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A Committee Meeting of the Johnstown Common Council was held on May 3, 2010 at 7:00p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Slingerland called the meeting to order and led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL – all council members present. PUBLIC SPEAKERS Melissa McGuire residing at 217 ˝ W. Montgomery St. said that her husband was involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Perry and Main Sts. The traffic light was on flashing. There were cars parked along Main St., making it difficult to see oncoming traffic on Main St. He slowly edged out from Perry St. and was struck by a motorcycle. She would like the Council to consider leaving the traffic light on and not on flashing until later at night. PUBLIC HEARING – Amend Traffic Ordinance – Mayor Slingerland opened the public hearing at 7:05p.m. Diane Keltch, 153 & 155 Pleasant Ave. – does not want the traffic light at the intersection of Pleasant Ave. and O’Neil removed. It is now on flashing. She would like it to be on especially when the school is in session. She doesn’t think cars will stop for a stop sign and a sign will just add to what is there now (street sign and other signs). APPROVE MINUTES – the minutes of the April 19, 2010 Business Meeting were approved with a motion from Council Member Preston and seconded by Council Member Cole. Motion carried. CITY OFFICIAL’S REPORTS CITY ENGINEER, CHARLES R. KORTZ – the department is busy with construction season. Last Friday was the last day to submit applications for the sidewalk replacement program. Sidewalks will be inspected and rated. We will have the drawing in about a month. They continue to work on the Mapleton Tract project and have meetings lined up with National Grid, Time Warner Cable and Frontier Communications. Those are the missing pieces of the cost estimate. A video surveillance camera has been installed at the brush drop off site. Curbside pick up is done for the spring. Notices are out to residents who have continued to place their brush at the curb. SENIOR CENTER, MICHELLE JONES – The center will host a brunch for Mom’s on May 10th. Sherri from the Herb Cupboard will speak about herbs and their use in cooking. They will also be celebrating Senior Center Week next week. Tickets for the events are available at the center. The group trying to revitalize the business association will meet at the center on May 19th at 6p.m. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. CITY ASSESSOR, LEAMON STEELE – Grievance Day is set for May 27th from 4pm – 8pm. FIRE DEPT., CHIEF BRUCE HEBERER – The Chief reported the new ladder truck is at Wilde Fire in Mayfield. The ward sweeps will continue and warnings will be given until the citywide clean up. POLICE DEPT., CHIEF GREGORY HORNING – there is a police car he would like to put out to bid. We will have a resolution for the next meeting. The traffic light at the intersection of Main & Perry Sts. issue; it is up to the council as to what they would like to do. Council Member Foss asked the Chief if the light could be set to flashing on certain days at different times. Chief Horning said he would have to check since the light is a digital controller and not sure of the program. CITY TREASURER, MICHAEL GIFFORD – we will need two resolutions for the next meeting to accept a couple of small youth bureau grants. One is $1,350 to offset the cost of a juvenile officer and one for $3,148 for the summer recreation program. The latter is a 50% matched grant. We will also need a resolution to write off foreclosure tax balances. Revenue – Mr. Gifford sent out a memo to the council a few weeks ago regarding sales tax. Based on the amount of sales tax collected in the first quarter, we may have a $130,000 shortfall for the year. This will not be good regarding bridges. We will not be able to absorb this in our fund balance. Also, our State Aid will probably decrease by $30,000. There were tax collection adjustments this year that had a $30,000 negative impact; a grievance that was settled and a roll correction for a business that was entitled to an exemption. The total shortfall is roughly $188,000. LIBRARY, BARBARA GERMAIN – Census training is being held at the library. This Saturday is the annual landscaping day. Mrs. Germain thanked the police and engineer departments for their help when a tree fell from a neighboring yard and damaged a car in the library parking lot. RESOLUTION No 40, 2010 was presented by Council Member Foss to contract with Wilbur Smith Associates to provide preliminary engineering services to inspect and evaluate the Miller Street Bridge. Seconded by Council Member Preston. Discussion: Mr. Kortz went
with the state inspectors to look at the bridge. We have been given 60 days to
repair and will probably have to close the bridge until it is repaired. The
deck and beams need to be replaced. The cost may be up to $150,000. RESOLUTION No. 41, 2010 was presented by Council Member Cole to advertise for a public hearing on May 17, 2010 for the Draft Zoning Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Foss. Discussion: Council Member
Lakata asked that the notice include where the zoning ordinance can be viewed;
City Clerk’s Office, Library and on the City’s website. DISCUSSION Council Member Cole recently attended a presentation at the Johnstown Holiday Inn for Mohawk Cabinet’s new line of ice cream makers. ANNOUNCEMENTS Citywide Garage Sale – May
14, 15 & 16 Mayor Slingerland closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Council Member Lakata and seconded by Council Member Preston. A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Lakata. Respectfully submitted, Cathy A. VanAlstyne |
