VILLAGE OF RIVERLEA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 16, 2008
The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at 302 West Riverglen Drive. The following Council members were present: Mayor Mary Jo Cusack, Kirk M. McHugh, John A. Schaer, Renee Shannon, Rodney Tettenhorst and Paul J. Zenisek. Also present were Pamela M. Colwell, Clerk-Treasurer, Daniel A. McIntyre, Street Commissioner, Jody Croley Jones, Web Manager, and Steven W. Mershon, Solicitor. Guests of Council were Donald Campbell, Sue Ranck and Robert Ranck. At 7:35 p.m. the Mayor called the meeting to order.
Minutes
08-45
The minutes of the regular council meeting of May 19, 2008 were not read since each member had received a copy. Zenisek moved and Shannon seconded a motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
Clerk-Treasurer Report
08-46
Schaer moved and McHugh seconded a motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial report for May 2008, as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0. See Board Referral File number 08-016.
Zenisek wanted to know why there was an extra pickup each week for yard waste. The Clerk will call Local Waste Services to inquire about it and to see if the Village residents can help. Zenisek also complained about people soliciting without a permit and he called the police to report it. The Mayor stated that residents need to call the police for this violation and asked the Marshall to speak to Worthington Police about this. The Clerk-Treasurer handles the solicitation permits.
Report of the Mayor
The Mayor reported on the Ohio Mayor’s Association conference she attended. She noticed that cities of all sizes have the same problems as Riverlea. FEMA and the EPA are making it more difficult for cities to operate. Next she discussed the problem of residents illegally blocking streets and the problems of enforcement. As to solicitors and other violations of our ordinances, residents need to call the police. The Marshall will speak to the Police about these issues and the stop sign violations. The OSU Airport situation has not changed in the last month. There are still issues with the noise monitoring and the Airport’s responses. The Mayor will acknowledge and thank Dan Owens for his many years of service to our community at the July 4th picnic. Over the summer the Mayor would like Council to think about considering passing a resolution so our residents could obtain flood insurance if they wanted it.
Report of the Solicitor
The Solicitor looked into the Record Retention Commission the Village had some years ago. The commission consisted of the Mayor, Clerk, Chief Legal Officer and one person appointed by the Mayor. The Record Retention Commission needs to come up with a schedule of what to retain and for how long, then dispose of records accordingly. The Clerk-Treasurer will need to take the Certified Public Records Training. The draft Ordinance to Regulate the Minimum Frontage Requirements and to Establish Maximum Coverage Requirements for Building Lots Within the Village combines two issues with lot splits. The first deals with minimum frontage requirements and includes a definition of what a lot is. The second section has a requirement to not cover more than 40% of the total lot area.
Report of the Planning Commissioner
The Planning Commissioner reported there was a meeting held June 9, 2008 for an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by John Nicholson of Nicholson Builders regarding the design of a patio and deck at the rear of 5795 Olentangy Boulevard. A letter of complaint was received from a neighbor and the Commission suggested that Nicholson meet with her and make an effort to resolve her concerns. The application was tabled until the next meeting July 14, 2008.
The Mayor asked if Council wanted the Solicitor to follow up with Richard Fisher’s non-compliance (5830 Pioneers Court). Council said yes.
Report of the Marshall
The Marshal reported that there were 257 patrol checks with no warnings or citations. There were nine complaints.
Report of the Street Commissioner
The Street Commissioner reported that the sewers were cleaned as well as the lift station and some storm sewers. Since it was over six years instead of five years for the cleaning, there was more work and, therefore, greater cost. Notes were made about the sewers and they will have to be compared to notes made from prior cleanings to determine if further work needs to be done. The street repaving will have to wait until this is completed in case the street needs to be dug up for sewer repair. The lift station needed pump repairs but continuous upkeep is expected. The Street Commissioner would like to see the south end of Olentangy Boulevard cleaned up. There is graffiti, weeds and overgrown shrubs. The Marshall will discuss the graffiti with the police. One person has called to express interest in the Tree Program. About six people are interested in the cement driveway aprons. The curbs should be done between July and August.
Report of the Newsletter Editor
The Newsletter Editor is working with Pat Anderson to design a flyer for the July 4th picnic to distribute to residents. Because of the summer break, the Newsletter will be sent out in August.
Report of the Web Manager
The Web Manager reported that a new neighbor checked out the Village’s website before deciding to move here and they really liked the pictures and information. She requested that residents get pictures to her from the Village’s events so she can add them to the website. The domain names .com and .org were purchased for nine years. She researched using .gov and it involved more paperwork, some additional restrictions to content and a cost of $125/year. Council declined any interest in spending more money to use .gov.
Report of Parks and Recreation
TThere was no report on Parks and Recreation
There were no comments from residents on agenda items
Old Business
08-47
Zenisek, Schaer and Tettenhorst discussed their meeting with an arborist to get a second opinion about the trees and shrubs in the ravine. Joe Russell (Russell Tree Experts) is a licensed arborist, Worthington resident, and consults with Worthington. Russell prepared a detailed estimate of the work that needed to be done. Schaer expressed concern about the removal of the honeysuckle which could cause erosion. Zenisek will address this concern with Russell. Tettenhorst moved and McHugh seconded a motion to engage Russell Tree Experts to do the work as described with the exception of the honeysuckle. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
08-48
Zenisek reported that the sprinkler heads in the Circle do not go back down. Tettenhorst tripped over a head while reviewing the situation. It shows that the sprinkler heads are very hard to see and someone could get hurt. Tettenhorst moved and Schaer seconded a motion to get a final reading of the water meter and have the water turned off for the Circle this year. Shannon asked if we paid to have the system inspected and Zenisek responded that Absolute Irrigation checked it out at no cost to us. It looked like the sprinkler system was going to be an ongoing problem. Council will watch and can activate it later. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
2008-09
McHugh introduced A Resolution to Provide for Integrated Management Services to Reduce Mosquito Populations Within the Village and to Declare an Emergency. Shannon moved and Zenisek seconded a motion to suspend the three readings. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
McHugh moved and Tettenhorst seconded a motion to adopt the Resolution 2008-09. There was no discussion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0
08-49
McHugh moved and Tettenhorst seconded a motion to approve expenditures up to $2,000 for the July 4th picnic. The amount is to cover the cost of tents, tables, chairs, musical entertainment and other expenses. There was a discussion about how much hamburgers and hotdogs to buy. McHugh is in charge of buying the meat for the picnic. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
08-50
Schaer moved and Zenisek seconded a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000 to cover the cleaning of some storm sewers. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
08-51
Schaer moved and McHugh seconded a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000 to cover the additional expenses to clean the sanitary sewers. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
04-2008
Schaer introduced Ordinance 04-2008, An Ordinance to Regulate the Minimum Frontage Requirements and to Establish Maximum Coverage Requirements for Building Lots Within the Village. The Ordinance was read by title for its first reading.
08-52
McHugh moved and Zenisek seconded a motion to approve the Village Budget for 2009 and submit it to Franklin County. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
Comments from Residents on Non Agenda Items
Sue Ranck spoke about the problem of people walking their dogs along Olentangy Boulevard in front of her home. Many walk with their dogs unleashed and uncontrolled. There is also the problem with pet waste. Ranck researched and proposed that Council consider purchasing dog waste receptacles to place throughout the Village to help control this problem. She submitted product information and costs to Council. Waste receptacles cost from $240 to$410 each and biodegradable bags estimated cost is $195 for one to two years supply. She would like Council to also consider a leash law.
Next Meeting and Adjournment.
The Mayor announced that the next regular meeting of Council will be held on September 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at 215 West Riverglen Drive.
08-53
There being no further business, Zenisek moved and Tettenhorst seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
MARY JO CUSACK, MAYOR
DAN E. OWENS, CLERK OF COUNCIL