CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on August 28, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Adams, Borland and Custer; Vogel was absent. Staff present included City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Other visitors were Coleen Larimer, Dave Sturm, Deputy Pafford, Paul Maynes, Bill Henderson, Reverend Delores Doench and Becky Nardy.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Borland, all aye, motion carried. Adams made a motion to approve 8/14/17 meeting minutes, seconded by Borland all aye, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Reverend Delores Doench was present to discuss the building at 104 South Main that has recently been purchased for a transitional housing facility for women and children. Doench hopes to have the business open the first part of 2018 and would be staffed at all times with retired and disabled workers. Adams expressed concern of the age of children that could be housed and Borland discussed items donated for the facility.

A discussion was held on the Walking Trail project, which has recently went out to bids. The bids came in approximately $90,000 over the funds that were received. Becky Nardy with SICOG explained that there are TAP funds that the City could apply for; however, there is currently a freeze on those funds until possibly November. Henderson explained that he is confident the TAP funds will come through and that the project should move forward. The DOT has allowed the City to reject or accept the bids within 30 days. Dave Sturm with Snyder's and Associates explained that he overlooked the increased cost estimate of approximately $227,000 as the project was originally funded to cost approximately $150,000.

Vogel entered the meeting at 5:53 PM.

If the City is awarded TAP funds for the deficit, it would only cover 80% of the deficit. The council asked Henderson if he was able to raise the remainder of the funds, as the original plan was that the project would be completed through grants and donations. Paul Maynes added that this project is a step in attracting young people to the community. Adams discussed the "if's" that the City is dealing with on this project, such as will the City receive TAP funds, will other funds be raised and will the City have to cover any of the deficit. Bowman questioned the rebidding process and the timeframe on that, the approximate $18,000 that has already been spent for this project in engineering fees and what fees will be spent if the City took this project out to bids again. Custer expressed his concern of waiting to see if the City receives the TAP funds and possibly re- bidding the project. Sturm will check into the re- bidding process and this will be on the next agenda.

Deputy Pafford reported for the Sheriff's Department and explained the process of parking ordinance violations with trailers and boats on city streets, and encouraged the Council the Department would be taking care of these issues, as well as other parking issues.

There was a discussion held on the possibility of No Parking on Michigan and Ohio, as there are a lot of vehicles parked on the streets, making it difficult around the area of Brooks St. Kitzman discussed a letter received by a citizen regarding the increased speed if the vehicles were not allowed to park on the streets. After some discussion, it was decided to move the signs of "No Parking Here to Corner" back to allow for more room for vehicles to make that corner safely. Kitzman will check into any specifications on this issue and will be on the next agenda.

Bowman made a motion to approve 1st Reading of Ordinance 376 adding a new Chapter to address On- Site Storage Containers, seconded by Borland. Roll call votes, Custer and Adams- nay; Borland, Vogel, Bowman- aye; motion carried.

Vogel made a motion to approve 2016- 2017 Outstanding Obligation Report, seconded by Borland, all aye, motion carried.

Adams made a motion to re- appoint Nancy Chapman to the Low Rent Housing Board for the term of 2 years, expiring September 2019, seconded by Bowman, all aye, motion carried.

Adams made a motion to approve Resolution 17- 24 for 2016- 2017 Street Finance Report, seconded by Borland, all aye, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Tobacco Permit for Ramsey's Market, seconded by Vogel, all aye, motion carried.

Adams moved to adjourn the meeting, Vogel seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M.