Invocation was given by: Dr. Richard Lapehn, Pastor followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes – January 28, 2008
Johnson moved to approve, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

Workshop
a. Discussion of EMS Station Modifications
EMS Chief Baillis advised he was asking for approval to take on a project in which they would modify current bay doors. He advised they were looking to tear out the center post of the front bay and have one single door. Baillis advised when the building was built in 1988 or 1989 the specifications were to have 10’ finished openings, but were actually 9’ and this was causing problems. He advised the initial van-style ambulances were sufficient and didn’t pose a problem, however today squads were built larger. He advised there was only about an 1 ½” on either side of the squad to get in and out of the building. Baillis advised he felt one of these days they would have a serious problem causing damage to the building or one of the vehicles. He advised what they were trying to do was be proactive and eliminate that (possibility) before it happens. In addition, he advised they were looking to get another new squad in a short period of time and he felt they should be prepared because as it stands now they would not be able to fit another squad which was the same size as our newest one in the bay. He advised he spoke with a couple of contractors and he would recommend Bogner Construction of Wooster who quoted a price of $22,310.00 for the project. He advised a structural engineer reviewed the project and he concurred that the work could be done at the original cost and in the original amount of time.
City Manager Boggs advised the cost was under the $25,000 (threshold) and didn’t need to be bid and he requested Council address the issue under new business so they would know whether or not to move forward with the project.
Council Member Charles Copley advised he assumed since they were widening the doorway it would allow for more of a standard (ambulance) to save the city money in the long run.
Baillis advised (if they didn’t do this project) they would have to order a squad to fit the building and it would cost more and wouldn’t provide for the emergency equipment storage to serve both units.
Council Member Glen Russell inquired when the center pole was removed if it would be a double door or just one big wide door.
Baillis advised there would be one wide doorway. He advised the center support would be removed and a single steel I-beam would go across the top and they would use one large door.
Council Member James Johnson inquired as to where the squads would be stored during construction.
Baillis advised initially they were hoping to use the fire department, but that was not a possibility at this point in time and he was checking into some warehouse space as an option.
Council Member Lynn Beaumont inquired as to the length of the project.
Baillis advised from start to finish the whole project should take approximately two weeks.

b. Discussion of Police Department Cost Saving Measures
Police Chief Burg highlighted the major cost saving methods used by the Rittman Police Department in 2007.
• He advised the biggest cost saving measure they had was the purchase of a K-9 vehicle from Cuyahoga Falls Police Department as they saved approximately $6,300.
• Burg advised the Firearm Training Facility was used by other departments and (Rittman) was given ammunition in return for allowing use of their facility.
• He advised it cost $895.00 per officer to renew certification and if Rittman hosts the training they receive two slots for free and that was a savings of $1,790.
• Burg advised after losing two rear patrol car windows due to combative persons in a month’s time, they began looking into purchasing screens and found some at $150 a set. Burg advised after some discussion Mull Iron agreed to make and install five sets for free at a cost savings of $750 plus the cost of saving on replacement windows.
• Burg advised Officer Miller received a $1,000 grant from Wal-Mart for equipment for our canine program.
• Burg advised by picking up the brass after they were done shooting every month, they received a $1,540 credit for ammunition for turning in 2,242 pounds of brass to a facility in Marion, Ohio.

Copley inquired if there was anything the city could do to make the (Firearms Training Facility) more profitable.
Boggs advised one of the things they have been (considering) was a fee for the use of the range. He advised while that wouldn’t be a tremendous money maker a lot of other departments were losing their ranges for one reason or another usually due to residential or business growth. Boggs advised Rittman had one of the more viable ranges and even some of the federal agencies were using the facility. Boggs advised one of the federal agencies has always donated money for their use of the facility.
Burg advised there were a couple of picnic tables (in disrepair) and one of the federal agencies brought new lumber, bolts and saws and rebuilt them for us to use at the range.
Boggs advised all the departments clean up after using the facility.
Copley advised the police department has always purchased Crown Victoria’s and he inquired with the two GM dealers in town if it would be cost effective to purchase police cruisers from them as well as support a local dealership.
Burg advised he didn’t know how that would affect state bid pricing.
Boggs advised one reason they didn’t use GM vehicles, although they do make an Impala Police Cruiser, was because the equipment the department uses was specifically designed for the Crown Victoria. He advised if they change models they would have to replace all said equipment. He advised technically if (the two makes/models) were close to the same price as the state bid price they could go with any brand of vehicle. Boggs advised there has been talk of discontinuing the Crown Victoria for the last five years and possibly in the next two years he felt they would switch to the 500 models, which were smaller vehicles. He advised at that time he felt they could switch to the GM dealers, as he would like to support the local dealers. Boggs advised the other reason was the mechanic doesn’t have the tools for front wheel drive and the Impalas were front wheel drive. He advised they would then have to send out for almost all of the maintenance on their cruisers, as even the oil changes required special lift brackets, which cost approximately $1,000.
Council Member Lynn Beaumont advised he understood the man-hours spent in court couldn’t be controlled, as they were at the mercy of the courts, but inquired if there were any other areas where they might be able to save man-hours.
Burg advised they were using part-time officers pretty well and he felt they were at the point now where they had a pretty stable group of full-time officers for each shift and they were basically using the part-time officers for coverage for vacations and sick leave. Burg advised in the past Council has said they wanted two officers per shift and that was all they had now with the exception of day shift as there was himself, Sergeant Shows and Officer Fiocca was in the schools.
Boggs advised whenever an officer called-off they mainly try to replace them with a part-time officer.
Beaumont advised he believed it was overtime if an officer was off-duty and had to go to court and he inquired if those costs over the last couple of years were higher or lower or about the same.
Boggs advised yes, it was overtime and he believed the costs were about the same over the last couple years.
Beaumont advised he was surprised being a lawyer at the number of 2007 criminal charges against adults, as he would have thought the number would have been much higher. Beaumont advised crime seems to be under control in Rittman and he felt it was a good indication of the Rittman Police Department and their efforts.
Council Member Glen Russell advised he noticed there was a lot of schooling and inquired if the city paid for just the course or also for their time (at the training facility).
Burg indicated if the training was held away from the station then the officer was paid 8 hours a day plus the cost of the course. Burg advised some of the DVD training was held at the station during their regular shift.
Russell commended Burg for the job he’s done in 2007 and he believed Rittman was served well.
Burg advised it was a collective effort.
Tim Stefanko, resident advised he knew of other police departments with ranges that allow the public to use during certain hours and indicated this might be a way to help generate revenue.
Boggs advised the looked into that at one time, but the liability was cost prohibitive.

Citizens Forum
Joanne Widmer on behalf of the Rittman Area Seniors, along with Carolyn Lutz and Irene Keck, spoke regarding the senior transportation bus indicating the bus provided by Holmes Wayne Tuscarawas Transportation had some maintenance issues and was unreliable for long trips. Widmer related in her letter there were a couple of trips where they were forced to stop for hours along side the road until they were picked up or they got the bus running again. Widmer requested a portion of the $2600 allocated for senior trips from the City of Rittman be sent to the Rittman Area Seniors to charter a safer bus instead. Widmer further indicated in 2008 they have already scheduled 5 short trips with HWTT at $200 per trip and suggested only this amount of $1,000 should be paid to HWTT and the remaining $1,600 could be sent to pay for a charter bus for the Rittman Area Seniors. Widmer advised they recently learned other cities using the HWTT bus were paying only for the trips taken and felt Rittman should do the same.
Finance Director Cindy Mann advised currently a check was sent directly to HWTT for the $2,600 annually.
Boggs advised he contacted Wayne County Commissioner Cheryl Noah and she indicated to him there were definite problems with this bus and the commissioners were not sure they were going to stay in this (tri-county transportation program) although it may remain the same they were not certain. Boggs advised Lud Huck and Chris Schmid, two retired area executives, were asked to study this program and report back to the commissioners as to what they felt was the most feasible situation for Wayne County. Boggs advised Noah indicated to him they were still a couple of weeks out from receiving that report and he was also led to believe they (commissioners) may buy one or two smaller buses on their own. Boggs suggested the seniors might want to wait to see how the report comes out to see how they wanted to handle the situation. He advised his concern was if Council allocates the money to the Rittman Area Seniors was HWTT still expecting money for their share of the transportation program. Boggs inquired if Widmer was on a time schedule for needing a decision regarding these funds.
Widmer advised the first trip for which they were hoping to use a chartered bus was on April 7th to Columbus. Widmer advised the monies coming from Rittman would be the same, but the finance office might have to write a couple more checks per year. Widmer advised if the commissioners were going to get other buses this would be something they would have to consider.
Mayor Robertson advised he didn’t know if it would be in time for the 7th of April trip.
Carolyn Lutz advised knowing Commissioner Cheryl Noah whatever she would do would be done well and done right and she would assume (Noah) would be looking at federal grants to obtain those buses. Lutz advised this could really foul their program up for the year not knowing and being in limbo, as they do need to know what they were doing as far as scheduling.
Irene Keck advised the seniors do have a wonderful time on these trips and a lot of effort was put into it to make (these trips) successful.
Council Member Darrell Carey agreed (the county commissioners) probably wouldn’t have buses in time for the seniors planned trips.
Beaumont inquired if (the city) was under any contractual obligation to pay (HWTT).
Mann advised she didn’t believe so.
It was noted the contract was from year to year.
Russell advised (he didn’t see a problem) as long as it wasn’t any more money than they have already allocated (for this purpose).
Copley inquired if there was any issue with the funds going elsewhere as they have been paying them to HWTT.
Mann advised the line item states senior transportation and it didn’t specify to whom the funds were to go, as it was not that specific.
Russell inquired if this was the same bus discussed last year that was having all the problems with who owned the bus.
He was advised yes.
Widmer advised it was her understanding that prior to HWTT taking over the bus, the contracts were always due in October and she didn’t believe anything came to Rittman as far as an annual contract this year. She advised it appeared that other cities, except one, were paying for only the trips used.
Russell advised if they would still be obligated to HWTT if they give the money to the Rittman Seniors.
Boggs advised there was no contract, but he was concerned that they expected (Rittman to send the funds). He advised if Council wanted to allocate the funds to the Rittman Seniors then that was (up to Council).
Tim Stefanko of Salt Ct. inquired regarding under old business item (a) if there was a mechanism in place where someone could contest a parking ticket and if so what was the procedure.
Boggs advised yes, they could report to the traffic violation bureau and contest the parking ticket with the violations officer. He advised he was such when he was the Chief of Police and he has since turned (those duties) over to Police Chief Burg and he was technically like a hearing officer for that issue. Boggs advised if the person still doesn’t agree with the decision, the policy states it would be turned over to the courts and an actual citation would be written for a hearing.
Stefanko advised that didn’t use to be the case.
Boggs advised he believed the policy has been in place for quite awhile.
Bob Gibson, owner of BG’s (Main Event) advised he knew there were concerns about his fence and he was present to answer any questions and let (Council) know what was going on and what he was trying to do.
Russell inquired if he (Gibson) was going to continue to keep the fence up this summer.
Gibson advised it was for winter shelter because the State of Ohio says no smoking (inside the establishment) and to his knowledge he was the only bar in town that follows it (smoking ban). He advised he has picnic tables and fancy umbrellas for a patio. He advised he did get a permit for a deck in the back, but it ended up being way too much (expense) to be able to do now and was on hold until a later date. He advised he was working on getting a better clientele. He advised he doesn’t want the fence to be permanent, as doesn’t like it himself, but he would ask Council not to pass an ordinance (restricting a fence) and give him a little bit of time to try and clean it up.
Beaumont advised (Council) tabled that (ordinance) and were not acting on that (legislation) tonight.
Rick Hanlon of Olds Ave. advised at the last Council Meeting when Council arrived to item (c) on the Agenda he raised his hand at that time and indicated he left his hand up throughout the rest of the meeting and advised no one ever asked him what he wanted and he was there to tell them. Hanlon advised regarding the citizens forum idea as it was tried at the end and at the beginning and he would strongly suggest they put one at the beginning of the meeting and a citizen’s forum at the end. He advised he has no reason to be here as he could read the minutes off the Internet and if they don’t want to hear what he wants to say then just close the doors and throw us all out. He advised there was no reason for him to hold his hand up for about half an hour until the meeting was adjourned. Hanlon advised he realized they have a policy you have to follow, but he felt if he were the owner of a Ford dealership someone would have asked him what he wanted, but he was just a small business guy with three employees and he felt they didn’t want to hear from him. He advised he felt that was wrong and he felt they ought to change citizen’s forum. Hanlon advised Mr. Mayor since you are running this meeting you lost my vote. Hanlon advised the reason his hand was raised was to ask why the meeting of 1/14/08 item (i) the resolution was numbered 7472 and again at the last meeting 1/28/08 there was a new ordinance with the same ordinance number. He advised that was all he wanted to point out was why do you have the same ordinance number.
The clerk advised that was her mistake she just caught and the second 7472 now has a –A and she apologized for the error.
Hanlon advised he felt there was no reason he had to raise his hand until the meeting was adjourned for something that stupid. Hanlon advised he wasn’t here to disrupt Council, but (if anyone else had done the same) he would want to hear what they had to say as well. He advised and if you didn’t want to listen to us then lock the door. He advised he felt by the end of the meeting they needed to make a motion under new business to add another citizen’s forum so after we are done hearing what you have to say you can hear what we got to say. Hanlon advised there might be a few items on the list that he might have some questions about and he would like to hear what they have to say about it first and maybe he didn’t need to raise any questions.

Old Business

a. Ord. No. 7473 An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Rittman, Ohio,
Medina Counties and State of Ohio, Amending Section 303.08 Impounding of Vehicles; Redemption, to Create an Additional Section of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Rittman and Declaring an Emergency. Second Reading.
Ord. No. 7473 was read on second reading. Copley moved to place on third, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

b. Ord. No. 7475 An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Rittman, Wayne
and Medina Counties and State of Ohio, Amending Section 941.05 © Sewer Regulations and Rates, to Amend this Section of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Rittman and Declaring an Emergency. Second Reading.
Ord. No. 7475 was read on second reading.
Copley advised the City Manager and the Finance Director provided a lot of information on the sewer fund from year to year and the reason he originally asked for this legislation was not because he didn’t feel the sewer fund needed money, but because he felt it was up to Council to decide how much on an annual basis the sewer fund needed. Copley advised he did not like the fact, although he didn’t ever recall it happening, that Council could ignore it and there would be an automatic six percent increase and there would not be public discussion that the six percent would take affect and thereby it would just “slide in”. He advised in past years he believed it has always been brought up by somebody, but he was looking ahead where if all six members agree there needed to be a six percent increase they could allow that six percent increase to take affect without any public input without any public discussion. Copley advised that was the reason he was asking for the removal of the automatic increase and not because he doesn’t think the sewer fund needed the money.
Russell advised a couple of years ago he believed the six percent was increased because it wasn’t brought up and when it was brought up he was told it was too late that he should have brought it up in November and he felt there was nothing Council could do at that point. He advised other than that (occurrence) he felt it has been brought up every year.
It was noted the City Manager would be attending a class in May that would hopefully provide a software program to better analyze the projected costs and needs for the utility department.
Boggs advised he understood what (Copley) was saying and he didn’t disagree with his statement and he didn’t have a problem coming to Council each year and justifying the need if that was what he was asking of him.
Copley advised basically that was his goal and he felt they should look at it whether there was an automatic increase or there wasn’t. He advised he felt the class was a great opportunity for the city to see the real need whether we have the six percent or we don’t have the six percent and he would prefer not to have the six percent automatic increase.
Johnson moved to place on third, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

c. Ord. No. 7476 An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Rittman, Wayne
and Medina Counties and State of Ohio, Amending Section 901.02, 901.03, 901.99 Streets, Utilities and Public Services Code to Amend this Section of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Rittman and Declaring an Emergency. Second Reading. Ord. No. 7476 was read on second reading. Copley moved to place on third, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

New Business

a. Motion to Go Into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing a Personnel
Matter and Invite the City Manager – 7:49 pm J
ohnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

b. Motion to Come Out of Executive Session – 8:40 pm
Lapehn so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

c. Motion to Remove from the Table the Approval of Mike Pyle to Paid
Status on the Rittman Fire Department No motion.

d. Motion to Approve Mike Pyle to Probationary Status on the Rittman Fire
Department Copley advised about a year ago they had a long discussion as far as why Council appoints the Fire Department employees, as they don’t do it for any other department and at that time the best answer they came up with was it has always been done that way and he felt that wasn’t the best answer. He advised in looking into if further he found in the Ohio Revised Code Section 3737.66 (b) it states, “No person shall claim to the public to be or act as a firefighter, volunteer firefighter, member of a fire department, chief of a fire department, or fire prevention officer unless the person is recognized as a firefighter, volunteer firefighter, member of a fire department, member of a private fire company, chief of a fire department, or fire prevention officer by the fire marshal or has received a certificate issued under former section 3303.07 or section 4765.55 of the Revised Code evidencing satisfactory completion of a firefighter training program and has been appointed by the governing board of a firefighting agency or, in the case of a volunteer firefighter, receives such a certificate within one year after appointment by the governing board of a firefighting agency.” Copley advised in our case Council serves as the governing board of the city and the city was classified as a firefighting agency. He advised in order for a member of the fire department to be considered a firefighter they must be appointed or approved, and in our case approved as the hiring authority lies with the City Manager, by the City Council. He advised he also looked as to why they don’t do (the same) for other departments such as the EMS and he didn’t find any wording in there (ORC) where the governing board would have to approve EMT’s to be in service. He advised he felt this at least gives him some grasp as to why they do it instead of just saying we’ve always done it that way.
James so moved, upon roll call; Lapehn-yes, Beaumont-Yes, Carey-Yes, Copley-Yes, Russell-No, Johnson-Yes and motion carried.

e. Res. No. 7479 A Resolution of the Council of the City of Rittman, Ohio, Granting Tax Abatement to Tony and Cathy Thompson for Thompson Services and Declaring an Emergency First Reading.
Res. No. 7479 was read on first reading.
Johnson inquired if 15 years at 100% (abatement) was the standard policy for these types (of requests). He advised he thought there was something (previously) that was only granted for 10 (years).
Boggs advised that (Blanton abatement) was for an existing structure. Boggs advised the ORC states that if it was an existing structure it could only be for ten years and a new structure could be 15 (years abated). Boggs advised this (request) was a vacant lot in the floodplain.
Copley advised the biggest problem he has with it was that currently there were a lot of houses that were empty or in foreclosure. He advised there were a lot of houses available and those houses do not allow the new owner to have their (property) tax abated. Copley advised building new houses for residential purposes and allowing them to be tax abated he was afraid they would end up with more empty houses because they wouldn’t buy the ones they have to pay taxes on. He advised he understood this was only one case, but he felt it was a slippery slope as far as he was concerned. He advised the neighbors (to this property) were going to have to pay taxes and the neighbors were also in the floodplain and pay (flood) insurance. He advised just because they were building a new house they didn’t have to pay taxes for the next fifteen years and he was not in favor of that.
Boggs advised they could probably make the same argument with a business if a new business goes in next to an existing business and they would not be eligible for that same abatement.
Copley advised he felt the difference was they were creating either jobs or additional revenue for the city. Copley advised he believed a residential structure costs the city money. He advised he believed at a recent election the voters overwhelmingly said they don’t want new houses. He advised he believed a lot of people felt the annexation would be used for housing and they said they didn’t want it.
Boggs advised the CRA Committee approved and recommended this (abatement) simply and especially because of the new floodplain regulations he felt it would deter the building of new structures in the floodplain. Boggs advised he believed (Council) approved a residential abatement to the Blanton’s although that was slightly different because it was an existing structure. Boggs advised the Ohio Revised Code does allow for this (abatement request).
Beaumont advised he would assume the purpose was to reduce the tax obligation so it makes the property easier to sell.
Boggs concurred and advised if you were taking out a conventional loan they would require them by law to obtain flood insurance and they (owners/builders) were hoping this (abatement) would offset the cost of that insurance.
It was noted any structure in the floodplain with a mortgage would be required to have flood insurance.
Beaumont inquired if this has been done before.
Boggs advised not to his knowledge other than the Blanton property.
It was noted this property was located on Frederick Street on the south side approximately three lots from Main Street.
Johnson advised he had a problem with granting 100% (abatement) for 15 years.
Beaumont inquired as to why the second owner gets “dinged” as he would have to get a mortgage and would probably pay even more if there were an escalation in value on the property. He inquired if we weren’t starting something here where five years down the road and three owners later the house was vacant.
Johnson inquired if abatements could carry-over from one owner to the next.
Boggs advised yes unless it was specified in the resolution. He advised some of the members of the CRA Committee didn’t want to pass it on and that was their recommendation and the reason it was included in the resolution.
Copley advised his concern was that it was being passed on at all. He advised he understood it (the abatement) for the owner. But, Copley continued, he didn’t like even passing the abatement on to the first buyer.
Beaumont disagreed and advised by the time you get the house built and file the inspection the taxes would be prorated based upon the last tax duplicate and it wouldn’t include the value of the home. He advised truthfully the first owner was really the guy who was going to need the help and not the builder. He advised the builder would be paying taxes on the lot and would not be paying any taxes on the value of the real estate. Beaumont advised sometimes it was two years before the county gets around to that final inspection. He advised he felt there were issues with that clause as they may be creating a problem when they think they were helping someone.
Boggs inquired if Council was saying no residential property whatsoever should be granted tax abatement under the CRA plan.
Beaumont advised no, he was saying his problem was with the (language) limiting it for the first owner. He inquired if they were going to do this why would they limit it to the first owner.
Lapehn inquired at that point couldn’t the new owner come to the CRA and request 50% abatement for ten years for example.
Boggs advised he didn’t know the answer to that, but he would guess probably not. He advised Council certainly has the authority to amend this resolution just as they could any other (legislation) if there was a problem with the language. Boggs advised he was a little concerned as they have been advertising commercial and residential properties in the CRA and this was the first (residential new construction) and he would hate to see it “go down the tubes”. He advised if Council had a problem with the way the resolution was written they could change it.
Copley advised from the standpoint of should we consider residential and his point of view was if it was renovation of an existing building he wasn’t against such, but to grant it for a new house…the two were different to him and the reason he didn’t agree with this request.
Beaumont advised his only concern was the limitation to the first owner; as he felt if they were going to be given the abatement give them the abatement. He advised if it was going to be for 15 years then give the property the abatement regardless of whether it was sold ten times during that period of time and he inquired why shortchange it.
Russell suggested it should go back to the CRA Committee before Council votes on it.
Beaumont agreed and advised if nothing else to at least get an explanation as to why.
It was clarified the abated tax would be for the property tax.
Copley advised in this case it would be for the house value; from a renovation standpoint it would be for the increased value.
Lapehn advised there were some beautiful homes built in an area of Cleveland where the hope was people would move there and take advantage of the tax breaks and low interest loans in order to bring a standard of living to this area that was sorely needed. He advised to him that was the point of this (request) on a smaller scale. Lapehn was agreeable it could be sent back to the CRA Committee to hear their reasoning behind this restriction.
Council was in agreement to table this resolution pending the re-evaluation by the CRA Committee regarding the qualifications as limited to the builder and the first owner.
Johnson moved to table, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

f. Res. No. 7480 A Resolution of the Council of the City of Rittman, Ohio, Granting Tax Abatement to John Robert Riley, I for Allison Carole Properties, Inc. and Declaring an Emergency. First Reading.
Res. No. 7480 was read on first reading. Copley moved to place on second, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

g. Motion to Approve the EMS Station Modifications at $22,310.00
Johnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

h. Motion to Allocate Up To $1,600 for the Rittman Area Senior Citizens to Charter a Bus for Transportation Purposes Mann advised funds of $2,600 were already appropriated for the senior citizens transportation, she just needed some guidance from Council as to who should get the money.
Discussion included holding off on sending any money to HWTT until it was certain whether the Rittman seniors would be using the tri-county bus.
Russell inquired if this would create a problem for the senior citizens if no funds were sent to HWTT.
Mann advised when she spoke with Craig Walkerow (HWT Transportation System Director) last year and the subject of not sending as much funds, as Rittman was not making as many trips or going as many miles as in the past; Walkerow told her with the 2007 contract that if we didn’t want to pay the full amount that was fine. Mann advised they (HWTT) were just looking for some form of support and he was vague regarding specifics.
Beaumont indicated Council could approve vouchers to the charter bus company up to $1,600 for the purpose of the Rittman Area Senior Citizen trips.
Russell inquired if we send them (HWTT) $1,000 what were the seniors getting for their money. He advised if nothing then let’s just give it to the seniors and let them distribute it for their own trips.
Carey advised the seniors have five trips at $200/a trip already planned and indicated $1,000 could be sent to HWTT for those trips.
Lapehn advised he was terribly unimpressed with the HWTT organization and he didn’t feel they should receive any Rittman taxpayer money.
Mann advised currently there was no contract.
Lapehn suggested they (HWTT) come and prove themselves and have Joanne Widmer and others give testimonials as to their (HWTT) need to continue to receive Rittman taxpayer dollars. He advised giving them money to help reimburse the Rittman Area Seniors for their use of the bus was great, but he didn’t want to send money to this black hole, as he didn’t feel they were doing their job.
Beaumont so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

City Manager’s Remarks
City Manager Larry Boggs indicated if Council didn’t have any problems with the recycling contest he mentioned in his memo he would begin to “move on it”.
Boggs advised the Chamber Reverse Raffle would be held April 12th and he had tickets for sale if any Council Members would like to attend that (function) at Rawiga Country Club.
Boggs commended Chief Burg for his report and advised it was very nicely done.
Boggs inquired if Council wanted the other department heads to do the same with cost saving measures for their department or wait until they begin budget discussions fairly soon.
Copley advised he felt it would be nice to just go ahead and do it if feasible. He advised he knew the biggest concern was the sewer fund and he suggested the Utilities Department be next on the Agenda.
Beaumont advised as a new Council Member he would really appreciate it (presented) department by department.
Russell advised he felt the Police Chief did an excellent job and he felt it would be good to hear from the other departments.
Boggs advised he would try to have the Utilities Director present for the next meeting.
Boggs advised the (Deputy Treasurer) and the (Clerk of Council/City Manager’s Secretary) completed the 3-hour Public Records Training course and met the requirement. He advised he does intend on sending other personnel as time permits.

a. Approval of Financial Report for January
Lapehn so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

b. Finance Director’s Remarks
Finance Director Lucinda Mann had no remarks.

Council Remarks
Council Member James Johnson thanked everyone for coming. He advised it was good to see the city vehicles marked (city logo), as he heard some positive responses from the citizens.
Council Member Richard Lapehn had no remarks.
Council Member Glen Russell appreciated everyone for coming and invited all to come back.
Council Member Darrell Carey had no remarks
Council Member Lynn Beaumont advised he wanted to address the recycling issue. He advised we really needed to come up with some kind plan to get the citizens to understand how important it was to recycle. He advised the city would be seriously hit in the pocketbook if they do not increase their recycling efforts. Beaumont advised it was his understanding it was based on tonnage and we currently had a participation rate of about 22%. He advised if it continues in that direction (funding could be significantly reduced) which the city has used to offset our (refuse) expense, which means citizens could be paying more for trash pickup. Beaumont indicated the citizens would then start calling asking why their trash bill increased and he felt we needed to tell the citizens and let them know the ramifications of not recycling. He advised (recycling) was a volunteer program and it was a change in lifestyle and people had to make a conscious effort to place their recyclables in their bin. He advised he didn’t have any magic cure, but he felt as a Council they needed to come up with a plan to let everybody know how important it was (to recycle) and was something they really needed to emphasize. Beaumont thanked Chief Burg for his good report.
Mayor Robertson advised it could be a $20,000 loss in revenue if the city keeps their recycling at the level they were recycling now.
Russell inquired as to how items placed out and were picked up before the trash was collected could be counted.
Copley indicated they needed to find a way to count the tonnage from other sources to the Solid Waste District such as metal being collected before Waste Management picked it up.
Robertson agreed and advised if they could find a way to count other things such as the aluminum pop cans collected by the 8th graders and indicated it would help toward their overall tonnage as well. He advised we need to increase (our tonnage) by about four or five times what we were currently doing.
Boggs advised we also weren’t sure how they were going to tally the composting, as we may lose big on that. Boggs advised the other issue they were discussing was they have to do some type of composting all year round and not just in the fall (to qualify). Boggs advised this could become a tremendous personnel cost, but they might have to collect grass clippings or provide a site for people to drop off their grass clippings so the city can get credit for it.
Robertson advised they needed to find a way to get credit for those who mulch their lawn clippings and work it into the formula as well.
Council Member Charles Copley commended the Police Chief for a nice report and he thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor William Robertson advised the State of the City Address luncheon would be tomorrow (2/12) at noon at the Methodist Church. He advised there would be a Sleepwalker meeting on February 19th at 7:00 p.m. and the Chamber was looking for input, as there were a lot of comments last year and the director wanted get an early start this year and formalize some discussions to see what people would like to change or improve or keep the same. Mayor Robertson advised it sounded like the City Manager was looking for some guidelines from Council as to their philosophy on abatements.

a. Approval of Vouchers 47911 thru 47965 Including Then and Now
Certificates A question was asked regarding #47942. Johnson so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.

Motion to Adjourn – 9:21p.m.
Lapehn so moved, all Yeas on roll call and motion carried.