MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MIAMISBURG CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBER, MIAMISBURG CIVIC CENTER
February 16, 2010
Pastor Larry Kositsin, Seventh Day Adventist Church, gave the invocation, after which everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council met in Regular Session with the following members present: Mayor Church, Councilmembers Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas, Preston and Stalder.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Stalder to accept the minutes of the Regular Session on February 2, 2010 and the Special Session on February 9, 2010, as distributed. Motion carried.
Mayor Church opened the Citizen Forum and asked anyone present who wished to discuss an item not appearing on the agenda to come forward. There was no response and the Forum was closed.
Ordinance No. 6173
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF MIAMISBURG TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MIAMI VALLEY REGIONAL CRIME LABORATORY FOR 2010 SERVICES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion was made by Nicholas, seconded by Colvin to dispense with the requirement that Ordinance No. 6173 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Ordinance was read by title only. Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Stalder to pass Ordinance No. 6173, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas, Preston and Stalder.
Ordinance No. 6174
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MIAMI TOWNSHIP FOR THE SALE OF SALT BRINE SOLUTION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Nicholas to dispense with the requirement that Ordinance No. 6174 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Ordinance was read by title only. Motion was made by Stalder, seconded by McCabe to pass Ordinance No. 6174, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas, Preston and Stalder.
Ordinance No. 6175
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2010 BUDGET AND ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion was made by Nicholas, seconded by Colvin to dispense with the requirement that Ordinance No. 6175 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Ordinance was read by title only. Motion was made by Case, seconded by Stalder to pass Ordinance No. 6175, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas, Preston and Stalder.
Resolution No. 2750
A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX IN EXCESS OF THE TEN MILL LIMITATION FOR PROVIDING FOR CEMETERY SERVICES.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Nicholas to dispense with the requirement that Resolution No. 2750 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Resolution was read by title only. Motion was made by Case, seconded by Colvin to pass Resolution No. 2750, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas, Preston and Stalder.
Ordinance No. 6176
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY INCOME TAX ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE INCOME TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR POLICE, FIRE AND OTHER OPERATING AND CAPITAL EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF MIAMISBURG, OHIO BY AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 5744 REPEALING ANY ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Nicholas to dispense with the requirement that Ordinance No. 6176 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Ordinance was read by title only. Motion was made by Case, seconded by Stalder to pass Ordinance No. 6176, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas and Stalder. Councilmember Preston voted Nay.
Resolution No. 2751
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NECESSITY FOR SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF MIAMISBURG AT THE ELECTION TO BE HELD MAY 4, 2010, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2744 TO INCREASE THE CITY INCOME TAX RATE FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF ONE AND THREE-QUARTERS (1.75) PERCENT TO A RATE OF TWO AND ONE-QUARTER (2.25) PERCENT TO BECOME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011 FOR A CONTINUING PERIOD OF TIME FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR POLICE, FIRE AND OTHER OPERATING AND CAPITAL EXPENSES AND TO DIRECT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO CONDUCT SUCH ELECTION.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Nicholas to dispense with the requirement that Resolution No. 2751 be read on two separate days, authorize its adoption on the first reading and have it read by title only. Motion carried. The Resolution was read by title only. Motion was made by Nicholas, seconded by Case to pass Resolution No. 2751, carried by Yea Votes of Case, Clark, Colvin, McCabe, Nicholas and Stalder. Councilmember Preston voted Nay.
Mayor Church made the following remarks:
Council took significant action here tonight…and I want to make sure to acknowledge that. I’ve been involved in local government here in Miamisburg on some level nearly all my adult life. I’m passionate about this community…and I’m passionate about the way local government can positively impact the lives of people. It isn’t easy in this business…but it is worthwhile.
We have seen…what I consider to be…an incredible change for the better in Miamisburg during my life. There have been many factors and many people who contributed to that…and without question local government has played a major role in helping to improve the quality of life for residents. Unfortunately…many of our programs…services…facilities…and improvement projects are now threatened by economic pressures.
Our current and former Council members and administrators have done an outstanding job in keeping the cost of local government in Miamisburg low within this region. And data indicates that’s still the case today. Whether it’s tax rates…or fees for service…the costs for our residents ranks among the lowest in the area. And our expenses are being controlled; there is no extravagance in our City operation. But…we’ve reached a critical stage.
With tonight’s vote to put an income tax increase on the May ballot…Council is asking residents “What kind of local government do you want?” Council had several options to set a stable economic course for the City. They could have unilaterally enacted a property tax increase…which it has the authority to do. They could have simply enacted massive cuts or elimination of services. But they didn’t. They put it in the hands of voters. “What kind of local government do you want?” I think that’s a very responsible act…and I want to applaud that decision.
All of us sitting around this table realize these are hard economic times for many people. But this proposed income tax rate change…which is our most important revenue source…will not mean increased taxes for most of our citizens…including our seniors. We’ll be working to inform and educate our voters in the weeks ahead about the critical nature of this issue…and how it will affect the future of our community.
Due to the economy’s impact on our budget, we will no longer be able to function as a full service local government without more revenue. Some facilities and services will be gone. We need to find out from our citizens if that’s an acceptable path.
Council recessed to a Study Session for discussion of the following:
Norfolk Southern Railroad Update
SF 725 Speed Study Update
Annual Financial Report
There being no further business, motion was made to adjourn, carried.
Richard C. Church, Jr. Judith E. Barney
Mayor Clerk of Council