Norwood City Council

= Norwood City Council

Council Chambers<= /o:p>

January 24, 2012

A) CA= LL TO ORDER

The Council = for the City of Norwood met in regular session on the above date with Ms. Donna Laake presiding. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.<= /o:p>

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B) PR= AYER

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C) PL= EDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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D) RO= LL CALL

On roll call= , the following members answered present: Andrew Clark, Keith Moore, Josep= h Sanker, Sarah Allan, Steve Thornbury, = Tom Whittington, and John Mumper.

E) AMENDMENT OF AGENDA

On a motion = from Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to amend the agenda to remove t= he Department Activity Report from Chief Goodman and add the approval of minutes from the January 10, 2012 meeting. All members pr= esent voted, “Yes”. The motion passed.

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F) MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

On= a motion from Mr. Thornbury, seconded by Mr. Clark, it was moved to delay acceptance of the minutes of meeting January 10, 2012. Voting, “No” were Mr. = Sanker and Mr. Mumper. Voting, “Yes” were Mr. Clark, Mr. Moore, Ms. Al= lan, Mr. Thornbury, and Mr. Whittington. The motion passed 5 – 2.

g) rEQUEST TO aDDRESS cOUNCIL oN aGENDA iT= EMS

h) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNC= IL

On= a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Sanker, it was moved to accept the re= port from Finance and Claims Committee. All present voting, “Yes”. Updated figures from the Auditor’s Department show a $1.9 million shortfall for this year’s budget. Mr. Moore sent letters to all department heads asking for suggestions for further cost reductions. There = is a huge drop in revenue coming in to the city from the State. There is good ne= ws on the horizon, but the next 12-18 months will be difficult.

I) INTRODUCTORY <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">READINGS OF ORDINA= NCES

IN= TRODUCTORY READINGS OF RESOLUTIONS

J) ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1.= Mayor’s Report = = RE: Miscellaneous Business

On= a motion by Mr Thornbury, seconded by Ms. Allan, it was moved that the letter= is accepted. All present voting, “Yes”.

The Mayor reflected on the 75^th anniversary of “Black Sunday” and the ‘37 flood and Norwood’s status as a good neighbor. The city of Norwood provided water to the city of = Cincinnati. That fact is always “conveniently overlooked.” He wanted to poi= nt out that the January 15^th edition of the Enquirer noted business= es jumping to Kentucky and across jurisdictions (Medpace, Zumbiel are two examples). Medpa= ce was looking for 30+ acres of land, and was given $32.4 million from Cincinnati and the State of O= hio to move from Norwood to Cincinnati. This proves that Norwood must compe= te. If there is an agreement to bring a business/corporation to the city, he will bring it to council first. He will have discussions with the Law Department regarding entering Executive session to meet contractual issues. He may have some things to bring to council in the coming months.

Th= ere was an Enquirer editorial that day that also talked about Cincinnati and Hamilton county merging services. Norwood has not been asked a thing rega= rding shared services, but he can see a shared equipment agreement working. If we abandon our independence, we will have nothing to say; we do not want to gi= ve up our control. As times get tough, this city has always survived. He belie= ves everyone in the room will work together. Mr. Whittington asked about shared services and a summit at the Sharonville Convention Center. = Mayor Williams said we have not been approached.= He is willing to talk and listen, but our obligation is to do what is best for the city of Norwood.

2. Auditor’s Report = RE: Yearly Report 2011

On= a motion by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Mumper, it was moved to file and file = the Auditor’s report and allow him to address Council. All present voting, “Yes”.

The Auditor noted that 2011 expenses outpaced revenue by $559,734 and $162,500 carries forward to 2012. The greatest revenue source of the city is earnings tax, which is remaining steady, but we expect a decrease in intergovernment= al revenue of $821,012. Payroll went down, but overtime increased, still leavi= ng a net decrease in personnel expenses. The city cut General Fund expenditures = in 2011, reducing total expenses by $2,059,748 over 2010 expenses. Health care costs have stabilized for next year. Significant savings were made in 2011,= by paying for $734,000 of expenses with the Development Impact Fund. In 2012, = the city will have $1,941,603 less than the 2011 final appropriations (9.7% reduction needed). The Auditor’s complete report is available online at = www.norwoodauditor.com

K) OTHER REQUESTS TO ADDRESS COUNCIL<= /o:p>

Za= ch Aliberti and Emily McLaughlin RE: Xavier University; Conflicts & Opportunities

The students addressed the student/community relationships with neighboring communities of Evanston, North Avondale, a= nd Norwood. Zac lives in North Avondale on Dana Avenue, and feels tension betw= een Norwood and XU. &#= 8220;Students haven’t been investing in student problems.” Relationships in the community hav= e not been built, which could reduce the number of conflicts. Zac is the chair of the committee on student affairs. He will do his best to promote opportunities to improve relationships and decrease the number of off-campus incidents, because students will make some investments in the community. Safety is a major concern of the students; more in Evanston than in Norwood. He has been regularly attendin= g North Avondale meetings.

Em= ily lives on Wayland Avenue in Norwood and is hoping to open dialogue between residents and students. She welcomed discussion from council members after the meeting, to get together and disc= uss possible collaboration opportunities to develop or strengthen relationships= .

A listing of upcoming events and student government members contact informati= on was provided. Mr. Moore said most resident contact with students, is the co= ming and going of the students when semesters end.

Mr. Sanker expressed appreciation for their attendance and said council has had discussions with different students and civic groups. Students such as Zac and Emily have a good dialogue amongst themselves= , but communication is lacking with the “trouble-makers”. How do you create student interest= in the neighborhood? Some students got along with resident/neighbors, but it changes with each new set of students. The newer set of students were not as communicative a= s the previous set of students. When the dialogue was there, residents knew who to call when parties were out of hand. Ms. Allan asked what events will be tak= ing place in Evanston. Zac said there is a Community Night, at 5:00 pm on February 13 in t= he Gallagher Student Center; this event is sponsored by the Center for Faith and Justice. International Coffee Hour is another event. Another unique approach is an “embrace = your neighbor;” it targets the student leaders of Xavier and discusses mat= ters with Evanston. Mr Moore reiterated that they (Zac & Emily)= are trying to show the advantages of having Xavier in the community. Zac agreed. Ms Allan suggested having something, simi= lar to composting classes, in the middle of Norwood, but sponsored by Xavier.

Te= rry Tranter addressed Council and acknowledged a plaque pertaining to the ̵= 7;37 Flood and Norwood providing water to Cincinnati. He was= the State Representative in the 70’s and 80’s, and represented Norwood. “Cannibalism” within the state of Ohio and moving businesses out of N= orwood doesn’t benefit the state.

L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

M) NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Allan announced that the Community Development meeting will be a standing meeting on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers.

N) COMMUNICATIONS

1.= Letter from Tyler Meyer, NCT = &nb= sp; RE: BOARD APPOINTMENT REQUEST

A) On a motion by Mr.Moore, seconded by Mr.Thornbury, it was moved to receive, file the lette= r

B) and appoint Donna Laake to the Norwood Community Television board. All present voting, <= /span>

C) “Yes”. =

E) 2. Letter from Service-Safety Director Joe Geers RE: Garbage Con= tract

On= a motion by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Moore, it was moved to receive and fi= le the letter and grant permission to advertise for bids for the collection of garbage in the City of Norwood= . All members present voting, “Yes”.

Mr Whittington asked when the contract expires: Mr Williams stated that there = was a 90 day extension. Ms. Allan asked if this is to get the best competitive price, or if there have been problems? Mr Williams stated that this is to g= et the best service and lowest price, and that they are doing a lot of research regarding this.

O) EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS

All members were present

P) ADJOURNMENT

On a motion = by Mr. Mumper, seconded by Mr. Thornbury it was moved to adjourn. All members pres= ent voting, “Yes”.

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______________________________ &= nbsp; ______________________________

Joseph S. Geers = &nb= sp; = Donna M. Laake

Clerk of Council = &nb= sp; = President of Council