Invocation was given by: Sister Joan Rader, P.O. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Oaths of Office
Council Members – Four Year Term
a. Lynn A. Beaumont
b. Darrell Carey
c. Glen W. Russell
Mayor William Robertson administered the oaths.

Appointments
a. Motion to Appoint G. Kevin Bower as Law Director – One Year Term
Lapehn so moved, upon roll call; Carey-Yes, Copley-Yes, Russell-No, Beaumont-Yes, Lapehn-Yes, Johnson-Yes and motion carried.

b. Motion to Appoint Barbara J. Brooks as Clerk of Council – One Year Term
Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

Oaths of Office
a. Law Director – G. Kevin Bower – One Year Term
b. Clerk of Council – Barbara J. Brooks – One Year Term
c. Police Sergeant – Roger Pauley
d. Police Sergeant – Robert Shows
Mayor William Robertson administered the oaths.

Approval of Minutes – November 12, 2007
Councilman Russell advised (item e. under old business) his motion originally was to defer the sewer rate increase of 6% for 2008 and somewhere along the discussion it was changed that they needed a motion to have legislation prepared.
Mayor Robertson inquired if what was stated was not correct.
Russell advised no not necessarily. He advised his original motion was not stated as he originally made the motion that we (Council) defer the 2006 (meant 2008) increase in the sewer rate and then we got into a discussion and it was changed then and he thought Mr. Johnson said he couldn’t vote on it because he didn’t have figures.
Robertson inquired if that was different than what was in there.
Russell advised yes.
Johnson advised you (Russell) originally made the motion and then later we (Council) decided we needed a motion to get legislation prepared to defer the rate.
Russell advised that’s right.
Robertson inquired if his motion was to approve as written.
Russell advised he would like to show the correction of his original motion.
Russell moved to approve as amended, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

Workshop
a. Discussion of Capital Improvements & Wastewater Budget
City Manager Boggs advised the Finance Director Mann provided Council with a budget
spreadsheet, which shows projections of what the fund balances would be with and without the sewer rate increase. Boggs advised Utilities Director Metcalf provided Council with a list of projected capital improvements in the sewer department. Boggs advised this year Council approved hiring an engineer to do a study and plans to redo the lift station on Milton Road at a cost estimate of $85,000. Boggs advised there were other capital improvement projects Mr. Metcalf needed especially the screening at the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of approximately $100,000. Boggs advised they were headed for a deficit balance in a few years in the wastewater budget if Council kept deferring the sewer increases.
Lapehn inquired as to how much capital improvement money was in the budget from year to year.
Metcalf advised the past five years they have really been short in capital improvement funds and the Finance Director was required to keep a certain carryover balance for emergencies. Metcalf advised this last year they did accumulate enough funds to do the Milton Road Lift Station this coming year. He advised the sewer fund balance has been going down and the money from Caraustar has been what has helped to keep us afloat. Metcalf advised the agreement with Caraustar was when they started sending the city their sewer when the plant was still operating and they still send us their effluent at this point in time, but that could end real soon. Metcalf advised that source of revenue will drop significantly which was approximately $10,000 a month and once that stops at least $120,000 a year will be dropped from our revenue. Metcalf advised the list of capital improvements were long range plans and whenever any kind of improvement is done with water or wastewater generally it was large amounts of money. He advised whether it was a vehicle purchase or rehabilitating equipment or sewer lines or adding screening at the wastewater plant. Metcalf advised he felt they should at least look ahead a little bit and pre-plan.
Lapehn inquired regarding the problems out at Milton Road (with storm water runoff) and he believed it was last year or the year before when the city added the extra line…
Metcalf advised yes, when we get heavy rains there was heavy flooding in the area and the original design of the elevation of the lift station was very low so the lift station floods and backs up the residents in that area. Metcalf advised to help alleviate that (problem) they installed another storm line across the road right near the lift station, which has helped. Metcalf advised they were also going to raise up the new lift station approximately three feet to the level of the road so if it does flood, the water would go to the other side before it would go into the lift station.
Robertson inquired if these screens (at the wastewater plant) were an upgrade or a replacement.
Metcalf advised both because currently they have to grind things up if they come through to the plant and they reform in tubes and in the clarifiers and mixing boxes and it was unsafe to get out in the middle of those things and try to clean these rags out. Metcalf advised the original design had screens, but due to the ample project costs he believed they were eliminated from the project. Metcalf indicated not having these screens was big maintenance on some rotating equipment and on the plant and advised it was a real hassle to try to clean that stuff up and was a much needed improvement.
Copley inquired if it was safe to say that an improvement like that (installing screens) would actually reduce our expenditures.
Metcalf advised yes, it would at least help with some of the expenditures on the grinder, as it has been very costly to repair.
Copley advised even though we were looking at approximately $100,000 expenditure, it may help reduce some of our other expenditures.
Metcalf advised he thinks so although he didn’t know how far out that payout would be, but it would definitely help. He advised the $100,000 was just on the equipment, as he hasn’t gotten an engineering estimate for the project yet or installation costs.
Russell advised he had a problem with the 6% being an automatic increase every year and he realized there might be times when they would have to have an increase, but he felt Council should look at it in their budget each year. Russell advised he remembers a statement from him (Metcalf) previously that if the city gave him $5 million dollars, he would find a place to spend it. Russell advised he didn’t feel for 2008 they should increase it (the sewer rate) and in 2008 before the final budget (for 2009) was made, he felt they should discuss it again at that time.
Metcalf advised his point regarding his previous comment ($5mil) was that there were always plenty of capital improvement projects that needed to be done. Metcalf advised often times he brings a project to the finance office and he is told that it can’t be done until they have money. Metcalf advised he understands it isn’t popular to raise the rates and the reason the original 6% automatic increase was put into effect was part of the loan agreement on the sewer plant. Metcalf advised they were required to build the sewer plant (due to EPA regulations) and they were under a consent agreement and as part of that agreement they were told to put in the 6% automatic increase for maintenance purposes to avoid such a situation from happening again.
Russell indicated he believed the automatic increase was established somewhere around 1985.
Copley advised he believed it was started in 1988 and was deferred every year until around 2005.
Russell advised he believed it was deferred every year.
Copley agreed and reiterated it was deferred every year until 2005 and advised it (sewer rate) was actually reduced in 1997 he believed.
Metcalf advised they were in pretty good shape (financially) for a while and advised the Finance Director could explain more about that (deferral years).
Russell advised they would talk more about that when they get into the ordinance part of it.
Darrell Carey inquired if the pump and motor costs were included in the list of expenditures for 2008.
Mann advised no because at the time they were doing the 2008 budget these items hadn’t even come to light.
Carey advised and the $108,000 worth of screens needed was also not included.
Mann advised that was correct, as the only thing (project) included was the Milton Road Lift Station.
Carey advised those two items would bring the estimated balance with the increase in 2008 to less than $100,000, which was less than the amount of required carryover balance.
Mann advised a rule of thumb was a balance of approximately two months of the operating budget, which works out to about $100,000 a month.
Carey inquired if we would be in default.
Mann advised no, we wouldn’t be in default, but it creates a bad situation because if you have another (emergency) situation then we absolutely would not have the money to cover (the cost of those repairs).
Metcalf advised he generally receives a memo every October telling him not to spend any more money the rest of the year and inevitably in November or December his pumps will break down.
Carey inquired how soon the replacement of the $225,000 vacuum sewer jet would need to be done.
Metcalf advised he was just projecting ahead, as the current sewer jet was a 1994 and was used by both the utility and service departments for a number of things. He advised it was a well used and much needed piece of equipment that was thirteen years old. He advised they have replaced pumps and motors and there has been a lot of maintenance on this piece of equipment already.
Carey inquired if they could still get parts for this piece of equipment.
Metcalf advised yes, but it was expensive to fix and repair although he wasn’t saying they couldn’t still use it as of right now, but they needed to look ahead at replacing it at some point in time.
Boggs advised they were trying to give Council a five-year projection and they realized they wouldn’t be able to do all of the projects in one year.

b. Discussion of Boards and Commissions for 2008
City Manager Boggs indicated Council was provided with a list of names for consideration
for various boards and commissions under new business and advised he set a workshop item if Council wished to discuss any of the names for positions or if they had any recommendations or nominations for vacancies.
Russell inquired of various audience members if any would be interested in serving on the Records Commission for which there was a vacancy.
No one volunteered for the position.
No other questions were asked.

Citizens Forum
Tim Stefanko of Salt Ct. advised regarding the sewer rate as he has been attending meetings for years and in the past whenever one of the Council Members wanted to defer the increase in the sewer rate, it was always done by motion and yet at the last meeting it was stated that legislation had to be written in order to defer the increase. Stefanko inquired if something has changed in the Ohio Revised Code or have they been doing it illegally in the past.
Law Director Bower advised previously Council has done it verbally by vote, but he believed one of the Council Members requested legislation be drafted.
Johnson advised he requested the legislation.
Russell advised he believed previously over the past twelve years it was just brought on the floor (as a motion) and the reason he made his motion at the last meeting. Russell advised he really didn’t know why they had to have an ordinance. Russell advised he believed it should be voted on every year whether or not they wanted to defer (the sewer rates) as a motion made by Council.
Stefanko advised regarding the whole notion of an automatic increase (annually in the sewer rate). He advised he believed what they were basing it on was that “the guys on Council twenty years ago were so brilliant and so wise that they knew in 2008 we were going to need a six percent increase” (in our sewer rate). Stefanko advised he believed the whole idea of an automatic increase ought to be (thrown out) and brought up every year for review by Council. He advised to be locked into a six percent number was silly when they could review it every year and decide what, if any, increase was necessary. Stefanko advised he believed it should be brought up and discussed every year. Stefanko advised he felt “an automatic increase was done for one reason and one reason only and it was the same reason Congress put raises on the same type of schedule so they don’t have to make a public case for it and vote on it” (every year). He advised he believed it was time for Council to show a little spine and bring it up and discuss it on a year-to-year basis and determine each year whether or not a sewer increase was necessary and then decide what that increase should be and not be locked into a six percent number. He advised the six percent, he assumed, in 1985 was the cost of inflation at that time and he believed the rate of inflation now was probably less than half that (amount). He advised he believed an increase should be based on actual increases in costs and not an increase in a desired wish list.
Lapehn advised with the two officers receiving such a special rank of sergeant and the Chief of Police present, he wanted to give them opportunity for photos to be taken.
The Chief of Police advised they were planning on doing such during Council’s Executive Session.
Lapehn advised he didn’t want such a good thing to go unrecognized.

Old Business

a. Ord. No. 7468 An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Rittman, Wayne and Medina Counties, and State of Ohio, Authorizing the Municipal Manager to Accept the Lowest and Best Bids for the Furnishing of Commodities for the Year 2008 and Declaring an Emergency. Third Reading.
Ord. No. 7468 was read on third reading.
Russell inquired regarding sand & gravel as to why we were recommending Seville Sand & Gravel although he realized the other one (a local business) was a couple dollars more, but why save a couple dollars if we can buy it locally.
Mann advised it may not look like a lot of money, but when you consider how many tons of gravel we purchase in a year, it adds up to a lot. Mann advised when we buy gravel we usually buy 200 tons at a time and make about four or five purchases of gravel a year.
Russell advised he was just looking at it from the standpoint of supporting a local business.
Mann advised she understood the reasoning behind his question.
Russell inquired regarding the water meters as it appeared Utility Service & Supply gave a lower bid, but we went with Trumbull and he wondered why.
Metcalf indicated they accepted both, (USS) uses different meter specifications and they were going to try it out and see if they were compatible with our equipment and if not they would go with Trumbull.
Johnson moved to adopt, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

New Business

a. Ord. No. 7470 An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Rittman, Wayne
and Medina Counties, Ohio Amending Section 3 of Ordinance No. 5928, As Amended, by Deferring the Increase in Rates for Sewerage Disposal from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009 and Declaring an Emergency. First Reading.
Ord. No. 7470 was read on first reading.
It should be noted, there was enough time to have three readings over three meetings as the January billing would not be generated until the end of February and due in March as water billing runs a full month in arrears.
Russell advised at the beginning of the ordinance it says defer the increase and then in section one it was talking about if we vote on this then it would automatically be added in 2009.
Johnson advised they were deferring it for the year 2008.
Russell advised if we vote on deferring it for 2008 then in 2009 it would still be an automatic 6% increase. Russell advised they didn’t really need the ordinance all they really needed was a motion to say they wanted to defer it from year to year as they have for the past twelve years.
Robertson advised that could have been their discussion last month.
Copley advised the 2009 in the ordinance was replacing the current 2004 and moving it forward. Copley inquired as to when they paid off the sewer facility.
Mann advised they were still paying on those loans and the OWDA loan matures in 2013 and the FmHA loan matures in 2033.
Russell inquired as to how the sewer rate was determined.
Mann advised the (sewer rate) schedule was based on how much water was used and it was approximately 3x’s the water rate although that figure was arbitrary, as it just happened to end up that way according to the schedule. Mann advised she believed the six percent increase annually was recommended by EPA when they were getting the original loan.
Russell inquired as to how a discount for senior citizens was determined.
Mann advised in the past, if you qualify for homestead exemption then you would qualify for the senior citizen discount and were reviewed annually.
Beaumont inquired if the new homestead exemption laws, which were changed this year, would affect the senior discount eligibility.
Mann advised it would be up to the utility rate board to change it and it was just a guideline and nothing was “set in stone”.
It should be noted, the discount for seniors was based on a maximum dollar amount of household income and you must be age 62 or older.
Copley advised he believed in 2005 one of the reasons the then Treasurer stated the sewer rate should not be deferred was the fund balance was going to be only $500 at the end of the year, which was extremely low. Copley advised they were now looking at a fund balance of around $150,000 if it was not deferred. Copley advised he felt this was a far cry from the $500. Copley advised in his opinion he didn’t see a reason to allow the six percent increase this year and we should look at it again next year.
Mann advised the only reason the fund balance was $150,000 was because of Caraustar (monies) and without it we would not be in this situation.
Copley advised thanks to the Caraustar claim we can now look ahead and not raise the sewer rate six percent.
Mann advised we really don’t have an adequate carryover balance at this time, as that amount was not even equal to two months of expenditures. Mann advised theoretically that was not even enough money.
Copley advised it was a far cry from the $500 balance in 2005.
Mann advised she realized that.
Lapehn inquired as to how much was owed on the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mann advised the one loan was approximately $275,000 a year, which will be paid for six more years after this year and the other one was for approximately 26 more years and was approximately $75,000 a year. Mann advised it (the sewer budget) would be tight for at least six more years.
Council Member Carey inquired if they were planning on replacing all of the screens in 2008 at approximately $108,000.
Boggs advised he knows the Utilities Director Metcalf wanted to, but they have to watch the carryover balance and if they do bring it to Council for approval it would be the latter part of next year. Boggs advised they were (committed to) spending the $80,000 redoing the lift station.
Carey advised they would be spending the $40,000 for pumps and motors in the beginning of 2008, which was not included in the fund balance, which makes the $150,000 balance $110,000.
Metcalf advised they chose to go with the replacement because the cost of repairs was just about as expensive and they generally repair pumps as usually it was 50% of the cost, but these were in bad shape and the price of parts didn’t make this job cost effective. Metcalf advised they would be doing the lift station in 2008 and his dream was to get engineering done for the screens if the money was available.
Carey advised but the two pumps have to be done (this year) and were not included in this (budget projection).
Mann advised that was correct.
Metcalf advised they weren’t budgeted for because they just got the quotes back from a couple different motor companies and repair shops and it is the end of the year.
Russell advised he felt for the year 2008 they could defer (the sewer rate) and when they start talking about the budget at the end of 2008, they might have to squeeze the belt a little bit and some other things and discuss where we are at (financially) at the end of 2008 for the next year.
Johnson advised looking at the (projections) put together by the Finance Director and without any major emergencies we were only good for three years maximum without any major emergencies. Johnson advised with the $150,000 already being down to $110,000 puts it a little tight in his mind. He advised he didn’t want to raise the rate, but he didn’t want to be operating where they have to take out a loan in order to fix a problem. Johnson advised he believed in order to keep things operating smoothly he believed they should look at the rate now so we don’t have to face an emergency (without funds) in 2008 if one comes up.
Copley moved to place on second, upon roll call; Lapehn-No, Beaumont-No, Carey-No, Copley-Yes, Russell-Yes, Johnson-No and motion failed and Ord. No. 7470 Died.

b. Motion to Go Into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing
Recreation Center Litigation as well as for a Personnel Matter for Evaluation of the City Manager and the Finance Director Positions and Invite the Law Director, the City Manager and the Finance Director – 7:50 pm
Discussion led by Johnson included inviting the Mayor into Executive Session per the request of the City Manager’s memo.
Russell advised he wasn’t picking on the Mayor, but he believed the residents chose a couple of years ago that we no longer have the Mayor in Executive Sessions and he would like to honor their vote.
Johnson advised to correct you (Russell) he believed the voters gave Council the choice to choose whether or not the Mayor goes in or out and not to keep the Mayor out (of Executive Sessions).
Russell advised he believed it meant to keep the Mayor out completely and it was the choice of the residents, not him, as he has no objections to it.
Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

c. Motion to Come Out of Executive Session – 9:01 pm
Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

d. Motion to Appoint a New President of Council – One Year Term
Russell advised he was willing to serve another term as President if Council so wished.
It was discussed that historically the position of President of Council has been rotated
between the Council Members.
Johnson moved to appoint Copley, upon roll call; Russell-Yes, Carey-Yes, Beaumont-Yes, Johnson-Abstain, Copley-Abstain and motion carried.

e. Motion to Appoint 2 Council Representatives to the Firemen’s Indemnity
Board
Johnson moved to appoint Copley and Russell, upon roll call; Copley-Abstain, Beaumont-Yes, Russell-Abstain, Carey-Yes, Johnson-Yes and motion carried.

f. Motion to Appoint a Council Representative to the Recreation Center
Board of Directors Russell moved to appoint Johnson, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

g. Motion to Appoint a Council Representative to the Planning Commission
Russell moved to appoint Copley, upon roll call; Copley- Abstain, Russell-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Beaumont-Yes, Carey-Yes and motion carried.

h. Motion to Appoint a Council Representative to the Recreation & Parks
Advisory Committee
Russell moved to appoint Beaumont, upon roll call; Johnson-Yes, Beaumont-Abstain, Carey-Yes, Russell-Yes, Copley-Yes and motion carried.

i. Motion to Appoint a Council Representative to the Utilities & Refuse Rate
Board of Review
Johnson moved to appoint Carey, upon roll call; Carey-Abstain, Copley-Yes, Russell-Yes, Beaumont-Yes, Johnson-Yes and motion carried.

j. Motion to Appoint 2 Council Representatives to the Rittman Community
Improvement Corporation
Russell moved to appoint Lapehn and Beaumont, upon roll call; Russell-Yes, Beaumont-Abstain, Carey-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Copley-Yes and motion carried.

k. Motion to Appoint Faye Telford to the Recreation Center Board of
Directors for a 2-Year Term Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

l. Motion to Appoint Lynn Staley to the Recreation Center Board of
Directors for another 2-Year Term Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

m. Motion to Appoint Jeff Steiner to the Board of Zoning Appeals for another
3-Year Term Johnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

n. Motion to Appoint William Forrer to the Board of Zoning Appeals for
another 3-Year Term Copley so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

o. Motion to Appoint Erik Kinch to the Board of Zoning Appeals for another
3-Year Term Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

p. Motion to Appoint Nick Bostos to the Recreation & Parks Advisory
Committee for another 2-Year Term Copley so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

q. Motion to Appoint Rick Shreve to the Recreation & Parks Advisory
Committee for another 2-Year Term Johnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

r. Motion to Appoint Faye Telford to the Recreation & Parks Advisory
Committee for a 2-Year Term Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

s. Motion to Appoint Ruthann McCray to the Utilities & Refuse Rate Board
of Review for another 3-Year Term Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

t. Motion to Appoint Jonathon Johnson to the Utilities & Refuse Rate Board
of Review for another 3-Year Term Copley so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

u. Motion to Give the City Manager and the Finance Director a 2% Raise With a $500 Increase Effective Immediately w/the December 17, 2007 Payroll. Russell so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

City Manager’s Remarks
City Manager Larry Boggs advised he was pleased to announce the old MainWay Market building was now (owned and occupied by) the Tousley Steel Rule & Die business. He advised the building was at capacity as they have secured the Pro Swing Golf business formerly of Wadsworth with 8-10 employees. He advised the section, which used to be Ritzman Pharmacy was going to be an automotive paint supply store with 1-2 employees. He advised there would be a total of 15-19 new employees out of one building, which had been vacant and he felt a big plus for the community.
Boggs advised he was recently notified that he was successful in getting a grant for the Police Department from the governments technology transfer program and the money would be used for a body wire for drug investigations. Boggs advised to purchase that type of equipment it would be well over $5,000 and he indicated this grant was very helpful.
Boggs advised the Police Department recently finalized the grant funded by the Wayne Foundation and the Moose Lodge for a CVSA (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer) similar to a polygraph test. Boggs advised he felt it was a good investigative tool to have locally and there were two officers trained in its use and was a $15,000 project.
Boggs advised Chief Baillis was successful in securing a grant for $5,000 from the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) to place MDT’s (Mobile Data Terminals) in squads. Boggs advised what they hoped to do was have the capability of receiving the dispatch cards along with a GPS unit to give the driver exact directions.
Boggs advised he recently did a commendation to Fireman Randy Evans who was with three of our police officers who responded to the tragedy of the thirteen-year-old boy at Salt Street Park. Boggs advised often times our safety officers are only recognized when they do a “save” and he testified that these officers “worked like crazy” to try to revive that young man. He advised it was nice to know we have that kind of trained staff and they all deserved recognition for their efforts even though they weren’t successful.
Boggs advised the city recently had an insurance audit regarding liability issues and was given a list of several concerns with our buildings, which expose us to liability. Boggs advised one of the issues was with our skateboard ramp or equipment at Industrial (Fritz) Park. Boggs advised several years ago a “pit” or “curl” was built out of wood and it couldn’t take the stress the kids put on it plus weathering and it was in very bad shape. Boggs advised it needed to be removed or repaired. He advised we don’t have the time and maintenance funds to keep repairing it and if Council had no objections he was going to have it removed, as it was very much a liability factor for our city.
Copley inquired if he has had conversations with any local organizations that would be interested in it.
Boggs advised he had a couple of students approach him about rebuilding it themselves and he sent them to talk with the Service Director and made plans to allow them to do so and they never showed back up.
Mayor Robertson advised he had a group give him a proposal to do it out of plastic.
Boggs advised yes, the Kiwanis club discussed a plastic covering, but he didn’t believe that would work.
Russell inquired if there were a lot of people who use (the skateboard ramp).
Boggs advised he believed if they had the right piece of equipment that was capable of sustaining the usage it would be used. Boggs advised there were cities that were installing cement structures, but can cost as much as $200,000.
Johnson advised he personally did a lot of the research for those (ramps) when his dad was on Council. He advised he believed going with a wooden structure was the worst possible decision they could have made. Johnson advised (these structures) were generally made out of steel facing for weathering and abuse. Johnson advised he didn’t want to see the whole skate park “go away”, but would like to look into doing some “grind rails” and “ramp boxes”. He advised he noticed the skateboarding on Main Street went down a little and was keeping the youth off the street and into a confined area where (skateboarding) was permissible. Johnson advised he agreed the liability with (the current structure) was not good and he was in favor of removing it, but he would like to see it replaced if possible.
Boggs advised the insurance agent recommended looking at what the City of Mentor has done and the costs associated as they have state of the art equipment, as far as insurance liability is concerned.
Johnson suggested talking with the Mayor of Wadsworth as he read they were looking to build one.
Copley suggested letting the public know the city would be taking it out to give opportunity if anyone was interested in fixing it to come forward.
Mayor Robertson advised he could mention it in his weekly article and see if he gets any response.
Copley advised they could see if they get a viable response as he would hate to see it taken out and it cost a lot more money to put in a new one as opposed to repairing one.
Boggs advised he believed it was “pretty shot” and would have to be rebuilt from the “ground up”.

a. Finance Director’s Remarks
Finance Director Lucinda Mann advised there was still an opening on the Records
Commission, which meets approximately twice a year if any on Council had a name for consideration.

Council Remarks
Council Member James Johnson thanked everyone for coming. He welcomed the new Council members and incumbent Glen Russell. He inquired as to the progress with specifications for a new fire truck.
Fire Chief Don Sweigert advised the 1979 Engine 58 was on the docket to be replaced by 2010. He advised he has worked on putting together a plan to replace a large piece of equipment every 5 years. Sweigert advised the committee met twice and hoped to bid it in 2008.
Council Member Glen Russell thanked everyone for coming. He again asked several present if they would like to serve on the Records Commission. No volunteers. Russell advised he enjoyed being Council President this past year. He advised the highlights of the year were hiring a new City Manager and a new Chief of Police. Russell congratulated Beaumont and Carey on being elected. He congratulated the new sergeants on their appointments. He advised there was a light bulb out at the flag pole in front of City Hall and requested it be replaced. Russell invited everyone to come back.
Council Member Darrell Carey thanked everyone for coming. Carey advised he appreciated the opportunity to serve the citizens. He advised he could assure them that in the next four years he would probably irritate a few, but hoped the majority would be OK with his decisions more than not.
Council Member Lynn Beaumont thanked those who elected him and advised he was looking forward to working together with Council in a positive way and hoped they could accomplish good things for the citizens and the city.
Council Member Charles Copley thanked everyone for coming. He thanked Council for appointing him Council President this term. He welcomed the new Council Members as well as the incumbent. Copley thanked Larry Boggs and Cindy Mann as well as others as he felt they were doing a good job.
Mayor William Robertson advised he was invited by Governor Strickland to participate in a meeting to talk about a strategic plan for economic development in the State of Ohio on December 14th. He advised there would be a wreath silent auction sponsored by the Chamber and the money would be used for new Christmas decorations for the downtown. He advised there were Rittman Christmas ornaments for sale from the Chamber with the new Rittman logo on them and these were great fundraisers. Robertson advised Dec. 8th would be the Rittman Christmas Around the World from 2-6 pm and there were a lot of activities throughout the downtown planned and he encouraged the citizens to attend. Mayor Robertson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

a. Approval of Vouchers 47435 thru 47521 Including Then and Now
Certificates A question was asked about #47458. Russell moved to approve, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

Motion to Adjourn – 9:35 p.m.
Johnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.