VILLAGE OF RIVERLEA
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 18, 2008

The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at 229 West Southington Avenue. The following Council members were present: Mayor Mary Jo Cusack, John S. McAlearney, Kirk M. McHugh, John A. Schaer, Renee Shannon and Rodney Tettenhorst. Also present were Pamela M. Colwell, Clerk-Treasurer, Lois Yoakam, Newsletter Editor, Michael Jones, Planning Commissioner and Steven W. Mershon, Solicitor. At 7:30 p.m. the Mayor called the meeting to order.

  1. A Resolution to Classify Certain Village Officials as Employees.

    The Solicitor summarized the history of the Village’s treatment of Village officials as “independent contractors.” Federal law requires the Village to withhold income tax and FICA taxes. (Please refer to the attached Memorandum dated August 15, 2008 from the Solicitor.)

    2008-12

    McHugh introduced Ordinance No. 2008-12, A Resolution to Authorize the Clerk-Treasurer to Classify Certain Elected and Appointed Officials as Employees for Purposes of Wage Withholding and the Payment of Certain Employment Taxes and Retirement Contributions. There was little discussion. The Clerk will have to check with OPERS to get their determination regarding appointed officials. Council agreed that appealing the reclassification was not worth the cost. Schaer moved and McHugh seconded a motion to suspend the three readings. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon and Tettenhorst: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0. McHugh moved to adopt Resolution 2008-12 and Tettenhorst seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon and Tettenhorst: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.

  2. Council Discussion – Land Use Committee Recommendations

    Schaer, Tettenhorst and Zenisek reviewed the status of the Land Use Committee Recommendations. (Please refer to the attached Riverlea Land Use Committee Recommendations document dated 08/18/2008.) They have made proposals to get these approved recommendations acted upon. McAlearney suggested adding an incentive to the POD and Dumpster regulation to encourage residents to not extend the time beyond one month. Also, McAlearney wanted clarification of what level hot tubs shall be visually screened from neighbors and street view. Council determined that hot tubs shall be visually screened at ground level from neighbors and street view. Council and the Planning Commissioner expressed frustration at not being able to levy fines for violations without going to court. The Mayor will contact the City of Worthington to see if they are interested in contracting with the Village for building inspections. The Solicitor will try to provide ordinances for Council’s review at the regular meeting in September for POD’s and Dumpsters, Home Occupation, Above-ground Pools, Drive Approach Design Standards, and other issues listed in the Land Use Committee Recommendations.

  3. Comments from the Mayor

    The Mayor will contact the Franklin County Engineer to get a quote for all of the costs of repaving the Village streets, including the Engineering Dept. management fee and to see if the Village can get the streets repaved by the end of the year.

    08-56

    There being no further business, Schaer moved and Shannon seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon and Tettenhorst: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

MARY JO CUSACK, MAYOR

DAN E. OWENS, CLERK OF COUNCIL