MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 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 8:00 p.m. by Council President Newlove.  The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

On roll call, Council Members Dunn, Frost, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, and Zanfardino responded.  Also present were Mayor John Quinn, Municipal Administrator John Fawcett, City Attorney Michael Marsh, Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, Public Works Director Brian Craft, Utilities Director Kevin Maynard, and Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger.

Council President Newlove declared the minutes of the meeting held September 4, 2007 approved as distributed.

CORRESPONDENCE

            There was no correspondence.

OFFICIAL REPORTS

            Mayor John Quinn announced that October is Community Reads month.  The book selected is Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls.  Mayor Quinn noted that the kick-off night will be October 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wood County Library.  The author will be in Bowling Green for a book signing and discussion on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the BGSU Student Union.  Another event will be held on October 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Atrium called the “Community Reads Guiding Stars Evening”.  This event will recognize and honor Bowling Green’s guiding starts – people who overcome hardships and inspire those around them through their example.  Mayor Quinn encouraged community members to get involved in the Community Reads project.

            Mayor Quinn also announced that the Teen Center opened today at the Veterans’ Building in City Park.  The group raised $17,000 and the United Way is acting as the financial agent of the center.  Mayor Quinn noted that the hours of operation are 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday thru Thursday and is limited to 7^th and 8^th grade students with signed permission slips from their parents.

            Municipal Administrator John Fawcett had no report.

            Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger had no report.

            Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore reported that the City’s pool turned a profit for the first time since 1999.  Grigore attributed this to decreasing operating expenses (less manpower, etc.), the hot weather, and an increase in the sale of pool passes.

            City Attorney Michael Marsh had no report.

            Utilities Director Kevin Maynard had no report.

            Public Works Director Brian Craft updated Council on the City’s sidewalk repaving projects and noted that the annual fall brush pickup is scheduled for the week of October 8 beginning in Ward 4.

NEW LEGISLATION

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

            Council Member Newlove, for the Finance Committee, introduced an ordinance providing supplemental appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007.

            Council Member Frost, for the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, introduced an ordinance amending the Zoning District Map of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio for approximately 1.2 acres of the property generally known as 500 Lehman Avenue from M-1 Light Industrial to B-4 Office District zoning.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

            There were no Council committee reports.

LOBBY VISIATIONS

            Michael Ginsburg, Interim Associate Dean of Students, and Deborah Novak, Interim Assistant Dean of Students, addressed Council regarding the University’s position on off-campus student behavior.

READING OF LEGISLATION

            Clerk read Ordinance #7707 providing supplemental appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007, for first reading.

            Council Member Newlove moved, Zanfardino seconded, to suspend the rules and give Ordinance #7707 its second and third reading.  On roll call vote, Council Members  Frost, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, and Dunn voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and rules suspended.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7707 for second and third reading by number and title only.

            Council Member Newlove moved, Heminger seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7707.  On roll call vote, Council Members Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, and Frost voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7707 adopted.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7708 amending the Zoning District Map of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio for approximately 1.2 acres of the property generally known as 500 Lehman Avenue from M-1 Light Industrial to B-4 Office District zoning, for first reading.

                Council Member Frost announced that a public hearing will be held for Ordinance #7708 on November 5, 2007 at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7704 authorizing the Utilities Director to execute a power sales contract with American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., for 21 megawatts of base load capacity from the American Municipal Power Generation Station project, for second reading.

            Clerk red Ordinance #7705 authorizing the Utilities Director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract or contracts for the supplying of annual inventory requirements, petroleum products, and sale of scrap materials during the calendar year 2008 for the Municipal Utilities Department, for second reading.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7706 accepting a deed for Fourth Street right-of-way from the Bowling Green Senior Community, LLC, for second reading.

            Clerk read Resolution #3346 adopting the City of Bowling Green Financial and Debt Policy, for third reading.

            Council Member Newlove moved, McOmber seconded, to adopt Resolution #3346.  Council Member McOmber praised the efforts of those involved with the development of the City’s Financial and Debt Policy.  McOmber noted that this policy documents the City’s policies and procedures already in practice by the City over the years and is aimed at strengthening the City’s finances.  On roll call vote, Council Members McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, and Heminger voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Resolution #3346 adopted.

            Council Member Frost moved, Zanfardino seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7702 amending and adopting Sections 150.03 and 150.30.1 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, concerning B-4 Office District zoning.  Council Member Dunn commented that for the purposes of discussion, he moved to amend the ordinance by removing the coffee house section of the ordinance.  Council Member Heminger seconded the motion.  Council Member Dunn indicated that he was uncomfortable allowing coffee shops as a permitted use in the B-4 zoning classification noting that coffee shops are a drop-in type of business so the traffic flow is much higher than a barber/beauty shop or day spa.  McOmber noted that he didn’t have a strong feeling one way or the other, but is troubled by the fact that the coffee house is essentially a retail establishment in a type of zoning that is not designated for retail.  On the other hand, given City Attorney Mike Marsh’s opinion in terms of setting precedent, each proposed use would be voted upon separately and having granted one use does not mean you would have to grant another.  Frost indicated that he views this as a specific change for this ordinance and other future changes would have to be considered accordingly.  Sorrells noted that he thinks approving the coffee shops as a permitted use moves away from the original intent of the B-4 and allows retail-based business in an office zoning classification.  Zanfardino agreed with the removal of coffee shops from the proposed ordinance.  On roll call vote on amending the ordinance, Council Members Newlove, Frost, and McOmber voted no.  Council Members Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, and Heminger voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7702 amended to remove coffee shops as a permitted use in the B-4 zoning classification.

            On the motion to adopt Ordinance #7702 as amended, Council Members Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, Heminger, McOmber, and Newlove voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7702 adopted as amended.