July 21, 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 Kris King followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mike Schwab, Mayor
Dale Fox, Council Member
Tom Hilliard, Council Member
Paul Mackey, Council Member
Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member
VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer
Al McCallin, Solicitor
Rob Pauley, Village Administrator
VILLAGE EMPLOYEES PRESENT:
Joyce Cunningham, Village Clerk Asst.
Harry Porter, Police Chief
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to excuse Council Members Dave Godwin and Joe Strausbaugh. The vote: All yes.
MINUTES FROM THE JULY 7, 2014 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the July 7, 2014 Council meeting minutes. Council Member Tharp asked that "Amended House Bill 5" be added to his statement in the fourth motion under old/new business. Council Member Fox noted that the second motion under the same section needed to be amended to reflect that Council Member Tharp seconded the motion.
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY and motion carried to accept the minutes as noted. The vote: All yes.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 359,041.16. The vote: All yes.
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 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.
Peg McCune, 216 Superior St., asked if the Village gave sewer forgiveness for filling swimming pools. She stated Beach City takes the reading before and after filling the pools and does not charge the resident sewer on that portion of their water. VA Pauley explained that the Village offers a deduct meter at a cost $105.00 if residents wish to avoid the sewer charges.
Others in attendance: Ray Heitger, Cindy Mackey, Linda Taylor, Alan Cunningham, Peg McCune, Sherri Bichsel, Robert and Joann Brown, Louie Carroll, and Alyssa Morlacci.
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:
Second Reading: Authorize an adjustment of the base wages and benefits of Village employees; as drafted a 3% wage increase for all employees.
Second Reading: Authorize the Renewal of Village Natural Gas Aggregation Agreement with Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. for the October 2014 – October 2016 term (Council copy of six natural gas suppliers proposals received by Village broker Buckeye Energy Brokers, Inc & recommendation).
Second Reading: Adopt the Solid Waste Management Plan of the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District.
First Reading: Authorize a Contract for Casualty & Liability Insurance with Wichert Insurance Agency for Village.
First Reading: Adopt the Village’s 2015 Alternative Tax Budget.
First Reading: Voice Opposition to State HB 5 and Substitute HB 5.
PLEASE NOTE: Pending ordinances & resolutions are drafts only and are fluid documents that can be modified during the Three Readings process until the final vote by Council.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:
Fire Department: Chief Ricky Patterson(absent)
Nothing to report.
Police Department: Chief Harry Porter
The 2015 Ford Explorer has been ordered in silver. The equipment has also been ordered and is expected to be available in about six weeks.
SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin
COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried that Council go into executive session at 7:07pm to meet with Legal Counsel to discuss disputes involving the Village that are the subject to pending or imminent court action. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY FOX and motion carried to exit executive session at 7:17pm. The vote: All yes. No action was taken.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Ohio Municipal League email: House Bill 5 erodes local tax revenue. (Council provided with a copy).
Historical Society Presents: A Dinner Show on October 11th – Riding the Rough Rails; $ 12 for a dinner and a show. (Council provided with a copy).
Stark RPC: Community Development Block Grant Workshop 08/20 from 9:00am to 11:30am; ten points awarded toward a CDBG project application for attendance.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Rob Pauley
Administrator’s report for period 07/04/2014 thru 07/18/2014:
- Water break on July 9th on Wabash Ave. at underpass – 8“ ductile iron main (circa 1968), approx. 38” longitudinal split on bottom of pipe. (Split section of pipe is in FD parking area if you want to see the longitudinal split). Repairs accomplished with support from all departments. Thank You to Shearer’s for working with village on reducing major water consuming production processes, and Brewster Parke for curtailing resident laundry services.
- Zearly Unit 1D gas/oil well (Ohio Valley Energy): access roadway and drilling operations began, expected to continue to early August. Coordination with ODNR – Div. of Oil & Gas Resource Management and Stark County – Soil & Water Conservation District regarding water withdrawals from Sugarcreek.
- Mosquito fogging (adulticide) continues as needed & weather conditions permit. Larvaecide (pellets) 2nd application to land areas.
- Village Hall remodeling – walk-thru with electrical & building inspectors accomplished. Wood Electric began work, village offices will close Wednesday July 23rd at 11:00 as the electrical panel serving the village offices will need to be de-energized for modifications, street department personnel will assist with the necessary framing & support. This will not affect the FD or EMT operations. HVAC work scheduled for Thursday (July 24th).
- Cardinal Services completed the ACM Hazard Assessment for the Street Dept. storage building (recycling center). All samples came back as non-detect for asbestos.
- I would like to ask for a Utility Committee meeting for September 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. AMP will present the power supply planning and forecast for the Village.
- For a limited time, Efficiency Smart is making appliance recycling even more rewarding for residential customers of Brewster Municipal Electric. Schedule a FREE pick-up of a working refrigerator or freezer by August 31, and you’ll receive $60 for recycling your unit. Plus, you can enjoy savings of up to $150 a year on your utility bills! Call 855-695-5296 or visit efficiencysmart.org to schedule.
- Received a call from Carson and Barnes Circus. They would like to perform on August 10th. It would cost the Village $295 plus any permits that are required. Council Member Tharp asked about additional costs and Council Member Hilliard stated it was short notice.
Council Member Hilliard asked if the handicap swing was received yet. VA Pauley stated it is in the Street Garage awaiting the location at which Council Member Godwin wants it installed. He asked about the gravel for Brown's. Mayor Schwab stated this will be discussed later.
Council Member Fox asked if the agreement on Harmondale included mowing. VA Pauley to contact Mike Bucher from Sugarcreek Township.
VILLAGE MAYOR: Mike Schwab
Review of past measures for Sidewalks in Village and options available. (Council provided a copy).
Alley Specifications & Comments. (Council provided a copy). Mayor Schwab suggests that in order to provide consistency Council may want to create an ordinance that provides specifications for an alley. Council member Tharp asked if the portion of Williams Street in question is an alley, and Schwab replied in want of a better description he was calling it an alley instead of a driveway in Williams Street. Council Member Tharp stated that if the gravel requested is wider than the gravel that was already there then wouldn't it be an improvement. He then stated to just get it done and we can look at the ordinance later. Council Member Hilliard stated he thought it only needed two tons. He then stated to put an inch or two, it just needs a little and that we've done it before. VA Pauley stated he has already received three requests to what is referred to as "free gravel". He needs to know how to handle these and future requests. Council Member Hilliard stated he is just trying to please a resident. VA Pauley stated there needs to be consistency. The easiest remedy to this is to vacate the platted street and give half to each abutting property owner and get out of the gravel business. He stated there is enough of a base of gravel for cars and even the electric trucks did not leave ruts when driving on the graveled area. What Council is asking for is only cosmetic. Council Member Tharp stated that Council directed him to put down two tons. Council Member Hilliard stated to measure it and give the measurement to the gravel company and let them tell you what you need.
Memos addressing two audience concerns from July 7th meeting were emailed to Council.
Attorney Tscholl’s review of Sgt. Rossiter’s Paid Administrative Leave is progressing.
Given to Insurance Committee concerning Employee Health Insurance: Ohio Public Entity Consortium Healthcare Cooperative Program; a self insured/pooled resources approach; would suggest a committee review with Brian Savage; 10/01/2014 deadline.
Mayor & VA met for Breakfast with Beach City Mayor and VA last week; posed some hypothetical's.
VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Kris King
2012/2013 Audit: Charles E. Harris and Associates are still working on their field work. The state requires completion by 07/31/14.
Codification process: Indexes are complete. Awaiting information from American Legal to start Phase 2.
I will have estimates for adjustments to the permanent appropriations in the near future.
The Fairless Food Cupboard is in need of non-perishable food donations. There are boxes in the entrance to Village Hall for donations.
The 2014 Arts on the Boulevard is being planned for September 27, 2014. Applications are available in the Clerk's Office.
Retire/New hire of Joyce Cunningham – In 1971 Council created the position (07-1971) authorizing the Mayor to employ an assistant Village Clerk (Council copy of Job Description); OPERS changes in benefits causes Joyce to retire; Our Intent is to rehire Joyce at current wage after 60 waiting period. Council Member Hilliard asked what this would cost the Village. As the Clerk-Treasurer responded as the retirement is via OPERS it costs the Village nothing beyond what was already contributed.
I have a very extensive public records request I am working on. It is taking longer than expected.
Kenmore Construction has turned in their first payroll for the Sweetwater Pump Station Project and is awaiting my certification. This is a new challenge for me so I have no idea have much time this will take. The employee wages have to be paid at prevailing wage for their class and the time the wages were earned. We have to follow Davis-Bacon wage rates. At some point I will have to go to the worksite and interview the workers.
Village Garage Sales are August 8th and 9th.
"VILLAGE SPEAKS"
Council Member Tharp received concerns about the noise from the drilling on Elm Street. They stated they had not received any notification from the Village. VA Pauley stated that Ohio Valley Energy was supposed to notify residents near the site. The Village has no control over the project.
COMMITTEE 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.
Finance Committee minutes from July 7th
Reminder: August 4th at 6 pm – Parks, Grounds, Buildings Work session
August 18th at 6 pm - Employee Committee Work Session
EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:
None.
PROPOSALS PENDING:
From Village Clerk: Request that Council consider a resolution opposing Amended Substitute HB 5 – Municipal Income Tax Reform.
From VA: Select consultant to assist and review In-House update of employee job descriptions.
From Mayor: Request Council’s direction to allow the Village to maintain a three man electric department with the impending retirement of the Electric Superintendent.
From Mayor: Economic Development project suggestion to explore the formation of a Brewster Business Association; would suggest a meeting with area Merchants.
From Mayor: Awaiting quote from Wacker Signs for the installation of Brewster Marketplace signs at two Village SR 93 entrances and the intersection of SR 93/241 as an economic development project.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS:
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to schedule a Utility Committee meeting on Sept. 2, 2014 at 6pm. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:58pm. The vote: All yes.
Respectfully submitted,
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K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer
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Mike Schwab, Mayor