City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the Liria City Council meeting for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. We'll observe a moment of silence followed by the p pledge of allegiance. Mr. Philippian, would you lead lead us in the pledge, please? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good evening everyone. I would ask that you please turn your cell phones off or turn it to the silent position just out of respect for the council chambers just to let you know that the strategic planning meeting for this evening has been postponed to a later date. Um Mr. Clerk, may we have roll call, please? Yes, Madam President. Mr. Sarah, here. Mr. Van Warmer here. Mr. Armstrong here. Miss Rothgary here. Miss Davis here. Mr. Tolette here. Mr. Lipian here. Mr. Oswald. Mr. Dhoni here. Mr. Schneider here. Miss Mitchell

here. We have one one excused absence for Mr. Oswald. Can I get a motion to excuse Mr. Oswald, please? Move. Second. Been moved and properly second. Is there any other questions? Question. All those in favor say I. I oppose. Motion carried. Mr. Clerk, are there any public hearings? There are none. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes, please? Move. Second. It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. We have marks and reports from city officials. Mayor Brewbaker.

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Just real quick, I want to thank Reagan Phillips and the MLK Commission for an outstanding uh program yesterday and for all those that braved the weather and persevered the weather as a snowstorm hit right as we left here to march to uh the Pack Center. It was an awesome program. So, kudos to Reagan and her team um for that event. It was very well attended and uh we appreciate the celebration of Dr. King. So, thank you. Thank you, mayor. Are there any questions for the mayor? Thank you, safety service director Pineowski.

Thank you through you. Uh I just want to update you on our salt road salt uh usage and availability. Uh we contracted for 9,000 tons this year. Uh so far our estimated usage including what we've ordered as well as what was already in the salt shed is about 7,000 tons. and we have 5,400 uh more tons that we've ordered, which would be the uh remainder of what was under contract. Um I know some communities have talked about struggling to get salt. Um we've used a fair amount because we've had the weather that justified it. Um so we'll get the remainder of our contract in and we're going to look at other options to maybe buy additional should we need it, but to have that ready to go in case um we we use up what we have. But we're preparing for that and we've used a fair amount and we'll get in the rest of our balance so that we have it.

We hope you don't need to use it. I'd like to use no more. Absolutely. Are there any questions for Director Pineowski? Thank you. Finance Director, Mr. Pleski. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, no report this evening. Thank you. Are there any questions for the finance director?

Law director, Mrs. Derry. Thank you uh through you, Madam President. Uh the Luring County Court of Common Please has set a hearing uh for the second half of March um at the request of the receiver on the former days in and the receiver uh motion uh to um uh get court approval um on the purchase agreement uh that the receivers entered into with the county port authority. uh the property owner has objected to that. Uh therefore, that's why the hearing's been set. So, um again, it's uh still not for several weeks. However, we should see some movement once we do get that um before the judge. So, uh I take that as some good news. Uh the um state uh liquor control commission will be uh hearing uh city objection on um Xanmar LLC um informally known as the Beastro on Taylor Street uh tomorrow. Uh it is a virtual hearing uh which means that uh our people don't need to travel. Um it is scheduled for a several hour block of time. Uh and um as soon as uh we hear the results of that, we will let um all of you know.

Thank you. Are there any questions for law director? Mr. Lian. For you, Madam President. Not really a question, but a compliment. I just want to thank law director Deir's office for working with me as I compiled a statement and several messages that I'd received from complainants throughout the years about said property that's um going to be heard tomorrow. I know Councilman Tlette also fielded a lot of complaints about that establishment. So, I just want to thank the law director's office for working with me quickly today to compile that and get it ready for tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for the law director?

And I will relay that uh to uh other people in my office. I can tell you that um uh attorney Margaret O'Brien uh who's uh taking the lead on this and and will be handling the argument um has um has this has pretty much been her life uh for the better part of the last several weeks and uh before that. And um I know that she's had nothing but good things to say about uh the police department, the fire department, the building department, uh the health department, all of whom um will will be taking part tomorrow. So, uh, it really is, uh, quite, uh, a a renaissance, uh, case of complaints, if you will. So, thank you.

Thank you. Um, police chief, Mr. Welsh.

Thank you. Are there any questions for police chief Welsh? Fire Chief Proweski. Thank you. Any questions for Chief Pineski? Chief Engineer Schneider. Any questions for the engineer Snider? My goodness. Okay. Superintendent of Water Reclamation, Mr. Stewart.

Thank you. I think I got everybody. Thank you. President's referrals and remances. Number one, community development and finance. Number two, community development and finance. Number three, finance. Number four, finance. Number five, finance. Number six, finance. Items seven through nine received and placed on file in the clerk's office. Petitions and remittances from the lobby.

Yes, Madam President. We have one, Miss Judith Padawa from Lurine County Children's Services. Good evening. Please state your name and address for the record. Good evening. My name is Judith Padwa and I uh my address is 226 Middle Avenue Sweet 300 Yria. Please go right ahead.

Oh, okay. My name is Judith Padwa and I um I am a foster care recruiter coordinator with Lorraine County Children's Services. Lorraine County Children's Services is the agency responsible for assessing abuse and neglect in Lorraine County. In 2025, uh the our agency received 5,451 calls alleging abuse or neglect of a child. Out of those calls, 1,81 calls require further assessment by our case worker to ensure child safety. As a result, 368 children were separated from their families due to safety concerns and enter the foster or kinship care, often with little notice. When we do not have available homes in our community, Lorraine County Children's Services is forced to seek placement out of state, out of I'm sorry, out of the county. And this um this is not ideal for the children in our community because they're not only suffering the separation from their families but also their school, their communities um that they know. Perhaps um you have thought about becoming a foster parent but never took the next step. Or maybe you know someone who enjoys children and has a caring heart. Today I am here to ask for your help. And these are some of the ways. Consider learning more about foster care. Children services hosts

um an overview every month and with in uh virtually and in person. Um share what you heard these numbers, these stats. Share them with other people in the community. Display um I brought some flyers. Display this flyer visible in your office. um take these flyers and share this this information within your faith communities or civic groups. We cannot do this work alone. The children of Lorraine need every single one of us. And before I I close, I want to thank uh Councilman Armstrong for inviting me here to speak about this uh passion um that I represent. And thank I thank you. I thank all the Eyria city council members for the time, attention, continued commitment, well commitment to the well-being of children and families in our community. So thank you so much.

Thank you Mrs. Bwa. Reports. That's all. That's all petitions from the audience. Thank you. Petitions and remances from council members. There are none. Reports of standing and special committees. There are none. Resolutions. First reading. We have a resolution to appoint three new council members to the city's economic development committee each for a 2-year term to expire December 31st, 2027 in declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis.

Uh, Madame President, I ask that this resolution pass on its first reading without the benefit of a committee report under the suspension under the suspension of rules and declaring it an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Are there any questions or comments? Question. On the suspension, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency, all those in favor say I. I opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried.

Resolution 2026-1. to approve a listed by the safety service director for the collection of delinquent inactive utility accounts and directing the clerk of council to certified set accounts of Lraine County Auditor. Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is question.

All the on the suspension. All in favor say I. I oppose. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Resolution 2026-2. We have a resolution finding the city as unfit for municipal use for certain property. Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is there any other discussion question

on the suspension? All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. It's resolution 2026-3. That's all. Resolutions first reading. Resolution second reading. There are none. Resolutions third reading. There are none. Ordinances first reading. Sponsored by finance. We have an ordinance authorizing the safety service director of the city to to dispose of city property that is unfit for municipal use.

Mr. Talat. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. It's been moved and second. Is there any other discussion or questions? Question on the suspension. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-2. We have an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept a sanitary sewer easement from the South Abbey Road Plaza LLC in order or an in Ohio limited liability company and declare an an emergency. Thank you, Mr. Schneider. Stewart. Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Mr. Snder. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is there any questions or discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I.

I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-3, sponsored by finance, an ordinance amending ordinance 2025-214 known as the 2026 temporary appropriations ordinance. Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. It's been moved and properly second. question.

Thank you. Under the suspension. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carry. Ordinance number 2026-4. An ordinance sponsored by utilities and finance authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into contract for chemicals for the wastewater pollution control plant water reclamation facility for chemicals for the years of 2026 and 2027 and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis,

Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed under its first reading under the under suspension of rules and declaring emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is there any discussion or question on the suspension? All in favor say I. I oppose. On the emergency, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-5. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for chemicals for the water pumping plant for the years 2026 and 2027 and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis, Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under the suspension of rules and declaring emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is there any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I.

Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Ordinance number 2026-6. Sponsored by finance. An ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement number three to the professional services agreement with Black and V Corporation and declaring an emergency. Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Any further discussion?

Question on the suspension. All in favor say I. I. Opposed on the passage, all in favor say I. I. On the emergency point of order. Yeah. By the emergency. Okay. Pardon me. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried.

Order is 2026-7. Yeah. Sponsored by finance and ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for Excuse my Yeah, we my apologies. It kind of got clipped with the other one. This is item number 10, sponsored by finance. An ordinance authorizing the mayor to apply for and enter into a water pollution control loan fund agreement with Ohio EPA division environmental and financial assistance DEFA for the activated sludge irriation tank Improvements Project and declare an emergency.

Mr. Tat, Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Question. Uh, thank you. On the suspension, all those in favor say I. I. Point of order. Madam President, pardon me. I'll abstain from this one, please. Oh, thank you. Thank you. For the record, Mr. Lipian is going to abstain from the vote. Thank you. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I. Oppose. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I opposed on the passage. All in favor say I.

I. Opposed. Motion carry. That is ordinance number 2026-8. Sponsored by finance. An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into change order number one with Crossroads Asphalt Recycling Incorporated for the 2025 OPWC Leona Street re resurfacing project and declaring an emergency. Mr. Tat. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency.

Second. It's been moved and properly second. Any additional questions or comments? Question on the suspension. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried.

Ordinance number 2026-9. Sponsored by finance. An ordinance amending section 165.33A of the LA codified ordinances to add the position of project manager to water reclamation facility formally wastewater pollution control plant and assign a paygrade for the same and declaring an emergency. Mr. Tatlet, Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Any questions or discussion? Question on the suspension. All in favor say I.

I. Opposed. On the emergency. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance number 2026-10, sponsored by finance, an ordinance amending ordinance number 2025-195 to address the wages for certain newly created job positions in accordance with chapter 165 of Larry codified ordinances and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Is there any questions or discussion? Call for the question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I.

Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. That is ordinance number 2026-11. Sponsored by finance, an ordinance amending the rural Lorraine County Water Authority Supply Agreement, which provides water services in the Chestnut Commons Commerce Park area to reflect deferred rate and tap fees effective January 1st, 2025 and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Tot. Madame President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance number 2026-12 sponsored by finance an ordinance amending Larry codified ordinances section 137.01 personnel bonds impertinent part in declaring an emergency. Mr. Tolat Madame President I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Question on the suspension. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency. All in favor say I.

I. Opposed. On the passage. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-130 413. It's a way of saying it.

There's no Excuse me. There's no more first uh ordinance readings. Ordinances second reading. There are no second order reading readings. Ordinance is third reading. There are no third order ordinances. I'm sorry. Please. There are no third order third readings for the or Wow. There are no third reading ordinances. Thank you. My apologies. Committee calls.

Committee calls. Community Development Finance have a joint meeting scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6 PM. Mr. Schneider, Chairman Tlette, mayor, law director, finance director, and safety service director, and engineer to be present. Finance is scheduled for Monday. That is also the 26th

immediately following the CD and joint meeting between C and finance chairman Tlet mayor law director finance director safety service director and the engineer and strategic planning is to be scheduled for a future date to be determined. We have it scheduled for February 20 se for February 2nd at 2026. So strategic planning will be on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 and be filing the full council. Thank you. Miscellaneous and unfinished business, Mr. Lipian.

Through you, Madam President. Thank you. It all comes down to this. For new attendees at city council, sometimes some of our rules take a while to get used to. And for those that want to speak in the public, they have to submit a a form with the clerk. There's a member here who wanted to speak. um obviously probably missed that opportunity but I know in general what his questions were and I just wanted to quickly address that we did get an update from the law director on the days in and I also wanted to update on friendlies are you asking about I'm sorry point of order are you addressing for days in

the law director gave a report earlier in

Mrs. Deary

through you, Madam President. There's currently a court case in Lurine County Common, please. The owners were brought to court by my office on behalf of the city of Valyria. It has been found to be a nuisance under state law. They are the owners are fighting that. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you want to see say that property owners have a lot of rights under the constitution and the law which I think we all agree they should even when they are um not being very neighborly about it. The common police court has uh agreed um to appoint what is known as a receiver uh and that individual is um in many ways steps into the shoes of the owner and that person is tasked with um remedying the nuisance. Um there is now currently litigation over the appointment of the receiver. Uh the receiver who is also an attorney who is um an impartial third party uh is by the name of attorney uh Chris Mulaney uh has done a quite a bit of due diligence uh in the nearly year since he's been appointed. Uh he has taken proposals from a variety of outside parties uh some of whom wish to uh rehab the days in some of whom uh wish to take it down to ground zero. Um in the meantime the property owners have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Ayria which we are fighting. Um they've also filed um a court of appeals case uh based upon the nuisance. All of which are within their legal rights to do. So the city is combating all of those. The receiver in the meantime has

entered into a purchase agreement uh which he believes is within the uh um authorization that he has under the common please court uh with the Luring County Port Authority uh who um has indicated that u they will swiftly um this is a legal term abate the nuisance which basically means get rid of the problem. Um and um although the city doesn't get final veto power over those decisions um we have been in contact with the receiver and we do think that this would abate the nuisance. Um however based upon all of the litigation that is going on um we do have to see that through. In the meantime, there is a demo order that uh a repair demolish order that has come out of the building uh department that is still outstanding. Um and we are going to work all of the angles possible. But um again, the property owner still has rights and uh we can like them, we cannot like them, but that doesn't change the fact that they do have rights. Um however, um we've been down this road before. Maybe not um an albatross this big, but we dealt some or all of you may remember when we dealt with Shopway. Um we dealt with um other uh problems in this city and um you know, nothing if not persistent. So, um I can pretty much um out yap anybody. So, I'm going to keep going with it. Um and uh is it been finished? Uh would I have liked to seen a remedy to this sooner? Absolutely. This is the second goround we have gone with this property. It when it was still operational um the law director's office went after this property um with AI police department and had it declared a

nuisance and had that property shut down for a year. These current owners actually bought it while it was shut down. Uh so um you know um I shared the frustration of the residents and we have made it clear to the court and I've made it clear to the attorneys for these property owners. Um the property owner who of course um lives several states away and has I could probably count on one hand how many times he has been to this delightful property. Um and uh but but yeah um absolutely I share your frustration um with uh uh respect to some of the other properties you've mentioned. Um again

okay well I there absolutely well there is no law requiring a property owner to keep their property occupied. There is there is no not a law. There are many laws that they need to be kept up to code safe exterior. Absolutely. Point of order. Okay. So, in fact, I'm going to ask that you guys take this conversation.

Absolutely. And I would say my email address is a deer at city of valyri.org. You know me, Mr. Borthwick. You know where my office is. You know where my home is. and I will be happy to uh discuss any case that's in the public domain um at at any time. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Lip.

If I could, please, Madam President. Thank you. I I hope that I didn't accidentally touch off a touchandgo there. Um it's really probably ultimately my fault because the resident said he wanted to speak and I didn't explain to him to speak to the clerk ahead of time and obviously has a lot that he wants to talk about. So to answer another one of his questions which was about friendlies as I got to talk to the mayor today he told me that the friendlies general contractor got approved which is really good and their next step is to pull permits and they're going through that process which is really good information and uh also there was a question about the McKinley building and I think after the meeting we can talk with the mayor together offline and then obviously welcome the resident to come back at any future meeting and and absolutely comment any further and again I just want to apologize for not clearly explaining um the petition process with the comments when

please. Right. Thank you. Anything else? If not, Mrs. Davis, make a motion to I make a motion to adjourn this council meeting at this very time. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Oppose. Motion carried. Thank you.