January 3, 2012 - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BREWSTER VILLAGE COUNCIL

JANUARY 3, 2011

7:00 P.M.

 

OATHS OF OFFICE: 

Oath of office was administered by Attorney Al McCallin to Councilman Dave Duff, Councilman David Godwin, and Mayor Mike Schwab.

 

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT PRO TEM:

Nominations were opened.  Council Member Hilliard nominated Council Member Huff.  Council Member Bichsel nominated Council Member Duff.  Council Member Tharp nominated Council Member Bichsel.  Paper ballots were distributed.  Council Member Huff received three votes.  Council Member Duff received two votes.  Council Member Bichsel received one vote.  Council Member Huff is the 2012 President Pro Tem.

  

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

David Godwin, Council Member

Thomas Hilliard, Council Member

Jay Huff, Council Member

Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member

 

VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Galvin Fowler, Police Chief

Steve Hartman, Village Administrator

K. Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Al McCallin, Solicitor

Rick Patterson, Fire Chief/Street Superintendent

 

MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 19, 2011 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the December 19, 2011 Council meeting minutes.  There were none.

 

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

 

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 256,205.12.  The vote: All yes.

 

AUDIENCE TIME:

The following residents were present: Ray Heitger, LaVonne Heitger, Linda Taylor, Paul Mackey, Cindy Mackey,  Norma Duff, Nick Pumneo, Nancy Fowler, Dale Fox, Mike Spivey, and Joyce Cunningham.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

An ordinance authorizing a contract change order to Central Allied for the 2011 Street Paving Project was given second reading.  The change order is for $ 26,142.97.  Council Member Hilliard stated he spoke to Village Administrator and now understood the cost increases.

 

A resolution authorizing the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer to enter into agreement with Financial Network of America for the Administration of an Employee Deferred Compensation Plan was given second reading.

 

A resolution authorizing to apply for, accept, and enter into a water pollution Control Loan Agreement on behalf of the Village of Brewster for planning, design, and/or construction of wastewater facilities, and designating the dedicated repayment source for the loan was given second reading.

 

RESOLUTION #01-2012: A Resolution of Appreciation to Dale Fox for years of service to the Village 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.

 

RESOLUTION #02-2012: A Resolution of Appreciation to George Patterson for years of service to the Village was given first reading.

 

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

 

MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department:

Chief Patterson stated the first three rounds of the FEMA Grants have been awarded.  Brewster Fire hasn't been awarded any yet but he is still hopeful.

 

Police Department:

Chief Fowler recommended hiring Auxiliary Officer Michael Spivey as a part-time Police Officer.  Mr. Spivey was introduced to the Council and the audience.  He has received letters of recommendation from Patrolman Ben Truman and Patrolman Nathan Taylor.  This would bring the Police Dept. up to full capacity with five part-time officers.  Hours and pay were discussed.  Mayor Schwab is recommending him to be hired. 

 

Chief Fowler and another officer will be picking up the new $33,420 cruiser at the end of January.  A new $1,500 radar system will be installed that was received as a grant through the State ofOhioby Officer Nathan Taylor.  He also wanted to thank Officer Taylor for all work on getting grants.

 

Council Member Hilliard wants to start an Employee Suggestion Award.  He stated Officer Taylor has been saving the Village money by his pursuit of grants and this would be a way to let employees know they are appreciated.  Council Member Hilliard is going to look into it.

 

Chief Fowler wanted to remind Council of his furnace request.  He stated it is only eighteen degrees out there and the office is getting really cold.

 

SOLICITOR:

Mayor Schwab has requested that Solicitor McCallin educate Council on different topics of their legislative responsibilities.   The first topic of "Village Government 101" was competitive bidding.  Solicitor McCallin discussed limits, exceptions, and procedures of the bidding process.  He also provided a section from the 2010 Ohio Compliance Supplement from the State Auditor.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

OhioDept of Commerce: Request the Village review of State Alcoholic Permits in Brewster.  He forwarded the letter to Chief Fowler.

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR:

Sewer:

The treatment plant loan ordinance that was given second reading tonight was discussed.  It does not commit the Village to any loans.  It just gives the Village the approval of loan funds if Council wishes to proceed.

 

Electric:

Christmas day there was an outage due to a blown fuse.

 

VA Hartman stated several items that could be crossed off the "to-do list" presented to Council in the fall.

 

VA Hartman discussed the Efficiency Smart Program.  AMP, businesses, and residents have been participating.  There have been freezers and dryers turned in by residents.  There has been three (3) MW of savings.  There are currently seven (7) industrial projects at businesses in the community.

 

The electric garage building  bidding specifications have been sent to Engineering Associates.  They were sent up the middle of last month.  The building permit has been approved.

 

Village:

Letters were sent to 161 income tax non-filers.  As of today, 54 have been cleared.  The remainder will be sent to the prosecutor by the end of the month.   Income tax collections are within $10,000 of last year.

 

A letter will be sent to 525 N.Wabashfor House Maintenance Code violations.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Committee assignments were distributed.  Council was asked to review for approval at 01/16/12 meeting.  VA Hartman requested to be removed as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee because he cannot call a meeting as a Village Administrator.

 

Mayor's monthly statement to Council = $0.00.

 

Council Rules should be reviewed at this time for any changes.

 

Village website will be updated.

 

Mayor Schwab introduced himself.  He discussed his history with the Village, his family, his, work history, and his expectations of Council.

 

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT:

December and year to date finance report.

 

As directed by the current Employee Wage Ordinance, 2012 employee raises are to be reviewed by Council with the Clerk-Treasurer making a recommendation.

 

Village has been awarded $550 BWC Grant.

 

December Electric Debt Ratio = 1.11%; 2011 Year-to-Date Debt Ration = 1.16%.  The Village is in compliance with the debt covenant.

 

Mayor Schwab has requested that Clerk-Treasurer King educate Council on different topics of Village finances.   The first topic of "Village Finance 101" was Village Debt.  Clerk King reviewed the seven loans outstanding and two that were paid off last year.

 

"VILLAGE SPEAKS":

Council Member Hilliard reported he received a call from a resident questioning why the plow wasn't on the salt truck.  Supt Patterson stated there wasn't enough snow to plow.

 

COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL REPORTS:

Council Member Hilliard reminded Council of a meeting for the Neighborhood Watch Program on Jan 16th at 6pm with Sgt Denise Rossiter.

 

EXPENDITURE REQUESTS FROM PAST MEETINGS:

Chief Patterson is requesting the purchase of two (2) lifeline ropes at a cost not to exceed $900.00.

 

Chief Patterson is requesting to send two (2) firefighters to the Fire Department Instructor's Conference inIndianapolisat a cost of $820.00.

 

Police Building Heating/Cooling Replacement quotes:

            Quality Heating:         Bryant;10 year parts/1 year labor warrantee               $8,544.00

            Reliable Heating:       Lennox;10 year parts/1 year labor warrantee              $8,648.00

            Shanklin Heating:       Rheem; 5 year parts/5 year labor warrantee                $8,587.00

Chief Fowler would like to recommend Shanklin Heating.

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to purchase two lifeline ropes not to exceed $900 from the Fire Fund.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Tharp questioned the differences between the Quality and Shanklin quotes.  VA Hartman stated the five year labor warrantee could save the Village money.  

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to purchase a Rheem unit from Shanklin Heating and Cooling at a cost of $8,587 from the Police Equipment Fund.  The vote: Duff, no; Godwin, yes; Hilliard, yes; Huff, yes; Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to approve an expenditure for the cost of two firefighters to attend the Fire Instructors' Conference inIndianapolisat a total cost not to exceed $820 from the Fire Fund.  Council Member Godwin asked how the participants are chosen.  Chief Patterson stated it is the Chief, two Captains and usually the firefighter of the year that are offered first.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Duff asked to return to the Police Station furnace.  He stated he had his hand up and was not recognized by the Mayor.  He stated when he purchased his Bryant from Quality Heating that he had a ten year labor warrantee.  The quotes were reviewed and it stated only a one year warrantee.  The Mayor stated the vote was already taken.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to approve the hiring of Michael Spivey pending a physical, background check, and drug testing with the Mayor's recommendation.   The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Tharp went back to a comment made by the VA that he would like to be removed as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee because he didn't have the authority to call the meetings.  Council Member Tharp would like it checked into whether there was an ordinance that made the VA chairman. 

 

Council member Huff would like Council Member Bichsel to call for a Finance Committee meeting for discussion of the failed levy, what are the ramifications and what should be done about it.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP to meet on February 6th at 6pm.  There was a discussion as to whether there would be time to get the legislation into the Board of Elections in time for the next election.  The motion was amended and motion carried to meet on January 16, 2012 at 6:30pm after the Safety Committee meeting at 6:00pm.   The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:16pm.   The vote: All yes.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 ____________________________________

K. Kris King, CMC, Village Clerk-Treasurer

 

 

____________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor

 

 

 

 

"Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now"  - Regina Brett

 

 

"What we do for ourselves dies with us.  What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."

                                                                                                                                     - Albert Pine