City Council - Regular Meeting

that we excuse Councilman Kaio. Second. Thank you. Lawson I Workman I Miller I Woodward I All right Jerry if you would take the role. Steve Workman here. Dennis Miller here. Angela Woodward here. Dan Lawson here. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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.

Well, good evening and welcome everyone to the November 18th meeting of the Ashlin City Council. To our viewers at home, thank you for joining us. Members of our audience, members of council, Mayor Miller, Attorney Bush, Director Paxton, welcome all. Before we begin through the agenda this evening, uh we have a special presentation from the Ashlin County Ministerial Association. And who will speak on behalf of the association? Mr. Mc McNeely. All right. Good evening, Dave. Good evening, Joe. [laughter]

tell us how your day was. Yeah, let's try and pray again. That's [laughter] um Well, we we can give him a minute. Okay, that's okay. Evening, Joe. I I would offer I would offer to sing you a song, but you don't want that to happen. Meeting starts at seven, just so you know. Wow. [laughter] Two minutes ago. You're among friends. I used that same line this morning staff meeting. [laughter] We usually lock the door.

Well, maybe it would be a good idea for you to start by telling us about the ministerial association. You meet monthly and you have approximately 40 to 45 churches represented, right? Or ministries. Yeah. You're doing you're good so far, right? I think that'd be good. You're on a roll. Tell us about the last meeting you went to. Yes. The last meeting was at the sheriff's department. Yes. So, at the sheriff's annex,

yeah. Um, we do there's about 40 to 45 uh pastors and ministry leaders in our community that gather monthly and um we uh go from different sites, multiple sites and January we'll be here at your office and we always look forward to that. But we gather together as ministers uh to work together to help build the kingdom of God. um not just about building our own churches, our own congregations, but it's about building the kingdom of God. And uh we have responsibility here in our own town, and our own community. Uh there are a number of folks who are uh unchurched and dechurched still here in Ashlin County. And so we are passionately trying to reach them and uh uh just continue to minister as best we can to this community. uh we do feel that we want to be a part of active part of this community and make a difference and so we're here this evening to uh make a little bit of a difference and trying to help make a difference by uh presenting to you city council uh a check from the Ashlin County Ministerial Association uh to help with the expenses that has been incurred at the cemetery and uh from the vandalism there. And so we have a check uh from the Ashlin County Ministerial Association from multiple churches uh for the amount of $10,000

to go towards that repair. So wonderful. If I may, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Truly. And of course you have a number of your colleagues in the audience as well today. [laughter] Call them colleagues. competitors. [laughter] We have another word. Thanks, Dave. Thank you. Thank you. Truly. So, so with you is Tim Bright that provided our invocation this evening. John Bouquet from Bethl and Keith Tyson. The late Keith Tyson. [laughter]

Yes. Glad you could make it. Yes. Well, what I think is very significant about this is for those that aren't familiar with the Ashen County Ministerial Association, they represent the entire county. They have folks from all different denominations and ministries. It's not just all churches. And what has been so significant over the last several decades is the fact that when they come together, they seek to determine what are the needs they can help meet here in this community beyond their church walls. If you stop for a moment and think about it, I'm not sure everyone at home will know this, but fostering families, for example, came out of this organization, taking a look at the challenges the county faced when it came to uh taking care of the costs associated with all the young people that have been removed from their homes. And that's what created and led to an organization now that's not only helped address the issue here in our county, but all around the region. other counties are copying what we're what was created here and it came out of our ministerial association. So this is just another way for our Ashlin County Ministerial Association to step forward in a time of crisis and meet a very practical need. So God bless you for doing so with this check. We are now we've collected here at the city I believe around uh what would I say probably about 65,000 $65,000 and already have spent nearly 35,000 of that reimbursing the cemetery for some of their expenses. We if you haven't seen or heard the cemetery board is making great progress on restoring the cemetery. In fact, most of the stones are now back into position. Some were broken and damaged, so those still have to be replaced. But they have done a wonderful job of moving swiftly. You may have heard the Elks, the local Elks Club, Elks Lodge, they came forward, and I believe they've donated somewhere in the neighborhood of 13,000 over and

above what has come to the city. They of course want to improve the security out at the cemetery. And as we mentioned early on, the first donation we got here in the city was to cover the cost of the uh buying a new monument for the military veterans monument. And so that is on order. The other party that has been so helpful is the Ashlin Monument Company.

They have offered all their services as it's they've been moving through this restoration and they've done so at a very discounted cost. So a lot of donation there as well. So, thank you for being a part of it. It's still estimated that the total damages are somewhere in the neighborhood of about 250,000, but this is a great stride toward making sure all is taken care of. And let me just be clear, it will be taken care of. And the cemetery is committed to doing it as quickly as possible. So, we are so proud of what they've accomplished already. There was one other thing I thought I would mention there a moment ago, and I forget what it was. the uh in addition to all of the gifts that we've received, we also the historical society has also played a role because technically they are the ones I believe that own that military monument. So they have been involved as well. So everyone's pulling together and pulling the same direction. So that's a good thing. So we appreciate this very much.

Thank you. Thank you. All right. first ordinance this evening. Uh, well, I know what I needed to mention. This is what I wasn't planning to say this, but I think it's important.

People are still asking, are there any leads? What's going on with the investigation? Are you any closer? And the truth is, we are not. We are not any closer. We had some leads. They explored it. They tried to do fingerprints, tried to track down cell phones, and everything has led to a dead end. So, we're still taking feedback from anyone who thinks you might have observed something strange or have any leads for us. We would be glad to have you contact our local police department and let them know. So, I think at this point some are starting to believe that it might have been someone from out of town that did the damage, but obviously we really don't know. So, sorry to interrupt, but that's what I wanted to make sure. I was actually going to ask that, but I didn't want to put a damper on the

Yes. the uh gift. So, with that. All right. Well, with that, the minutes. Yes. Okay. First item on the agenda will be the approval of the minutes from the November 4th meeting. If there are no additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes. I'll ask for a motion to approve as submitted. Move to approve. Second. Thank you. I I

minutes will stand approved. First ordinance this evening will be an ordinance providing for the funding of the optional redemption of certain of the city's outstanding various purpose improvement bonds series 2019 dated April 30th 2019 and authorizing and directing the call for optional redemption of those bonds and declaring an emergency. Move for non-reading in full. Second. Thank you. I Good evening. Evening, Larry.

For a period of time, the city has uh periodically borrowed money to do certain projects uh within the city in an effort to extend utility services and build fire stations and buy equipment and things like that. These are uh general obligation bonds that we're looking at this evening. Uh we are attempting to uh correct our balance sheet a little bit in anticipation. Uh there are some other projects coming down the road that will also require some financing. And in doing that uh the the bonds were issued. We deliberately put that in to where they could be called after five years. And that's essentially what this ordinance does. It authorizes the city to recall those bonds and to retire that debt in an effort to shore up the balance sheet so we can then uh look uh towards these new projects that we're trying to do. Uh that is a benefit of the general obligation bonds is you can put that in. Uh you can also refinance uh for example the uh second fire station uh after a period of time we can refinance that may not get as good of interest but uh it will cut the term down which will essentially save on the interest expense for that. Uh the uh the state law uh changed a little bit uh for us uh in the fact that uh uh we have to

uh in an effort for cities not to uh bankroll a lot of money and and not use it purposely. Uh the the state law required uh in the most recent budget transactions, laws that were enacted, uh the county budget commission actually has the ability now to uh oversee the millillage, the inside millillage that we have in an effort to uh if the city were to have a lot of money in its debt retirement fund and not using it, then uh they could lower that millillage. Uh and uh as you recall in the tax budgets uh we establish that millage rate but that then becomes a subject for review during the budget process here locally. So uh it was always our intention to refinance uh the second fire station. that was a given as well as retire these bonds and and hopefully pay some of that off. Uh unfortunately with the change of the law, it just kind of expedited it a little bit to where now we're going to pay these off and an effort for the future projects that are coming. Uh [clears throat] so that's kind of the the pretense of what we're attempting to do here. It does uh retire the debt. Uh if you recall uh we painted the water tower on the corner of Claremont and Bifflin Avenue. Uh that was about $650,000. Uh we extended water and sewer uh

utilities underneath Interstate 71 to the other side of 71 in an effort to help development on that side of the interstate as well. Uh that was I believe about $2.5 million uh and in an effort to uh uh you know get those utilities out there. this those will all be paid off with this ordinance this evening. Uh we've already uh made our annual payments our our debt payment and our interest payment uh for that comes due the 1 of December and those payments are prepared and ready to go. After that payment is done then this bond or these bonds will be called and the debt retired at that time. So it is a good move. Uh it does uh lower our uh general bond obligation fund to uh very little money in it. But the first half of property taxes for next year will go some of that money will go into the fund which then will allow us to continue to make the interest payments and the principal payments on the existing remaining debt that could not be paid off. um the recall of the bonds. Uh not all of the bonds could be recalled because they were issued at different times and in doing that they cannot be called because the five years isn't up yet. So

Sure. I've always uh appreciated your focus in managing our debt, Larry, and it's allowed us, as you said, to to uh accomplish some of these projects that uh needed to happen and allow for growth in the future. So, thank you. Well, debt is a is a tool.

It it it's no different than when we buy our homes and we take out a mortgage or anything else. The city is very similar in that in the fact that debt is not a bad word if used properly. And this is a perfect example of how uh we are trying to use the people's money that have elected us to do this. all of you uh that uh in an effort to try to make improvements to our community and still manage our resources best we can. Great. Okay. Comments, questions for Mr. Paxton. Good job.

Thank you. Thank you. Hearing none. Is there a motion to approve on the first reading? Move to approve. Second. Thank you. Miller. I. Woodward. I. Lawson. Hi. Workman. I I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you, Woodward. I Lawson. I Workman. I Miller. I motion to approve the ordinance. So moved. Second. Thank you. Lawson. I. Workman. I. Miller. I. Wood. I.

Ordinance 90-25. Next, we have an ordinance authorizing and directing the director of finance to make the following transfers within the 2025 appropriations and declaring an emergency. Move for non-reading in full. Second. Thank you, Miller. I, Woodward, I Lawson. Hi, Workman.

I uh this is a transfer. Uh the money was appropriated in the 2025 appropriations. It's moving it around. Uh as you can see, I had to move a little money in order to retire the debt. Uh it was anticipated but [clears throat] in different line items. So uh and there is also some money needed to uh help the transit. They have incurred some expenses we also have to deal with. All right. If there's no discussion, I'll ask for a motion to approve on the first reading. So move. Second. Thank you.

Woodward. I. Lawson. Hi. Workman. Hi. Miller. Hi. Again. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you. Lawson. I. Workman. I. Miller. I. Woodward. I. Motion to approve the ordinance. Move to approve the ordinance. I'll second. Workman. I. Miller. Hi, Woodward. I lost. I Ordinance [clears throat] 91-25. Then we have an ordinance accepting the plat of the Wells Road extension in the city of Ashlin, Ohio, and confirming the dedication of the street and utility easements shown thereof. Move for non-reading in full. Is there a second? Second. Thank you. Woodward. I Lawson.

Hi. Workman. Hi. Miller.

Hi. I believe at our last council meeting, you actually officially approved the annexation of the land out along US 250 in front of the industrial park. We were waiting for that approval before we could then bring to you this measure. And this measure basically dedicates the rightway and the easements, the utility easements, makes that official along Wells Road. So, we couldn't do it before because there was township land adjacent to it since it wasn't part of the city. But now that that area is all part of the city, we're asking that you approved the dedication of the rightway to the city of Ashland. That way, as we sell lots, we'll continue to have jurisdiction over that area.

Very good. [clears throat] There's no further discussion. I'll ask for a motion to approve on the first reading. Move to approve. Second. Thank you, Lawson. Hi, Workman. Hi, Miller. Hi, Woodward. I I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you, Workman. Hi, Miller. I Woodward I. Austin. I a motion to approve the ordinance. So moved. Second. Thank you. Miller. I. Woodward. I. Austin. I. Workman. I.

Ordinance 92-25. And we have an ordinance amending chapter 339 of the codified ordinances of the city of Ashen, Ohio relative to commercial and heavy vehicles. Move for non-reading in full. Second. Lawson. Hi. Workman. I. Miller. I. Woodward. I.

As you know, and we've talked about it at a number of council meetings over the last couple of years, there is a dramatic increase in large truck traffic in our downtown and on our residential streets. Obviously, this is most likely due to some of the online mapping systems that people use to get from one place to another, but it's damaging our downtown streets. At times, the trucks aren't able to make the turns, and so then they're doing further damage on sidewalks, and so on. And so with that in mind, tonight we're asking you to basically authorize the mayor along with the help of our city engineer, street department, police, and fire to begin designating heavy truck routes or through truck routes. In other words, truck routes where semis are expected to stay on unless they have a good reason to not be on them. And that of course would include things like delivering to a business downtown or in a residential area which is very unlikely but you never know if they might have to pass through such an area to get to some of our businesses. It would also allow us to start establishing no through truck routes. So we would be determining what are allowable routes for trucks to use. Did I say that in the right order? And what routes they cannot use. And uh we're asking for the authority to begin doing that this way. Hopefully once this passed and those routes are officially adopted and so on, then we could start enforcement if a truck was simply using it as a through route when they really didn't have any delivery or pickup to make in downtown.

And this will include putting signage. Absolutely. Absolutely. Visible and all that. Absolutely. So that's the first step. I'll have many constituents very happy. I know. I know. Yes. Yes. [clears throat] So, it's the first step. We don't have the routes established just yet, but this is going to help move us in that direction. Yes. All right. There's like the penalty on there. Yes. Escalating. Yes. Yes.

All right. Well, we're all familiar with those shortcuts and uh so hopefully this will curb some of that. No pun intended. So, uh, I did want to question A to C. B is missing. Yeah. What happened to B? Oh, I see that. Yes. Okay. Okay. So, they'll just reletter. Yeah, just lettering. Yeah, they skipped a letter. So, with that, um, is there a motion to approve on the first reading or do that? So, move. Second. Thank you. Oh, Workman. I Miller. I Woodward I Lawson I

move to suspend the rules for three separate readings three separate days Miller I Woodward I Lawson I Workman I motion to approve the ordinance so moved second thank you Woodward I Lawson I Workman I Miller I ordinance 93-25 is there a reason that No this doesn't dramatically change anything but I will tell you I see as I'm changing that letter to B that uh truck rout uh on letter C no through truck no through truck routes should be in parentheses oh not uh yeah uh quotation quotation marks yes I couldn't think of it

the one that's signed did we did you okay so she's already corrected that one very good does that make sense to you yes just because that'll make it clear okay all right very good thank you very much for catching you All right. Lastly, we have an ordinance enacting section 1185.05 of the codified ordinances of the city of Ashlin, Ohio relative to Did I miss something? No. As soon as you get to the end of your description, then if you [laughter] can hold relative to temporary storage, shipping, and storage containers. Is there a motion for non-reading in full? So move. Second. Thank you. Workman. I. Miller. I. Woodward. I. Lawson. I.

Okay. Now pause. Mr. Workman, if we could uh law director's office would like to spend a little bit more time with this particular one. Okay. I think in in substance we're good with it. Uh in form, we want to word smith it a little bit and uh just make a couple of small changes so to be uh yes.

So for those in the audience and those who have seen the agenda, this particular item deals with storage containers and shipping containers. We're finding that they're popping up in more and more places around the city for long lengths of time. So, I think everyone's probably familiar with what a shipping container is. Well, at times these are ending up on the street in front of people's homes and businesses for long periods of time. They're using them for storage, and of course, that's not acceptable. Also, we're finding that some of our retailers and businesses are starting to use these as storage containers in their parking lots. And uh quite honestly, I don't know that we have dealt with this a lot, but some communities are now starting to see people live in them. So, with all that in mind, we want to get ahead of it and make sure that we have regulations in place so that those storage containers can't sit in the inappropriate places for any length of time or any significant length of time. and also um cannot be used as dwelling units.

Very good. So, yeah, I can name a couple. Yeah, absolutely. Already. So, complaints and you have too. Sure. All right. Very good. Thank you, mayor. There are no resolutions this evening. No public hearing items. No old business or new business unless council has something to bring forward. No. Move moving then right to finance director's report. I have no other report than what I've already given. Thank you. Thanks, Larry. Council comments, Mr. Lawson, I have nothing really to comment on. Everybody seems to be getting along well and we appreciate that. Leaves getting picked up. Yep.

Good. Very good. [laughter] I just like to take a moment to thank um everybody that came out and voted. Um, I was reelected to serve as representative for Ward 4, and it is truly my honor to do so for the next four years. Um, I look forward to representing the constituents, but also representing this great city in which I love. So, I too was reelected, and I appreciate everybody that uh voted for me, though uncontested. So, uh, I appreciate that, but I too love the city and just, uh, want to continue the momentum we've built up and make it a great place and make it sparkle more.

Absolutely. With that, mayor, I'll turn over to you. All right. Well, I guess now if I don't say thank you, I'm really going to look rude.

So, [laughter] so I appreciate everyone giving me the opportunity to continue to serve. I told Melanie, "It's like I just got my contract renewed, honey, for four years." So, uh, I'll be honest with you, that's very exciting because there's so many projects that we've been working on now for four, five, six, seven years that are just now coming online. And one of those we break the ground on tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. And that is the renovation of the old pump house office building into a Hilton hotel. And tomorrow at 2 PM, the ground will be broken. There'll just be a few brief comments from several people and then the project starts. So, that's very exciting. A $21 million investment in that building and in what we're calling the pump house district. That's one of the many projects that we want to see through. And quite honestly, I think even within the city itself, a lot of positive changes have taken place with a fully staffed police department that's probably better equipped than it's ever been. at least we have the resources to equip it now that the voters came forward and supported our safety services levy and the same with the fire department. So, we're very thankful for all that you do and thankful for the fact that you're willing to work with us to get through whatever we need to get through here in this community. Also, we need to announce that in addition to the big groundbreaking tomorrow, next weekend on November No, November 29th. That isn't next week. It is next weekend, isn't it? November 29th. Wow. November 29th is the grand opening of Candy Cane Trail out at Frier Field. And it will be bigger and better than it has ever been. And it's already world class. Obviously, we still hold the world record for the largest number of illuminated metal Christmas trees in the universe.

776 of those, but that number will be soaring high above 776 this year. a lot of new features and displays thanks to the pore balls of Grandpa's Cheese Barn. So, we're excited to have that grand opening. It seems as though it's becoming Ashlin's thing that whenever we have a celebration, what do we do? We make things sparkle. So, we are going to have some fireworks at 6 p.m. on November 29th. We've got a great choir from Calvary Baptist Church coming. They're going to lead our music as we kick off the this year's holiday season here in Ashlin. free hot chocolate and Tim Black will even providing free family portraits in the Free Your Home Barn that evening. So, we hope you'll come out for that as well. And then, of course, right after that, the following weekend on Saturday night is our annual Christmas parade. That's when we plug in the Christmas tree lights here across the street. And once again, we'll fill the sky with dazzling fireworks at our Christmas parade. So, that takes place on December 6th, also at 6 PM. Now, since the council had such a quick meeting tonight, I won't feel as guilty by asking them to consider going into executive session to discuss the possible sale of land in the industrial park.

Certainly always have. All right. Thank you, mayor. So, if you were thinking of breaking that record, you're going to need more than 701. We're not going to give you a number. More than 776. All right. [laughter] Just keep them guessing. Yes, but we'll maintain that record as long as possible. Uh, so is there anyone here who would like to address council? You're more than welcome at this time to step up to the podium and tell us what's on your mind.

No. All right. Well, with that then I'll ask for a motion to adjourn to executive session for the dispensation of possible dispensation of real estate. I move to adjourn to executive session for the possible dispensation of real estate. Thank you. And no other action will be carried on that. That's correct. Is there a second? Second. I I All right. We are journ. Thank you all for coming.