MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007

 

 

The regular meeting of the Bowling Green City Council, held in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, Bowling Green, Ohio was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by Acting Council President Gordy Heminger.  The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

On roll call, Council Members Dunn, Heminger, McOmber, Sorrells, and Zanfardino responded.  Council Members Frost and Newlove were not present.  Also present were Mayor John Quinn, Municipal Administrator John Fawcett, City Attorney Michael Marsh, Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, Public Works Director Bill Blair, Utilities Director Kevin Maynard, and Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger.

 

Council Member Dunn noted that the appointment of Nick Messenger to the Human Relations Commission was omitted from the listing of appointments approved at the last Council meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.  Acting Council President Heminger declared the minutes of the meeting held May 7, 2007 approved with the addition as presented by Council Member Dunn.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            Clerk noted that a listing of budget transfers for the month of May was received from Finance Director Rebecca Underwood and distributed to Council prior to the meeting for approval.  Council Member Sorrells moved, Zanfardino seconded, to approve the transfers as presented.  On unanimous voice vote, Acting Council President Heminger declared motion carried.  A copy of the transfers is attached and made a part of these minutes.

 

            Clerk noted that copies of the Budget Summary Report for the month of March, 2007 was distributed to Council prior to this evening’s meeting.

 

 

OFFICIAL REPORTS

 

            Mayor John Quinn requested confirmation of the following appointments to City Boards and Commissions:

 

·         Terrence Leek – Tree Commission – term expiring 5/31/10

·         Lucas Ballistreri – Bicycle Safety Commission – term expiring 5/31/08

·         Tom Kahres & Adrian De La Cruz – Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

Council Member McOmber moved, Dunn seconded, to approve the appointments as presented by the Mayor.  On unanimous voice vote, Acting Council President Heminger declared motion carried.

 

            Mayor Quinn announced that The Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls was selected as the next “Community Reads” book.  Mayor Quinn also noted that BGSU will be utilizing the same book for the BGeXperience program for incoming freshmen and  they may be able to partner with them in efforts to bring the author to Bowling Green.

 

            Mayor Quinn expressed his support for the proposed legislation granting financial incentives to Sky Insurance for relocation costs and a reduction in the City’s income tax for their employees to help lessen the impact of the loss of jobs due to the merger of Sky Bank with Huntington Bank.  Quinn noted that a team of people have worked hard to try to retain as many jobs as possible and both banks have expressed their desire to keep as many jobs in Bowling Green as possible.  The decision to relocate Sky Insurance and its employees in Bowling Green means bringing 100 jobs to the city initially with the possibility of more in the future.  Mayor Quinn encouraged Council to give careful consideration to the proposed legislation.

 

            Council Member Dunn expressed his support of the proposal and commended the team for their efforts in putting the incentive package together.

 

 

            Municipal Administrator John Fawcett commented that Fire Chief Steve Meredith was wearing the new command officer’s uniform at this evening’s meeting noting that the command officers are now wearing a white shirt with dark pants rather than the previous all black uniform.  Fawcett also noted that the City anticipates taking delivery of the new aerial ladder fire truck which will allow an aerial truck to be located at both fire stations.

 

            Fawcett  also introduced David Kuebeck as the City’s summer intern working in conjunction with the Municipal Administrator’s office.

 

            Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger reported that there is a larger than usual number of complaints regarding tall, unmowed grass this season due to the higher number of property foreclosures.  Ketzenbarger noted that the city is following its procedure of giving property owners time to voluntarily correct the problem, however, if the lawn is not mowed, a civil infractions violation is issued.  Once the violation is issued, the city can hire an outside contractor to perform the work and bill the costs to the property owner on the real estate taxes for the property.  Council Member Sorrells asked if the process could be shortened by issuing notice as a public notice in the newspaper.  City Attorney Michael Marsh responded that Council would have to amend the ordinance in order to reduce the timeframe.

 

            Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore reported that City Park will be closed tomorrow morning to allow the contractor to spray for the gypsy moth problem.  The park should reopen at 1:00 p.m.  Grigore also distributed to Council a summary of the aquatic facilities survey.

 

            City Attorney Michael Marsh had no report.

 

            Utilities Director Kevin Maynard had no report.

 

            Public Works Director Brian Craft reported to Council that the resurfacing of South Main Street is nearing completion.  Craft also updated Council on other public works projects noting that a bid opening is scheduled for May 29 at 2:00 p.m. for the 2007 CDBG Sidewalk Program.

 

 

NEW LEGISLATION

 

            The following new legislation was recommended by the Administration and presented to Council for introduction:

 

            Council Member Zanfardino, for the Community Improvement Committee, introduced a resolution adopting and authorizing a Policy & Procedure Manual for B.G. Transit as required by the Ohio Department of Transportation and recommended for adoption by the local Transportation Advisory Committee.

 

            Council Member McOmber, for the Finance Committee, introduced an ordinance authorizing a 25% reduction in the City income tax for a certain period for Sky Insurance employees and providing for certain economic development grants to Sky Insurance to partially defray relocation expenses.

 

            Council Member McOmber, for the Public Utilities Committee, introduced an ordinance authorizing the Utilities Director to enter into an amendment to the contract with the Northwestern Water and Sewer District in order to increase the contract capacity and service area.

 

 

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

            There were no Council committee reports.

 

 

LOBBY VISITATIONS

 

            There were no lobby visitations.

 

 

READING OF LEGISLATION

 

            Clerk read Resolution #3336 adopting and authorizing a Policy & Procedure Manual for B.G. Transit as required by the Ohio Department of Transportation and recommended for adoption by the local Transportation Advisory Committee, for first reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7678 authorizing a 25% reduction in the City income tax for a certain period for Sky Insurance employees and providing for certain economic development grants to Sky Insurance to partially defray relocation expenses, for first reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7677 authorizing the Utilities Director to enter into an amendment to the contract with the Northwestern Water and Sewer District in order to increase the contract capacity and service area, for first reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7674 amending and adopting Section 33.03(A) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to pay for School Police, Interns, and Civil Infractions Hearing Officer, for second reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7675 granting an easement for a portion of Gould Street right-of-way to Kevin G. Neal and Wendy M. Neal, for second reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7676 amending the Zoning District Map of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, for the property generally known as 531 Conneaut Avenue, from M-1 Light Industrial to R-2 Single Family Residential zoning, for second reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7677 approving the S-District Site Plan for an addition to the daycare building and the construction of an outdoor pool and sunroom at Heritage Corner, for second reading.

 

            Clerk read Ordinance #7673  deleting Section 150.65(J) and amending and adopting Section 150.66(G)(1) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, regarding minimum elevation for flush mounted signs, for third reading.

 

            Council Member Heminger moved, Sorrells seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7673.  On roll call vote, Council Members Heminger, McOmber, Sorrells, Zanfardino, and Dunn voted yes.  Acting Council President Heminger declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7673 adopted.

 

            Council Member McOmber moved, Dunn seconded, to excuse Council Members Newlove and Frost from this evening’s meeting.  On unanimous voice vote, Acting Council President Heminger declared motion carried.

 

Council Member Sorrells moved, Dunn seconded, to adjourn.  On unanimous voice vote, Acting Council President Heminger adjourned the May 21, 2007 regular meeting of the City Council at 8:40 p.m., subject to call.