October 6, 2008
CITY OF BOWLING GREEN CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008
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 Megan 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, Assistant Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter, City Attorney Michael Marsh, Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, Public Works Director Brian Craft, Assistant Utilities Director Paul Brock, and Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger. Utilities Director Kevin Maynard was not present. Clerk of Council Kay Scherreik was not present. Acting Clerk Michelle Fitzgerald was in attendance.
Council President Newlove declared the minutes of the meeting held September 15, 2008 approved as distributed.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence.
OFFICIAL REPORTS
Mayor John Quinn read the following list of appointments and reappointments to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors for approval:
Diane Huffman At Large Rep 1 year term
Beth Genson Media Rep 1 year term
Earlene Kilpatrick Chamber Rep 2 year term
Sami Abou-Dehech Lodging Rep 1 year term
Aronda Thomas BGSU Rep 3 year term
Tom Baer At Large Rep 1 year term
Council Member Sorrells moved, Dunn seconded and by unanimous voice vote, Council President Newlove declared the appointments approved.
Mayor Quinn presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Andy Ault, Assistant Dean of Students from BGSU who was instrumental in the success of the distribution of the recent Bowling Green Welcome Bags. The Mayor will also be sending certificates of appreciation to several other volunteers.
Mayor Quinn acknowledged the multiple special events that took place last weekend. He thanked the BG 175th Anniversary Committee for their work on the performance of the musical skit “The Road to Bowling Green” which was performed over the weekend. The BG 175th Anniversary Committee is continuing to work and has one other event planned for December.
The Mayor announced that ABC News
anchor Charles Gibson is scheduled to broadcast the national news from
Bowling Green State University campus on October 7, 2008.
Toledonews channel WTVG will also be broadcasting the local news from
BGSU on that date.
Mayor Quinn reported that he had asked Rick Ketzenbarger to look into rental occupancy rates in the City of Bowling Green this year and last year. Mayor Quinn reported that the vacancy rate last year was 9.2% and due to declining enrollment at BGSU and issues in the economy the vacancy rate has increased to 12.3% this year.
A retired long-time city employee, Bill Dewitt and his wife Sharon were killed in a weekend automobile accident. Mayor Quinn expressed his condolences to their family.
John Fawcett discussed road salt availability for the upcoming winter as there is a shortage in the Midwest. Some communities throughout Ohio are unable to get bids for road salt and other cities are receiving bids at a 100% to 200% cost increase. Bowling Green’s contractor from last year was able to provide a bid at a cost of $65.17 per ton which is a 52% cost increase. While this cost is more than anticipated, it is less than what many area communities are paying. The City must purchase 750 tons before December 15, 2008. The contractor will guarantee 1500 tons at $67.15 per ton. The City uses an average of 1500 tons per year but used 2100 tons last year due to the harsh winter. Fawcett noted that with this purchase and what is left over from last year, the City should have enough salt that citizen safety will not be compromised. Mr. Fawcett anticipates coming back to council at the next meeting to shift funds to make the purchase.
Council Member Sorrells asked if there was an explanation for the shortage. Mr. Fawcett responded that it is an anomaly between communities and the Ohio Municipal League has asked the Fraud Division of the Attorney General’s office to look into the matter, but at this point it doesn’t appear to be caused by a shortage of salt. Council Member McOmber asked if this was going to be a multi-year problem and Mr. Fawcett responded that at this time, he doesn’t know. There was discussion if the cost increase could be due to increased fuel costs however that doesn’t seem to be the case due to the disparity in pricing between communities.
Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger had no report.
Parks and Recreation Director Dr. Michelle Grigore reported that as required fee increases for parks and recreation programs and facilities were submitted to Council prior to October 1 for their approval.
The Bowling Green Family Aquatic Complex ended its season with an overall loss of $130, which is an improvement over past years. The Bowling Green Training and Community Center pass sales are running $33,000 higher than last year.
City Attorney Michael Marsh had no report.
Assistant Utilities Director Paul Brock had no report.
Public Works Director Brian Craft reported that brush pick up started today. Leaf collection will begin October 20, 2008.
Mr. Craft reported that he met with the Ohio Department of Transportation to see their facilities and discuss methods for salt conservation. ODOT uses a process called pre-treating which uses a brine mix which can be put on the roads days before inclement weather arrives. The City is negotiating a deal with ODOT for this winter to be able to take salt to ODOT’s facility and fill the City’s trucks with the brine and pre-treat heavily traveled roads and parking lots. Mr. Craft said that the Public Works staff will be instructed to conserve salt as well.
Craft also reported that there will be a bid opening for sidewalk program on October 15, 2008. It is possible that some sidewalks may be in by Thanksgiving if the contract gets signed and the contractor’s schedule permits.
NEW LEGISLATION
The following new legislation was recommended by the Administration and presented to Council for introduction:
Council President Newlove, for the Finance Committee, introduced an ordinance repealing Section 33.21 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to Personal Business Leave.
Council President Newlove, for the Finance Committee, introduced an ordinance amending and adopting Section 33.27 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to vacations.
Council President Newlove, for the Committee-of-the-Whole, introduced an ordinance directing the Wood County Board of Elections to submit a ballot question to the electors of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, proposing to create and adopt Section 73.13 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio relating to use of mobile telephones while driving.
Council Member McOmber, for the Utilities Committee, introduced an ordinance amending Ordinance #7726 and authorizing the Utilities Director to include South College Drive sewer relining with the Napoleon Road sewer project.
Council Member McOmber, for the Utilities Committee, introduced an ordinance amending and adopting Section 116.01, 116.02, 116.03, 116.04 and 116.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to plumbers and plumbing licenses and bonding requirements.
Council Member McOmber, for the Utilities Committee, introduced and ordinance authorizing the Utilities Director to enter into a land installment purchase agreement for the Calderon Pond and related property, being approximately 23.7674 acres located in the vicinity of East Wooster Street and Interstate 75, and declaring an emergency.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Dunn, for the Parks & Recreation Committee, moved to approve the fees submitted by Parks & Recreation Director Michelle Grigore and submitted to Council on October 1, 2008. Council Member Sorrells seconded the motion. On unanimous voice vote, Council President Newlove declared the motion carried.
LOBBY VISITATIONS
Wendy Stram, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Convention and Visitor’s Bureau thanked the community for the Be a Tourist in Your Own Town which took place the previous weekend. There were twenty-six participants, up from seventeen last year.
Ms. Stram thanked Council for continued funding of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, now in its twenty-eighth year. She submitted to Council for review the 2009 Executive Board and Board of Directors, strategic plan, and budget. An increase in budget is not requested at this time. In addition to the budget, the CVB is asking for a special allocation to help supplement the Family Motor Coach National Convention and welcome event which will take place in July of 2009. The CVB will seek sponsorships to match the requests from the City. The CVB is also asking for one year renewal of their contract to continue to receive a percentage of the hotel and motel tax dollars.
Ms. Stram announced that Council Member Sorrells will be the Chairman of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in 2009.
Council Member Frost asked any other events are planned for 2009. Ms. Stram responded that while she is not at liberty to give information there is another event planned with an announcement expected in November. Additionally, the National Construction Equipment Museum will also have their convention in September 2009 with about 4000 attendants expected.
Frost also said that the Strategic Plan for the CVB indicated that Ms. Stram would be attending trade shows and asked which trade shows she attends. Ms. Stram replied that she attends travel planning and meeting planning as part of the Your Next Ohio Destination and I-75 Corridor cooperatives to get visitors to Bowling Green.
William Feeman, 1301 S. Orleans, addressed Council regarding the ordinance to submit a ballot question to the electors of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio to ban cell phone use while driving. He gave several examples of vehicle accidents which occurred due to the use of mobile telephones while driving and asked Council to consider voting positively to place this issue on the ballot for the voters to decide.
READING OF LEGISLATION
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7830 directing the Wood County Board of Elections to submit a ballot questions to the electors of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, proposing to create and adopt Section 73.13 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to the use of mobile telephones while driving, for first reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7831 repealing Section 33.21 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to Personal Business Leave, for first reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7832 amending and adopting Section 33.27 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio relating to vacations, for first reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7833 amending Ordinance #7726 and authorizing the Utilities Director to include the South College Drive sewer relining project with the Napoleon Road sewer project, for first reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7834 amending and adopting Sections 116.01, 116.02, 116.03, 116.04 and 116.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, relating to plumbers and plumbing licenses and bonding requirements, for first reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7835 authorizing the Utilities Director to enter into a land installment purchase agreement for the Calderon Pond and related property, being approximately 23.7674 acres located in the vicinity of East Wooster Street and Interstate 75, and declaring an emergency. Council Member McOmber moved, Heminger seconded, to suspend the rules and give Ordinance #7835 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.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7835 for second and third reading by name and title only. Council Member McOmber moved, Heminger seconded to adopt the emergency clause for Ordinance #7835. On roll call vote Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, and Frost voted yes. Council President Newlove declared the motion carried, and emergency clause adopted.
Council Member McOmber moved, Zanfardino seconded to adopt Ordinance #7835. Council Member Sorrells asked if the City was paying fair market value. Council Member McOmber and City Attorney Michael Marsh confirmed the fairness of the price. On roll call vote, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, and Heminger voted yes. Council President Newlove declared the motion carried and Ordinance #7835 adopted.
Acting Clerk read Resolution #3371 approving revisions to the Transportation Section of the Comprehensive Master Plan of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, for second reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7827 authorizing the Utilities Director to execute an environmental covenant and implement the mitigation plan required by the Ohio EPA 401 permit for the raw water intake and pumping station project, for second reading.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7829 amending and adopting a portion of Section 150.03 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, concerning the definition of the term “bedroom” for second reading.
Acting Clerk read Resolution #3370 to accompany application for Preserve America community designation, for third reading.
Council Member Zanfardino moved, McOmber seconded, to adopt Resolution #3370. On roll call vote, Council Members Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, Heminger, and McOmber, voted yes. Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Resolution #3370 adopted.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7819 amending and adopting Section 94.20, Section 94.27 and Section 94.28 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, concerning litter, for third reading.
Council Member Zanfardino moved, Heminger seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7819. On roll call vote, Council Members Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, Heminger, McOmber and Newlove, voted yes. Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7819 adopted.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7820 repealing Section 98.02 and amending and adopting Section 98.03 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio regarding snow and ice covered sidewalks declared a nuisance, for third reading.
Council Member Sorrells moved, Dunn seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7820. On roll call vote, Council Members Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, and Sorrells voted yes. Council President Newlove declared motion carried and Ordinance #7820 adopted.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7823 authorizing the Utilities Director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract or contracts for Wastewater Treatment Plant concrete replacement improvements, for third reading.
Council Member McOmber moved, Zanfardino seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7823. On roll call vote, Council Members Dunn, Frost, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, and Sorrells, and Zanfardino voted yes. Council President Newlove declared motion carried and Ordinance #7823 adopted.
Acting Clerk read Ordinance #7824 establishing interim zoning of B-2 General Commercial zoning for the approximately 1.78 acres of land on East Wooster Street recently annexed to the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, from Center Township as petitioned for by Robert W. Maurer, for third reading.
Council Member Frost moved, Sorrells seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7824. On roll call vote, Council Members Frost, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, and Dunn voted yes. Council President Newlove declared motion carried and Ordinance #7824 adopted.
Council President Newlove moved, Council Member Heminger seconded, to adjourn. On unanimous voice vote, Council President Newlove adjourned the October 7, 2008 regular meeting of the City Council at 8:37 p.m., subject to call.
