TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

The regular meeting of the Bowling Green City Council, held in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, Bowling Green, Ohio was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Council President Newlove.  The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

On roll call, Council Members Dunn, Frost, Heminger, Newlove, Sorrells, and Zanfardino responded.  Council Member McOmber was not present.   Also present were Mayor John Quinn, Municipal Administrator John Fawcett, City Attorney Michael Marsh, Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, Public Works Director Brian Craft, Utilities Director Kevin Maynard, and Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger.

Council President Newlove declared the minutes of the meeting held August 20, 2007 approved as distributed.

CORRESPONDENCE

            There was no correspondence.

OFFICIAL REPORTS

            Mayor John Quinn requested confirmation of the appointment of Anthony Boehmer to the Traffic Commission.  Council Member Sorrells moved, Frost seconded, to approve the appointment as presented by the Mayor.  On unanimous voice vote, Council President Newlove declared motion carried.

            Mayor Quinn thanked Marianne Gibson for her efforts in conducting a donation drive for the flood victims in Findlay and Ottawa, Ohio.  Mayor Quinn indicated that approximately $1600 plus a truck load of supplies was collected during the drive.

            Municipal Administrator John Fawcett reviewed parking lot and street closures for the upcoming Black Swamp Art Festival that will be held this weekend in the downtown area.  Fawcett also noted that a seminar sponsored by the Tree Commission will be held this Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at the Simpson Building regarding “How to Maintain Healthy Trees and Shrubs after Drought”. 

            Planning Director Rick Ketzenbarger had no report.

            Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore reported the work at the Simpson Garden Park is coming along well, but the “sneak peak” has been pushed back until the end of October.

            City Attorney Michael Marsh had no report.

            Utilities Director Kevin Maynard reported that the solar-powered crosswalk signal located on Mercer Road is being moved to the Poe Road/Mercer Road intersection and that new crosswalk signals are being installed at the Mercer Road location.  The work should be completed in the next few days.

            In response to a question from Council Member Dunn regarding the proposed wind turbine project in the township, Mayor Quinn and Maynard indicated that public meetings are scheduled for September 15 and 19 to discuss the possible project and address concerns of citizens.  Further details regarding the meetings will be forthcoming.

            Public Works Director Brian Craft updated Council on recent bid openings and projects and Public Works role in setting up for the Black Swamp Arts Festival.

NEW LEGISLATION

            The following new legislation was recommended by the Administration and presented to Council for introduction:

            Council Member Newlove, for the Public Utilities Committee, introduced an ordinance authorizing the Utilities Director to execute a power sales contract with American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., for 21 megawatts of base load capacity from the American Municipal Power Generation Station project.

            Council Member Newlove, for the Public Utilities Committee, introduced an ordinance authorizing the Utilities Director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract or contracts for the supplying of annual inventory requirements, petroleum products, and sale of scrap materials during the calendar year 2008 for the Municipal Utilities Department.

            Council Member Frost, for the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, introduced an ordinance accepting a deed for Fourth Street right-of-way from the Bowling Green Senior Community, LLC.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

            There were no Council committee reports.

LOBBY VISITATIONS

            Paul and Luanne Collings, 1128 Teal Trail, addressed Council regarding the flooding of their basement due to the tremendous amount of rain received in Bowling Green recently.  The Collings indicated that they were not the only ones and asked the City for help for both residents of Quail Hollow and Pheasant Farms.  They indicated that the capacity of the retention ponds is not adequate.  Council Member Sorrells responded that the retention ponds are privately owned by the developer and not directly under the City’s control, but asked the administration to look into the issue and see what solutions might be available.  Public Works Director Brian Craft suggested that the homeowners could add a layer of clay or bentonite around their storm pipes to serve as a barrier for to prevent the water from coming back into the house when an overflow situation occurs.

READING OF LEGISLATION

            Clerk read Ordinance #7704 authorizing the Utilities Director to execute a power sales contract with American Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc., for 21 megawatts of base load capacity from the American Municipal Power Generation Station project, for first reading.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7705 authorizing the Utilities Director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract or contracts for the supplying of annual inventory requirements, petroleum products, and sale of scrap materials during the calendar year 2008 for the Municipal Utilities Department, for first reading.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7706 accepting a deed for Fourth Street right-of-way from the Bowling Green Senior Community, LLC, for first reading.

            Clerk read Resolution #3346 adopting the City of Bowling Green Financial and Debt Policy, for second reading.

            Clerk read Resolution #3344 authorizing the Mayor of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, to file an application(s) with the Ohio Department of Transportation for grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as authorized under Federal Transit Laws, as Codified, 49 USC, Section 5311, Financial Assistance for Other Than Urbanized Areas and Funds Available From the Ohio Public Transportation Grant Program and executing a contract for the FY 2008 Ohio Elderly and Disabled Transit Fare Assistance Program and executing a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation upon grant application approval, for third reading.

            Council Member Zanfardino moved, Dunn seconded, to adopt Resolution #3344.  On roll call vote, Council Members Frost, Heminger, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, and Dunn voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Resolution #3344 adopted.

            Clerk read Resolution #3345 authorizing the Municipal Administrator and the Utilities Director to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation Cooperative Purchasing Program for the purpose of purchasing machinery, materials, supplies, or other articles, for third reading.

            Council Member Newlove moved, Frost seconded, to adopt Resolution #3345.  On roll call vote, Council Members Heminger, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, and Frost voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Resolution #3345 adopted.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7701 authorizing the Utilities Director to execute an agreement with Nelson Tree Service, Inc., for line clearance, tree pruning and removal services, for third reading.

            Council Member Frost moved, Zanfardino seconded, to adopt Ordinance #7701.  On roll call vote, Council Members Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, and Heminger voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7701 adopted.

            Clerk read Ordinance #7702 amending and adopting Sections 150.03 and 150.30.1 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, concerning B-4 Office District zoning, for third reading.

            Council Member Frost moved, Heminger, McOmber, Newlove, Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, and Frost seconded, to table Ordinance #7702 until September 17, 2007.  On roll call vote, Council Members Sorrells, Zanfardino, Dunn, Frost, McOmber, and Newlove voted yes.  Council President Newlove declared motion carried, and Ordinance #7702 tabled until September 17, 2007.

            Council Member Frost moved, Sorrells seconded, to excuse Council Member McOmber from this evening’s meeting.  On unanimous voice vote, Council President Newlove declared motion carried.