VILLAGE OF RIVERLEA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 2008
The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at 222 West Riverglen Drive. The following Council members were present: Mayor Mary Jo Cusack, John S. McAlearney, 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, Lois Yoakam, Newsletter Editor, and Steven W. Mershon, Solicitor. Guests of Council were Don Campbell, Robert Ranck and Sue Ranck. At 7:35 pm. the Mayor called the meeting to order.
Minutes
08-68
The minutes of the regular Council meeting of September 15, 2008 were not read since each member had received a copy. McHugh moved and Schaer seconded a motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 6; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 6-0.
Clerk-Treasurer Report
08-69
McHugh moved and Zenisek seconded a motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial report for September 2008, as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 6; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 6-0. See Board Referral File number 08-022.
Report of the Mayor
The Mayor reported that the OSU Airport will have a Part 150 Committee meeting and open house on November 6, 2008 from 7 to 9 and she urged everyone to attend. The Mayor informed Council that the Local Government Fund provides some of the Village’s revenue but we now have to also share it with libraries and schools. Local Waste Services was contacted for additional assistance for the wind storm cleanup but they were too busy to provide any extra service. The Mayor reported on repeated incidences where the Worthington Police were not enforcing the Village’s ordinances. An 18 wheeler was blocking Southington while unloading supplies and the police did not make them move. The Mayor was told that the officers are permitted to use their own discretion on whether or not to enforce our laws. The Marshal was to discuss with Worthington Police.
Report of the Solicitor
The Solicitor reported that the hearing regarding the Brogan matter was next week.
Report of the Planning Commissioner
In the absence of the Planning Commissioner, the Mayor reported there was no meeting in October.
Zenisek stated he noticed a man using a metal detector on the Circle to find coins. Zenisek objected to his digging up the grass and replacing it after retrieving the coin. The Solicitor informed him that the Circle was public property and what he was doing was not illegal. Council briefly discussed it and decided there wasn’t much they could do to prevent it.
Report of the Marshal
In the absence of the Marshal, Zenisek gave his report. The Worthington Police report did not provide much detail except to show the police responded to a variety of calls.
Report of the Street Commissioner
The Street Commissioner reported that City of Columbus will repair the damage done to the street on Riverglen Drive at the Circle due to the water main break. Decker will be doing the temporary street patching within the Village. The Commissioner also submitted a written report to Council. He has the tree program forms and will be passing them out to the residents who want trees.
Report of the Newsletter Editor
The Newsletter Editor requested copy for the November Newsletter by November 5th. The directory will be updated and distributed within a month.
Report of the Web Manager
There was no report from the Web Manager.
Report of Parks and Recreation
Susan Costakos-Slomka and Pat Anderson will co-chair the Parks and Recreation Committee. Susan will be handling with the Halloween party since Pat will not be there. The Mayor will also help and pour cider, and McHugh will grill hotdogs. The party will be on October 31st from 6 to 8.
Report of the Committee to Meet with Burgess & Niple
The Mayor, Schaer and McAlearney met with Jim Dippel of Burgess & Niple on October 16, 2008 to discuss the condition of the Village’s streets and curbs. They walked around the Village to view and discuss what needed to be done. Dippel will prepare a report for the November Council meeting. He will attend that meeting to also discuss the sanitary sewer repairs and costs.
Report of the Committee to Trim Trees
Tettenhorst presented two estimates from Russell Tree Experts to trim trees and shrubs growing into the street. There was some discussion as to whether these estimates were reasonable and Council decided it would be prudent to get a second opinion. Before doing any trimming, Council felt it was best to send a letter to residents pointing out the hazards of shrubs and trees on the Village easement growing into the street. The Mayor will assist with the letter.
Comments from Residents
Sue Ranck commented on the need for a stricter leash law. She was tired of dogs running loose with no control from their owners and that she had a right to enjoy her property without being bothered or having her yard damaged by dogs whose owners refused to acknowledge that they were a problem. She contacted New Albany, Dublin, Grandview Heights and Worthington for copies of their leash ordinances. Grandview Heights leash law was the one she felt was best.
Old Business
McHugh agreed with Ranck for the need of a leash law because of his own bad experiences with dogs running off their leash. He felt a leash law would at least give someone grounds to complain since it would then be against the law. Zenisek said this would be just another law that would be unenforceable. Shannon felt a leash law was needed for people who showed no responsibility. She too has had her own problems with unleashed dogs, especially when she is walking her dog on a leash. McHugh said a law would give residents a right to complain to police. The Solicitor explained that the Village could have a leash law with penalties and the police could then write a ticket if they saw the law was being broken. He said Council would have to establish a fine schedule that needed to be approved by the Municipal Court. After additional discussion, Council asked the Solicitor to draw up an ordinance with penalties for the next meeting.
04-2008
Schaer moved and McHugh seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance 04-2008, An Ordinance to Regulate the Minimum Frontage Requirements and to Establish Maximum Coverage Requirements for Building Lots Within the Village, as amended. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 6; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 6-0.
06-2008
Ordinance No. 06-2008, An Ordinance to Provide for the Further Regulation of Dumpsters and Temporary Storage Facilities in the Village. The Ordinance was read by title for its second reading. There was no discussion.
07-2008
Ordinance No. 07-2008, An Ordinance to Provide Additional Regulation for the Location of Curb Cuts and Driveways in the Village. The Ordinance was read by title for its second reading. There was no discussion.
New Business
Council discussed the letter from James L. Favret Jr. at 5690 Olentangy River Road. The same issue has been brought before Council at least twice before. Council felt it was the bad design of Favret’s driveway and not the fault of the curb or street. McIntyre provided a little more history on this matter. After further discussion, Council said it would take no action.
08-2008
McHugh introduced Ordinance No. 08-2008 Annual Appropriation Ordinance.
The Mayor asked Council to consider a pay increase for the Web Manager. There was some discussion as to what the Web Manager duties were and how much was appropriate. Council asked the Solicitor to prepare a resolution to set a term and increase the salary to $1000, which will apply to the new term.
McAlearney asked Council if they would like to show some appreciation to the Butlers and O’Neils for providing a cut through on Riverglen Drive to Evening Street. They maintain this area and allow residents access. Council was happy to show their appreciation and asked the Solicitor to prepare a resolution.
There were no comments from residents on non-agenda items
Next Meeting and Adjournment.
The Mayor announced that the next regular meeting of Council will be held on November 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at 229 West Southington Avenue
08-70
There being no further business, Schaer moved and Tettenhorst seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 6; McAlearney, McHugh, Schaer, Shannon, Tettenhorst and Zenisek: Nay, None. The Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
MARY JO CUSACK, MAYOR
DAN E. OWENS, CLERK OF COUNCIL