November 26, 2012 Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

November 26, 2012

The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at the Thomas Worthington High School, Worthington. The following Council members were present: Mayor Kirk M. McHugh, Jon L. Ankrom, Scott K. Gordon, Donald E. Griffith, Briggs W. Hamor, Jenny D. Jones and Eric A. MacGilvray, President Pro-Tem. Also present were Pamela M. Colwell, Clerk-Treasurer, L. Leah Reibel, Solicitor, William P. Charles, Street Commissioner, Karen McElmurray, Marshal, Jody Croley Jones, Web Manager, and Michael Jones, Planning Commissioner. Guests of Council were Joyce Durnford, Greg Bonk, Marc Benevento, Carolee Noonan and Jacalyn Slemmer. At 7:00 p.m. the Mayor called the meeting to order.

Minutes

1. The minutes of the regular Council meeting October 22, 2012 were not read since each member had received a copy. Ankrom moved and Hamor seconded a motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).

Report of the Clerk-Treasurer

1. Hamor moved and Jones seconded a motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial report for October 2012, as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).

Report of the Mayor

1. The Mayor reported he received a letter from Franklin County Public Health regarding mosquito control. This past season was the worst for the West Nile Virus in the county. They are asking Riverlea to join the Integrated Mosquito Management Program at a cost of $3,036.57 per year. It involves spraying, trapping, education, etc. for mosquito control. Council asked if it really works and how the river and Rush Run Park would affect us since those areas are not sprayed. The Mayor said he would contact Franklin County Public Health and ask a representative to come to the next Council meeting to answer questions.

Report of the Solicitor

1. The Solicitor reported that the Village received a notice from the Ohio EPA that we were in violation of not submitting the 2011 storm water report and they were fining us $1000. She informed them that their previous correspondence was sent to the wrong address, so the EPA waived the penalty as long as we submit the report soon.

Report of the Planning Commissioner

1. The Commissioner reported that they met on November 12, 2012 and approved two applications for a certificate of appropriateness. One was for a wood fence and the other was for replacing a driveway with pavers.

Report of the Marshal

1. The Marshal reported there were 282 checks and no citations.

Report of the Street Commissioner

1. The Commissioner said he will complete the 2011 storm water report within the next two weeks. It was an oversight.
2. The City of Columbus will be holding a meeting December 13, 2012 regarding the Wet Weather Plan, which is a more comprehensive and integrated plan that includes the suburban communities. He will be attending and asks anyone else interested to also attend.

Report of the Newsletter Editor

1. The Editor would like copy for the Newsletter by December 5th

Report of the Web Manager

1. The Web Manager reported that she reorganized and updated some of the web pages. She showed Council what changes were made and they approved. FAQ’s were added to different sections and more will follow. She will be working on the design of the online edition of the newsletter with recommendations from the Committee on Communications.

Comments from Residents on Agenda Items

Old Business

1. Committee on Infrastructure
   Briggs Hamor, Chair, reported that he should hear from MORPC on December 7, 2012 for the preliminary recommendation regarding the loan application. The Committee will meet December 13, 2012 to discuss the options available if we do not receive the loan.
2. Committee on Ordinances
   There was no report.
3. Committee on Communications
   Jon Ankrom, Chair, reported that the Committee is continuing to work on updating the newsletter. He has asked a neighbor who has an advertising agency to redesign the newsletter and they have agreed to do so at no cost. The Committee is also looking into getting more people to switch from the printed newsletter to the online newsletter to save money. The online newsletter would have links to more information and not be a duplicate of the printed newsletter. The Committee’s next meeting is December 27, 2012.
4. Ordinance No. 06-2012
   Ordinance No. 06-2012, Annual Appropriation Ordinance (Village) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013 was given its second reading.

New Business

1. US Flags for the Front Entrances
   The Clerk-Treasurer reported that the flags were removed last month because they were shredded. She took them to Lawson Flag Supply for proper disposal. The nylon flags we have been using do not last long and it was suggested that we try polyester flags, which are stronger but a bit more expensive. Council decided that two polyester flags should be purchased to see how long they last.
2. Planning Commission Open Positions
   The Mayor reported that there are two positions open beginning January 2013, so they must be appointed by the December Council meeting. The term is for three years. Interested residents should contact him.
3. Ordinance Codification
   The Clerk-Treasurer explained that the codified ordinances were usually updated annually until last year when it was skipped since there were no new Village ordinances. In 2012 there was only one ordinance that could be codified and American Legal Publishing said it is not worth the expense to have it codified. Council agreed.
4. Expenses
   Jones moved and MacGilvray seconded the motion to authorize the following expenditures:
   $300 – American Legal Publishing, annual internet Riverlea codified ordinances
   $39 – software for W-2 and 1099
   $285 – Ohio Municipal League, annual dues for 2013
   $50 – OUPS (Ohio Utilities Protection Service), annual fee
   $100 – Fireproof Storage, for cost of sending boxes into storage
   $100 – to purchase two polyester US Flags
   The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
5. Discussion of Building Regulation Changes (Chapter 150)
   Jenny Jones, Chair, Committee on Ordinances, reviewed the recommendations of the Committee section by section. Council made comments and asked questions. She will compile the remarks and distribute them to Council. The building regulations are generally dealt with by the County, so there is little left for the Village to handle. Council decided that no action will be taken until the next chapter has been reviewed since they are connected. Jones explained that the next section, Chapter 151, Zoning Code, will be much longer and more difficult to address. Therefore, it will require more time to review. Before making any decisions, Council will evaluate the cost of these changes relative to the benefit to residents. The costs could be substantial since it involves the Village Solicitor’s time to review and codification of the new ordinances by American Legal Publishing.

Comments from Residents on Non-Agenda Items