Franchise, Lands & Building Committee
2008 Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2008 Meeting Minutes 

Committee members present: Chairman Frank Billings, Bill May and Maridee Curry. Others present: Jim Miller, Michelle Tippie, Debby Curry, Solicitor Phil Davis, Administrator Dennis Recker, Public Works Director Mark Weber and Jim Grove.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Frank Billings at 7:00 PM. Motion by Bill May second by Maridee Curry to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2007 meeting. Motion approved 3-0.  

The Committee approved by motion and majority vote a recommendation to the Village Council to authorize the Village Solicitor to prepare a lease agreement and to authorize the Village Administrator to enter into a lease agreement with Brian Carroll for the lease of the Village Ice Cream Shop. Motion by Frank Billings, second by Bill May. Motion approved 3-0.  

The Committee approved by motion and majority vote a recommendation to the Village Council to declare 6 bleacher sections as surplus property and to authorize the Village Administrator to dispose of or donate these items to any organization that wants them due to their nominal value. The Solicitor will provide language for a letter that the Church must sign acknowledging their exclusive responsibility for these bleachers as they are. Motion by Bill May, second by Maridee Curry. Motion approved 3-0.  

Motion to adjourn by Maridee Curry, second by Bill May at 7:30 PM.  Motion approved 3-0.

March 11, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Committee members present: Chairman Frank Billings, Bill May and Maridee Curry. Others present: Jim, Miller, Debby Curry, Solicitor Phil Davis, Administrator Dennis Recker, Jeff Yoder and Director of Public Services Mark Weber.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Frank Billings at 6:30 PM. Motion by Bill May , seconded by Maridee Curry to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2008 meeting. Motion approved 3-0.

Solicitor Davis informed the committee of recent changes to the Cable Franchise Law by the State of Ohio which had the potential to void the current franchise agreement between the Village of Whitehouse and Time Warner Cable. Upon the recommendation of the Solicitor, Bill May moved and Maridee Curry seconded a motion to recommend to the Village Council that legislation be prepared to enact a new cable Franchise Fee based on gross revenue. The new 5% franchise fee will include advertising revenue of the cable company. Motion approved 3-0.

Staff presented a site plan, cost estimates and a proposed phasing plan for the suggested improvements to Village Maintenance Facility. Motion by Maridee Curry, seconded by Bill May to recommend to the Village Council that the Administrator enter into a contract with Poggemeyer Design Group for preparation of plans for the improvements. Motion approved 3-0.

Motion by Maridee Curry second by Bill May to adjourn at 7:05 PM.

March 25, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairperson Frank Billings, Bill May, and Maridee Curry. Others present: Council Members Jim Miller, Debby Curry, and Michelle Tippie; Village Administrator Dennis Recker, Village Solicitor Philip Davis and citizen Jim Grove.

Chairman Frank Billings called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Bill May moved to approve the March 11, 2008 Minutes. Maridee Curry seconded the Motion. Minutes were approved 3-0. Chairman Billings recognized Village Attorney Philip Davis who provided an overview of House Bill 117 and how it requires municipalities to permit access to public right of way. Mr. Davis pointed out the need for the Village to establish right of way control legislation which will establish control measures governing the placement, spacing, sizing, foundation requirements and other control features for all new utility and transmission equipment in any Village right of way. Mr. Davis explained the proliferation of fiber optic wiring, which is prevalent today among cable providers, WiFi networks, and internet network communications providers.

The Committee consensus was supportive and Frank Billings made a motion to recommend Council authorize the Solicitor and Administrator to draft right of way control legislation for the Franchise, Lands & Building Committee's review set for 6:45 p.m. at a follow-up Committee Meeting before the April 1, 2008 Council Meeting. Maridee Curry seconded this Motion, Motion passed 3-0.

The issue of fees was discussed and the Committee's consensus was to have this issue researched by the Solicitor and Administrator and the recommended fee would be included in the report to the Committee along with the draft legislation.

With no further business for discussion, Maridee Curry moved to adjourn. Bill May seconded this motion. Motion passed 3-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.