City of Milford Council
October 1, 2002


The Council of the City of Milford met in Regular Session in Council Chambers at 745 Center Street at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2002. Mayor Antell opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

Roll Call: Present - Mayor Antell, Mr. Kolb, Mr. Gradolf, Mr. Bishop, Ms. McBeath, Ms. Hinners

Motion by Mr. Kolb and second by Ms. McBeath to excuse Mr. Metz. All voted yes.

Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Gradolf and second by Ms. Hinners to waive the reading and to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2002 Regular Meeting. Mr. Antell, Mr. Gradolf, Ms. Hinners, Mr. Kolb, and Ms. McBeath voted yes. Mr. Bishop abstained.

Mayor Antell presented Chief Cooper from the Milford Fire department with a proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week October 6-12.

Chief Cooper advised in lieu of Fire Prevention Week the fire department will have a Fire department truck for viewing at Walgreens from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 7. Also, the Fire department is having an open house Tuesday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Paul Snyder and Tom Fremont were re-appointed to the Citizens Housing Committee and sworn in by Mayor Antell.

Speaker: Rob Fields, South Milford resident, spoke on traffic issues on Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Fields stated that he’s here this evening to get a commitment from Council to help/work with this/us over a long period of time developing a plan.

Mr. Fields stated three issues: Volume of traffic in the South Milford area, speed, and noise.

Correspondence: None.

Standing Committee Reports

Public Services: Mr. Gradolf reported the Public Services Committee met September 23, 2002 from
5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Gradolf reported that the discussion of the National Pollutant Discharge regulations under the Federal regulations that will make the City of Milford deal with the stormwater run off.

Paul Snyder stated, “The Stormwater Committee recommends to Council to create a Stormwater Utilities.”

Len Harding stated, this will bring some major building code regulations regarding parking lots and construction lots.

Tom Stitt reported his main purpose in this is defining the MPDS portion and the Master Plan for the need the City of Milford has for a Stormwater program and a Stormwater utility. The initial report is to be ready by Thanksgiving.

Motion by Mr. Gradolf and second by Ms. McBeath to draft an ordinance accepting the improvements and releasing the performance bond for River’s Edge and Chamber Drive per the recommendation of the City Engineer.

Mr. Gradolf reported how the Committee discussed the Municipal Building is in need of having the outside walls power washed; however, this has been tabled until next budget year.

Mr. Gradolf addressed the concerns in Mr. Fields letter by stating he is aware of the alleys needing repairs in the throughfare; however, this was not budgeted for this year.

Mr. Gradolf stated the sidewalk repairs in South Milford are patrolled by a part-time City employee to enforce this law.

Mr. Gradolf also stated in response to Mr. Fields letter that the curbing on Cleveland will not be replaced until the stormwater system goes in.

Administrative Services: No report.

Safety Services: Ms. McBeath reported the Safety Services Committee met on September 30, 2002 from 5:10 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Ms. McBeath reported that Mr. Rob Fields attended the meeting and voiced concerns about speed and recklessness of drivers in the South Milford area.

Ms. McBeath reported Chief Lantman requested to receive South Milford Neighborhood meeting notices so that he or another officer may attend the meeting.

Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Mr. Gradolf to draft an ordinance establishing a policy for hiring full and part-time officers. All voted yes.

Ms. McBeath reported the COPS grants are up again. The Committee agreed not to apply for the grant this year. We can’t promise we have the money to keep an officer around two years after the grant runs out.

Ms. McBeath advised Council that the Police department received a grant which will pay for 50% of the $15,000 cost for bullet proof vests.

Ms. McBeath reported the new program the City offers called the Officer Visitation Program. This program is for homebound residents that do not have family or friends to check on them. The program will have an officer stop by their house once or twice a week to check on the resident.

Ms. McBeath reported the Police department expects radios by March 2003.

Ms. McBeath reported the City will now charge $20 for four to six false alarms.


Community Development: Mr. Bishop reported the Community Development Committee met on September 23, 2002 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Ms. McBeath to recommend that Council donate $1,090 to OMMA to fund the entertainment portion of the Christmas Walk. All voted yes.

Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Ms. Hinners to draft an Ordinance adopting the proposed amendment to Ordinance 911.06 (a). All voted yes.

Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Mr. Gradolf to draft an Ordinance adopting the proposed amendment to Ordinance 539.01 (a), as revised. All voted yes.

Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Mr. Gradolf to draft an Ordinance assigning the Enterprise Zone Agreement with NCE regarding real estate only to the W.P. Corey and Company. All voted yes.

Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Ms. McBeath to adjourn to an executive session immediately following this Council meeting. All voted yes.

City Manager: Mr. Wright gave the Managers report in the absence of Loretta Rokey.

Mr. Wright reported that the Water department repaired a 6-inch main break.

Mr. Wright reported we are receiving a good response for the WW Plant Phase I.

Mr. Wright reported the Service department completed the tar and chipping in the alleys in East Milford.

Committee Meetings to be scheduled:

Public Services
Monday, October 7 6:00 p.m.

Community Services
Tuesday, October 8 4:30 p.m.

Administrative Services
Monday, October 7 5:00 p.m.


Several reminders were reported, please see City Managers report dated October 1, for details.

Police Department: No report.

Fire Department and EMS: No report.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

02-230 An Ordninace amending Section 911.06 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Milford regarding materials on street or sidewalk. Motion by Mr. Gradolf and second by Mr. Bishop to suspend the rules and read by title only. All voted yes. Motion by Mr. Gradolf and second by Mr. Bishop to adopt. All voted yes.

02-231 An Ordinance amending Section 539.01 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Milford regarding overnight camping at Terrell Park. Motion by Ms. Hinners and second by Mr. Gradolf to suspend the rules and read by title only. All voted yes. Motion by Mr. Bishop and second by Mr. Kolb to adopt. All voted yes.

02-232 An Ordinance authorizing the execution of the Enterprise Zone agreement assignment from New Creative Enterprises to W.P. Corey & Company. Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Ms. Hinners to suspend the rules and read by title only. All voted yes. Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Mr. Bishop to adopt. All voted yes.

02-233 An Ordinance accepting the public streets, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water lines, and easements for Milford commerce Park subdivision and River’s Edge. Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Mr. Kolb to suspend the rules and read by title only. All voted yes. Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Mr. Kolb to adopt. All voted yes.

Final Comments
Jackie Kohake, East Milford resident, showed glasses that were washed in her dishwasher and provided a sample of tap water. Mr. Bishop invited Ms. Kohake to attend the next Public Services meeting where they would ask Dan Sarbach to attend to discuss this matter.

Doug Vaal, South Milford resident, requested for Council to have South Milford patrolled by a police officer.

Louise Hausman, South Milford resident, reported drivers becoming irate and verbally abusive when driving through South Milford.

Tiffany Finn, South Milford resident, reported a driver almost ran her over with her children and called her a bitch.

Carl Samson, South Milford resident, stated we need to mean what we say and start enforcing the ordinances.

Lynn Chaney, South Milford resident, asked if there is anything that the resident of South Milford can do as a community to assist with the stopping of what’s going on in South Milford.

Rob Fields, South Milford resident, stated the replies given to his letter by Mr. Gradolf were unacceptable.

Motion by Ms. McBeath and second by Ms. Gradolf to adjourn to executive session. All voted yes.

Motion by Mr. Kolb and second by Ms. Hinners to return to regular session. All voted yes.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

______________________________ _________________________________
Joan Barrons-Sweeney, Clerk James J. Antell, Mayor