July 3, 2017 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 Asst. Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Cunningham followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBERHILLIARD to excuse Council Member Godwin. Discussion on the absence. The vote: All no. Motion Failed.
VILLAGE OFFICIALS:
Joyce Cunningham, Asst. Clerk-Treasurer John Anthony, Solicitor
MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 19, 2017 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the June 19, 2017 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 THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to accept the bills in the amount of $ 82,403.43. The vote: All yes.
AUDIENCE:
Police Chief Keith Creter, Fire Chief Chris Colucy, Ray Heitger, Jenny Spivey, & Jim Spivey were present.
No one wished to speak.
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES: Titles of each read by Solicitor John Anthony
Second Reading: An Ordinance authorizing the Vacation of a portion of 40-foot-wide Harriman Street(ROW).
Second Reading: An Ordinance Authorizing the amendment of Section 76 of Village Code to include Section 76.061 – Parking Violations.
Councilman Hilliard asked Chief Creter if he had any questions on the parking ordinance. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that Section B, which was to explain the payment amount and timeline of the tickets, should be removed since it was unclear, but no action was taken.
Second Reading: An Ordinance Authorizing a Purchase Agreement with the Fairless Board of Education to purchase the 1.526-acre South Water Tower Access Lane.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:
Fire Department: Chief Chris Colucy
There are no SOP (standing operating procedure) in place for open burn complaints. Residents are asked to call 911. There was lengthy discussion, this seems to be more of a problem out of town than in town. An Ohio EPA pamphlet was distributed to council. Councilman Fox thought it would be a good idea to send the pamphlet to residents in the utility bills. Councilman Tharp brought up that something could be put on the website to call 911.
State Fire Marshall sent the FD a letter saying they ran out of grant money for the proposed purchase of a thermal imager. Will try again for the grant.
Chief Colucy was asked if he had a total of profit for the festival. He stated the Firemen’s Assoc. made almost $21,000.00. With the proceeds of the gun raffles - a thermal imager will be purchased by the association for one of the trucks. He thanked everyone for the support to the FD.
Police Department: Chief Keith Creter
The monthly activity was 646 responses.
Chief Creter had the results from the electronic speed sign. He explained in detail the copy of a graph given to each councilman. Rick Patterson has suggested to put the sign on a trailer so it can be flipped around to get different readings.
Chief Creter gave the information on the mass notification system (reverse 911 service). He sat in a webinar with Hyper Reach. At a cost of $4,900.00 a year, it has the capabilities of internal and external calling, mass messaging, and call outs. More info to follow. This product is highly recommended. The Chief will set up another meeting. If any of council would like to attend, he stated he could hold a meeting during councilmembers available hours. Fairless uses “Blackboard” system and the Chief will contact them for input.
The new car should be here this week. The 2008 Crown Vic is not worth selling. The Chief feels that in the long run, that we should take it straight to the scrap yard. The car will be stripped of equipment that can be repurposed. It is possibly worth about $350.00 if scrapped. Chief Colucy asked if the FD could have it to cut up for training, then flat-bed it for scrap. Village Tech Jim Spivey was asked if he could flat-bed it for scrap and answered it is possible.
June financial report is $200.00.
The Chief stated they have had a good result with Watch Guard for the body cameras. He would like to purchase 3 body cameras in the amount of $3,870.00 and suggested purchasing them with new 0.2% Income tax revenue monies.
Chief Creter recently assisted the FD on a call, with all that they handle, he feels that they should have showers and be able to change clothes for sanitary and health reasons. Chief Creter offered kudos to the FD for the work they do.
VILLAGE SOLICITOR:Attorney John Anthony
Attorney Anthony had been asked to create an animal ordinance. He reviewed a few samples and has created a draft. He explained that Council can review his draft and make additions and/or deletions as they see fit. The sections of the ORC that relate to animals are 90.14 and 90.16. Attorney Anthony stated that his draft legislation was up for discussion.
Attorney Anthony has reviewed the Village’s Health Insurance Contract with Ohio Insurance Service and OPEC-HC. The contract is in force until December 31, 2017. The buy-out to get out of the program remains to be seen. The Village may want to look elsewhere.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Ohio Insurance has sent new cards to all employees and contact info for the 7/1/17 change to Benovation and pharmacy benefits to ApproRX.
The village received a Thank You letter from Abigail Quinn, who the Village co-sponsored for 2017 Ohio Girl’s State.
Stark County Commissioners send a letter of approving the Municipal Road Fund application of $26,500 for 2017.
ASPCA Letter advising the Brewster Codified Ord. 90.16 is not in compliance with a recent Fifth appellate Court ruling that Pit Bulls shall not be classified as “vicious dogs.”
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Mike Miller (On Vacation)
Administrator’s report for period 6/20/2017 thru 7/3/2017:
- ELECTRIC PURCHASES. As I informed Council previously, the Mayor and I met with Mike Migliore, Vice President of Power Supply Planning and Marketing with AMP, as well as other representatives of AMP on Thursday June 15th to review our annual Power Supply Update. We went over the Village’s current position as well as what steps the Village can take to stabilize or lower rates in the future.
As I also indicated, one of the items that we need to take action on are purchasing of blocks of energy and/or remainder purchase contracts for 2022 – 2027 to take advantage of the current energy prices. I have continued to communicate with AMP, and at this time I have two (2) ordinances for Council to adopt.
The first is for a fixed block of power from 2022-2027. This in essence would replace the 1.0 MW Citi @ PJM West (2016-2021) at $35 / MWh block, hopefully at a lower price to continue to stabilize our purchase costs.
The second is for a remainder purchase from 2022-2024, which would extend what we did last year with a remainder purchase from BP Remaining Requirements @ ATSI Zone (2017-2021) at $32.91 / MWh, hopefully at an equivalent price (that may be more difficult, because that contract is our lowest).
I have provided Council a pie chart and a graph from the AMP PowerPoint presentation to help visualize what we are doing.
I AM REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL PROCEED MONDAY JULY 3RD MEETING TO CREATE THE TWO (2) ORDINANCES, AND SUBSEQUENTLY PASS THEM ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS AT THE JULY 17TH MEETING.
- Trees. The contractor hired by the Village has completed work
- removing trees in the right-of-way
- removing trees at the Water Plant
- limbing up some trees and removing dead ash trees along the access lane to the South Water Tower.
I will be preparing a list of locations to replace the trees removed, which will take place late this Summer or this Fall.
- Filter Media Replacement at Water Treatment Plant. We received the report on the condition of the filter media vessels at the Water Treatment Plant from Dixon Engineering. A copy has been provided to Council. A request has been made to Dixon Engineering to provide a quote to prepare specifications to replace the filter media and recoat the inside and outside of the tanks. It will be a single project. While the filter media is performing well, as previously discussed we want to have the specifications completed so that we are able to quickly bid the project out when we determine we need to replace the filter media. That could be a few years off.
- Park Drive Water Line. Our crews have replaced the old (where broken lines occurred in past) portion of the water line south of the levee and north of the creek on Park Drive. They also have installed a new valve at East Main Street and Park Drive and have begun to work their way south towards the levee.
- Security. Cameras have now been installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to monitor entry points.
Sabo Park Disc Golf Course. Rick Patterson obtained bids toupgrade of the “tee boxes” to concrete. Work will be commencing in the next few weeks.
- Street Department. I have advertised for a Village Technician in the Street Department. The advertisements are appearing in:
- the Canton Repository
- the Massillon Independent
- the Far Corner
- the Ohio Municipal League website
- the Operator’s Training Council of Ohio website
- the Village’s website
The deadline is July 14th.
Street Sweeping. Our second street sweeping of the year was completed Tuesday June 27th.
- McKinley Ave Cable Lines. The week of June 19-23 Frontier has removed more of their lines from the old electric poles. The Electric Department will be removing the old poles in the near future.
- South Water Tower (and potentially Solar Field) Access.Limbing up some trees and removing dead ash trees along the access lane to the South Water Tower (to allow access by the Electric Department Bucket Trucks to install a pole near the water tower for security purposes - light and security camera) has been completed.
Work has now commenced on improvements to the access road.
- Training. I attended a training sponsored by Ohio Public Employers Labor Relations Association (OHPELRA) on June 23, 2017 that covered legal updates on human resource issues.
Councilman Hilliard asked what the white lines were on Main St. Village Tech Jim Spivey answered that they were OUPS markings for the gas line.
VILLAGE MAYOR: Mike Schwab
- Brewster Federal Credit Union requested the removal of the concrete barriers adjacent to their parking area on Wednesday. The barriers were moved to an adjacent Village area on Friday and will be moved to a Village storage area when Village staff is available
- Formation of a Fire/EMS Committee to become familiar with Village EMS services & Fire operations, and to discuss financing and future budgets of both; Committee appointment would be Chief Colucy, Asst. Chief Mohler (EMS), Clerk, VA, Mayor, & two volunteers from Council ?? Councilman Hilliard and Councilman Hawk volunteered for the committee.
- Suggest that a Council Committee review animal issues (chickens, dogs, etc.) as well as review other communities’ approach to the issues that animals may present
VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER: Kris King (absent – Joyce Cunningham ably substituting)
1. The OWDA Annual Financial Form has been submitted (addresses Village’s debts serviced by OWDA)
2. Legislation: 13-2016 to present has been submitted to American Legal for update of Village Codifieds
3. June Financial & Year to Date Report
COMMITTEES or COUNCIL REPORTS: 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
1. Employee Wage Compensation Committee Minutes met on June 22; reviewed position/wage
comparisons with similar municipals; Minutes provided
2. Employee Wage Compensation Committee will meet on July 13 at 6 pm
3. Village Records Commission meeting minutes from June 19
REMINDERS: July 15th Concert in the Park 7 to 9:30 – The Originals
July 20th at 7 pm Planning Commission Hearing: Vacation of Harriman Street
EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:
1. None Pending
PENDING PROPOSALS FROM PAST MEETINGS:
1. Council appointment of one member to the Village Board of Income Tax Review
2. Open Burning in Village (Council provided with copy of EPA regs.); Mayor suggests that Village adopt legislation mirroring the Ohio EPA’s regulations
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 FOX and motion carried to consider under emergency the purchase of body cameras from Watch Guard in the amount of $3,870.00. Councilman Hawk thought it would be nice if we advertise this use of Police Income Tax monies. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to draw up a resolution for Sydney Colucy making the Honor Roll and any others. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to amend the parking violations ordinance striking Section B from draft. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to have a safety meeting on Monday, August 14th @ 6:30 PM to discuss the draft ordinance on animals and such. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to draw up emergency legislation for a fixed block of power. This in essence would replace the 1.0 MW Citi @ PJM West (2016-2021) at $35 / MWh block, hopefully at a lower price to continue to stabilize our purchase costs. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to purchase from 2022-2024, which would extend what we did last year with a remainder purchase from BP Remaining Requirements @ ATSI Zone (2017-2021) at $32.91 / MWh, hopefully at an equivalent price. The vote: All yes.
COUNCIL MEMBER THARP asked Chief Creter to look into what it would cost for a mount to put the speed sign on.
VILLAGE SPEAKS:
Councilman Hilliard was approached about the chipping off concrete on the curbs by the gun club. Village Tech Jim Spivey stated it probably was done by the plows and when the street sweeping was done, the chips broke away.
AUDIENCE TIME:
Ray Heitger, 317-7th Street SW, provided information that had been gathered in 2010 concerning animal ordinances, a packet he had from 1993 along with a letter from a lawyer from when there were issues with a dog kennel. Mr. Heitger stated he would share the information as long as he could get it back.
Village Tech Jim Spivey was asking about the ordinance requiring the approval of council to dispose of anything with the original purchase price of more than $1,000.00.
Chief Colucy brought up that there have 329 calls so far this year.
Councilman Hilliard brought up that as he was walking in Village Hall today, the siren was going off, would like to see that siren go away. Chief Colucy said he didn’t care if it was eliminated. Why are we making our residents miserable? Discussion. The pole for the tornado siren should be 20 ft. higher. Need to do something about the siren. Chief Colucy thinks it should stay as it is and suggests putting a higher pole up. Village Tech Jim Spivey thinks it would be wise to re-locate the siren, maybe move it farther south.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Cunningham, Asst. Village Clerk-Treasurer
Mike Schwab, Mayor