December 1, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
Brewster Village Council met in regular session with Mayor Mike Schwab presiding.
7:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER
Council Members bowed their heads for the invocation provided by Clerk-Treasurer K. Kris King followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mike Schwab, Mayor
Dale Fox, Council Member Dave Godwin, Council Member
Chuck Hawk, Council Member Tom Hilliard, Council Member
Paul Mackey, Council Member Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member
VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Al McCallin, Village Solicitor Rob Pauley, Village Administrator
K. Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer
EMPLOYEES:
Jen Mohler, Interim Fire Chief Mark Murdocco, Fire Captain
Mike Mohler, Firefighter
MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 17, 2014 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the November 17, 2014 Council meeting minutes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to accept the minutes as presented. The vote: All yes.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 114,694.82. The vote: All yes.
Council Member Hilliard mentioned the clothing purchased for the new lineman trainee. It had been explained that it was safety fire resistant clothing.
AUDIENCE:
Council Rules: Members of the audience shall rise to be recognized, state their name and address, ask their questions or make their comments in a direct manner, and receive their answer in a like manner. Members of the audience shall only speak at audience time, and shall be ruled out of order if they attempt to join in Council’s discussions. Courtesy shall prevail at all times.
Ray Heitger, 317 E. 7th St, requested a budget of up to $1,000 for the children's Christmas at Village Hall celebration on December 18th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Fire Department meeting room. Ray advised that they had spent $ 700 in 2013.
Others in attendance: Cindy Mackey, Ray Heitger, John Barkan, Linda Taylor, and Ann-Margaret Lambo.
PRESENTATION OF GUESTS:
None
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:
Second Reading: Adoption of a Temporary Appropriation Resolution for 2015.
Second Reading: Adoption of a Supplemental Appropriations and Amending Appropriations Resolution for 2014.
Second Reading: Authorize Transfer of Funds from General Fund to Street Resurfacing & Capital Projects Funds.
First Reading: Resolution of Necessity for the Renewal of the 4 mil Fire Levy for 2016-2020 and requesting that the County Auditor certify tax valuations and revenue.
First Reading: Resolution to submit a ballot issue for the Renewal of a 4 mil Fire Levy for 2016-2020 to the voters for the May 5, 2015 election.
Council Member Hilliard brought up whether the fire levy should be a renewal or a replacement. There was a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of each with no changes being made to the resolutions.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:
Fire Department: Interim Fire Chief Jen Mohler
From the Mayor: Interim Chief Jen Mohler and Interim Asst. Chief Jon Huff are doing well insuring that day to day Fire Department operations continue, and through the dedication of all Fire Department members, the department continues to handle fire calls and EMS runs efficiently.
Interim Chief Mohler advises of several necessary repairs to vehicles; working with VA to get accomplished. The 2009 squad (#155) needs a head gasket at a cost of about $6,200. The 2003 squad (#156) has an oil leak. The 1993 pumper (#151) needs just over $1,700 in repairs. The 2007 Pumper/Rescue (#158) needs around $200 in repairs. She stated that the department is looking at a high number of calls this year.
Interim Chief Mohler has contacted Sugarcreek Township Clerk Mark Phillips concerning the renewal of the Fire/Ambulance Contract. He stated it will probably be reviewed mid-January 2015.
Council received ten applications for the Fire Chief position; 6 candidates were interviewed on November 29 and the other 4 will be interviewed on December 3.
Council Member Mackey asked if there was any further information concerning past due billings. Interim Chief Mohler stated one company had been contacted. They would charge 30% of the funds recovered from individuals while it would charge 50% for estates.
Council Member Tharp asked if they were getting a lot of calls on the weekends since the village added the 12-hour shifts on the weekends. Interim Chief Mohler reported it was hit and miss.
Police Department: Chief Harry Porter(excused-on vacation))
The School Resource Officer hours are now at 15 hours/week; one FT Officer continues on Sick Leave.
Chief continues to advertise for Part Time Officers & hopes to provide Council with candidates soon.
Council Member Tharp asked about Worker's Comp claims.
Council Member Hawk stated that at the festival it should be the "first team" on duty. They are more familiar with our residents.
VILLAGE SOLICITOR:Attorney Al McCallin
Solicitor and Mayor request a brief Executive Session to provide Council with information on a candidate for the next Village Solicitor.
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried for Council to go into executive session for the purpose of considering the employment of a Village Solicitor for the Village of Brewster at 7:28pm. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to exit executive session at 7:48pm. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to have a special meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6pm to interview a Village Solicitor candidate. The vote: All yes. VA Pauley questioned if there is sufficient time to advertise. Clerk King referred to the Sunshine Law Book and stated only 24 hours notice was required for special meetings. She would notify the paper this evening.
Walker vs. Brewster Mediation on Wednesday, December 10 at 8:45 am at the County Court House.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Recreation Committee – Ray & Lavonne Heitger: Requests up to $ 1000 for Christmas in the Village festivities from Recreation Fund. Council was provided copy.
Rover Pipeline Project (Path South of Brewster) scoping Public Meeting conducted by FERC at Fairless on 12/04 at 6 pm; Rover representatives will be in attendance at 5 pm to answer questions Council was provided a copy. Council Member Tharp stated he has been asked to speak on behalf of Rover Pipeline.
From OML: Ohio HB 5 Information. Council has been provided a copy.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR:VA Robert Pauley
Administrator’s report for period 11/18/2014 thru 12/01/2014:
- Windstorm of November 24th resulted in downing of 2 poles. One on SR 93 south of Sugarcreek bridge. One at rear service to 615 Tuscarawas NE (localized outage restored by 7:30 p.m.).
- Curbside leaf pickup completed.
- Reilly Sweeping completed 5th & final sweeping of the year.
- Amherst St. paving project – completed, will process pay request following engineer’s recommendation less 8% retainage.
- SafeSidewalks (Precision Concrete Cutting) completed pilot area (32 slab/slices) – Wabash Ave. underpass east side and Main St SW. (Wabash to 224 Main St SW).
- FE 69kVA substation changeover – GPD will have preliminary costs/options for the December 15th meeting – request a Utility Committee meeting for that evening.
- With Mayor, representative of council, Streets Superintendent and Interim Fire Chief met with Frontier Gazebo’s. Follow up meeting scheduled for December 4, 2014.
- Sweetwater pump station project, next progress meeting scheduled for December 18th.
- Wastewater Superintendent will be on medical leave, expected return Dec. 22, 2014
- Reminder curbside Christmas tree pickup will be January 5, 2015 thru January 16, 2015 or dropped off at the yard-waste drop-off area at the Street garage. Residents should remove ornaments & lighting strings from the trees.
- Reminder – the winter snow parking ban is in effect when snow depth is 3” or more. No on-street parking at that time.
VILLAGE MAYOR: Mike Schwab
Council Letter of Appreciation to Brewster Family Pharmacy; Council Letter of Appreciation to the Station Restaurant. Both need Council signatures.
Mayor, VA, Interim Chief Mohler, & Supt Patterson met with Frontier Gazebo to get the ball rolling on the Village’s Gazebo Project.
VA has let a contract for engineering of Police Department Garage Door Project.
RCAP will be at Village Hall on December 4th to discuss a GIS Project in the Village Water Utility.
VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER:Kris King
Check register for tonight's meeting provided for Council's signatures.
CompManagement is representing the village tomorrow in a Worker's Comp appeal. I'm currently trying to work to complete another worker's compensation case.
The village's certificate for an additional amended certificate has been accepted by the Auditor's office. I'll be working on entering all the Kenmore Construction payments.
A request for fund approval has been submitted to Local Government Services for the creation of the Sidewalk Improvement Fund. Dave Thompson from that office has contacted me and is recommending we create this fund under ORC 5705.13 instead of 5705.12. He stated that this was a better fit for the Village. This would make it a Capital Projects Fund. This will require a new resolution.
Continuing submittals to OWDA for the Sweetwater Pump Station Project.
Financial Reports were provided in Council's mailboxes.
Part time overtime: I spoke with John Barkan and also emailed Solicitor McCallin concerning an employee that worked 103.5 hours in a pay period. The employee that was affected by this received half time for the hours he worked over 80. This should be addressed in the next personnel handbook and wage ordinance.
A local business owner and I are starting to gather ideas for a village Christmas celebration. Looking at holding it in the park in the gazebo.
VILLAGE SPEAKS: Communications to Council Members from Village residents
Nothing to report.
COMMITTEES or COUNCIL REPORTS:
*NOTE: The Goal of any committee meeting is to discuss an issue or proposal and to provide, by a consensus of the committee members, ONE recommendation to Council.
Parks & Grounds Work Session at 6 pm this evening. Alcohol use in the Village park was discussed and more information will need to be gathered and another meeting needs to be scheduled.
Economic Development Work Session at 6:30 pm this evening. The Village's role and support of a Business Association was discussed.
Safety Committee Minutes from 11/17/2014 were provided.
Council of the Whole Minutes from 11/29 – FD Chief Interview session #1 were provided.
REMINDER: Council of the Whole Work Session on 12/3 at 6 pm for Solicitor interview
Council of the Whole Work Session on 12/3 at 6:30 pm for Fire Chief Interviews
Council of the Whole Work Session on 12/6 at 1:30 pm for Fire Chief Interviews
Street & Sidewalk Committee Work Session on 12/08 at 6 pm
Records Retention Commission will meet on 12/15 at 6:00 pm
Council of the Whole Work Session on 12/15 at 6:10 pm to discuss Electric Outage
Street & Sidewalk Committee Work Session on 01/05 at 6 pm
Parks & Grounds Committee Work Session on 02/02 at 6 pm to discuss alcohol in the park
EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:
Donation Application: Fairless Youth Basketball Association – requests $ 500 to purchase equipment.
PROPOSALS PENDING:
From Mayor: Formulation of a plan and protocol for use of the Sidewalk Repair/Replacement Fund.
The creation of a Brewster Business Association.
Mayor & VA will prepare draft legislation for general operation of Village utilities and regulations for the operations of each of the three utilities for review in 2015.
Village Clerk: Requests that Council advise her of any significant expenditure plans in 2015 for the 2015 Budget Plan.
OLD or NEW BUSINESS:(Council Rules dictate a one meeting review period for expenditures, unless deemed an emergency)
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to draw up a resolution creating a Sidewalk Improvement Capital Project Fund as permitted by ORC 5705.13. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to hold a Park and Grounds Committee Work Session on February 2, 2015 at 6:00pm to discuss alcohol in the park. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to cancel the dog ordinance meeting on December 15th, 2014 at 6:30pm and replace it with a Utility Committee meeting with GPD reviewing the scheduled power outage. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to donate $500.00 to the Fairless Youth Basketball Association from the Recreation Fund. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to permit the Recreation Committee to spend up to $1,000 from the Recreation Fund for the Village Children's Christmas Party with Santa on December 18th at 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the meeting room at the Fire Station. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to hold the second round of Fire Chief interviews on Saturday, December 6, 2014 with the Council as a Whole starting at 1:30 pm. Council Member Tharp asked to be excused. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to move the Records Commission meeting from 6:15 pm to 6:00 pm and start the Utility Committee meeting at 6:10 pm instead of 6:30 pm with GPD Engineering on December 15th, 2014. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to permit the Clerk to spend up to $100.00 for the Christmas celebration following the December 15th Council meeting. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm.
Respectfully submitted,
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K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer
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Mike Schwab, Mayor