the safety forces for the good work that they do.

 

Requested an executive session with Labor Counsel to discuss the status of the Collective Bargaining Agreements.

 

Reviewed Ordinances 44-09; 45-09; 46-09; and Resolution 47-09

 

Law Director Andrew Zumbar: Addressed the list of Tax delinquent real estate parcels.

 

Informed Council of an issue in the Police Department promotional list for Sergeant and a court action filed to determine the Civil Service Rules.  Informed Council how Chief intends to operate the department to avoid any operational problems until the matter is resolved.

 

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

 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Safety & Judiciary: Andreani:  Reported on the May 27, 2009 Committee meeting to review Ordinance 25-09 and the concerns that may arise from maintaining the staffing levels in the police department within the budgets.  There needs to be a finance committee meeting to address the future budget concerns.

 

Properties and Lands: Clunk: No formal report.

 

Finance: Okey: Set a Committee Meeting for June 4, 2009 to address the future budget concerns of Ordinance 25-09.

 

Addressed the Water odor and taste situation and asking Ordinance 49-09 be referred to Council as a Committee of the Whole.

 

Community Development: Phillips:  Asking for support for Ordinance 50-09 and addressed that time is of the essence since the submission deadline is Thursday June 4, 2009.

 

Utilities:  Rhome:  Reported on the June 1, 2009 Water and Sewer advisory Board meeting and the Water Situation.  Had Director Blaser address again some of the ongoing efforts to address the water situation.  Addressed Councilman Okey regarding his comments on the radio regarding the water situation and a discussion of the radio interview ensued.

 

Reported the Committee gave favorable recommendation to Ordinance 44-09 and 46-09

Streets & Alley: Ryan: No formal report.

 

Thanked the Engineer for his work on the paving list and announce the committee will meet to review the list when it is complete.

 

Addressed Ordinances 48-09 and 49-09 and asked for council support.

 

Planning, Zoning, & Housing: Thompson: Reported on the May 27, 2009 Committee meeting to review Ordinance 23-09 regarding contractors.  Noted that some language needs to be addressed and another committee meeting will be scheduled for further review.

 

Asked that Ordinance 48-09 be referred to Planning Zoning & Housing Committee.

 

PUBLIC SPEAKS: None

 

THIRD READINGS: None

 

SECOND READINGS: None

 

NEW BUSINESS:  

 

Ordinance 44-09: Introduced by Rhome and Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for phase III repairs and improvements to the 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 45-09: Introduced by Clunk and Thompson: An Ordinance amending the Alliance City Zoning Code as adopted by Ordinance 130-05 and subsequently amended. Motion and second to Refer to the Planning, Zoning & Housing Committee: Roll Call: Unanimous: REFERRED TO PLANNING, ZONING & HOUSING COMMITTEE.

 

Ordinance 46-09: Introduced by Rhome and Andreani: An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety and Service to request qualifications and enter into a contract with a qualified professional to conduct a water and sewer rate study for the City of Alliance; 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.

 

Resolution 47-09: Introduced by Andreani: A Resolution authorizing participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation Cooperative Purchasing Program. Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED.

 

Ordinance 48-09: Introduced by Ryan:  An Ordinance amending Alliance Codified Ordinance Section 331.34 “Failure to Control; Weaving; Full Time and Attention”; and declaring an emergency.  Motion and second to AMEND THE LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE “Emergency Medical Personnel”: Roll Call: Unanimous for amendment.  Motion and second to suspend rules: Roll Call: Unanimous for rules suspension. Motion and second to adopt as amended: Roll Call: Unanimous: ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

 

Ordinance 49-09: Introduced by Okey and Ryan: An Ordinance to authorize and require a one-time credit not exceeding $15.00 to the monthly water bill of each residential customer of water from the City of Alliance who purchases a water filter product under certain terms and conditions; and to declare an emergency. Motion and second to refer to the Council as a Committee of the Whole: Roll Call: Unanimous: REFERRED TO COUNCIL AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

 

Ordinance 50-09: Introduced by Phillips: An Ordinance accepting the proposed Amendment to the Annual Consolidated Plan for the City of Alliance pursuant to the FY-2008 Community Development Block Grant Program know as CDBG-R in an amount not to exceed $184,685.00: 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.

 

Motion and Second to enter Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining negotiations with Council Members, Council President, Auditor, Law Director, Mayor,  Safety Service Director, Clerk of Council and Labor Counsel present.. Roll Call: Unanimous: Council entered into Executive Session at 7:59 PM.

 

Council re-entered regular session at 8:26 PM

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: Noting no further business to come before this Council, President Benincasa