October 15, 2012 - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BREWSTER VILLAGE COUNCIL

OCTOBER 15, 2012

7:00 P.M.

 

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

Sherri Bichsel, Council Member

Dave Duff, Council Member

Tom Hilliard, Council Member

Jay Huff, Council Member

David Godwin, Council Member

Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member

 

VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Steve Hartman, Village Administrator

K. Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Al McCallin, Solicitor

Jen Mohler, Paramedic and Fire Captain

Nathan Taylor, Police Officer

 

MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 1, 2012 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the October 1, 2012 Council meeting minutes.  There were none.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to accept the minutes.  The vote: All yes.

 

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 442,923.22.  The vote: All yes.

 

GUEST:

Marilyn Slaby, candidate for the House of Representatives spoke to Council.  She took over the position when her husband took a position with the PUCO.  She had previously served as a State Representative, been a teacher and a small business owner, and served as an administrative assistant for the Board of Elections.  She stated the importance of working well with both parties and that she will able to as she has in the past.  She discussed her part in the education bill, the Jobs Ohio and her common sense initiative, regulations causing small businesses to fail, and new school funding.  Council Member Duff brought up hospitalization costs and she stated she would look into it.

 

The following residents were also present: Paul and Cindy Mackey, Linda Taylor, Joseph and  Dawn Strausbaugh, and Dale Fox.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

An ordinance that provides the division of moneys received from SugarcreekTownship and Tuscarawas Township Fire and Ambulance contracts between the Fire Fund and the Ambulance Replacement Fund was given third reading.  (Mayor and Clerk recommend that this ordinance be modified to provide that the moneys received from the SugarcreekTownship and Tuscarawas Township Fire and Ambulance Contracts be placed in Fire Equipment Fund only.)  Council Member Huff stated he was told he would have numbers supporting which fund the money was going to be deposited in.  He was in on Friday and there was nothing in his mailbox.  He questioned the money received from the tax levy for the Fire Department.  The Mayor stated it had been previously split 48%/52% between the Fire Fund and the Ambulance and Equipment Fund.  The Ambulance and Equipment Fund has been replaced by the EMS Fund.  Mayor Schwab stated the separation of the EMS Fund was because the Paramedic Program was self-supporting.  He explained how the money collected from the insurance claims for calls is how the program is funded.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL to table the ordinance until figures supporting the ordinance are provided.  The vote: Hilliard, yes; Huff, yes; Tharp, no; Bichsel, no; Duff, no; Godwin, yes.  Mayor Schwab broke the tie with a yes vote.  The ordinance was tabled.

 

An ordinance authorizing the renewal of contract with Attorney Larry Chapanar as Village Prosecutor was given first reading.

 

A resolution employing Attorney Al McCallin as Village Solicitor for two years was given first reading.

 

An ordinance adjusting the base wage and certain benefits of Village employees(2% increase for 2013) was given first reading.

 

RESOLUTION 32-2012: A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Stark County Budget Commission and declaring an emergency was given first reading.

 

Mayor Schwab explained the County sent the resolution to the Village earlier this month and required that it be passed by the end of the month.  Council Member Huff inquired about the millage and amounts received by the Fire Department.  Clerk King explained the how once an amount is certified that it will not increase with property values increasing.  She also discussed the difference between renewal and replacement levies.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings and bring forward the resolution for passage.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to pass Resolution 32-2012 as read.  The vote: Hilliard, yes; Huff, yes; Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Duff, no; Godwin, yes.  

 

RESOLUTION 33-2012: A resolution of appreciation to the Fire Department men and women for their work on the Fall Fest was given first reading.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to pass the resolution as read.  The vote: All yes.

 

RESOLUTION 34-2012: A resolution of appreciation to Jacqueline Musacchia and Kris King for their work on the Arts on the Boulevard event was given first reading.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to pass the resolution as read.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Tharp asked why Solicitor McCallin's contract is a resolution and Prosecutor Chapanar's contract is an ordinance.  Solicitor McCallin explained that his position is by statute.  He is in charge of the prosecutor.

 

MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department: Chief Rick Patterson

A two inch hose and gated "y" need replaced.  It's going to be around $800.00.

 

It is time to renew the contract with LOGIC for dispatching services; an ordinance is needed.

 

Captain Jen Mohler reported on National Fire Prevention Week.  The department provided a backpack, water bottle and reflective trick-or-treat bag to kindergarteners through third graders at the Elementary School.  She's working on getting the fire trailer for the students to go through next year.  She has asked the Village employees to put up signs to remind the residents to change their fire alarm batteries when they change their clocks.

 

Council Member Huff asked about the old ambulance he saw one day.  It was the 1977 ambulance that has been converted into an equipment truck for the Water Department.

 

Police Department: Chief Harry Porter

It is time to renew the contract with LOGIC for dispatching services; an ordinance is needed.  The Fire Department and the Police Department have been on the same ordinance in the past.

 

Officer Taylor received notice that he needed a letter from the collaboration board stating that they approved of him applying for a grant in order to apply for it.  This is a grant for another car camera.  It is a 10% match grant.  The cost is $ 5,200 for the camera with the Village paying only $ 520.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to draw up a letter of approval for the grant application.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Hilliard stated he received a compliment for the Police Department for slowing the traffic in town.  He also brought up the Police garage.  Officer Taylor discussed the sensitivity of the cameras and computers to extreme temperatures.  The Mayor is going to contact Harris Day concerning the development figures.

 

SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin

Solicitor McCallin stated he would like to renew his contract with no increase due to the budgetary concerns.  Council thanked him.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

Received notification from ICAN, Inc. concerning the proposed Senior Housing Project.

 

Stark County Health Department: Three rabid bats incidents in StarkCounty from June through August; since 2001 animal rabies have been confined to bats.

 

LOGIC/RED Center: 3% increase in dispatch contract in 2013, 2014, & 2015.

 

From Council Member Godwin: Soccer Association looking for equipment storage site.  VA Hartman to check the Boy Scout building to see if there is room.  Putting it inside a fence at one of the departments was discussed.  Two of the goals are 16 feet wide and cannot be broken down.

 

Council Member Godwin reported that 5 of the 8 Boy Scouts got poison ivy while tearing down the old storage barn at the park.

 

Council Member Duff wanted to make sure the Clerk received the same raise as the other employees.  He was told that is how the ordinance has been written.

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Steve Hartman

Electric:

The Department is working on a line at the railroad.  First phase will include eight poles and the second phase will include 3 poles.  They will be removing six transformers and another bank.  The railroad has agreed to primary metering.

 

The Electric garage is progressing.  The framing and siding is done on the outside.  Plumbing approval is expected Tuesday or Wednesday from the county.

 

Sewer:

Hazen-Sawyer has submitted an application for the October WPCLF funding meeting.  This does not commit the village to anything, it just makes the money available if Council wishes to proceed with the project.  We should be getting an answer by the first meeting in November.

 

Street:

Leaf pick-up started this week.

 

Central Allied supposed to be in on the 23rd.  VA Hartman has been calling them.

 

The storage area in the attic is progressing in conjunction with fixing a water leak that was discovered behind the jail cell.  Council took a moment to go back and look at the progress.

 

Village:

VA Hartman met with Kent Baker of Engineering Associates concerning the intersection of Elton and Route 93.  Mr. Baker will meet with ODOT and report back to the village.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked if there were any more quotes for the water building roof.  VA Hartman stated the reason many contractors don't want the job has to do with the bonding required by the Village.  He sent out information to eight contractors now.  VA is expecting a quote tomorrow from Council Member Duff's recommendation.

 

Council Member Huff asked if Council wanted Reilly Sweeping to do the last sweep that we scheduled in November.  Last year the Street Department was racing ahead of the sweeper trying to get as many leaves out of the way as possible.  VA Hartman stated the sweeping can be moved to a different date as Council wishes.

 

Council Member Huff noticed yellow markings all over the street down on Mohican.  He wondered if the gas company was changing their lines.  VA said it would be good timing if they are.

 

Council Member Huff stated that electric poles are to be inspected by an outside company every eight years and wanted to know if the Village has been doing this?

 

Council Member Huff wanted to know since the old salt barn was empty if the tractor and the roller be stored in it out of the weather.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Proposal: Draft of a Public Officials Salary resolution; 2% raise for Village Clerk; Mayor and Council no raise; intended to provide vehicle for discussion.

 

NATUREWORKS/ODNR Grant applications for Parks and Recreation are due 02/01/2013 (75% State funding).

 

Copy of the pending 2012 Employee Wage ordinance with possible modifications noted in bold print.

 

The repair of a water leak in the wall behind the old Village Hall Jail will cause the removal of the jail; this will create the needed space for an ADA restroom in Village Hall.

 

Does Council have any interest in the Village petitioning the State to reduce the speed limit on Rt 62 in front of the Fairless Schools?  The current speed limit is 55 MPH.

 

Solicitor McCallin provided a memo that clarified some concerns the Mayor had for on-call.

 

There is an online poll on the website concerning Village trash collection.  It will be available until November 14th.

 

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT:

Copies of last year's year-end legislation.  Working on the figures for the 2012       ordinances and also 2013 temporary appropriations.

 

Remind Council to look over and sign the check register on the table.

 

Still working with the Tax Equalization Division of the State of Ohio to transfer the $53,000 from the EMS Fund to the Ambulance Replacement Fund.  We may have to leave it in the EMS Fund and pay that much out of the Fund when it is time to make the purchase.

 

"VILLAGE SPEAKS"

E-mail from Ohio House candidate Mike Kaplan sent to Council.

 

COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL REPORTS:

Council Member Tharp reported on the Economic Committee meeting from earlier this evening.  The four topics covered were:

• Proposed changes to current Community Reinvestment Area
• Proposed letter to be sent to business owners concerning Brewster Business Association
• Possibility of putting solar panels on Village buildings
• Presentation by Mike Migliore & Jay Myers on the Village's power supply update

 

Mayor suggests each committee take on a winter project for 2013.

 

            Note: The Goal of any committee meeting is to discuss an issue or proposal and to             provide by a consensus of the committee members a recommendation to Council.

 

Reminder: Council's FEMA training available at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is908.asp; it is an hour course.  Council Member Hilliard stated he passed it.

 

EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:

Fire Chief: Two inch hose and gated Y replacement = $800

 

Note: Also awaiting additional quotes for a new roof on water storage building.

 

PENDING PROPOSALS from past meetings:

Elton Street/N. Wabash   Avenue Intersection Upgrades-awaiting proposal costs from Engineering Associates.

 

Police Garage proposal: awaiting development costs from Harris Day Architects.

 

Community Area Reinvestment Area (CRA); Suggested modifications from the Mayor (referred to Economic Development Committee).

 

A handicap accessible bathroom project; from Supt. Patterson and Mayor (referred to Building, Parks, Grounds Committee).

 

Alley and Street Opening Procedures draft from Mayor (referred to Street Committee).

 

If any of Council has any concerns with the First Energy Project, now would be the time for recommendations or concerns to be sent to the Siting Board.

 

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUFF and motion carried to approve the lowest quote on the Water Department building from the Water Fund.  The vote: Hilliard, no; Huff, yes; Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Duff, yes; Godwin, yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER DUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN to approve up to $ 8,000 in updates to Village Hall which include an ADA compliant restroom and drywall Council Chambers.  Council Member Tharp stated he was ok with the restroom but not to drywall the Council Chambers.  Council Member Huff asked if the work was going to be inspected for ADA compliance and stated once compliance issues were started that the Village was no longer considered "grandfathered" as far as ADA compliance was concerned.  Solicitor McCallin stated the Village is no longer exempt.  Council Member Duff said to do it all.  The vote: Hilliard, no; Huff, no; Tharp, no; Bichsel, no; Duff, yes; Godwin, yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to petition the State for a speed limit reduction to 35 MPH on Rt 62 in front of the schools.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Huff had a couple of ideas he shared with Council.  First was to take $100 from the Recreation Fund and have a Christmas Decorating Contest with an outside judge.  The second was a Winter Street Party.  Have bed races, turkey bowling, grill hotdogs and serve warm cider.

 

Council Member Bichsel met with one of the members of the Recreation Board.  Supt Patterson is going to put two tables in front of Village Hall but she needs someone to go shopping and pick up pencils, erasers, and spider rings to put in gift bags.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER DUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to hold a Parks & Grounds meeting on November 5th at 6pm in Council Chambers.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to approve the construction of an ADA compliant restroom at Village Hall not to exceed $ 8,000.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to hold a Street and Sidewalk Committee meeting on December 3rd at 6pm in Council Chambers to discuss Alley and Street Opening Procedures and the Street Levy.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to draw up an ordinance for a three year contract with LOGIC/RED Center for 2013, 2014, & 2015 for Police and Fire dispatch.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked if the Clerk needed a motion for the year-end legislation.  Clerk King stated she wanted to keep Council informed of what was coming up and didn't need a motion at this point.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:56pm.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 ____________________________________

K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer

 

 

 ___________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor

 

 

 

 

Village Hall Flu Clinic - October 23rd - 10-11am - $25.00 for Residents

 

Trick or Treat - October 30th - 6:00 to 7:30pm

Drive Safely!