REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting of January 19, 2010 be approved. Voice vote, Aye: Wilson, Fess, Terry, Martin, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

ORD. 2-10 (1st Reading)

An Ordinance amending Sections 154.005 and 154.129 of the City of Piqua Code of Ordinances to establish definitions and standards applicable to swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.

City Planner Chris Schmiesing gave a brief background on the various changes that are to be implemented in Code Sections 154.005 and 154.129. The recommended amendments stem in part from a permit application submitted last year to place a 24-foot above ground swimming pool on a vacant lot located adjacent to and across the alley from the applicant's residence. Current code provisions made it necessary for the pool to be accessory and incidental to a principal structure, and require that the accessory structure be located on the same lot as the principal structure to which it is accessory. The current code sections applicable at the time of installation currently provide no guidance concerning location, setback, safety enclosure, or screening measures appropriate to this type of use. The Planning Commission has approved these recommendations to the code sections as submitted and asked they be forwarded to the City Commission for approval.

There was discussion on the various changes to the code, how they would affect future locations and placements of pools, spas & hot tubs in neighborhoods, and if there were any problems waiting to get feedback on the ordinance before making a decision. Mr. Schmiesing stated yes, it would be ok to wait to receive feedback and give Ordinance 2-10 a first reading at this time.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Ordinance No. 2-10 at this time.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to give Ordinance No. 2-10 a first reading. Voice vote, Aye: Wilson, Vogt, Martin, Terry, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

RES. NO. R-18-10

A Resolution of appreciation for the public service of Richard K. Cron as a City Employee.

Mayor Fess read the Resolution of Appreciation.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-18-10.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to adopt Resolution No. R-18-10. Voice vote, Aye: Martin, Vogt, Terry, Wilson, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess then declared Resolution No. R-18-10 adopted.

RES. No. R-19-10

A Resolution of Appreciation for the public service of David J. Larger as a City Employee

Mayor Fess read the Resolution of Appreciation.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-19-10.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that Resolution No. R-19-10 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Terry, Wilson, Vogt, and Martin, Nay. None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess declared Resolution No. R-19-10 adopted.

RES. NO. R-20-10

A Resolution to accept the Miami County Debris Management Plan for the City of Piqua

City Manager Enderle explained that the City of Piqua is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have a Debris Management Plan in place to be able to qualify for FEMA funding assistance in case of a disaster.

Health and Sanitation Director Amy Welker explained these are standard procedures that are followed everyday. The Miami County Debris Management Plan has been reviewed by staff and is sufficient to meet our needs, thus the reason for adopting the plan at this time. The Debris Management Plan would become a companion document to the City Emergency Operation Plan. There is no impact to adopting a debris management plan, however, the financial impact of not adopting a plan could be significant in the event of a disaster due to the lack of eligibility for federal reimbursement, said Ms. Welker.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-20-10 at this time.

Moved by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that Resolution No. R-20-10 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Terry, Wilson, Martin, Vogt, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess then declared Resolution No. R-20-10 adopted.

RES. No. R-21-10

A Resolution awarding contracts for the purchase of transformers for the Power System

Power Systems Director Ed Krieger stated this purchase would allow us to replenish our inventory supply for the needed transformers, and allow us to maintain a minimum amount of transformers for potential new customers and emergency situations.

There was discussion on the cost of the transformers being significantly lower this year, and how the operating costs were determined with Mr. Krieger explaining.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-21-10.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Terry, that Resolution No. R-21-10 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Wilson, Fess, Vogt, Martin, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess then declared Resolution No. R-21-10 adopted.

RES. NO. R-22-10

A Resolution approving the purchase of a 1.24 acre tract of Parcel No. M40-400108

City Manager Enderle gave a brief explanation for the purchase of the property located of Hemm Avenue along the abandoned railway. The next Resolution No. R-22-10 is a companion to this resolution and would like to see it passed tonight also. These properties are to be utilized for the site of a future consolidates Power System Service Center. Placing a consolidated service center near key Power System assets along a major thoroughfare ultimately directed us to the locations, said City Manager Enderle.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to amend Resolution No. R-22-10 in the first line of the Resolution to change the name of Hemm Road to Hemm Avenue, and to note for the record the date on page 2 of the Staff Report as it should read 12-16-09 instead of 12-16-10. Voice vote, Aye: Martin. Vogt, Wilson, Fess, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-22-10.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to adopt amended Resolution No. R-22-10. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Terry, Vogt, Martin, and Wilson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess then declared Resolution No. R-22-10 adopted, as amended.

RES. NO. R-23-10

A Resolution approving the purchase of Parcel No. N44-069800

Power System Director gave a brief explanation for the reason for the purchase of this particular parcel of land at this time.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to amend Resolution No. R-23-10 in the first line of the Resolution to change the name of Hemm Road to Hemm Avenue, and to note for the record the date on page 2 of the Staff Report as it should read 12-16-09 instead of 12-16-10. Voice vote, Aye: Martin. Vogt, Wilson, Fess, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-23-10.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, that Resolution No. R-23-10 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Vogt, Martin, Terry and Wilson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Fess then declared Resolution No. R-23-10 adopted, as amended.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Commissioner Wilson stated he wanted to congratulate a former city employee Rich Donnelly for his generous donation to the Rehabilitation Center this past week.

Mayor Fess also stated Mr. Donnelly has helped many charitable organizations

Commissioner Terry stated the North Parks Neighborhood Association will hold their next meeting on February 11, at 7:00 P.M. at Wilder School on Nicklin Avenue.

Commissioner Terry wished Mr. Cron and Mr. Larger the best in their retirements.

Commissioner Vogt congratulated Mr. Cron and Mr. Larger on their retirement, adding both men have served over thirty years of service each in the Piqua Police Department. They are both very good men, said Commissioner Vogt.

Commissioner Martin also congratulated Mr. Cron and Mr. Larger and thanked them for their service to the Citizens of Piqua. It will be hard to replace them, said Commissioner Martin.

It was stated the Redevelopment Plan - Redo Plan Community Workshop will be held on February 11, at 6:00 P.M. in the Municipal Government Complex. Citizens may contact Chris Schmiesing if they have any questions.

City Manager Enderle stated the City of Piqua will be partnering with the Ohio Attorney General Office hosting an Open Records Meeting on Wednesday, March 24 at 1:00 in the Ft. Piqua Plaza. Citizens can contact the City Managers Office at 837-778-2051 for more information.

Mayor Fess stated the City Parks Department is holding a Father-Daughter Dance on February 19, from 6:30-8:30 P.M. This is a dinner/dance being held at the Ft. Piqua Plaza, for reservations citizens may contact 937-778-2085, and the deadline for registering is February 12, said Mayor Fess.

Mayor Fess stated the City is working hard on the Storm Water issue, but the required mandates and changes have come from the EPA, and the city must conform to the mandates or be fined a considerable amount for each day we are not in compliance. Law Director Wall was working in Cincinnati when they did not conform to the EPA regulations and were taken to court, said Mayor Fess.

Law Director Wall gave a brief overview of the process the City of Cincinnati went through and why they were taken to court and forced to comply with the EPA requirements.

Several of the City leaders met with a representative (Frank DeBrosse) from John Boehner's Office recently, and he stated Mr. Boehner would like to help the City of Piqua. The City Government is trying to do something but can't do it alone, we need to get the State on board with us on this issue, said Mayor Fess. We need to write letters to our Representatives and Congressmen to ask for their help in this matter, citizens can also support this by writing letters to voice their concerns about the mandates.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to adjourn from the Piqua City Commission Meeting at 8:15 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Vogt, Martin, Terry, Wilson, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________
LUCINDA L. FESS, MAYOR
PASSED: _______________________

ATTEST: _______________________
REBECCA J. COOL
CLERK OF COMMISSION