February 29, 2016 - Council of the Whole Meeting Minutes

 

6:30 P.M. – CALLED TO ORDER by Mayor Mike Schwab

 

Mike Schwab, Mayor                                      Dale Fox, Council Member

David Godwin, Council Member                    Chuck Hawk, Council Member

Tom Hilliard, Council Member                       Paul Mackey, Council Member

 

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer                 

 

The meeting was held to discuss several employment issues and make sure everyone was on the same page or at least up to speed. 

 

The first topic was the interim village administrator position.  Village Technician Dan Klein has been appointed to the position.  There has been an ordinance requested to increase the salary from an additional $17,000 per year to an additional $25,000 per year.  The $17,000 was established in an ordinance in 1992.  This means that instead of earning his current rate plus $8.17 per hour, he would earn his current rate plus $12.02.  Some members of council were concerned whether the interim position could provide much to the Village.  Under the ORC, the interim has all the authority vested in the VA position and will be working with council on significant issues and expenditures.  The interim position will have an expenditure limit of $5,000 without council approval.  The interim will also be required to attend all council meetings.  He will be working with the superintendents and the public and performing similar duties on a part time basis. 

 

Job reassignments and the concerns and ramifications were discussed.  A new position of Assistant Water Superintendent would be permitted according to Solicitor Anthony.  The position is filled by the VA with the Mayor’s approval.

 

Human Resources Consultant John Barkan’s current contract lapses on February 29, 2016.  After 18 months, the consensus seemed to be that he did not complete what was expected of him.  It was stated that there were some factors that contributed to the lack of completion.  It was noted that he did a good job during his tenure at the village when it came to answering human resource questions and memos.  Council Member Hilliard felt that the job descriptions should have been completed in the eighteen months Mr. Barkan was paid for.  Council Member Mackey expressed concerns that Mr. Barkan was not allowed to finish the project in the Fire Department because some people in the Fire Department felt Mr. Barkan was infringing on their territory.  Council Member Mackey was very disappointed in the Standard Operating Procedures provided by the chief and reviewed by Mr. Barkan.  He had eight pages of corrections.  The mayor feels that the village needs to have a human resource professional to reach out to for questions and was opposed to using Mr. Barkan.

 

The appointment of a new administrator was discussed.  The ORC specifies that the VA be appointed by the mayor with a majority vote of all council members elected.  In other words, 4 out of the 6 council members have to agree with the mayor.  There was discussion as to what council expects the mayor to look for in a new VA.  Education and professionalism seemed to be several council members’ main requirements.  The mayor stated it is very important to have people skills, not only to deal the employees but residents and business owners.  He has had three inquiries for the position already.  Council Member Hawk let the rest of the members of council know that he intended to throw his hat in the ring.  He would have to have the support of four out of five of the other council members.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

_________________________

K. Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer