August 4, 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
David Godwin, 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, Asst. Village Clerk
Harry Porter, Police Chief
Ryan Swan, Electric Lineman
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to excuse Council Members Tom Hilliard and Joe Strausbaugh. The vote: All yes.
MINUTES FROM THE JULY 21, 2014 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the July 21, 2014 Council meeting minutes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to accept the minutes as read. The vote: All yes.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 72,475.74. 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 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.
Peg McCune, 216 Superior St., wanted to speak to VA Pauley concerning her utility bills. She asked what she pays per KwH? VA Pauley stated he did not have access to the information at this time but would be able to answer any of her questions during normal business hours when he has access to the utility records. She stated she would give him a call in the morning.
Ed Reidenbach, 224 W. Main St., asked if Council had come to a resolution concerning his sidewalks. Mayor Schwab provided information at the last meeting but at this point Council has not taken any action. A committee meeting will need to be held to discuss how they wish to handle this and any other similar situations.
Others in attendance: Ray Heitger, Linda Taylor, and Alyssa Morlacci.
With two members of Council absent and several ordinances at third reading, Mayor Schwab provided the following information from the Ohio Revised Code:
731.17 Passage of Ordinances and Resolutions
(A) The following procedures shall apply to the passage of ordinances and resolutions of a municipal corporation:
(4) Each ordinance or resolution shall be passed, except as otherwise provided by law, by a vote of at least a majority of all the members of the legislative authority.
(B) Action by the legislative authority, not required by law to be by ordinance or resolution, may be taken by motion approved by at least a majority vote of the legislative vote of the members present at the meeting when the action is taken.
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:
Ordinance 30-2014: An ordinance authorizing an adjustment of the base wages and benefits of Village employees; as drafted a 3% wage increase for all employees was given third reading.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to pass Ordinance 30-2014 as read. The vote: All yes.
Ordinance 31-2014: An ordinance authorizing the Renewal of the Village Natural Gas Aggregation Agreement with Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. for the October 2014 – October 2016 term was given third reading.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to pass Ordinance 31-2014 as read. The vote: All yes.
Ordinance 32-2014: An ordinance adopting the Solid Waste Management Plan of the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District was given third reading.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to pass Ordinance 32-2014 as read. The vote: All yes.
Second Reading: An ordinance authorizing a Contract for Casualty & Liability Insurance with Wichert Insurance Agency for the Village.
Second Reading: A resolution adopting the Village’s 2015 Alternative Tax Budget.
Second Reading: A resolution voicing opposition to State HB 5 and Substitute HB 5.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:
Fire Department: Chief Ricky Patterson(absent)
Nothing to report.
Police Department: Chief Harry Porter
Chief Porter and Mayor Schwab met with Fairless Superintendent Bidlack: Discussed expansion of Village provided resource officer from 25 hours to 40 hours per week; looking at grant programs.
2015 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor; scheduled delivery around the end of August at which time additional equipment will be installed.
Attorney Tscholl's review of Police Department issue continues.
Council Member Fox voiced his concern about a trailer parked with the tongue sticking out into the street. He is concerned someone may hit it with all the truck traffic that uses the street to make deliveries to the nursing home.
SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried that Council go into executive session at 7:18pm 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 MACKEY MOVED, SECONDED BY FOX and motion carried to exit executive session at 7:30pm. The vote: All yes. No action was taken.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Fairless Youth Football Association: Donation application; requesting $500. Council provided with a copy of the donation request.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Rob Pauley
Administrator’s report for period 07/19/2014 thru 08/01/2014:
- Water leak on July 25th on Wabash Ave. north of the underpass – corporation service to W& LE RR leaking, pinhole leaks found on ductile iron main. Repairs accomplished with support from all departments.
- FirstEnergy transported the first of two transformers for the Harmon Substation on August 1st. All road closures, utility adjustments, traffic control coordinated by FirstEnergy. Firm date for the second transformer transport not set at this point.
- Mosquito fogging (adulticide) continues as needed & weather conditions permit.
- Village Hall remodeling – electrical panel changeover went without incident, phase 1 electrical inspection accomplished. Phase 1 framing inspection scheduled for August 5, 2014. HVAC phase 1 work accomplished.
- Attended AMP Rate Setting & Cost-of-Service training. As part of FY 2015 Budget will propose a comprehensive Cost of Service rate review for all utilities. The cost of service review is a method to equitably allocate the revenue requirements of the utility among the various customer classes of service.
- Reminder - Utility Committee meeting of 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.
- Efficiency Smart, the Village of Brewster’s partner in providing energy efficiency services to its utility customers, will hand out FREE compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and energy efficiency information during an electric utility customer appreciation event on Friday, September 12 and Monday, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 310 Wabash Ave S. Offer only valid while supplies last.
Council Member Tharp asked if the purchase price for First Energy of the portion of the 69kv line had been established. Mayor advised that the purchase price reported to Council previously was around $ 326,000 and that GPD Engineering had provided that figure.
Mayor Schwab requested the timeline for the 2014 Street Project on Amherst Street. VA Pauley stated he will run the advertisement for bids in early September.
Mayor Schwab requested the timeline for the gazebo project. VA Pauley stated he is waiting on the Engineer's drawings.
Mayor Schwab requested a report on the Sweetwater Pump Station Project. VA Pauley stated they are moving along and will have the next progress meeting on August 21st.
VILLAGE MAYOR: Mike Schwab
Provided at the 7/21 meeting - Review of past measures for sidewalks in the Village and options available; he suggested that Council set aside funds for a future sidewalks program. A copy of the suggestion and the 07/21 info was provided again.
Mayor Schwab provided Council with a quote from Wacker Signs for his proposed Brewster Marketplace signs at the entrances of the Village. He feels that this should be considered an Economic Development Project and can be incorporated with the proposed Brewster Business Association.
Mayor Schwab provided Council with a letter of appreciation for Chuck Hawkfor their signatures. After 70 years in business, Brewster Machine has closed their doors. Mr. Hawk took over the business from his father who had ran the business for many years. Mr. Hawk is retiring.
Mayor Schwab provided Council with a suggested August 2014 To-Do List. The list provided up to ten items for each department and council with asterisks next to the ones he felt were a priority.
VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Kris King
The 2015 Alternative Tax Budget will be in Council's mailboxes as soon as it is complete. I will send out an email to let Council know so they can review and have questions answered before the vote next meeting.
July Financial reports have been distributed.
2012/2013 Audit: Charles E. Harris and Associates are still completing their field work. They are coming tomorrow to finish up.
Codification process: Indices are complete. We are making copies of requested legislation from American Legal. Council Member Mackey asked what is left to complete the process. Clerk King stated once all the copies are sent to American Legal, they will review to determine what needs to be included in our Code of Ordinances. They will then check for conflicts with the current laws and with our of other ordinances. They will let us know what legislation needs attention from Council and wait for action. After this is complete, they will send a rough draft for review and changes from the Village and then publish the final copy. After the initial codification, all ordinances adopted during the previous will be sent to American Legal to review and amend our Code of Ordinances. It will be a much smaller project after the initial codification is finished.
I will have estimates for adjustments to the permanent appropriations in the near future. I have not had the opportunity to prepare with the other current project deadlines.
Kenmore Construction has turned in their first payroll and is awaiting my certification. I will be starting this after the auditors have completed what they need from me. At some point I will have to go to the worksite and interview the workers for prevailing wage compliance.
REMINDERS:
The Fairless Food Cupboard is in need of non-perishable food donations. There are boxes in the entrance to Village Hall for donations.
Village Garage Sales are August 8th and 9th.
The 2014 Arts on the Boulevard is being planned for September 27, 2014. Applications are available in the Clerk's Office.
"VILLAGE SPEAKS"
Nothing to report
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.
Insurance Committee: Employee Insurance: Mayor suggests a meeting to be scheduled to meet with Brian Savage concerning Ohio Public Entity Consortium Healthcare Cooperative Program; a self insured/pooled resources approach. The deadline to enroll is 10/01/2014.
Mayor Schwab requested a 2014 Tree Maintenance Plan from the Tree Board; $974 expended to date.
Council Member Godwin reported on the Parks/Grounds/Buildings Committee work session this evening. Worked on some issues and will meet again in late September.
Reminder: August 18th at 6 pm - Employee Committee Work Session
September 2nd at 6 pm - Utility Committee with AMP representative for a Power Supply Review
EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:
PROPOSALS PENDING:
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: Installation of Brewster Marketplace signs as discussed in Mayor's portion of the meeting.
From Mayor: Model Ethics Policy for Local Agency Officials and Employees downloaded from the Ohio Ethics Commission site; respectfully ask Council to review and consider adopting.
Purchase of the American Legion Building; Legion declined Council's March 21, 2014 proposal on May 19, 2014.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS:
COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY to donate $500 to the Fairless Youth Football Association was withdrawn after Council Member Tharp reminded all of the Council Rule of waiting one meeting to consider proposed expenditures.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY and motion carried to have an ordinance drawn up with Ohio Public Entity Consortium for the employee health insurance. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to schedule a Sidewalk Committee meeting on Sept. 15, 2014 at 6:30pm. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to have an ordinance drawn up establishing an Ethic's Policy for employees and elected officials. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER MACKEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm. The vote: All yes.
Respectfully submitted,
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K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer
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Mike Schwab, Mayor