Village officials present at the village council meeting on November 14, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins.
A public hearing was held for Ordinance 2018-36, an ordinance amending the zoning map of the Village of Garrettsville by changing an area of property from CBD to RC classification. This ordinance would amend the zoning map of the village by changing the classification of an area of property from Central Business District (CBD) to Residential Commericial (RC). The affected properties would be 10681, 10685, and 10689 Freedom Street (parcels 19-002-00-00-138-000 through 19-002-00-00-140-00 respectively). There were no comments from those in attendance, so the public hearing was closed within minutes.
Patrick then called the regular council meeting to order a little after 7:30 pm.
Council reviewed the minutes of the prior meeting. Stuck recommended a change to reflect that ordinance 2018-36 was tabled due to needing notices to be sent out. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously with the change in place.
While the village’s bills and wages were being reviewed, Knop asked Hardesty for clarification on what was allotted for paving. He also noticed that the village has been purchasing tires from a Flynn’s Tire, but billing was being remitted to Pennsylvania. It is worth noting that the village does most of its business in town, with tires for the work trucks being an exception. With his questions answered, Knop made a motion to pay bills which was seconded by Kaiser. The revenue and expenditures, and income tax reports were also reviewed. Knop will work with Wordell to graph out the revenue and expenditures to make it easier to read.
Officer Timothy Vecchio was sworn in by Garrettsville Mayor Rick Patrick at the November 14, 2018 Village Council meeting.
Ordinance 2018-36, mentioned above, was untabled and enacted by unanimous vote.
Ordinance 2018-46, a recommendation made by the Safety Committee, received its second reading at the meeting. This ordinance will amend the village’s traffic map by making High Street a one-way street from Main Street northeast towards Maple Avenue. The ordinance will receive a public hearing, and possible enactment, at the December 12 council meeting.
Ordinance 2018-48 also from the Village’s safety committee, received a second reading as well. This ordinance would amend the traffic map of the village by making the segment of Water Street from Main Street to Maple Avenue one-way to the southeast. Several residents and business owners questioned the reasoning behind changing traffic flow. Council was asked if a re-evaluation of the traffic flow on Center Street was conducted. Concerns were also expressed about visibility at the intersection of Maple and Center as the ordinance would be trading one blind intersection for another.
Another resident recommended changes or elimination of the first three parking spots in front of the Buckeye Block property, and the spots immediate in front of the doors to Cellar Door Coffee Co. Patrick shared that he has talked to Chief Christopher about the possibility of adding another traffic signal at the intersection of Main/Windham, Center, & Water.
Other ideas ranged from traffic islands to adding a three-way stop. Keith Whan shared that there had been talk of making the Water Street/Center Street intersection right-turn only. Whitney Podboy, owner of Cellar Door Coffee Co. indicated to council that they are happy to consider any changes with their parking that council thinks will help from their end. Council tabled the ordinance so they can discuss solutions with ODOT as Main Street is a State Route and falls under their jurisdiction.
Ordinance 2018-49 received a second reading. This ordinance would add section 1163.08 to the village codified ordinances. It would enable the village to adopt regulations regarding the parking and storage of recreational vehicles in the village (in all districts other than industrial). The ordinance was sent back to planning for further review and modification.
Ordinance 2018-52 was enacted. It accepts and approves, for recording purposes only, a re-plat of the “Fox Hollow” subdivision block F-R2 authorizing Patrick and Baldwin to sign plat for recording.
Ordinance 2018-53 was enacted. It accepts and approves, for recording purposes only, a re-plat of the “Fox Hollow” subdivision block C-R authorizing Patrick and Baldwin to sign plat for recording.
Ordinance 2018-54 accepting the replat and lot split of the real estate known as the municipal lot on Freedom Street was enacted. Its sister ordinance, 2018-55, which authorizes the sale of the .0496 acres of real property owned by the village pursuant to ORC 721.03 enacted. There will be a minimum bid of $2000, full details to be announced via required posting/advertising.
Ordinance 2018-56 which accepts and approves a replat of subdivision 13 of the plat of Garrettsville creating lots 13-R1 and 13-R2 was enacted. Dollar General is looking at building a retail space and parking lot on Lot 13-R1 at the intersection of Windham and Liberty Streets. Lot 13-R2 will not be developed at this time.
Round Table Discussion
Knop informed the rest of council that he has not heard from the company quoting the fire alarm systems for Village Hall, the Police Station, or the Village Garage. He will follow up with them before the December meeting.
Hardesty, shared that due to inclement weather the sidewalk project will be delayed until 2019.
Wordell, thanked Baldwin and Chambers for their help with Make A Difference Day. There were 6 people that volunteered to work on cleaning up the banks of Silver Creek. In all there were 4 big bags of garbage and tons of old wood cleaned up. Once the area was cleaned up, Iva Walker, John Crawford and the volunteers planted hundreds of flowers along shores. Wordell shared that the Cemetery Cleanup was postponed until spring. She also provided an update on the website project. Apparently the contractor has not begun work on the site map, despite it being sent over, because they were waiting on a logo instead of getting the framework and navigation in place.
Chambers mentioned that he had been approached by John Crawford during Make A Difference Day about the gazebo that is available from the defunct Euclid YMCA. He is willing to help retrieve it, and discussion of where it could go was had. At the moment it sounds like it may end up being located at the back of the Freedom Street Municipal Lot.
Patrick, reported that Chief Christopher is off of his probationary period. He also mentioned that council received information about the gas well that they will look at next month. Discussion of the Scotchman quote for LED lighting upgrades resulted in Knop requesting the price for retrofitting traffic fixtures vs. hanging the new LED traffic fixtures the Village received from ODOT.
Patrick thanked the Rotary, GHS Interact Club, and the other volunteers that helped with the boardwalk restoration and lighting project. The lights are now all in place and look great.
The Chamber of Commerce’s annual clock tower lighting and visit with Santa Claus is set for November 24th. Festivities start at 5:30pm and Santa will arrive in town at 6:00pm.
Kaiser shared that EMS District’s 2911 vehicle left for refurbishment and will be placed on a new chassis. A new chase vehicle, a 2019 F150 super crew cab, should arrive in about 4 weeks. Unit 2912 will head out for refurbishment when 2911 returns. These projects were funded in part by the EMS District’s replacement levy. Additionally $6,800 in grant money was used to purchase new heart monitors.
Patrick reported that a $2,600 grant was received from Nature Works. Patrick thanked Collins for his work on the grant. Collins shared that the GHS Interact Club students will be doing work in parks this spring. The grant money will go towards replacement of equipment in the Park Ave. playground.
Chief Tim Christopher mentioned two upcoming events organized by the Garrettsville Police Department. Fill-A-Cruiser is scheduled for December 8 from 9-2 at Save-A-Lot. Food donations will be accepted for the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard. Cash donations will also be accepted and will go to the Shop With A Cop program. Shop With A Cop is scheduled for December 15 and will be held at the Streetsboro Target this year. This program allows children to shop for holiday gifts with an officer.
The meeting was adjourned after round table.
