COUNCIL MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MADISON
Regular Meeting
December 20, 2004
Mayor Evangelista called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and invited all in attendance to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Council members Mr. Britton, Mr. Buck, Mr. Burgard, Mr. Loparo, and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance; Mayor Evangelista, Administrator Sample, Solicitor Murray, Fiscal Officer Pinkert and Engineer Foley.
Mr. Loparo said that the first sentence of page 2 of the minutes presented should be amended to include the word “tax” after the word income.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Vest, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on December 6, 2004, with the amendment to page 2. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion passed.
Fiscal Officer Pinkert presented Pay Ordinance #2079 totaling $131,761.09 for current and upcoming expenses. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Burgard, to approve Pay Ordinance #2079. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion passed.
Larry Larson, 239 W. Main Street, read a prepared statement saying that although he still has concerns regarding many Village issues, in the spirit of Christmas, he will address them in January.
Tim Regan, 480 Tappan Oval, voiced the following concerns:
1. The recycling service is poor.
2. There is problem with motorists not yielding to pedestrians
3. If the political sign ordinance isn’t being enforced, it should be repealed.
4. The council meeting minutes seem to be slow in getting posted to the web site.
5. The income tax increase.
Maureen Smith, 379 Kim Drive, said that she shares the same concerns as Tim Regan and added the following concerns:
Mayor Evangelista said that any income tax increase has to be put before the people for a vote, former Police Chief Matty signed a family leave document and the lawsuit is pending in the Federal Courts, the Village won’t take any action until it is ruled on.
Solicitor Murray said that there is no factual dispute regarding the law suit, however the village doesn’t concede a violation of the law. The issue went before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and it was ruled that there was no probable cause for complaint.
Mr. Loparo added that it is important to mention that the EEOC is a federal agency and to restate that they ruled no probable cause for complaint.
Ward Buck, 888 W. Main Street, said that he considers the water tower at the I-90 exit a sign of home and made a donation of $200.00 toward the restoration of the water tower.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 65–2004 was read by Administrator Sample, first reading. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON, OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2005 TO AND INCLUDING MARCH 31, 2005, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Buck, to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance No. 65-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Buck, to approve Ordinance No. 65-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Ordinance No. 65-2004 duly passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 66-2004 was read by Administrator Sample, first reading. AN ORDINANCE CONFIRMING THE FINAL APPOINTMENT OF MATT GOSNIK AS A PART-TIME PATROL OFFICER FOR THE MADISON VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest, to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance No. 66-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest, to approve Ordinance No. 66-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Ordinance No. 66-2004 duly passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 67-2004 was read by Administrator Sample, first reading. AN ORDINANCE CONFIRMING THE FINAL APPOINTMENT OF DUSTIN SMOOT AS A PART-TIME PATROL OFFICER FOR THE MADISON VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Britton, to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance No. 67-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Britton, to approve Ordinance No. 67-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Ordinance No. 67-2004 duly passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 68–2004 was read by Administrator Sample, first reading. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MADISON VILLAGE ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 33-1996 BY REPEALING SECTIONS 9.17.2(c), 9.17.2(g), AND 9.17.2(h) REGULATING POLITICAL SIGNS
Solicitor Murray explained that due to a recent ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court that restrictions on political signs are an infringement of civil rights; a decision was made to consider repealing sections of Ordinance 33-1996 for regulating political signs.
ORDINANCE NO. 69–2004 was read by Administrator Sample, first reading. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO VARIOUS LINE ITEMS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND FOR OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON, OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2004, TO AND INCLUDING DECEMBER 31, 2004, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Burgard, to suspend the three reading rule for Ordinance No. 69-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Burgard, seconded by Mr. Buck, to approve Ordinance No. 69-2004. Roll call, 5 yeas. Ordinance No. 69-2004 duly passed.
Mr. Loparo requested Council consider an ordinance establishing a policy for public record requests.
Mr. Britton wished everyone Happy Holidays and commended the road crew for their snow removal efforts.
Mr. Vest clarified the report by the newspapers that the new police cruiser was paid for by the revenue form the land sale. He said that although the money that comes in from the land sale will be used by the general fund for end of the year expenses, the amount will be made available in 2005 to be spent as originally intended. He also reported that he and Mr. Buck will be representing the village for the Route 20 corridor study and also wished everyone Merry Christmas.
Mr. Loparo wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mr. Loparo requested the police department increase enforcement of the cross walks and said that the recycling is voluntary and is handled by the same company the Village terminated in regard to the garbage contract. He also suggested the Village move the recycling in house.
Administrator Sample said that although the County calculates the cost for recycling, they pay half of the cost.
Mr. Loparo also said that although the first draft of the 2005 budget is discouraging, an income tax increase is a last resort. If a tax increase is needed, the citizens would be informed of what would have to be cut if the tax increase wasn’t approved. It would be for the citizens to decide.
Mr. Buck reported Council had previously passed a resolution asking Groveport Madison School District to return $50,000 to Madison Local School District that was distributed to them in error. Mr. Buck gave an update saying that although Groveport Madison School District didn’t return the money, their last school levy failed. Mr. Buck also commended the road crew and wished everyone Happy Holidays and said although Mr. Toward is not present, he requested his holiday greetings be extended to everyone
Mr. Burgard said the he reiterates previous statement of Council members regarding current issues and also wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Engineer Foley gave an update on current projects in the Village.
Acting Chief Forsythe reported the following:
The department is increasing enforcement at the crosswalks.
There is no expectation of privacy with respect to license plates and that the by running license plates at random, officers are finding people with outstanding warrants and illegal drugs on a daily basis.
Administrator Sample requested a public hearing to consider a recommendation to re-zone Phase II & III of Huntington Woods from R2 to R1 for subdivisions. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Britton, to hold a public hearing on February 7th, 2005, for the re-zoning of Phase II & III of Huntington Woods. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion passed.
Administrator Sample reported the following:
There was water main break on Saturday which lead to a water boil order. The order will be lifted after the results of the test are reported.
76 zoning permits were issued in 2004 and 24 of those were for new homes.
A recent day in court for delinquent income tax resulted in $5,500 in payment made that day. Administrator Sample also gave review on the income tax collections saying that the Village is being more aggressive in collecting delinquent taxes.
The rubber cones at the crosswalks are removed during snow plowing and when the weather is good they are put back.
Draft one of the 2005 budget was distributed and that Council will have to make some tough decisions.
Administrator Sample wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mr. Loparo asked about the income tax drop in 2002. Administrator sample explained that the Village was over paid in 2001 and had to repay the money in 2002.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Evangelista asked Fiscal Officer Pinkert to comment on the minutes for the web-site. Fiscal Officer Pinkert explained that the minutes are forwarded to the web site manager for posting after they are approved which is usually at the next regular meeting.
Mayor Evangelista said that this is the last meeting of 2004, it was a lively year and that he and Council are always available for any questions or concerns.
Mayor Evangelista reported that due to a balance of available levy funds, Madison Senior Center will receive another $8,500 in Levy funds for 2004. Mayor Evangelista also wished everyone Happy Holidays
Mayor Evangelista Reported the following dates:
December 25th Christmas
January 1st New Years Day
January 3rd Council Meeting
Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Burgard, to adjourn. Roll call, 6 yeas. Meeting Adjourned at 8:21 pm.
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