City of Aurora, Ohio COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES March 23, 2015

Transcription

1 City of Aurora, Ohio COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES March 23, 2015 The Committee of the Whole of the City of Aurora, Ohio met in Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday, March 23, 2015 for the purpose of holding a regular public meeting. Committee Chair John Kudley, Jr. called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Also Present: Reva Barner Kathi Grandillo Harold Hatridge George Horvat Dennis Kovach John Kudley Amy McDougald James Vaca Scott Wolf Ann Womer Benjamin, Mayor Tracy Humbert, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Dean DePiero, Law Director Robert Paul, Finance Director John Trew, Service Director Denise Januska, Planning, Zoning & Building Director Jack Burge, Economic and Entrepreneurial Development Director James Kraus, Parks & Recreation Director Brian Byard, Police Chief David Barnes, Fire Chief Morgan Schweighoefer, Deputy Clerk of Council APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Approval of the March 9, 2015 meeting minutes Mr. Vaca moved; Ms. Barner seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Mr. Wolf abstained. AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN: Barner, Grandillo, Hatridge, Horvat, Kovach, Kudley, McDougald, Vaca None Wolf FINANCE DIRECTOR S REPORT (attached) NEW BUSINESS Ward Redistricting Mr. Bob Dykes introduced himself as a senior partner of TRIAD Research Group who has worked on the ward redistricting for Aurora. He gave a brief history of cities where he has re-drawn wards. Mr. Dykes gave a presentation on the proposed ward amendments. He said he tries to not divide blocks because it is difficult to estimate population of a block split. He pointed out one block that he could not avoid dividing.

2 City of Aurora, Ohio Page 2 03/23/15 Committee of the Whole Minutes He referenced the Census data for 2010 and discussed the growth since then. He said the average ward population is just over 2,591, and when ward populations are within 5% of the average, courts typically leave them alone. He said 2015 population is based off the estimated growth and the wards are within 5% of each other. Mr. Dykes noted that 93% of Aurora residents remain in the wards they are currently in, and pointed out areas that had to move to a different ward. He commended Council and said it was a pleasure to work with them. Mr. Vaca asked if growth in Hawthorn will result in a change in population. Mr. Dykes said although it is predictable what will happen in terms of growth, he recommends waiting until the next Census before any adjustments are made. He said one cannot take into consideration planned growth now. Mr. Vaca asked if the redistricting should be done again after the next Census. Mr. Dykes said it should and explained the timeline for the Census results being available. Mr. Hatridge referenced the separation of Barrington apartments and said although he gained residents in his ward, he is still 4% under the average. He asked why his ward does not take all the apartments in that area. Mr. Dykes explained how if that were to happen, Ward 2 would be too small. He said his reasoning is he wanted to keep as many people as possible in their current ward. Mr. Horvat commended Mr. DePiero and Mr. Dykes. He said this was a great way to do the redistricting. Mr. Wolf commended Mr. Dykes and said he likes the map. He asked that since 93% of people are staying in their own ward in Aurora, will that percentage be higher next time this is done, barring extreme development. Mr. Dykes said he does not know and it depends on where development continues to take place. He said he thought reaching 93% was good, and the odds of that happening again are probably less. Ms. McDougald asked about the procedure on informing current voters about the change. Mr. DePiero said he has discussed it with the Board of Elections. He explained the process the amended map would go through if it is passed, noting Mr. Dykes kept as many blocks together as possible. He said the Board of Elections will notify individuals if their voting location changes, but as far as notifying the entire City, they could be notified via newspaper or website or mailing. He said that will be up to the Mayor and Council. Ms. McDougald asked if those who have moved now will have to move again when the redistricting is done next. Mr. Dykes said if the development continues as it has similarly to the past five years, the people who move this time will likely not move again. Mr. Vaca suggested adding another ward. Mr. DePiero said it would be a Charter change. Mr. Dykes said he has no opinion, but he does not know a City that has an odd number of wards. Mr. Kudley said in the past there was talk about reducing the number of At-Large positions and there was a lot of opposition from Council. Mr. Kudley referenced a map of Hawthorn and asked for clarification, noting the number of residents on Walnut Ridge. Mr. Dykes said there is a technical problem with the census data at that point. He said he designed the map as to avoid splitting another block. Mr. Kudley commended Mr. Dykes and members of the Committee for the accomplishment. He said it is the best solution to recreate the wards. Mayor Womer Benjamin suggested the proposed map be put on the website in a prominent place so it can be viewed.

3 City of Aurora, Ohio Page 3 03/23/15 Committee of the Whole Minutes Mr. Vaca moved; Mr. Wolf seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Closure of Unused Funds Mr. Paul listed the funds and said they have no balance and there are no plans for operations within them. Mr. Kovach moved; Mr. Vaca seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. TIRC Recommendations Mr. Paul said the Tax Incentive Review Committee reviewed all the commercial, industrial and residential tax abatements. He said the recommendation is to continue with all abatements with two exceptions because the time has expired on their original abatements. He added the abatements are still open should the two exceptions wish to reapply. Mr. Hatridge moved; Mr. Vaca seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Withdrawal of CRA Tax Abatement Ferfolia Limited Partnership Mr. Kudley referred to the abatement as one Mr. Paul had discussed earlier. Mr. Kovach moved; Ms. Grandillo seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Withdrawal of CRA Tax Abatement R.J. Caputo DMD LLC Mr. Kudley referred to the abatement as one Mr. Paul had discussed earlier. Mr. Kovach moved; Mr. Vaca seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Codified Ordinance Changes Mr. DePiero said there are Ordinance changes that resulted from the recently changed Charter. He said his office reviewed them to make sure they are consistent with the Charter and there is nothing that has not been before the voters or Council. Mr. Vaca moved; Ms. Grandillo seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Consulting Services Cell Tower Lease Rental Fees Mr. DePiero said he has received calls with regard to the City s cell phone tower leases. He said because the industry is complicated, it was important to hire someone who knew about negotiating them. He said after a review, a consultant recommended doing an audit of lease payments over the last twelve years. Mr. DePiero explained there has been an underpayment that built up since 2003, and the City received a check for the amount of back payment from AT&T. Ms. McDougald commended Mr. DePiero on the audit. Mr. Wolf asked if the other tower was going to be audited. Mr. DePiero said he believes the audit is for both towers.

4 City of Aurora, Ohio Page 4 03/23/15 Committee of the Whole Minutes Mr. DePiero explained a lot of communities in Ohio are struggling financially and looking to secure ties and make as much as they can on cell towers. He said vendors will come in and offer to buy the towers in exchange for a lump sum payment. He said while the money is upfront, one loses the over-time value of it. He said the consultant reviewed this and said these are valuable assets. He said because the City is not in one of those financial conditions, it would not be advantageous to sell them. He added additional antennas can be adjoined to those leases. Mr. Kovach asked if a tower can be added. Mr. DePiero said the consultant looked into that and determined there is a market for it. He said there are issues with where the tower could go because it has to be on City property. He said it is up to Council and the Mayor and the Administration to decide if they want to do that. Mr. Hatridge asked if there is any limit on how many cells can be put on the towers. Mr. DePiero said he will review that and get back to Mr. Hatridge. Mr. DePiero referred to the tower on Pioneer Trail, noting there were three tenants as of 2014 but does not know of the limit. He said there is permission for the water tower to install six to twelve wireless communication antennas. Mr. Wolf asked if the consultant indicated where one could put an additional tower. Mr. DePiero said the City owns a lot of property but there can be some deed restrictions. He said there are some locations on the south end of the City that could be used. Mr. Hatridge moved; Ms. Grandillo seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Purchase of Ford F-550 Cab and Chassis Mr. Trew said he went to four dealers but only one responded. He said the reason he is asking for a new truck is because there have been two hard winters in a row and having two funerals at once on top of moving snow at the same time. He said there are plows on every truck except one. He said there would be one additional truck that a plow could be taken off of. He explained snow could be moved and two funerals could be held at once rather than having to stagger them. Mr. Vaca moved; Mr. Wolf seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Purchase of Snow and Ice Package for Cab and Chassis Mr. Trew explained the purchase is of a hydraulic and plow package that goes on the truck. He said out of four dealers, only one responded and he is very familiar with their work. Mr. Kovach moved; Ms. Grandillo seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Purchase of F-150 Truck Mr. Trew said the truck is a replacement of one involved in an accident earlier this year that was totaled. He said he reached out to four dealers and two responded with Park Ford being the lowest bidder. Mr. Vaca said he assumes all pertinent parts were removed that can still be used. Mr. Trew said that is correct. He said everything that could be removed was, but the rest of the vehicle was totaled. Ms. McDougald asked when the original truck was due to be replaced and if this replacement will affect the rotation schedule in general. Mr. Trew said it would have been used four or five more years. He said the replacement schedule will not be affected. He said he would like to be on a seven-year replacement schedule

5 City of Aurora, Ohio Page 5 03/23/15 Committee of the Whole Minutes but he is not there yet. Mr. Kovach moved; Mr. Hatridge seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Employees Generally Field Crew Mr. Kraus said the Employees Generally is for a part-time field crew member. Mr. Hatridge moved; Ms. Grandillo seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Employees Generally Police Officer Chief Byard said the position is to replace a vacancy that occurred with recent retirements. Ms. Grandillo moved; Mr. Kovach seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Bid Recommendation for Cleaning of City Buildings Mr. Kudley said his understanding is this will remain on the agenda as it is still being worked on. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: To adjourn Mr. Hatridge moved; Ms. Barner seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m. John Kudley, Jr., Committee Chair Morgan Schweighoefer, Deputy Clerk of Council