160  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2023  CALL TO ORDER  The regular monthly Council meeting of the City of Saint Marys was called to order by Mayor Lyle Garner on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Notice of this meeting was sent to Council on December 14, 2023, posted at City Hall and published in the  Daily Press.  PLEDGE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL  Mayor Lyle Garner, Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts, Nedward Jacob, Andrew Mohney, Jerome Sorg, Sally Geyer, Manager Joseph Fleming, Solicitor Tom Wagner and Recording Secretary Lorrie  Levenduski.  Shane Schneider joined via teleconference.  City Staff: Tina Gradizzi, Director of Community and Economic Development, Matt Young, Code Official, Dani Kugler, Parks and Recreation Director, and Carol Muhitch, Finance Director. Cly Hornung, Joe Sarginger, Angie Vollmer, Karen Mohney, Lance Mohney, Stephen Bagley, Martin Dornish, Joseph Geci, Sally Geyer made a motion to approve the November 20, 2023  VISITORS  Kurt Nesbitt, Jacob Sorg and Amy Cherry.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  November 20, 2023 - Regular minutes, seconded by Jerome Sorg and all were: in favor.  Meeting Motion Passed PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES TO OUTGOING CITY SOLICITOR  Mayor Garner presented plaques to the following: Councilwoman Sally Geyer 2022-2024 Councilman Andrew Mohney 2016-2024 Solicitor Tom Wagner 2012-2024  COUNCIL MEMBERS AND Councilman/Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts 2020-2024  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda topics.  AGENDA TOPICS MANAGER'S REPORT  Manager Fleming provided the following report:  "This report will be somewhat briefduet to the full meeting Iwant to start off by saying thank you to the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce for putting together the Light Up Night event. Every year it seems like more and more people are coming to this event as we pack the downtown area. It's wonderful seeing everything come together.  agenda.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL  REGULAR DECEMBER 18, 2023  161  MEETING  We are working together with the Boys and Girls Club to help celebrate their 100th anniversary which will take place next year along with the SMILE project which will have its 10th anniversary which was created by John Schlimm. John is putting together a press release which Numerous activities are being held by the Recreation department such the Gingerbread 5K, Letters to Santa and Thei road crew isi in winter mode at thist time. They reçently removed some of the park equipment at Diamond Street Park where updates will be taking place, and this is being spearheaded with the collaborative efforts ofthe Parksand Recreation Board and Shiloh Presbyterian Church. Ihad a great conversation with SMASD Superintendent Dr. Ramsey as we will again keep each other informed of any adverse weather conditions and any impacts on the logistics and transportation efforts of the school district. We started this type ofcommunication line last year and it The new incoming council members have received their welcome packets, and they look forward to serving our The City has received a resolution opposing privatization adopted by the St. Marys Area Water Authority Board of Governors, which took place at last Monday's meeting. This resolution was per request of City Council. Iwant to thank the outgoing members of Council for their hard work and service to our City. I wish you the best on Finally, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a  will be released soon on this topic.  other events.  has been beneficial for both ofus.  community.  your next steps. safe and Happy New Year!"  TREASURERSREPORT  Manager Fleming provided the following Treasurer's Report for The revenue collected for the General fund was at 99% ofbudget. For 2022 revenue was at 95.6%; for 2021 it was 94% and for 2020 revenue was at 86% of budget. The expenditures for the General Fund was at 97% of budget and in 2022 expenditures were 94%; for 2021 they were 87% and for 2020 expenditures compared to budget was 81%. Benchmark would be at 91.6%. The Sewage Treatment Fund billed 84% of the budgeted revenue and had expenditures of 83% of budget. For 2022 - Revenue was 89%- Expenditures 79%. Earned Income tax collected as of the end of November was 113% of budget; for 2022-90.5% and for 2021 -  November, 2023:    162  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2023  98%; for 2020 - 93%. Amount Earned in 2023 is at 89%. Total Real Estate taxes collected as of the end of November was 99% ofbudget; for 2022-it was at 999ofbudget and for 2021 - 100%; for 2020 -9 98% of budget. The market value of the pension plans  has increased for November.  PUBLIC HEARING: Discovery Solicitor Wagner explained the Public Hearing was postponed House CULLC Conditional Use due to procedural problems. There are three outgoing Council Application -Mobile Methadone members that could possibly recuse themselves from participating  Facility  in the hearing, and a current Councilman that may not have been able to participate via teleconference for tonight's meeting. This could have created a situation of not having enough members for a quorum. Also, a decision in writing would be necessary after holding thej public hearing and it would be unlikely that a decision Here requested the applicant consider postponing the public hearing until January and they agreed. The required notifications will occur before the rescheduled date in January. No action was taken since there was not aj public hearing.  would occur before the end of this year.  LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Conditional Use. Application = Discovery House CULLC- Mobile Methadone Facility  PUBLIC HEARING: 2024 City Mayor Garner opened the public hearing for the 2024 City Budget  Budget  at 7:16 p.m.  There were: no public comments.  Mayor Garner closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.  LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Consider for adoption: Ordinance No. 340, providing for the levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year 2024 Motion Passed  Ordinance No. 340, providing for the levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year 2024 was presented for adoption. Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 340 for adoption, seconded by Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts and all were ini favor, except. Andrew Mohney who opposed. Resolution No. 23-20 for the 2024 City Budget for various funds Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts made ai motion to approve Resolution No. 23-20: for adoption, seconded by Nedward Jacob and all were in favor, except Andrew Mohney who opposed.  Resolution No. 20-20 for the 2024 City Budget for various funds Motion Passed  was presented for adoption.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL  REGULAR DECEMBER 18, 2023  163  MEETING  Resolution No. 23-21- Disposition of City Records  Resolution No 23-21, authorizing the disposition of City records, Manager Fleming explained a list of records was attached to the Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 23-21, Sally Geyer questioned the recent dates on some of the records and it was clarified that some of the records were duplicate  was presented for adoption.  Resolution.  Motion Clarification  seconded by Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts.  records.  Motion Passed Resolution No. 23-22-  All were in favor oft the motion.  Resolution No. 23-22 - Revisions to City Fee Schedule was Manager Fleming and Matt Young explained a comparison to other municipalities regarding various permit fees was made and included with Council's packet. The proposed revisions to the Fee Schedule would keep the City's fees equal to or less than Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 23-22, Solicitor Wagner commented that a clarification of measurement should be added to the building permit chart of fees. All were in favor of the motion, except Sally Geyer who opposed. Resolution No. 23-23 - Component 3s Small Flow Treatment Facility Andy Buehler, 124 Valley Rd. was presented for Manager Fleming explained this Resolution was requested due to a failed perk test and inspection for the property. Matt Young explained the process for this request and confirmed Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve Resolution No. 23-23, seconded by Andrew Mohney and all were in favor.  Revisions to City Fee Schedule presented for adoption.  surrounding municipalities. seconded by Andrew Mohney.  Motion Clarification  Motion Passed Resolution No. 23-23 - Component 3s Small Flow Treatment Facility = Andy Buehler, 124 Valley Rd.  adoption.  an annual inspection will occur.  Motion Passed    164  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2023  Resolution No. 23-24-4 Asset  Resolution No. 23-24 - Asset smoothing for the Police Pension Manager Fleming explained this would provide an extra layer of protection and the ability to compensate for any big changes in Carol Muhitch noted this will also reduce the cost for the 2025 Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts made a motion to approve. Resolution No. 23-24, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor. 2024 Wage Schedule for Management Employees was presented Sally Geyer and Nedward Jacob both agreed that they wanted to discuss the matter further and did not agree with the increases. Nedward Jacob made a motion to table the item, seconded by Jacob voted in the positive. Deputy Bob Roberts, Shane Schneider, Jerome Sorg and Mayor Garner voted in the negative. Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve the 2024 Wage Schedule for Management Employees, seconded by Deputy Mayor Bob  smoothing for the Police Pension Plan was presented for adoption.  Plan  the market.  Minimum Municipal Obligation.  Motion Passed  2024 Wage Schedule for Management Employees  for approval.  Motion to Table  Sally Geyer.  Roll Call Vote - Motion Denied On a roll call vote, Andrew Mohney, Sally Geyer and Nedward  Motion Denied.  Motion  Roberts.  Comments  Jerome Sorg stated the following:  Ireviewed the wages and I wasn't comparing them to the State wages. I was looking to keep the people we already have. There isa number on there that is too low, and I hope to work on changing that next year. Some oft these employees did not receive any increases in prior years. New hires were hired at 30 percent less than the person they replaced. That is not how you run a business and it is not how you obtain good applicants. There is a labor shortage and if you want good applicants, you have to pay Nedward Jacob stated that was why he wanted to table the item. He felt there were some employees that were underpaid and questioned a new hire at the same rate, but there would be a  them.  learning curve and this is taxpayer money.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULARMEETING DECEMBER 18, 2023  165  Sally Geyer commented the taxes were raised for Fire and Ambulance, fees were raised and there are people unemployed. Jerome Sorg and Mayor Garner voted in the positive and Andrew Mohney, Sally Geyer and Nedward Jacob voted in the negative.  Roll Call Vote - Motion Passed On ai roll call vote Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts, Shane Schneider,  Motion Passed.  TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: There were no topics for discussion.  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizens comments on non-agenda topics.  NON-AGENDA TOPICS COUNCIL COMMENTS  Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts thanked Mayor Garner and Council.  He wished everyone al Merry Christmas. Andrew Mohney read a prepared statement. Nedward Jacob was the best Council member. wishes to the outgoing members. wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  Sally Geyer wished everyone a Merry Christmas and stated Shane Schneider wished everyone a Merry Christmas and best Jerome Sorg thanked the outgoing members and Tom Wagner and Nedward Jacob wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked Mayor Garner thanked Tom Wagner and the outgoing Council  outgoing Council members and Tom Wagner.  members.  ANNOUNCEMENTS  Mayor Garner made the following announcements:  Council's reorganization meeting will be held Tuesday, The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, Nedward Jacob made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Andrew Mohney. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.  January 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.  ADJOURNMENT  Gnnk Recording Secretary  ps