City Council - Regular Meeting

Come on, internet. You hit you hit one out of 10 times. I need that one out of 10 here.

Right. one of those hospitals that maybe will be control committee reports public reports will be me for the finance committee I'll have the unfinished business which is the budget which is not a nothing burger.

Where' John go? John leave me.

Oh no. Gale. I always congratulate I guess That's a question.

Got it.

Good evening. It is after 7 p.m. This is a Monday evening, December 1st. It's a regularly scheduled city council meeting. U we're meeting here live in the council chambers and we're also livereamed on YouTube. Uh our next regularly scheduled council meeting will be on the December 15th, 2025. Miss Hamilton, please call the role of our council members. Mr. Abernathy, here. Mr. Gaffy, here. Mr. Jose here. Mr. Malta here. Mr. Meyers here. Miss Bordon here.

We do have a quorum and later in the agenda we will be filling the seat that was vacated by uh Miss Kappic. And at this time if I'll ask you to stand and join members of city council reciting the pledge of allegiance. 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. We have a motion to approve our minutes from November 17th.

Motion. Miss Warden can have it. I'll second it. Okay. [laughter] Not going to fight you. All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? Okay. Communications from the mayor. Mr. Mayor.

Good evening, Mr. President. Council members. Um, we're going to start off by introducing a guest. We have with us this evening Tina Lwig from the office of Keith Favor, the Auditor of State. Hello everyone. I appreciate you putting me on for a few minutes um on your agenda to celebrate a job well done. Uh my name is Tina Lewig. I am auditor of State Keith Favor's Northeast Ohio regional liaison or as the auditor likes to say, I'm your personal customer service representative. Um it's my honor to be here on behalf of Auditor Faber. uh to present not one but two awards. Um first the auditor of state award with distinction to the city of Worcester as well as the auditor of state to Worcester growth corporation and I know I said Worcester two different ways and I always get it mixed up. [laughter]

One of them is right. ONE OF THEM IS RIGHT and I think it's Worcester. That's it.

Worcester. Um this is the first time uh since I started this role that I've had the pleasure to present two awards at one time. Um each year our office is responsible for conducting more than 4200 audits of our 6,000 clients statewide. The award with distinction places your organization in a select group as only 4% of our clients qualify for this award. Um the auditor of state award um only 10% of our clients qualify for this award. Um the auditor of state awards are presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit that meet the following criteria defined as a clean audit report. Now I'll be giving two sets of requirements here since I'm giving two different awards. Um so the qualifications for the award with distinction um the entity must file financial reports with the auditor's office by the statutory due date without extension on a gap accounting basis and prepare a comprehensive annual financial report. Um what I have learned in six months is that that comprehensive really is comprehensive. Um true

the entity um the audit report does not contain any findings from recovery material citations material weaknesses significant deficiencies uniform guidance spend findings or question costs. The entity's management letter contains no comments related to ethics referrals, question costs less than the threshold per uniform guidance, lack of timely report submission, bank reconciliation issues, failure to obtain a timely single audit in accordance with uniform guidance, findings for recovery less than $500, and public meetings or public records issues. In other words, that is a great achievement. Um, for the auditor of state award, the requirements that um are that the entity must file financial reports with the auditor's office by the statutory due date without extension via the HKLE system and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, uniform guidance findings, or question costs. This award represents the hard work of the city of Worcester staff and employees who make every effort each day to attain accounting excellence. We'd like to recognize the council, the administration, and the finance department department that have done an outstanding job watching over every dollar. What this truly means is that across the entire organization, you have the people and processes in place that understand fiscal accountability.

Specifically, we want to recognize your finance director, Andre Dorier. Dia Doria, it's like Worster Dia like the chip [laughter] for his leadership, professionalism, and exceptional commitment to fiscal integrity. On behalf of auditor faber, I would like to present the city of Worcester the auditor of state award with distinction as well as Worcester Growth Corporation the auditor of state award. Congratulations. Thank you. I just like to point out Mr. John Anel here as representing as president of the Wister Growth Corporation. Good to be here.

Thank you. [applause] Thank you. [applause] John, come on. John, could you say something, John?

Well, just want to recognize and appreciate Andre's contributions to Worcester Growth's ongoing success and ability to achieve our not only our financial goals, but our growth and strategic contributions to the city of Worester. It's incredible the support and cooperation in the concise, accurate, timely reporting that Tina so eloquently summarized. So, thank you very much. Keep up the great work, council. We've got a champion in Andre and his accounting team here in the city of Worcester. Thank you. Well done. Keep up the good work. [applause] John here.

Come on, John. You got to represent us. There we go. You can hold this. Can I get a picture? Yeah. Oh, put a counsel. [laughter]

You want to be in? [clears throat] Not only is he our weatherman, he's also our Oh, I here. Why don't you get in the middle? [laughter] Yeah, you make John look tall. [snorts] Thank you. Just just so that we're completely centered. So, we'll try and do that. So, thank you everyone. Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. Appcate.

Thank you so much for your job. [applause] [applause] Good job, Andre. Thank you, sir. It's It's all the uh 200 amazing people I get to work with, including you folks. Including you, too. One more week. One more one more meeting. Thank you, M. [laughter] Thank you.

Um, first of all, I want to uh congratulate council and Jason War from the hospital for the uh uh finance committee meeting took place. Um, some very good questions. Jason stayed calm and collected. Um I think you probably gathered 2025 was a challenging year for the hospital due in large part to u those partners that uh left during the year and Jason you know doesn't seem to ever get excited but there I think there's some exciting moments during the course of the year there's a first that was his first year full year at the hospital and uh it was a challenging one to learn on so did a great job and again it was a challenging year but we're looking for better things for 2026 Quick rundown on some things from uh since time our last meeting. We did have a wish growth meeting uh we several months I think since our last one but John had a wish growth meeting last Tuesday um or Thursday I'm sorry no it wouldn't have been Thursday been Thursday two weeks ago.

Yeah.

Um uh we did have that community stakeholder session with the the OSU grad program out of Columbus. I know Mr. understand president for that one. Um I again I probably talk about this every year but the uh Orville uh schools boys and girls basketball team do a an event to kick off every season with the Special Olympics team from Nick Amster and every year it gets bigger and uh I was at that again and they just do a tremendous job. I want to give them a shout out for all the effort they put into that. If you only have a chance to see one basketball game during the course of a year, that's maybe one to catch. Uh it's it's a real nice community event. Um the 20th, um the school district had their board meeting, laid out their options for facilities going forward. Um I would note the next meeting is December 16th. Uh if you read if you follow the discussion, um watch the the YouTube on that. Um I I think I would not be surprised at all if they take action at the December 16 meeting which is going to have some impact on us just not just as community as a whole but there could be some things going on that affect Worcester city directly and again we'll just see where that goes. On the 21st we had our quarterly meeting with Wayne County commissioners. I had good discussion on that. Um that evening was our window wonderland event downtown. Um heard from some pretty reliable sources. They think it was the biggest one ever. uh combination of you know being through COVID which obviously kept things down for years and the weather was very cooperative as well. Um hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday. I will note that uh we all probably everybody here had a day off but uh Kurt Denning and his crews did not because they were out late at night doing some grind down precautionary member measure. Um, tomorrow night the Wayne County

Historical Society is having a members open house. If you're part of that, that's a nice activity. Um, I'll just provide the straight lines and say that I am a judge of the fruitcake contest and you can go ahead and fill in the dress, the joke from there. Um, on the fourth, the uh, hospital is doing emergency room tours. If you haven't signed up, I know they still have space yet. Um, so there's still time to get involved with that. On Friday night, the downtown historical church tours are underway. And this year, WGO is a part of it. Um, there's a flyer out there. They're doing some special routes with a hop on, hop off schedule. So, if you've not done that before, that's a nice event. Um, and then next week on the 10th, Wish Community Hospital is uh doing a holiday meal for all their staff. So, it's a good opportunity for the the hospital board members to interact with all their staff. I think we do that for like eight hours. Is that

sound about right? Serve all three shifts. So, um, nobody works all three shifts, but uh, we take turns staffing that. That's a good time. Uh, Joel, you got some things to touch on.

Just a couple of things. Um, the there was a young lady sitting here that was here for the finance committee meeting. Her name was Ashley F. She's been with the city for a lot of years out at TPM. she will be moving up to be the admin assistant um executive admin assistant for um us upstairs and admin taking Amy's spot who if you remember moving down to work with uh with Andrea Amy will still be the uh the clerk of council. So no change as far as your everybody just wanted to let you know who that was. Um and then the other young lady sitting here that you saw taking pictures is Landry Mloud and she is our communications and marketing manager. um been here for a couple weeks now.

Week five. Wow. Okay. So, over a month. So, um

so you'll be seeing a lot more stuff going out social media and sprucing up some of our newsletters and some other initiatives that we're doing there. Um um you just real quick a couple of highlights from the the le the updates that went out right before Thanksgiving. You saw we did take um bids for Christmas front pool came in just under. The low bidder anyway came in just under. So plan on moving forward with that. That's Immof Construction. You know, they're well known, done a lot of construction around the area. Um we also bid out the Christmas Run Interceptor sewer lining that goes through the Miller Lakes area and we got really good bids on that came in well under the uh the estimate as well. So we'll be moving forward on that. Um and also you saw in there we had some funding applications. We uh applied for some TAP money transportation uh alternative funds for some additional u bike paths or multi-use paths. So we'll see how we do on those. And we're also right now investigating, just wanted to point that out, the possibility of extending the one bike path currently ends um in front of Gojo and extending that down and around the corner, you know, by Artiflex and Bowman to get over to Bell Avenue. So, we're evaluating some options there. We'll be interacting with some of the the property owners along along uh along Bowman there that that front on there. You have the Bowman Beverage area there. There's parking on both sides. We might have to look at some options there. So, we're going to be working with the the property owners on that. Just to let you know, um Bob mentioned the uh PPM guys were out and they they are on watch right now for potentially going out this evening. So, they're keeping an eye and ready to go if if we see some stuff start coming. They'll be out at some point. I think it's around 90% like 3:00 or 4 in the morning. So they'll be they keep in close contact with the Wilshire Police

Department and the officers are out on the road to if anything starts to get a little bit slippery. Um they also um started their first round of leaf collection. Um and so far the first round was 19 days. They collected 165 loads. Um from the last five years our average for the first round was 417 loads which means um the leaves haven't dropped. They're going to drop late this year. So, I think it was that opposite last year. They it was heavy the first round and they had they were just doing clean up and extra runs on the second round. This time they'll be working really hard on the second round. Um which is not ideal when it starts to snow because those are the same. Should have came through my neighborhood.

Yeah. So, they're the same drivers, same trucks um that we use for both snow and ice as we do for leaf pickup. So, that's always a challenge. So, just let let you know where that was at. So far, they're obviously on schedule. if they get behind later depending on snow and that kind of thing um they'll they'll update that schedule online. So just remind people people ask to keep keep an eye on the website for any update but usually have to get two three four days behind schedule before they update that schedule. So just to let you know. Um and I think I only had one other thing uh uh to mention. Bob mentioned the OSU um that land use sustainability study and and John's going to be finalizing that with that group from OSU here I think in a week or so and then our hope is to migrate that and I think the title we're going to call it is it's a tool called an economic explorer um and and we'll pro we'll plan a at some point a uh presentation the council so you can see how that works. I know he mentioned in here the next council meeting, but since we have a a committee meeting, we might to move that maybe the 1 of January or so, but it's a pretty cool tool um to use for economic analysis. And uh so we'll prepare a little presentation for you after the first of the year. Um and that was all free to us other than time, lots of time spent, Jonathan's time spent, but uh so that was that was pretty good. And I think uh I can't remember if I mentioned it last time or not, but Kevin and Jonathan helped a lot. We applied for an additional grant for our transportation for two vehicles and uh we we were awarded that grant for $25,000.

Well done. And uh yeah, a lot of work done there and it was sort of last minute so they actually did a really good job. Um um we found out about it and they sort of dropped everything, got them all the information and then we found out right away that we were awarded because we were there were times we were running two vehicles just because of the demand. Yeah. I followed them one day. Yeah. [laughter] So um so this will help us help us uh expand so we can do additional seats especially during those peak hours. So that was all I have. Thank you.

Just some quick notes on tonight's agenda. We've got the 2026 budget set for second reading. Eight new items, all but item seven will require three readings or a suspension of the rules. I would direct your attention to item number three which is resolution 2025-68 and in particular Joel's memo uh to council from September. Um this is about Gashi Street and improvements. This has been a topic of discussion for decades and over the years the administration's made a number of proposals to address the situation and either in whole or in part. Sometimes their proposals were dropped before they ever made it to council because of push back from the property owners. And at least one occasion, a proposal made its way to council and council voted not to pursue the proposed improvement at the time. Um, the administration now has another proposal which is detailed in the resolution and the materials attach, excuse me, attached. We have worked to obtain buyin from the Gashi Street community, but it is always possible that there will be some opposition. For one thing, this proposal will require A to relocate uh their utility poles um which um obviously located closer to people's homes and it's also going to require some trees and plantings to come down and those can be touchy issues for property owners. Nonetheless, the administration believes that this proposal is necessary to restore Gashi Street to a condition that we would expect of a sea street in Worcester. This is an illustration of the old saying that administration proposals proposes and legislature disposes. Although the administration feels that Gashi Street is a situation that needs to be addressed and that we are proposing what we are proposing is the appropriate solution, the final decision on this is going to rest with council which is a good segue to our last meeting and the results on the seven partial tiffs that the administration

proposed or what I will always refer to as the Thanksgiving massacre of 2025. [laughter] Make no mistake, you know, the administration was hoping to get those approved. We saw that as uh a good benefit to the community and and a and and a worthwhile project. Council disagreed and that was certainly your right to do so and I respect that. Um and now we move on. The administration will continue to make proposals that we believe to be beneficial. Uh council shouldn't take offense at those. Council holds a purse strings and will ultimately decide whether those proposals move forward or not. And provided that the council is giving the administration's proposals a fair hearing, that's all we ask. And we're not going to take offense at whatever council deems to do then. So with that, Mr. President, back to you.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, administration, and congratulations there, Mr. Dordia. That was a lovely award. Thank you. With that, we'll move on. uh petitions, communications from the public, which we had no communications from the public, but we do have a couple of liquor control requests. Uh the first one, Miss Hamilton, if you'll please read it for us.

The first request is a liquor control request for a new C2 and a D6 license for Kodi Enterprise LLC at 4510 Cleveland Road, Worcester. And of course, we have three options with this. To either have a hearing in Columbus, have a hearing in our county seat, or not to have a hearing at all. Motion to have a hearing in Columbus. I never get to do that. [laughter] Seriously? No. I motion to wave hearing. [laughter] Second. All right. All those in do I roll call that, do I? No. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed?

All right. I'm glad we got to do that. Mr. Myers, forget to have hear. It's Jen's fault from last meeting. [laughter] And then we also have we also have another second liquor control request, which Miss Hamilton, you please read it for us. This liquor control request is for a new D1 license for Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado LLC at 133 Bell Avenue in Worcester. And the same choices. We can either have a hearing in our county seat, a hearing in Columbus, or motion to wave. Choose not to have a hearing. Motion to not have a hearing. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All right.

Miss Hamilton will notify liquor control on those items. Uh, next item is committee reports uh and public hearings. And since we have no public hearings and we did have a committee, you want to give us a brief rundown there, Mr. Abernath? Yep. We had a finance committee meeting this evening. Thank you, Mr. Ro, for coming out from the hospital and uh taking on some questions. Um Mr. Dia did kind of highlight a little bit of that already as did Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Doria, well done in getting as much as possible done in about 29 minutes. We'll see you again in two weeks. So, uh that's about it. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. And I want to thank the hospital for coming this evening. I mean, it always I think sometimes it seems like we're beating up on you guys, but I mean I I can't imagine trying to do your budget. I mean, when I look at what you guys have to deal with on a daily basis, I mean, it's it's definitely a challenge. And at this point, we're very fortunate to have everyone that's there uh that's there is there because at this point, I mean, we've got a great a great asset for our community that at this point most people would not uh other communities don't have. So, thank you. And with that, we'll move on to our next piece, which is actually um with light of the fact that Miss Kappic um vacated her seat uh our last event, we have the ability or we have the role to fill that seat. And per city charter section 2.06, 06 vacancies in council shall be filled by appointment of a qualified person of the same party as the person who previously held the seat. If the person vacating the seat ran as an independent, the person appointed to fill such a vacancy shall be a qualified person. The appointment shall be made by a majority vote of council members. And so with that, I would open uh nominations to fill that empty seat. um

indicated by Miss Kabic. Mr. President, I motion to nominate Drew Paul to fill the seat. Okay, we have a nomination to f uh by Mr. Paul or by uh Mr. Abernay for Drew Paul. Is there any other? If not, we will close the nominations. Uh any discussion council wishes to have on this? If not, Miss Hamilton, please call the role on that nomination vote. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Gaffy, yes. Mr. Jose, yes. Mr. Malta, yes. Mr. Meyers, yes. Miss Wharton,

yes. Okay, with that, Mr. Paul, welcome to city council. [applause] [cheering]

Swearing in time. Yeah, Miss will will swear you in and we'll we'll get you seated upon the completion of the swearing in a little hand. I, Drew Paul I, Drew Paul do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States

the Constitution and laws of the state of Ohio the constitution and laws of the state of Ohio that I will uphold the charter and ordinances that I will uphold the charter and ordinances of the city of Worcester of the city of Worcester and that I will faithfully and impartially and that I will faithfully and impartially perform perform the duties of my office as perform the duties of my office as at large council representative for the city of Worcester. at large council representative for the city of So help me not.

So help me God. [applause] Just as a reminder to the general public, we'll be doing this again uh at our first meeting in January, which unfortunately uh Mr. Paul will get to the joy of doing this a second time. [laughter] Welcome aboard. Thank you.

Yes. And Tyler as well. Well, and actually everyone that won their election will be [laughter] Yep. Sure does. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. That's why I bring that up because at this point Yeah. It's it's it's too easy to forget that you're here, you get reelected, but you get to do it all over again. One more time. That's right. All right. Well, with that and welcome, Mr. Paul. Thank you, Mr. President.

We will move on to unfinished business. Uh, ordinance 2025-23. Miss Hamilton, please read it for us. Ordinance number 2025-23, an ordinance appropriating from various funds to individual accounts for the current expenses and other expenditures for the city of Worcester for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2026 and allowing for immediate enactment. Mr. Raberny, the floor is yours. Would anybody else like to talk about the budget anymore tonight? I do have a question. How is there What's the process for uh making amendments to the budget? I'm gonna ask Mr. Dia or Miss Oer that question,

but I would assume any other legislative amendment that I think I I don't know. I haven't read our our charter in a while, but I think does it say something about it has to be not it used to have to be in writing, but I don't know if that's still okay. Is there a specific amendment? I guess it it would be if you're wanting to amend the legislation itself at this point what's been presented, we would just do a motion to amend and we could do amended legislation. If there's a specific area, we could redline that show changed. Okay. So, just like a motion to amend X dollars from the budget on section such and such if that's okay.

If you have I would do if you're going to be specific line item ones and tell us what those are and we would make that in a Okay, it's two legal opinions I've given tonight for the record. You want another award? All right. Any further discussion around the budget? Then we'll leave that on this reading and we'll take it to the next meeting.

All right. Thank you very much. We'll move on to new business. Uh, ordinance 2025-24. Miss Hamilton, if you could please read it for us. Ordinance number 2025-24, an ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of sidewalks on portions of South Market Street and South Street and allowing for immediate enactment. Uh,

Miss Warden, the floor is yours. Thank you, President Sanders. Uh, this ordinance covers assessments to property owners for street scrape improvements along South Market and South Streets, uh, specifically at City Square Steakhouse and the Lyric Theater. When council passed the resolution of necessity back in April, the accessible portion of the project was estimated at just under $68,000. And I'm happy to report that the final cost came in uh more than $23,000 under budget for a total of $44,321.76. Each property owner will be assessed at $175.88 per foot of frontage. Uh this means that the lyrics final assessment will be $37,110.68 and city squares is $7,2118. Um, and then I the mayor called me out on this earlier, but I was at the Lyric last weekend or last week and I just wanted to say the improvements look terrific. Um, several friends and family members had never been down there and they were all very pleased and and impressed with um the work that that took place down there on that building as well as the streetscape that's finalized down there. It looks really nice. Um, parking was easy and very happy. Um, also thank you to our engineering department for managing this efficiently and we appreciate you saving the taxpayers some dollars. So, um I would like to make a motion to uh I forget. Is this one that I need to

suspend the rules? Suspend the rules. Thank you. I forgot that part. Uh yeah, suspend the rules. I'll second. All right, Mr. Hamilton, please call the role on the suspension of the rules. Miss Warden, yes. Mr. Paul, yes. Mr. Malta, yes. Mr. Gaffy, yes. Mr. Jose, yes. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Meyers, yes. All right. Rules have been suspended. Do you have a motion for us, Miss Warden? I motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. Second by Mr. Husse. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the adoption. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes. Mr. Malta? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Mr. Abernathy? Yes.

Mr. Meyers? Yes. All right. Thank you very much. Uh, next item, resolution 2025-67. Miss Hamilton, if you'll please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-67, a resolution authorizing the director of administration to advertise according to law and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder for a waterline replacement project under US30 immediately west of Spruce Street Bridge and allowing for immediate enactment. Uh, Mr. Malta, the floor is yours. I think it's actually mine. We had a little confusion on that. It was my name on the agenda and his name on the legislation. So, I prepared and he didn't. If that's that's fine. I'll take it. Okay. Yeah.

Okay. All right. John's here. I think we both spoke to him. Yes. Yeah. I guess I was just refer referencing the email that said [laughter] Mr. Malta was going to do it, but that's okay. No, that's fine. As long as we talked about it before the meeting, right? And you're not Yeah, that's fine. Okay. Okay. Yeah. All right. No worries.

Okay. So, [laughter] someone's going to do it. Uh, the resolution authorizes the administration to advertise for bids and enter into contract with the lowest and best bidder for replacing a 16-inch water line under US30 just west of the Spruce Tree Bridge. Um, the section of pipe has a long history of breaks and leaks, which makes it a high priority on our water line replacement list. It's also one of the only um few lines that carry water from the treatment plant across uh US Route 30 into the city. So, it's a very critical con connection. The new line will be installed inside a steel casing pipe for added protection. The design work is complete. The project is ready to advertise and it's already included in next year's budget. Um, and then in order for us to secure the best possible bids, I'm going to move to uh place on third and final reading tonight.

Okay. Motion to suspend the rules on that. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Abernathy. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the suspension. Miss Warden, yes. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Mr. Jose, yes. Mr. Paul, yes. Mr. Gaffy, yes. Mr. Myers, yes. Mr. Malta, yes. All right. Rules have been suspended. Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Yes. Second by Mr. Abernathy. Miss Hamilton, please call the role. Miss Warden? Yes. [clears throat] Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes.

Mr. Malta? Yes. All right. Very good. Uh, next item, resolution 2025-68. I'm assuming you are going to do this one, Miss Warden. Correct. [laughter]

I'm [laughter] excited about this one. I talked to Miss Hamilton, if you'll please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-6-68. A resolution declaring it necessary to improve Gashi Street between East Wayne Avenue and Winter Street by widening, paving, resurfacing, constructing curbs and driveway approaches, installing storm sewers, catch basins, manholes, and traffic control signs and devices, and acquiring any real estate interest therein required thereby, altogether with the necessary pertinances thereto and allowing for immediate enactment. Miss Warden, the floor is yours.

Thank you again. Uh, this resolution declares the necessity of improving Goshi Street between East Wayne Avenue and Winter Street and begins the process of determining assessments for the affected property owners. Preliminary assessments total $25,500 based on the storm sewer work being installed or replaced under driveways. Individual assessments are estimated to range from zero to about $2,000. The rest of the project cost will be covered covered by the city's general and enterprise funds. Council received background on this a couple of months ago and as many of you know conversations about Goshi Street have gone on for decades. My first involvement was in 2018 uh my first year on council. That year I met with a group of residents to talk about options for improving their street. The city provided several possibilities from full reconstruction to chip seal but we never reached a consensus. Neighbors had different concerns about traffic width proximity to homes and pedestrian safety. This section of Gashi is unique. It only has a 40ft right ofway compared to the city standard of 60 ft. To fully reconstruct it with curbs, gutters, and sidewalks on both sides, we'd have to purchase 10 additional feet on each side. And that was significant significantly cut into a number of front yards, many of which are already relatively close to the roadway. Today, the pavement is in poor condition and the water line beneath it is already under contract for replacement. Given those factors, the city is taking a different approach, one that addresses key issues without requiring new right ofway. They're proposing a rural residential street section which includes widening to two 11 foot lanes, adding flush mount curbs or aggregate shoulders, resurfacing the pavement, and replacing the deep ditches with shallow swells and storm storm sewers. Um the city will grade for future sidewalk and will rebuild all drive approaches between the pavement edge and the right of way. This plan won't require any land purchases. Some property owners may be asked to sign temporary work agreements so we can smooth out driveways and lawns for a better finished look. A will also be moving its poles, and that could

involve trimming or moving some trees to meet clearance requirements. Because this isn't a full reconstruction, the city is only proposing assessments for the storm sewer portion under the driveways, roughly $1,200 per property. Construction is expected to begin in spring or summer of 2026. So, that is a lot of information and um I have a feeling that there's some residents who are going to want to speak to council members or the engineering office. So, I encourage you to do so. I'm going to leave this on uh first reading this evening.

I I would add to that as well, just some extra commentary. I spoke I I I happen to know a lot of people that live on Gashi. I spoke to five property owners there and they're enthusiastic about this as in they they want to see it happen. and I shared all of this with them and they go as far as saying this doesn't even go far enough, but they're they're ready to go to this length just to have something happen. They they would love to see a sidewalk. They there's there is pedestrian traffic. There are children on that street. It's and a lot of those children go to each other's houses and it's it's a dangerous street right now. It we talk about some of the streets out there where cars are blazing. There are cars blazing on that street. So, uh, the these five property owners expressly shared with me that yes, they will go, they will go with this plan, but they would definitely love to see the sidewalk options in the future. But, um, that this is long overdue and and I I I I think this is a great start. So, I do know that there will be dissenting opinions

um as there have been for years and and we should certainly be prepared to hear those dissenting opinions. But being someone who has seen that that road and have traveled that road, it's just my opinion. This is long overdue. I've lived on and on and around Goshi Street most of my life and I know for a period of time my sister had uh her oldest daughter who so 12 and a half years ago and she would she lived on Thor Avenue and would frequently walk with her dog and a stroller and it terrified me because of the traffic and how it flies up through that that little corridor. Um, so I feel like this is long overdue and I um am grateful to the city engineering office for coming up with um so many alternatives for to try to you know accommodate the residents and their various needs. I think this is a great compromise. I think this is um a relatively affordable option and I look forward to getting to work on it. Uh and I plan to place or ask to bring this to third and final reading next next meeting.

Okay. One one question. A lot of the traffic on Gashika is hospital employees. Is the hospital being asked to help support any of this? No, we're No, we're not at this time in and the only assessments are dry pipes just like we did on Mel Lane. Oh, the rest of it we're considering sort of a major maintenance project that that we're like pine we're doing. Yeah. Yeah. Not quite like Pine, but uh Yeah. But that's the difference between now and the last 20 years is the pavement's to the point where we got to do something now. So,

but John has, I know, sent letters to every resident and shared drawings and things, done the best he could. We reached out to the Goshi Street Social Club that's up there and that group and I know Mr. Gu has been part of the process as well as much as we can to reach out to

the residents. Okay. All right. Well, it's had its first reading. We'll expect more in two weeks. And with that, we'll move on to resolution 2025-69. Miss Hamilton, if you'll please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-69, a resolution authorizing the director of administration to apply for, accept, and enter into a water supply revolving loan account WSRLA agreement on behalf of the city of Worcester for planning, design, and/or construction of water facilities and designing a dedicated repay designating designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan and allowing for immediate enactment.

Uh, Mr. Malta, the floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. President. John is here with us tonight. I'm not sure that we will have a whole lot of questions. This is for the S4 well project and we're receiving a loan, 30-year loan with 0% interest. If there are any questions, John and I did discuss this, but I will direct them to him unless somebody has some specifics for me. Spend somebody else's money at 0%. Okay. Correct. It's a great offer, I'd say. Can Can I borrow some of this?

That said, I will I believe I need to suspend the rules on this and move to adopt. No. Right. No motion. Yes, we need to suspend the rules. Okay. So, we have a motion to suspend the rules. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Meyers. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the suspension of the rules. Mr. Malta? Yes. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Paul, yes. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Jose, yes. Mr. Meyers, yes. Mr. Gaffy, yes. All right. Would like to motion? Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Abernathy. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the adoption. Mr. Malta? Yes. Miss Bordon?

Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes. Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. All right. Next item, resolution 2025-70. And uh Miss Hamilton, if you'll please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-70, a resolution petitioning the board of county commissioners of Wayne County, Ohio, for a change of township lines to conform with the corporation limits of the city of Worcester and allowing for immediate enactment. Uh Miss Warden, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Uh this resolution asks the county commissioners to conform the boundaries of a recently annexed 1.859 acre area at 1361 Mechanicsburg Road. Until those boundaries are conformed, that property technically exists in both Wayne uh Worcester Township and the city of Worcester, which means residents pay taxes on both or I'm sorry to both parties and vote in both jurisdictions even though the township doesn't provide any services there. Once conformed, the city's millage will increase from 2.4 to 4.2 two, while the overall tax rate for property owners will actually decrease by about 7.9%. For the first 12 years, the city will compensate the township in um a descending share of what it would have received if annex annexation hadn't occurred. I'm going to move to suspend the rules and place this on third and final reading.

Okay. A motion to suspend the rules. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Husse. [snorts] [clears throat] Uh there any conversation necessary with this? Any questions? Yes. Yeah. I guess I'm just curious. I thought this kind of stuff uh changing the township boundaries was always part of uh annexations generally. I don't recall seeing them like separate like this.

Yeah. Um so that hasn't always happened that that the the conforming there were times in years past when we didn't conform. Um, in recent years, our county auditor and our county board of elections have asked us, please conform these. So, there was a time, maybe a year or two ago, we went back and grabbed some of the old ones that made sense and conformed after the fact. Um, but I think in recent years, John has done a really good job in working with the the townships, both Worcester and Wayne. Um, so it's pretty much just expected that we do this now just as a matter of course and and that that sliding scale is really um what's in the high revised code so that they don't have immediate debt right away.

So I know there's like one or two others like this tonight or are there others floating out there or we think we've got this cleaned up now? There are a couple of others that we're still evaluating [laughter] that owe you sense may perhaps not make sense and part of that has to do with whether or not the site is developed and the amount of revenues that the city would then have to share. Uh it depends in part based on the millillage of our township partners. We have one township where the millage rate is lower. Uh so in that case there is not an expense. Uh In other cases, uh, in the case of Worcester Township, they have a much higher military need, which is why these property owners, actually neither township would incur a property tax savings. Uh, however, um, the city of Worcester has to make up the difference. U, the township would have received a portion of that for a period of 12 years. So, uh, when we have a property that is already built and developed, uh, a lot of times under the current system, doesn't make a lot of sense to proceed because we could be looking at uh 60 70 years before reaching um a neutral price point [snorts] whereas in the case of the other property that we'll speak about today is largely vacant and also cd exempted so um that makes it appropriate to include as well. Uh this will always be a process that happens a a couple of weeks after an annexation takes place. Uh with with the exception of the one that we're going to talk about next, which is a little bit longer than that. Um we recently shared uh the Wayne County Commissioners also passed the um a granted uh an annexation approval for city council to consider probably March 2nd for the Graham Farm. Uh so if that would be approved, it

would then be a few weeks afterwards that we have the exact same legislation we're looking at tonight to then conform that. And that's because it has to legally move into the city and and then once that exists uh after that 30-day period, uh only then can we petition the commissioners to then be informed. And as Mr. Montgomery said in in the past uh there had been some resistance uh when we we spoke with some of our county partners on hey you know do you really need to conform? Is it really that big of a deal? But as we found over time uh both board of elections and our Wayne County auditor have said this is really complicating if we don't conform. We prefer that we do and financially it's better for our residents that we do. Uh the townships also receive uh some some benefits from that and the property owners have that lower tax rate.

Thank you. Any other questions? If not, Miss Hamilton, please call the role. Miss Bordon, yes. Mr. Myers, yes. Mr. Gaffy, yes. Mr. Paul, yes. Mr. Malta, yes. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Jose, yes. Was that that was a motion to suspend the rule? Okay. So, we've suspended the rules. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. Second by Mr. Paul. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the adoption. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes. Mr. Malta? Yes. Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes.

All right. Uh, Miss Hamilton, if you want to read the resolution 2025-71, please. Resolution number 2025-71, a resolution petitioning the board of county commissioners of Wayne County, Ohio for a change of township lines to conform with the corporation limits of the city of Worcester and allowing for immediate enactment. Mr. Warden, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Similar to the previous item, this resolution asks the county commissioners to conform the boundaries of a 20.4 acre industrial zoned area with a small apartment complex at 1966 Old Man's Field Road. This property was annexed back in 2019, but still technically sits in both Worcester Township and the city. Once the boundaries are conformed, the city's millage will increase from 2.4 to 4.2, and again, the overall tax rate for property owners will drop by roughly 7.9%. As with previous resolution, the city will temporarily reimburse it, the township, a declining portion of those revenues. I move to place this on third and final reading.

Okay. Is there any questions related to this? I would just add that is is if we could please continue to do this because I know that it's just kind of it creates some murkiness um that's unnecessary and I know that you have been working toward that but I'm sure there are other little properties or pop pockets out there that need need to be adjusted. And I would just note there are certain types of annexations or boundaries. Okay.

So on that note and council has feedback for us on this please let us know. But from a administrative standpoint with that being the case um when we talk about uh tools such as expedited annexations that sometimes developers may say hey you know I'm interested in doing this. Um, unless we have a written agreement with the township on revenue sharing of this nature, we're generally going to want to do what's called that type one regular annexation. And so the reason why going forward um you'll see administration focusing on that is for this reason so that we can conform because in the past and that was part of our evaluation some of those expedited annexations that can't be undone and over the course of time it uh does lead to financial impact. So, um, that's been our thought going forward is that we'll only do annexation through, uh, means that the properties can be performed.

Thank you. All right. Uh, so we have a motion to suspend the rules by Miss Warden, second by Mr. Hussein. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on suspension of the rules. Miss Warden, yes. Mr. Abernathy, yes. Mr. Gaffy. Yes. Mr. Malta. Yes. Mr. Jose. Yes. Mr. Meyers. Yes. Mr. Paul. Yes. Miss Warden. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Second by Mr. Gaffy. Miss Hamilton, please call the role in the adoption. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Malta? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes.

Mr. Paul? Yes. Okay, next item, resolution 2025-72. This is our one and only budgeted item this evening. And with that, Miss Hamilton, if you could please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-72, a resolution authorizing the expenditure of additional funds for services from Rexel and allowing for immediate enactment. Mr. Malta, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, we are exceeding our $75,000 limit on this one, going up to 1035. Not surprising on these parts. Um, so we've done a couple of these. These are now at their 20-year-old lifespan or could be end of lifespan. And uh these are for the replacement of the headworks storm pumps and influent pumps. solids effluent pump. And I know Mr. Fritz is not here with us tonight. I did discuss this with him today and I believe he called Mr. Rice this afternoon if indeed there were any questions. I see this as a good way to go. We can only use this supplier because of the MCC's that are already in the system. And I certainly want wouldn't want to repeat anything like we had in March of 2020 where supply chains went a year out, two years out and further. So

sounds like it's a budgeted item. We're expecting to do it anyway. Yes, sir. Okay. Move to adopt. Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Abernathy. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the adoption. Mr. Malta? Yes. Mr. Abernathy? Yes, Mr. Jose. Yes, Mr. Paul. Yes, Mr. Gaffy. Yes, Mr. Meyers. Yes, Miss Warden. Yes.

Okay, thank you. Our last item, resolution 2025-73. Miss Hamilton, if you could please read it for us. Resolution number 2025-73, a resolution authorizing the directors of finance and administration, respectively, to take such such actions as are necessary to issue payments and enter into a settlement agreement with MRR Properties 2 LLC, the property owner of 146 East Liberty Street, Wester, Ohio 44691 in relation to a claim for damages filed with the Insurance Claims Board and allowing for immediate enactment.

Mr. Abernafy, the floor is yours. Yeah, back in August, it looks like a city-owned fire line valve um leaked into the 146 East Liberty Street and uh had some damage. Uh the the property owner filed a claim for reimbursement and the city's uh insurance claims board and determined that while the city is not liable for the damage due to immunity, it did agree to reimburse the property owner. Um, so this this looks like u less than $10,000. I think it's 8,27067 goodwill gesture to what I'm assuming is a business there on East Liberty Street. Um, doesn't look like the city is um saying it's their fault, but just trying to do something that they feel is a good gesture. I don't know. Is there anything that the administration wants to add to that other than Um, you covered it. It was the insurance claims board. Um, um, insurance claims board. When there's um, a recommendation for payment over $5,000, then the board would make the recommendation for payment, bring it to council. Um, and so that's where um, they negotiated and worked with the property owner. Um, you know, the 8,000 approximately that you've um, said there, that is what was determined would, you know, put them again for um water damage that was the flooring that had just been laid um recently. Um labor um you know basically removable damages that they would have um and unity you know with the government but also um it really [clears throat] is a good gesture they do business here in the community. We want to make sure that people are taken care of and this was the recommendation for the insurance.

Andrew, have we done this for others?

So, this is my first one. Um, but I'm told that this would be the first one that's been brought to council in a long time, if ever. Um, but under 15701, that's kind of our chapter 157, um, of our ordinances. That's the insurance claims board. I believe there have been claims brought forward, but it's usually nominal. So, less than 5,000, the insurance claims board would be able to issue payment. Um, this being, you know, it was the a water leak into um I believe it was a salon studio that had like pergo flooring and they had to dig up masonry work. Um, so there's more cost involved here. So,

are we setting a precedent? No, that's what the insurance claims board is for. If it's something that our deductible, you know, we might, you know, ultimately pay out on. Um, it also just a goodwill gesture. Um, but it's reviewed and, you know, if the board would determine it's not appropriate, then we would make that recommendation as well. Thank you.

I can only remember like two. I mean one was when Dick Benson was here and then one other one several years ago and they were like like Andrea said very minor like a thousand couple thousand bucks or something like that and these are ones where insurance claim board is an insurance claim and it is something that was the city's fault you know that it was our our valve that broke unlike a moral claim board which you also have a moral claim board which some council people sit on where it's not anything that's a city's fault. we have no obligation whatsoever, but morally it might make sense to to help out, you know, in some cases. So, that that's the difference between those two those two boards. Well, this council's fun. We get to see some interesting things along the way. So, anybody uh want to talk about giving this uh property owner about 8,200 bucks? Um, anybody? I have a motion to suspend the rules.

Motion to suspend the rules. Is there a second? Second. Second. Go ahead. Okay. Second by Mr. Husse. Please call the uh role on the suspension of the rules. Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes. Mr. Malta? Yes. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Gaff. Miss Hamilton, please call the role on the adoption. Mr. Abernathy? Yes. Mr. Meyers? Yes. Mr. Jose? Yes. Miss Warden? Yes. Mr. Gaffy? Yes. Mr. Paul? Yes.

Mr. Malta? Yes. All right. That takes us to miscellaneous. We had no one sign up to speak in miscellaneous, at least from the general public. So, we get to uh get to turn this right over to council members. So, I guess we'll start with Mr. Gaffy this evening.

All right, sounds good. Um, yeah, first off, uh, congratulations, Mr. Doria and Mr. Anel, who's not here, you know, on the awards this evening. I think it reflects very well in the city and I think it gives uh you know those of us on council, I can speak for myself I guess you know confidence in in the job you guys are doing uh with the budget. Um so congratulations on that. Um I have probably several people in my ward that'll be very pleased to find out that you know things with the Christmas Run pool may start moving forward. Um gotten several emails about that. Um, and then I think, yeah, it's great that we got that vehicle grant. That's that's wonderful to see and hopefully we'll help out there. Um, also welcome, uh, Landry. I haven't met you before and good to see you here tonight and, uh, you've been here five weeks, so uh, but welcome. And then also, was it Ashley, uh, was the other lady's name, so yeah, I know she's not here, but yeah, glad to see her as well. Um, and that's about it for me. Just just a reminder though, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Montgomery, but the Christmas Run pool will be inoperable all of next year.

Yeah, I it it's more the fact that it's something is happening. I just don't want anyone the fact that it's get too excited about it. I understand Mr. Myers get a twitch. It's still going to be down all next year, unfortunately. A little bit of movement is better than nothing. So, understand. Yeah, Miss Warden,

thank you. If you haven't heard enough from me this evening, um we'll reiterate my congratulations to Andre and to Worcester Growth for their um awards from the the auditor's office. Uh I agree. Andre has been exceptional in giving confidence to me. Someone who is really not skilled with numbers um for these many years uh looking at a budget. It's very helpful. and to the new council members. If you have any questions, I would encourage you to talk to Andre and his team because they are very knowledgeable and and um to their credit, they are also very successful at what they do. So, thank you for that. Um Jason, thank you for coming and and handling our rapid fire questions tonight. Appreciate that as well. Um the snow removal on Thanksgiving, I think all of us were pro or many of us were probably out on the roads and we saw that that was definitely um we're grateful that these individuals were willing to leave their warm homes and go out and keep our roads safe. Um and finally, welcome to Landry and and Ashley. Uh I look forward to meeting her at the next meeting and um yeah, we're glad to have you here. Thanks,

Mr. Malta. Thank you. And as always, thank you for those in attendance and viewing us tonight. Um, congratulations, of course, Mr. Dia. And that's all I have this evening. All right, Mr. Myers. Welcome, Mr. Paul. Thank you, Mr. Myers. I look forward to welcoming Mr. Owens in the at the January and uh and those that were reelected as well. So, congratulations, Mr. Fuse.

Uh, I'm not going to make a uh Andre's head any bigger. [laughter] He's got good taste in water, though. Uh, welcome, Mr. Paul and all the new uh city folk as well. And Amy, you will be missed. Stop by anytime. That's all.

Mr. Paul, good evening. Thank you very much. Uh, like to thank everybody for their warm welcome, making me feel uh welcome. would like to thank the administration for bringing me up to speed on their agenda and uh making themselves available, Mr. Dordia to for his uh his award and for bringing me up to speed. I realize there are those in the community who maybe didn't vote for me or who don't know me and I will work hard and I endeavor to remedy that as soon as I can. Um and uh it's kind of fun to walk onto a team that's award-winning the first day you're there. I feel like I'm joining a Super Bowl winner today. So, um, I do want to bring one thing to everybody's attention. We have a long history with Worcester Rotary here in town. Worister Rotary will be hosting an event on Saturday, December 3rd for all Rotary participant, all foreign exchange students in Northeast Ohio. They'll be coming to Worcester uh to First Presbyterian Church. They will be staying overnight and they will be touring our city. So, if you see them out and about, please give them a Worcester welcome and make them feel comfortable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Abernathy. Landry, welcome full circle. Since I've known you since uh well, we were very young. Go Bears, Jonathan. Boy, tonight had to feel real good, didn't it? [laughter] Somebody else got to sit in the hot seat tonight. So, congratulations on your night off. Um, congratulations, Mr. Paul. Thank you.

Welcome and and joining us. And uh you know, I also want to thank Miss Warden tonight because uh you got to take the lion's share for once and I didn't have to have a million pieces of finance uh finance legislation and that's going to change real soon, I think. So, um I'll just be eating my waties and getting ready for that because it's on its way. So, thank you for uh taking the run of it tonight. My pleasure. And with that, um unless Mr. Sanders has anything. I'm going to motion to adopt or motion to adopt. Yeah, I'm a motion. See, this is done. I'm on a motion to get out of here. Motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? Second. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

We are adjourned. Welcome you back here in two weeks. That was remarkably quick