MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
6:15 P.M.
Present: Mayor Lee N. Fiedler, Council Members Floyd “Pete” Elliott, Edward C. Hedrick, Jr., and Terance J. Rephann.
Absent: Harold L. Hendershot, Jr.
Also Present: Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator; H. Jack Price, Jr., City Solicitor; Kevin Hagerich, Director of Public Works; John Chapman, Maintenance Manager; Brooke Cassell, Street Department Superintendent; Jeffrey Rhodes, Director of Administrative Services; William Herbaugh, Fire Chief; and Sharon S. Clark, City Clerk.
I. Public Meeting Agenda Review - Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator
Mr. Repp reviewed the public meeting agenda as follows:
Orders (Consent Agenda) - Four (4) items discussed as follows:
ITEM NO. 1 Authorizing the City Comptroller to make payment to Funk & Bolton, Attorneys-At-Law for services rendered as bond counsel for the Public Improvements Refunding Bond of 2005 - $15,000.00
ITEM NO. 2 Authorizing the Mayor to execute an Encroachment Agreement between the City of Cumberland and the State Highway Administration for encroachment in the public right-of-way of Parcel 7026, adjacent to Queen City Drive for constructing a foundation and overhead sign structure for I-68.
ITEM NO. 3 Authorizing the City Administrator to execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Carl Belt, Inc. for the Fort Hill Tank Replacement Project, City Project No. 3-04-W - $41,796.00
In discussion Mr. Repp referenced a memorandum sent to Council regarding additional paving on
ITEM NO. 4 Authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the City and Ronald Welsh for encroachment into the right of way of
II. Ordinance Review – Removal of Abandoned & Personal Property
A draft ordinance was included in packet for review as requested by Councilman Rephann. Mr. Repp reviewed the ordinance dealing with not only with the removal of personal property due to evictions but also when personal property in left in a public right-of-way. The ordinance addresses the disposal of the items as well as a charge for the cost involved in doing so.
Mr. Price explained that when a landlord removes personal property they have to put it in designated places, not on the sidewalks or right-of-ways. It must be placed out of the way on their property close to the residence. If not removed after notice, the City removes the property and sends a bill for the cost. Mr. Repp reviewed changes made to the first draft and the process for administering the ordinance.
Councilman Hedrick questioned the time frame of two business days allowed for removal of the property. There was discussion of the issue, the process, and the cost involved.
Mr. Price suggested advising the Landlord Association of the ordinance so they can make their landlords aware of the problem.
It was the consensus for Mr. Price to review draft in light of comments and put the ordinance into final form for presentation at the next meeting.
III. Bulk Item Pickup Program – Proposed Changes – Mr. Kevin Hagerich, Director of Public Works
Mr. Hagerich addressed the Council making a presentation reviewing the program since its inception May 2005. As a result of collected data concerning the program, he made recommendation for changes to the program as follows: change cut-off from 15th of month to 20th, change cancel date from 20th to 25th, increase administrative charges to help defer cost, inform citizens about the 2006 program. Changes, with reasoning, were presented with a recommended effective date of January 1, 2006. Mr. Hagerich also recommended continuing the program through the month of January rather than discontinuing it at the end of December for the winter months.
It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the adoption of the recommended changes. Mr. Repp said there would be an increase in advertising for marketing the program the first of January.
Snow Removal Plan – Ms. Brooke Cassell, Street Department Superintendent
Mr. Hagerich introduced Ms. Brooke Cassell to provide an update to Council concerning the snow removal plan. Ms. Cassell advised they are continuing to contract with a weather forecasting service to monitor the weather and explained their snow removal plan for the season. She also expressed they would continue to gather information throughout the year for continued updating of their plan.
Mr. Repp stated that he and the Police Chief have discusses for a number of years the need to identify emergency snow routes in the City so when an emergency snow plan is put into operation automobiles would be removed from streets in order to more efficiently remove the snow. He said they would be modifying the snow emergency plan after this winter, but prior to next winter, to include this in the plan identifying places where vehicles required to be moved can be taken during the removal of the snow. He also stated that the snow removal plan would be put on the City’s web page in order for citizens to know when their particular area is scheduled for removal.
IV.
Mr. Freno addressed the Council concerning repair work that had been done in front of his home several times in the past due to utility repairs and the current deterioration of that area. He presented pictures showing the deterioration of both the street and the curbing requesting the City to make the needed repairs. Mr. Freno brought to the Council’s attention that he has had the curbing replaced three times himself and was not going to replace it again. He also proposed the City implement a preventive maintenance program.
Mr. Repp advised Mr. Freno they would look at the area and get back with him.
V. Executive Session – Personnel
Mr. Repp requested an executive session to address personnel and real estate issues. Councilman Elliott made a motion to go into executive session. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hedrick and unanimously carried.
VI. Adjournment:
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon S. Clark
City Clerk