Invocation was given by Rev. Ron Heasley, Pastor followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes - January 22, 2007
James moved to approve, upon roll call; Steve-Yes, Copley-Yes, Russell-Yes, James-Yes, Lapehn-Yes, Telford-Abstain and motion carried.

Workshop
Discussion of City Employee Staffing
Interim City Manager Larry Boggs advised Council was provided with some spreadsheets on the current staffing as requested and a breakdown of the cost analysis between full and part time employees in the Police Department as well as a detailed explanation of what the Police Department situation was currently.
Council Member Copley inquired how an officer moves from step to step.
Boggs advised it was spelled out in the OPBA contract, but he believed the first three or four steps were every six months and then every year and were at the top pay in approximately two and a half years.
Council Member Steve Johnson advised he felt the analysis was good and agreed with Boggs’ conclusion to hire a full time officer from the information provided.
Boggs advised he would like to do a Civil Service Test although they could according to ordinance appoint someone on an emergency basis, but he felt there were several part-time officers on the department who would be interested in the job and to be fair, he would like to do the Civil Service Test.
James advised he would like a full-time officer added to the department and suggested they get the Civil Service Test underway to be able to get an officer hired as soon as possible.
Copley inquired if they proceed with hiring a full-time officer, would there be any part-time positions eliminated.
Boggs advised some hours would be eliminated, but not the position as currently the part-time officers were overloaded. Boggs advised actually he felt they needed to add another part-time officer to avoid this situation in the future.
Lapehn advised there was no reason to have a Civil Service Exam if they were not all of one mind to hire a full-time officer and he agreed it was a good idea to do so. Lapehn advised he appreciated all the time Cindy Mann put into compiling the information provided. He advised the anticipated revenues were estimated at 2.678 million dollars and inquired if this was a conservative estimate.
Mann advised she would say they were fairly conservative. She advised when they were figuring revenues, they were trying to figure just how much of a loss they would have from losing Caraustar. Mann advised they could tell better from income taxes than from property taxes although they would still be receiving property tax monies from Caraustar. Mann advised the tangible property tax on goods was being changed or eliminated and they would not be receiving the same amount as previously.
Lapehn advised considering the estimated revenues were a conservative number as well as the carryover balance from last year, he would agree they should move forward and hire another full-time officer.
Boggs advised the test can arrive in a week and they usually advertise for three weeks. He advised the Civil Service Commission hasn’t met as yet, although he has been in contact with the Chairman about setting a meeting and the Chairman’s membership has been renewed with the testing company. Boggs advised realistically they were looking at 35 days.
Lapehn inquired if the goal was to hire from within.
Boggs advised technically it was wide open as the Civil Service Commission provides the police department with the top ten names of those tested. Boggs advised it has always been the departments goal, if one of our part-time officers make the top ten, we choose one of them because we feel they earned that right and they have already passed the background check and can begin right away.

Discussion of Wayne Economic Development Council 2007 Investment

Interim City Manager Boggs advised the city received a bill for this year of $6,700. which was up a couple thousand dollars. Boggs advised he knew there was some concern with some on Council and some in the community asking if they (the city) were getting our money’s worth. Boggs advised it was a hard question to answer right now as he has been interim for approximately 5 ½ months, but he has used the WEDC frequently. Boggs advised they have been a great aid to him as far as learning some of the ins and outs of what to say to prospective businessman who might be looking at our city and they (WEDC) have helped him out immensely in this process. Boggs advised currently there were two small businesses with application requests to the county for low interest business loans. Boggs advised he felt he would be at a loss without their (WEDC) help as he was in the learning process. He advised the new Chamber Director, Kim Field and himself recently attended a meeting in Orrville and they both learned a lot. Boggs advised Orrville has a strategic plan in place and have accomplished a lot over the last few years. Boggs advised he felt Rod Crider (of WEDC) was trying to move Rittman in that same direction and hopefully they would know exactly what (Rittman) can and can’t do. Boggs advised Orrville has a full time economic development person on staff and still utilizes the WEDC and still feels their membership was valuable. Boggs advised without more experience, it would be hard to say they weren’t getting their money’s worth and he felt it would be a mistake at this time to not renew their membership.
Mayor William Robertson advised the work on the strategic planning probably saved the city $20,000. with Rod Crider’s help versus hiring a consultant to come in and lead the process.
Lapehn inquired as to where the private sector monies come from for support of the Wayne Economic Development Council.
Discussion included private sector support and whether these companies then get a private consulting type of arrangement. It was noted, they do not and their incentive was that growth for the county was good for their business. It was also noted, that one of their goals was to create jobs above the average in the area and they have been very successful at doing such.
Steve advised to hire a consultant such as Rod Crider to come do a strategic plan, they would spend $10,000. in two weeks on such a person. Steve advised Crider has been to Atlanta for Rittman and has been involved with the Caraustar property. Steve advised if Rittman had an industrial park with land, it would be a lot more helpful and Mr. Crider was trying to point us in the right direction. Steve advised the WEDC provides a very good website and was very much a face on Wayne County.
Lapehn referenced them as a countywide Chamber of Commerce although it should be noted, they do more than a chamber. It was noted, they were similar to a chamber in that they were not specific to one business but specific to the entire climate of the county.
Mayor Robertson advised the WEDC does a real good job with finding good paying jobs and clean industry without disrupting the rural nature of the county. Robertson advised the commissioners probably make the biggest contribution.
Copley advised looking through the information provided, they (WEDC) created or retained 1,000 plus jobs and yet he failed to see any that were in Rittman. Copley advised if he were sitting on Orrville or Wooster Council he would feel they (WEDC) deserved more money, however as a City of Rittman Council Member, in his mind they have not done a lot for Rittman. Copley advised Crider has attended many of the strategic planning meetings, but over the last year he believed there hasn’t been a lot of moving forward in that area. Copley advised he failed to see the return on our investment as we have been paying for many years now.
Boggs advised he asked Rod Crider that very question and he remembers a similar discussion from a previous Council meeting. Boggs advised when he asked Crider what he was doing for Rittman, Crider countered with what land did we have available. Boggs advised land was key and he has identified some of the land and he didn’t feel this Council could move forward until they help themselves. Boggs advised they had to try to acquire land in some way through private investors or land owners willing to work with us and apply for grants to develop. Boggs advised Orrville was recently awarded a $660,000. grant to install infrastructure and Orrville had the land available first. Boggs advised WEDC can help us with vacant buildings, but they couldn’t make land available. Boggs advised they had to do something for themselves to improve with or without the WEDC and he felt they would be putting Rittman behind even further if we don’t continue with their support until we are on our feet.
Copley advised it was a good point that we don’t have the land to market and it was partially the city’s responsibility because we haven’t gotten jobs in Rittman. Copley advised at the same time why were they hiring someone to find companies, if they don’t have the land to offer. Copley advised he felt it was out of place to spend good money after bad.
Robertson advised they (WEDC) did send a business to look as there was property for sale in Rittman although high priced. He advised this business would really liked to have located in Rittman as they were a complimentary business to Unilock. The Mayor advised he felt that Rittman was on the bubble with some of these issues as there were opportunities coming.
Copley advised Orrville, Wooster and Rittman were the only ones providing funding and yet weren’t the only cities receiving benefits as the whole county was considered and if a company fits, they would not push them to Orrville or Wooster just because they were paying (a fee to WEDC).

Steve advised the companies contact the council (WEDC) and typically ask what land was available. Steve advised Rittman does have some empty buildings the WEDC was telling people about as well as the Caraustar property. Steve advised economic development was a very slow thing and sometimes you invest years and years of work into it before you see a payoff. Steve advised Orrville has been working on their problems for probably more than 20 years and we were just now seeing some of those results. Steve advised even though we don’t have tangibles right now, the exposure was still something we need. Steve advised if we disappear it wasn’t going to help us and $6,700. in the scheme of development was that much money.
Copley advised they would still have to represent us in the county.
Robertson advised we wouldn’t have an active roll on the council, we wouldn’t be represented on the website and Larry wouldn’t have the availability of calling and he felt it would be a major hurt.
It was noted, the county commissioners represent the towns who do not pay into the WEDC membership and do not have a representative on the board. It was also noted, the return of investments report for companies listed were large companies who have invested in the WEDC on their own.
Lapehn advised every company has to spend some money on research & development and you never know what the return will be and it (the $6,700. asked of Rittman to contribute) was about 1/10th of 1% of the city’s budget. He advised to be able to have to ability to be a “squeaky wheel” and try to get some of that “oil” headed our way, to have the ear of Rod Crider and to have someone help with what we were going to do with the Caraustar building. Lapehn advised you never know what could happen in the future, but he felt you have to spend the money in order to continue to be viable and hope for a return on your investment. He advised he would see it as reasonable cost to continue to be a part of the business community and the county.
James advised he would agree with companies doing research & development and that you have to spend money to make money, but even big name companies will stop investing in a product that doesn’t work after a few years. He advised he didn’t feel they should keep investing into something which has not over the past five years done anything for this city.
Lapehn advised he would challenge that statement as he didn’t believe they could say it hasn’t done anything as he thinks of Bauman Orchard. He advised Bauman Orchard mails a flyer to people who sign up for their mailing list and most of the names were from outside Rittman such as Wooster and Orrville who continue to come to Bauman Orchard to spend their money. Lapehn advised he believed some of the money produced from the return on investment has actually made its way to Rittman, Ohio. Lapehn advised how many people from Rittman work other places in the county such as Luk, Smucker, Smith Dairy, Tri-Cor, etc. and if these companies were doing well, then Rittman was benefitting from property taxes received and in his opinion Rittman was benefitting from the return on investment.
James advised he meant jobs being brought into Rittman.
Mayor Robertson advised they have been actively involved in the WEDC for a year and prior to that, they hadn’t provided much to them.
Steve advised they don’t have anyone else in the city besides Larry and he often times was too busy and Rod Crider was a valuable resource. Steve advised Crider was an economic person we could call at any time. He advised economic development in the county was not just what have you done here or here, but as the economic area of the whole county prospers and that was bound to spill over. He advised it may not be a direct job created here, but it may be on the periphery. Steve advised economic development was a regional thing. Steve advised if your neighbor fixes his house, it helps your property value and you didn’t spend any money.
Copley advised he felt they were spending money to fix their neighbors house. He advised they were paying in and in his mind not reaping any benefits.
James advised jobs created in Wooster, Orrville and other cities was income tax lost by Rittman. James advised he works in Rittman and pays Orrville city tax and the difference to Rittman, but if Orrville were to raise their income tax he would pay nothing to Rittman. James advised he didn’t see how overall that would help the City of Rittman by the WEDC board giving jobs to Wooster and Orrville as they need jobs here in Rittman. James advised when he ran (for Council) he pointed out we need (businesses/jobs) in Rittman and he felt he was still waiting for WEDC to do something and they haven’t. James advised he was against paying $6,700. to give Wooster a new business.
Russell advised they all agreed that we need economic development and we need jobs here in Rittman, but if the county commissioners would have to represent Rittman if we don’t pay into it (each year).
Mayor Robertson advised they would give up their participation. He advised the WEDC would not be as actively involved with Rittman.
Russell advised we need to get things in line for ourselves first and then pay this money to the council (WEDC) and then say we have something to offer.
Robertson advised we were using their help to produce this information.
James advised Doylestown had the same problem and WEDC wasn’t doing anything for them and they were paying into it, but stopped for that reason. He advised Doylestown has improved their downtown on their own.
Robertson advised we could improve our downtown on our own, but we wouldn’t be bringing businesses in on our own.
James disagreed.

Citizens Forum
Glenn Waggy of Rawiga Road advised he wished to speak regarding Resolution No. 7432 which establishes the wording for the ballot for the referendum which considers whether or not to approve the decision to annex 15 acres of Guilford Township into the City of Rittman. Waggy expressed his appreciation to Law Director Bower for the wording presented at the last meeting. He advised he was pleased to see it was simply stated, not full of a lot of legal jargon, easy to understand and concise. Waggy advised he would however, like to make a slight alteration to the ballot wording and suggested they simply state approximately 15 acres and not add .5631. Waggy also suggested they insert the language (after the word acres) located at 10172 Rawiga Rd. (Guilford Township)... Waggy advised he felt this would eliminate any question of where in Guilford Township, Medina County this property was located for the voters. Waggy requested Council make a motion amending said language in section one paragraph two of Res. No. 7432.
Council discussed his suggestions. The general consensus was to leave the language as it was presented in the circulated referendum, which would be consistent for voters as well as those who signed the petition.
Mayor Robertson advised it would be up to good voter education.
Craig Horbus, attorney on behalf of C&C Excavating and the Oak Hill Group advised he was present regarding the dedication of Oak Hill Estates (Ord. No.7434). Horbus advised based upon the requirements under the Ohio Revised Code, Title 7 Chapter 711 and a case upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court, they were requesting that the plat, originally approved by the Planning Commission and City Council, with the appropriate dedication language on it, should now be accepted by this city as a dedicated subdivision for public use. Horbus advised they were asking for support of this issue (Ord. No. 7434) by a vote for the acceptance of that dedication as required under the statutes and the Supreme Court decision.
Council Member Telford advised it was her understanding when that (Oak Hill Estates) was built, it would be a private development and the developer pays for the street lighting etc. Telford advised she also understood there would be an association (for maintenance such as snow removal, etc.).
James inquired if this meant the street(s) would now be public (maintained by the city).
Horbus advised absolutely as the plat was originally approved in 2004. He advised the appropriate dedication language was on the plat approved by this Council as well as City Planning. Horbus advised pursuant to Ohio Revised Code, that now puts the responsibility on the City to accept that public development as the developers have spent the extra time, money in creating that development to meet city specifications and codes for that specific purpose to be a public development. Horbus advised it appears there was a miss communication at the time this was first being discussed by Planning Commission of a private association vs. a private development as they were two different things. Horbus advised a private association controls the common areas within that development however, publicly dedicated for street purposes and other purposes. He advised the water/sewer lines were already dedicated for public use and this would simply be an extension of that to include the easements and the roads, curbs etc. for public use by the City of Rittman. Horbus advised this was not a true cluster home/condominium development as they were actually separate lots within the allotment. Horbus advised each separate homeowner does own an individual lot and the association takes care of such things as lawn maintenance as well as common area maintenance.
Russell advised he remembers the developer wanting a private street and something like a gated community. Russell advised it was also his understanding snow removal on streets and sidewalks as well as lawn maintenance was included in the price of their homes.
Attorney Horbus advised the plat that was approved, was approved up to city code as a publicly dedicated development.
Russell advised he witnessed water damage to the homes on Sterling Avenue after a storm coming down from Metzger Avenue as a result of this development. Russell advised they needed to do something better than (the catch basin currently installed) as the water was going to overflow right over the top.
Horbus advised the developers have attempted to make some improvements to that area as they have poured a concrete runoff area as well as install a catch basin.
Russell advised it was not catching that water, there was too much water coming down off that street. He advised they needed to do something to stop it or put some kind of culvert or something in down below.
Horbus advised part of that water is definitely coming from a pipe that is currently owned by the City of Rittman that runs into the same catch basin and part of that same problem. Horbis advised with the current level of improvements it is doing some good in that area and maybe more could be done in the future.
Russell inquired what they have done to (alleviate the problem) at the end of the street where the street was cut and water overflows into the Sterling Avenue homes. Russell advised he went down there when the city had that large flood and it was pathetic. He advised it was nice to have development, but at the same time he didn’t want to see someone else’s property destroyed.

Tom Csapo, developer and one of the owners of C&C Excavating advised the water issues being dealt with here were present before the development was put in. He advised the city had a pipe coming off Metzger that was open and came down through the ravine. He advised the water from the development doesn’t go through there (the pipe). He advised all the water from the development comes out down below where the concrete channel is located. Csapo advised it was handling the same amount of water it always has handled and was all going to the same place. Csapo advised the detention basin holds the water and lets it out slowly and the storm a couple of years ago was a 100 year flood. Csapo advised it was all approved by the city and to city code.
Discussion continued regarding the lay of the land and the flow of water.
Steve advised he would like to see the minutes from the Planning Commission at that time. He advised he thought the issue at the time was the grade on the street was too steep and this was why it was not going to be a dedicated street because they couldn’t meet city code with grade.
Csapo advised Rittman code was 10% and the street was now 10%, which was all confirmed by Dave Simpson at the last Planning Commission Meeting.
Horbus advised they already got approval from City Planning Commission that it was built to city specifications. He advised they were just as this Council to approve that dedication as required under the code.
James agreed there was a water problem in the surrounding area from where this development was built. He inquired if there was anyway for them (the developers) to address this issue and make it where the water could be handled more efficiently.
Csapo advised Metzger Avenue could be rerouted as Metzger Avenue was the problem. He advised all the water coming down from Metzger Avenue was being taken on by that ravine. He advised the water from the homes is still the same as it was, the lay of the land was still going to land all that water down into that ravine already.
James advised but they (the developers) redirected the flow of water and by doing that you made the problem worse as it was being directed into the back of homes.
Csapo advised which was going into that detention basin.
James advised which is overflowing after 5 minutes of rain.
Csapo advised which was designed per city specifications. Csapo advised there was rain all over Rittman during that big storm, but on a regular basis during a normal rain, it handles it properly.
Copley advised during the Planning Commission Meeting there was some lengthy discussions as to whether this development met city specifications and Dave Simpson our Service Director confirmed the streets were built to specifications. Copley advised the one issue he came to that meeting with was the grading and it was again confirmed the grading was within city standards. Copley advised by Planning Commission standards, we did not see anything which would keep that development from being accepted. Copley advised the Planning Commission did have a concern with the financial impact this development would have on the city. He advised there was concern this would give a burden to snow plows and maintaining the road in the future when they begin to degrade. Copley advised as far as specifications, the Planning Commission could not find anything that was out of tolerance. He advised their (Planning) only true concern was from a financial perspective and they asked I bring that to Council and express their concern.
Russell advised he still had a problem with who was responsible when these homes were flooded and a felt there could be lawsuits. Russell advised before they cut the street, there was no problem with flooding and now it was jumping over the curb and shooting right on down. Russell felt they were going to have to do something bigger and better to control that water to convince him that it was the right thing. He advised it was o.k. to make a development, but not at the expense of other property owners.
Csapo advised the water was still ending up where it has always ended up.
Russell disagreed. Russell advised what he was talking about was it was going right down over the hill right down over where those homes are on Sterling Avenue. He advised it plugs up and runs straight down the street.
A resounding “no” was heard from residents of Oak Hill present in the meeting.
James and Russell advised that problem did not exist before that street was cut.
Attorney Horbus advised regardless of any storm water runoff issues which may or may not be present, it was a separate issue from the actual dedication of this development as required.
Dan Ramsier of Schaub Road advised regarding the Rawiga Road referendum and he agreed with Mr. Waggy’s point and felt it was reaffirmed that there needed to be some kind of identification of location of this property because of confusion even here tonight of just where this property was located and he felt his point was “right on”.
Carol Lutz of Wadsworth advised she would like to thank Rittman Council and the City of Rittman and Mr. Boggs for everything they have done in assisting the senior citizens bus. She advised today many people enjoyed an outing on that bus. Lutz advised Mr. Boggs spent a lot of time on the phone with JoAnn Widmer and she wanted to express their thanks and gratitude for all that has been done.
Mayor Robertson thanked everyone for their comments.