April 22, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Members present: Maridee Curry, James Miller, Frank Billings, Michelle Tippie, Bill May, and Debby Curry. Others present: Mayor Angela J. Kuhn, Administrator Dennis Recker, Clerk Susan Miller, Building and Zoning Clerk Barbara Knisely, Bud Bauman, Ray Wood, Jim Grove, and Charlie Grass.
President of Council Debby Curry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and made the motion to approve the Minutes from the October 17, 2006 meeting. Maridee Curry seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Barbara Knisely gave an overview of the zoning code enforcement policy and reviewed the changes recently made to the violation notice letters. She also reviewed the Violation Report furnished to Council members on a monthly basis.
The Committee of the Whole Council discussed various topics including boats and campers, enforcement officer discretion, codes concerning health, safety, and welfare, Traffic and pedestrian structures (stone driveways), and adding language to 1004.03 (F) of the Exterior Property Maintenance Code, as follows "Residential off-street parking surfaces can be gravel". It was noted that the Village seems to be less "aggressive" in zoning enforcement.
The Committee of the Whole Council discussed temporary sign permits and regulations. The temporary sign rules will be suspended while the Planning Commission is working on new language. A letter will be sent to the Chamber of Commerce to keep them apprised of the changes and to ask for their input.
In response to review of the Schedule of Rates and Fees, Barbara Knisely gave an overview of what is involved in the permit process and costs associated with the inspections required for each permit. The Council discussed contractor registration, hot water heater and swimming pool permit fees.
Motion by Debby Curry, seconded by Frank Billings to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. An additional Committee of the Whole meeting will be scheduled in order to continue discussions.
April 29, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Members present: Michelle Tippie, Bill May, Debby Curry, Maridee Curry, Jim Miller, and Frank Billings. Others present: Mayor Angela J. Kuhn, Administrator Dennis Recker, Clerk Susan Miller, Building and Zoning Clerk Barbara Knisely, Ray Wood, Jim Grove, Jim Clarkson, and Howard Hammon.
President of Council Debby Curry called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM and made the motion to approve the Minutes of the April 22, 2008 meeting. Michelle Tippie seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Motion by Debby Curry, seconded by Michelle Tippie to change the $50.00 Building Permit Fee for temporary/inflatable, portable pools to $0.00, provided they are smaller than 24 inches deep and 12 feet in diameter or length and therefore do not meet the definition of "swimming pool". Also add language that the pools must be behind the front yard setback. (It should be noted that pools must be located at least 10 feet from any adjoining property line). 6 ayes
Motion by Maridee Curry, seconded by Michelle Tippie to remove the $.10/square foot fee for pools. 6 ayes
Motion by Debby Curry, seconded by Jim Miller to institute a preliminary plat renewal fee of 10% of the original fee per year with a maximum extended duration of 2 years. 6 ayes
Motion by Michelle Tippie to send the Exterior Property Maintenance Code to the Planning Commission to be written to a baseline that can be enforced.
Motion withdrawn for discussion.
Motion by Maridee Curry upon approval of the Solicitor to set up a complaint driven zoning enforcement system.
No second, motion failed.
The Village Administrator asked for clarification from Council of definition of "complaint driven enforcement". Members of Council responded that "deficiencies noted while traveling to confirm complaints and to follow-up on existing complaints where to be acted on". Members expressed consensus, but took no vote.
Motion by Maridee Curry, seconded by Jim Miller to contact the Solicitor to attend a meeting to answer questions on a complaint driven zoning enforcement system. 4 ayes 2 nays Frank Billings, Bill May
The Committee of the Whole discussed various topics including new construction fees, commercial fees, minor repair fees, banner and temporary sign fees, parkland dedication fee, contractor registration fee, temporary contractor permits, appeals fee, deed restrictions, and common areas of subdivisions.
Motion by Michelle Tippie, seconded by Debby Curry to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM. 6 ayes
June 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Members present: Debby Curry, Jim Miller, Michelle Tippie, and Bill May. Frank Billings and Maridee Curry were absent. Others present: Administrator Dennis Recker, Public Works Director Steve Pilcher, Clerk Susan Miller, Marcus Ricci, Kurt Erichsen, and Les Disher.
President of Council Debby Curry called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM and made the motion to approve the Minutes of the April 29, 2008 meeting. Michelle Tippie seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0
Marcus Ricci, Urban Conservation Specialist with Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District and Kurt Erichsen, Vice President of Environmental Planning for TMACOG gave a presentation on the balanced growth Swan Creek Watershed Pilot Project: The presentation covered various topics including program goals, priority development areas, political jurisdictions, priority conservation areas, and priority agricultural areas. The presenters also talked about the state's use of incentives and potential disincentives.
Eleven jurisdictions out of 20-23 have currently passed Resolutions of Support. 75% approval is needed. Mr. Ricci and Mr. Erichson are hoping for a Resolution of support from Whitehouse by the end of July.
Council and the Administrator asked the following questions:
We have areas we would like to have developed in our land use plan that are not priority development areas on your maps. How can we make these changes? -Yes, if you request a change send a representative to the next committee meeting July, 17, 2008 at the airport.
Do municipalities have a voting right? -Ideally the political districts should have a majority vote, but this system is not set up yet.
How long have you been working on this plan? -We have been working for 2.5 years and will be done by December 31, 2008.
How involved is TMACOG? -TMACOG is the recipient of the grant to carry this project out. We are the staff.
Would we have a voting power? -You are invited to come to the technical meetings.
How many jurisdictions are represented on the technical committee? -Initially we hoped to have a representative from each jurisdiction. This didn't happen, so not everyone is represented.
When you were planning these maps, did you have access to the existing water and sewer on State Route 64? -I don't know.
When this plan goes to the state will the local preferences be honored? -The state said it will not second guess our definitions.
Who will get the maps and how will they use them? -We don't know.
What is the benefit if the Village passes a resolution of support? -Lower interest rates on water and sewer loans, priority for state programs to preserve agricultural land, priority for job creation tax credit, priority for loans and grants.
If we vote not to join, will we still be involved if you get 75%? -You would either be included or the entire area would be considered a white area.
How long until this goes into effect? -We don't know.
I am concerned this will be used as an overriding directive tool. If the state adopts this they will make the decisions as to how it will be applied to determine funding. -The state already determines with minimal discussion with jurisdictions. Our hope is they will use this as additional information.
Is there an advantage to submitting change requests jointly with Waterville Township? -Yes
How will annexations modify this? -Changing corporate boundaries will change priority models.
Whitehouse and Waterville Township are in the process of JEDD discussions. If JEDD's agreements between political jurisdictions result, will they be recognized? -Agreements (JEDD's) would give more merit to your requested changes.
If we support this with a disincentive clause, are we locked in? Can we get out if it isn't working? -We don't know. You could pass a Resolution including an opt-out clause.
The Committee of the Whole expressed interest in considering a Resolution of Support with a disincentive clause if the technical committee is willing to honor the Committees revisions.
With no further business before the Committee, Michelle Tippie moved to adjourn, Debby Curry seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
June 17, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Members present: Debby Curry, Maridee Curry, Jim Miller, Frank Billings, Michelle Tippie, and Bill May. Others present: Administrator Dennis Recker, Solicitor Phil Davis, and Clerk Susan Miller.
President of Council Debby Curry called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM and made the motion to approve the Minutes of the June 5, 2008 meeting. Bill May seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0 (Council member Frank Billings entered shortly after).
Council reviewed the changes recommended by the Charter Revision Committee Report. Debby Curry made the motion to recommend to Council to authorize legislation to place the Amendments to the Charter on the ballot. Motion seconded by Maridee Curry. Motion passed 6-0.
With no further business before the Committee, Debby Curry moved to adjourn, Maridee Curry seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM.
July 29, 2008 Meeting Minutes