Ashtabula County public meetings in 2021

City Council

This is a pre-council meeting for the Ashtabula City Council. The agenda includes a review of previous meetings and ordinances, administrative reports, and committee reports.

• Review of Ordinance No. 2021-124 through Ordinance No. 2021-130
• Review of Resolution No. 2021-131
• Administrative reports from City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council
• Committee reports from Community Development, Finance & Personnel, Public Works, and Safety Forces

City Council

The City Council will review several ordinances regarding city finances, employee compensation, and supplemental appropriations. The agenda also includes proposed tax incentive agreements for new residential dwellings on Bridge Street.

• Tax abatement for a new residence at 1421 Bridge Street
• Tax abatement for a new residence at 1423 Bridge Street
• Ordinance regarding compensation, salaries, and wages for city employees
• Supplemental increases to appropriations for various city funds through 2021
• Appropriations for city expenses from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022

The Ashtabula City Council unanimously approved a consent agenda that included the 2022 appropriations ordinance, supplemental 2021 appropriations, a payroll ordinance repeal and replacement for the Health District, and 100% seven-year tax abatements for new homes at 1421 and 1423 Bridge Street. The council also authorized write-offs of uncollectible checks and commemorated the VFW Post 943's 90th anniversary. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

• Adopted 2022 appropriations ordinance (7-0)
• Approved supplemental 2021 appropriations for multiple funds (7-0)
• Repealed payroll Ordinance 2021-76 and created new Health District positions (7-0)
• Authorized compensation for city and Health District employees (7-0)
• Authorized write-off of uncollectible returned checks (7-0)
• Approved 100% 7-year tax abatement for new home at 1421 Bridge Street (7-0)
• Approved 100% 7-year tax abatement for new home at 1423 Bridge Street (7-0)
• Adopted resolution commemorating VFW Post 943's 90th anniversary (7-0)

City Council

The City Council is meeting for a pre-council session to receive administrative and committee reports. The agenda consists of procedural items and the review of meeting calendars.

City Council

The City Council is reviewing several contracts for vehicle acquisitions and street paving. The body is also discussing a settlement agreement for opioid lawsuit proceeds and special assessments for an energy improvement project.

• Resolution 2021-119: Janssen Settlement Participation Agreement for opioid lawsuit proceeds
• Ordinance 2021-114: Change Order No. 1 with N.E.S. Corp. for paving city streets
• Ordinance 2021-115 and 2021-116: Purchase of RAM 3500 and RAM 2500 trucks from Columbiana Chrysler Jeep Dodge
• Ordinances 2021-120, 2021-121, and 2021-122: Special assessments and improvements with Conneaut Energy Special Improvement District, Inc.
• Ordinance 2021-123: Supplemental appropriation changes for General, Food Service, Sanitation, Police Pension, Parks & Recreation, and Water Pollution funds

The City Council reviewed the 2022 budget estimates, showing projected revenues of $26.94M and expenses of $27.12M, resulting in an estimated ending balance of $9.87M across all funds. The General Fund is projected to end 2022 with a balance of $2.15M, while the General Court fund shows a projected deficit of $603,869. No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the minutes; the document is a budget review.

• Reviewed 2022 budget estimates with projected ending balance of $9.87M
• General Fund projected ending balance of $2.15M
• General Court fund projected deficit of $603,869
• Local Fiscal Recovery Fund projected ending balance of $1.64M
• WPC/Wastewater fund projected ending balance of $1.10M

City Council

The City Council reviewed the 2022 budget estimate, which projects total revenues of $27.7 million and expenses of $28.8 million across all funds, leaving an estimated ending balance of $8.25 million. The general fund is projected to end 2022 with $721,841.24, down from $1.89 million at the start of the year. No formal votes or decisions are recorded in the minutes; the document is a budget estimate for review.

• Reviewed 2022 budget estimate for all city funds
• General fund projected ending balance of $721,841.24
• All funds total projected ending balance of $8,253,403.61
• Local Fiscal Recovery Fund projected to hold $1,821,613.08
• Police Levy fund projected ending balance of $94,877.22
• Sanitation fund projected ending balance of $593,946.99
• WPC/Wastewater fund projected ending balance of $1,233,318.76
• No formal votes or approvals recorded in the minutes

City Council

At an emergency meeting, Ashtabula City Council unanimously approved five pieces of legislation, including ordinances on emergency bidding exceptions, state auditor agreements for GAAP conversion, supplemental appropriations, and a resolution honoring First Presbyterian Church. The council also recognized outgoing councilors Laydean Young and Octavia Harris for their service.

• Approved Ordinance 2021-109 (emergency bidding exception) unanimously
• Approved Ordinance 2021-110 (state auditor agreement for health dept GAAP conversion) unanimously
• Approved Ordinance 2021-111 (state auditor agreement for city GAAP conversion) unanimously
• Approved Ordinance 2021-112 (supplemental appropriations) unanimously
• Approved Resolution 2021-113 (honoring First Presbyterian Church) unanimously
• Waived reading and charter requirements for all legislation unanimously

Finance & Personnel Committee

The Finance & Personnel Committee reviewed the 2022 budget estimates, projecting total revenues of $26.94M against expenses of $27.12M, leaving an estimated ending balance of $9.87M across all funds. The General Fund is projected to end 2022 with a balance of $2.15M, while the General Court fund shows a projected deficit of $603,869. The minutes contain only the budget tables; no motions, votes, or other decisions are recorded.

• Reviewed 2022 budget estimates for all funds, projecting a $9,866,788.39 ending balance.
• Noted General Fund 2022 estimated ending balance of $2,146,470.85.
• Noted General Court fund 2022 estimated ending balance of -$603,869.00.
• Noted S.C.M.R.-Public Works fund 2022 estimated ending balance of -$101,603.79.
• Noted AMC Computer fund 2022 estimated ending balance of -$21,009.91.
• Noted Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2022 estimated ending balance of $1,637,299.84.
• No formal motions, approvals, or votes are recorded in the minutes.

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council voted unanimously to postpone voting on all legislation from the Nov. 15 meeting until a special/emergency meeting on Nov. 22 at 8:45 a.m. The council also approved several administrative requests, including an ordinance creating an exception to competitive bidding during emergencies, a resolution ending the COVID-19 state of emergency, and ordinances authorizing agreements with the Ohio Auditor for GAAP conversion. A resolution honoring First Presbyterian Church for 200 years was also approved. No final votes on the listed ordinances were taken at this meeting.

• Postponed all legislation to Nov. 22 emergency meeting (4-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-109: exception to competitive bidding during emergencies (4-0)
• Approved resolution to end COVID-19 state of emergency (4-0)
• Approved ordinance for Auditor of State fiscal agent agreement for Health Dept. GAAP conversion (4-0)
• Approved ordinance for Auditor of State agreement for City GAAP conversion (4-0)
• Approved ordinance for supplemental appropriations to multiple funds (4-0)
• Approved resolution honoring First Presbyterian Church for 200 years (4-0)
• Approved executive session for property and personnel discussions (4-0)

Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee

The Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee met on November 9, 2021, and heard a presentation from Stacy Gancos about STACY's Club, a youth program. The City Manager provided updates on various projects, including water line work, medical marijuana dispensary applications, and the Petmin project. No formal decisions or votes were made during the meeting; discussions included a potential moratorium on discount retail stores and future park improvements.

• No formal votes or resolutions were passed at the meeting
• Discussed potential moratorium on discount retail stores; no action taken
• Heard presentation on STACY's Club youth program
• Received updates on Lake Avenue and Aqua water line projects
• Noted seven requests for medical marijuana dispensary assistance
• Landbank selected a developer for RFP process for abandoned church on Lake Avenue

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is meeting to consider several ordinances, including emergency repairs to the WPC Administrative Building roof and the purchase of parts for the wastewater treatment plant's methane system. The council will also vote on a change order for air conditioning repairs and repeal a prior truck purchase ordinance. Public comments and committee reports are also on the agenda.

• Ordinance 2021-106: Contract with Bissnuss, Inc. for $25,886.88 for digester and methane system parts
• Ordinance 2021-107: Contract with Building Technicians Corporation for $140,800.00 for emergency roof repairs/replacement at WPC Administrative Building
• Ordinance 2021-104: Change Order No. 1 with Ziegler Heating Company for air conditioning repairs at Municipal Building
• Ordinance 2021-105: Repeal of Ordinance 2021-61 for GMC 3500 truck purchase from Bob Ross Auto Group
• Ordinance 2021-108: Approval of replacement pages to Ashtabula Codified Ordinances

Council unanimously approved a $140,800 emergency contract with Building Technicians Corporation to repair or replace the WPC Administrative Building roof, and a $25,886.88 contract with Bissnuss, Inc. for digester and methane system parts. It also approved re-appointing Maria Fowler to the Board of Health and passed five ordinances by consent agenda, including the two contracts and codified ordinance updates. All votes were 7-0.

• Approved $140,800 emergency roof repair contract with Building Technicians Corp (7-0)
• Approved $25,886.88 contract with Bissnuss, Inc. for digester/methane system parts (7-0)
• Re-appointed Maria Fowler to Board of Health, term to Sept 1, 2026 (7-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-104: change order with Ziegler Heating for AC repairs (7-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-105: repealed 2021-61 for GMC 3500 truck purchase (7-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-106: Bissnuss contract (7-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-107: Building Technicians roof contract (7-0)
• Approved ordinance 2021-108: replacement pages to codified ordinances (7-0)

Safety Forces Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Safety Forces Committee is meeting to receive monthly reports from the police and fire chiefs for September 2021, along with a report from the city manager. The agenda includes no specific action items, only reports and routine procedural items.

• Police Department Chief's Report for September 2021
• Fire Department Chief's Report for September 2021
• City Manager's Report
• Next meeting scheduled for November 22, 2021

The Safety Forces Committee met and received reports from the police and fire chiefs, as well as the city manager. No formal decisions or votes were taken during the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 22, 2021.

• No formal decisions or votes taken at the meeting

City Council

This is a pre-council meeting agenda with no specific legislative items listed. The council will receive administrative and committee reports, discuss miscellaneous business, and may take public comment. The agenda is largely procedural.

• Administrative reports from City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council
• Committee reports from Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation, Finance & Personnel, Public Works, and Safety Forces
• Public comment at Council's discretion
• Revised October 2021 monthly council calendar

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council approved several items, including vacating a portion of East 5th Street, continuing police dispatching services for four villages, a change order for the municipal building air conditioning, rescinding a truck purchase, creating a new Court's Special Projects Fund, and accepting tax levies. All votes were unanimous (5-0). The council also approved placing a historical memorial at Point Park.

• Approved street vacation for two 16-foot easements on E. 5th St. south of Lake Road (5-0)
• Approved continuance of police dispatching for Andover, Jefferson, Orwell, and Roaming Shores (5-0)
• Approved Change Order #1 with Ziegler Heating for AC unit, not to exceed $2,400 (5-0)
• Rescinded Ordinance No. 2021-61 for GMC 3500 truck purchase from Bob Ross Auto Group (5-0)
• Approved creation of new fund 220 'Court's Special Projects Fund' (5-0)
• Approved resolution accepting tax levies and certifying to County Auditor (5-0)
• Approved placing National Park Service historical memorial at Point Park (5-0)
• Approved all legislation by consent agenda (5-0)

Finance & Personnel Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Finance & Personnel Committee is meeting to review the Finance Director's September month-end reports and discuss several financial policies. Items include a written policy for issuing credits or refunds, ordinance templates for writing off uncollectible charges and returning uncollectible write-off checks, and resolution templates for transferring unclaimed monies to the Unclaimed Money Agency Fund per Ohio Revised Code 9.39.

• September month-end reports from Finance Director
• Internal written policy for issuing credits or refunds, including a limit of years
• Ordinance template authorizing Finance Director to write off uncollectible charges when properties are transferred
• Ordinance template authorizing Finance Director to return uncollectible write-off checks
• Resolution templates for transferring unclaimed monies to Unclaimed Money Agency Fund for five years or until claimed, per Ohio Revised Code 9.39

The Ashtabula City Council Finance & Personnel Committee met on October 15, 2021, and heard reports from the Finance Director and City Manager. No formal votes were taken. The Finance Director reported that September financials were normal, and the 2022 budget is expected to be presented soon, with a public hearing planned for December. The committee discussed the paving levy, with $850,930 collected this year and a carry-over of $446,685, and noted that paving on Lake Avenue's southern portion is not expected until 2023 or 2024. The committee also discussed ongoing work on policies and ordinances for refunds, write-offs, and unclaimed money transfers, but no final actions were taken.

• No formal decisions or votes were recorded at this meeting.
• Discussed September financial reports, noting no unusual items.
• Planned to present the 2022 budget soon, with a public hearing targeted for December.
• Reported $850,930 collected from the paving levy this year, with $446,685 carry-over for next year.
• Noted that paving of the southern portion of Lake Avenue is expected to begin in 2023 or 2024, pending grant funding.
• Discussed developing an internal policy for issuing credits or refunds, with an ordinance to be created later.
• Discussed preparing ordinances to authorize write-offs of uncollectible charges and returned checks.
• Discussed preparing resolutions for transferring unclaimed monies to the Unclaimed Money Agency Fund per Ohio Revised Code 9.39.

Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee

The Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee voted unanimously to approve a request from the Lift Bridge Community Association (LBCA) to support a historical memorial at Point Park on Walnut Boulevard. This approval is needed for the LBCA's application to the National Park Service's 'Network to Freedom' program, related to Ashtabula Harbor's Underground Railroad history. The request will be presented to the full City Council at the next regular meeting. No other formal votes were taken; other items were discussed only.

• Approved support for LBCA historical memorial at Point Park (3-0)
• Discussed wayfinding signage project, no action taken
• Discussed revised lakefront residential zoning legislation, pending solicitor review
• Discussed food truck ordinance revision, no action taken
• Discussed discount retail store moratorium, no action taken
• Discussed parks and homelessness outreach, no action taken

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council approved all five ordinances on the consent agenda, including the purchase of 19 Panasonic Toughbook laptops for police vehicles, an OPWC funding application for the Ohio Avenue Extension Sanitary Sewer Project, a JEDD contract amendment, supplemental appropriations, and an agreement with the State Auditor for JEDD fund reconciliation. All votes were unanimous with Ward 3 Councilor Young absent.

• Approved purchase of 19 Panasonic Toughbook laptops for police vehicles, not to exceed $17,423 (unanimous)
• Approved OPWC Round 36 funding application for Ohio Avenue Extension Sanitary Sewer Project (unanimous)
• Approved sixth amendment to Ashtabula Township JEDD contract for a new car wash business (unanimous)
• Approved supplemental appropriations for General, Police Levy, and Fire Escrow Funds (unanimous)
• Approved agreement with State Auditor to reconcile JEDD custodial funds for Jan 2014–Jun 2021 (unanimous)

General

The City Council held a public hearing on the 6th amendment to the Joint Economic Development District (J.E.D.D.) contract with Ashtabula Township, which would add two parcels for a new automated carwash on North Ridge Road. No public comments were made, and no formal action was taken, as required by law. The council will vote on the amendment at a future regular or special meeting.

• Public hearing held on JEDD contract amendment (no vote taken)
• No public comments received on the proposed amendment