October 15, 2018 - Meeting Minutes

 

Brewster Village Council met in regular session with Mayor Mike Schwab presiding.

 

7:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to excuse Councilman Hilliard from tonight’s meeting.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Members bowed their heads for the invocation provided by Clerk-Treasurer

Kris King followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mike Schwab, Mayor

Dale Fox, Council Member                           Dave Godwin, Council Member                

Chuck Hawk, Council Member                     Andrew Hess, Council Member                 

Thomas Hilliard, Council Member                Sydney Radich, Council Member                              

 

John Anthony, Solicitor                                  Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Michael Miller, Village Administrator

 

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the October 1, 2018 Council meeting minutes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HESS and motion carried to accept the minutes as presented.  The vote: All yes

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RADICH and motion carried to accept the bills in the amount of $ 39,751.57.  The vote: All yes.

 

Police Chief Creter, Fire Chief Colucy, and Ray Heitger were in attendance.

Second Reading: Authorize a Contract w/Attorney Ian Crawford as Village Prosecutor from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

 

Second Reading: Authorize a Contract w/Attorney John Anthony as Village Solicitor from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020.

 

First Reading: Amend Village Zoning Code Chapter 153.120 R-5 Mobile Home Park Residential District

 

First Reading: Amend Village Zoning Code Chapter 153.250 Modular, Manufacture, Mobile Homes

 

First Reading: Amend Village Zoning Code Chapter 153.019O Accessory Buildings - Carports

 

First Reading: Amend Village Zoning Code Chapter 153.002 Definitions - Foundations

 

Councilman Godwin stated that there needs to be something added to the code to ensure that areas are kept cleaned up during the construction portion of a project.

 

Mayor Intro /First Reading: Authorize the Termination of OMEGA JVI & the Distribution of Funds

 

Mayor Intro/First Reading: Authorize Renewal of ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Agreement

 

RESOLUTION 47-2018: A Resolution to Approve the 2019 Amounts & Rates to Stark County Auditor was given first reading.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings and bring the legislation forward for passage.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER MOVED GODWIN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOX and motion carried to pass the legislation as presented.  The vote: All yes.

 

Councilman Godwin stated that the County should give Council more time to review and not be expected to be passed at the first meeting.

 

Fire Department: Asst. Chief/Paramedic Jen Mohler

There are 634 calls to date.

 

Chief Colucy recommends appointment of Ellen Borojevich to FD; Mayor requests Council’s approval of his appointment of Ellen to the FD pending successful background, physical, and drug screening.

 

In 2018, Council approved a $200 fee for patient lifts in extended care facilities.  Chief Colucy would like to look at patient lifts in private homes.

 

The Fire Association subscribed to a program called “I am Responding”.  This program allows personnel to sign in on their phones and let anyone on station know that they are on their way.  This allows the department to set off a second tone to alert personnel that they need more people to respond.  Chief Colucy feels that the Village should start paying for it out of the Fire Fund.  Councilman Godwin agreed.  The upfront cost of the subscription is one-year = $800, three-years = $2,066, and five-years = $3,087.

 

The department has applied for FEMA Grants for a new pumper and air packs.

 

Chief Colucy reported that RED Center has approved a remodel.  He expects the prices to go up to cover the cost.

 

Officer Lorenzo has completed his SRO training in Columbus, is now certified, and started in the schools October 15^th.

 

A 2005 Crown Victoria has been purchased at a cost of $3500.00. It is currently getting decaled, once complete it will be in-service.

 

The speed sign was ordered October 7^th and should be coming in any day now.

 

PT Officer James West successfully passed his drug/physical test and was sworn in on October 11^th

 

Vest grant approved by the BWC; Total cost of vest = $17,735.84; Village’s 25 % match is $4,433.96.

 

October 22^nd -26^th is School Bus Safety/School Zone Safety Week. 10/22 is Fairless Safety Day.  The Police Department and Stark Sheriff will have Deputies & Officers on buses, shadowing buses & working the school zones, enforcing all bus stop and school zone infractions.  Councilman Godwin asked if there would be any notification to the public.  Chief Creter stated the Sheriff is advertising and it is on the Brewster Police Department Facebook page.

 

The Police Department has been contacting Residents about trailers parked on the roadway and abandoned motor vehicles. Officer Hudy assigned to the Vehicle Compliance is working on a list of approximately 50 vehicles not in compliance throughout the Village. Officer Hudy works two 4-hour shifts each month.

 

Review of the Annexation Process:  Annexation is the process by which contiguous property is brought into the Village.  Two of the means by which annexation can achieved were discussed: Petition by owners and expedited annexation.

 

Huntington Bank will close their Brewster Branch on January 8, 2019; Village officials have been in contact with several area banks and will meet with them in next several weeks to discuss a Brewster Branch of their bank.

 

RED Center: due to increased costs 2019 Dispatch Rates will increase – Police Department by $1.39 to $12.90 per person; Fire Department by $1.37 to $50.26 per call.

 

Shearer Foods Official: Shearer’s Outlet Store’s last day will be December 21^st.

 

Resident’s Invitation: Ohio 7^th District Candidate Ken Harbaugh at 604 Dartmouth Tuesday at 6 pm.

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Mike Miller

Administrator’s report for period 10/2/2018 thru 10/15/2018:

 

• ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program. On November 7, 2016 Council passed legislation to participate in the ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program. The ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program gives the Village another avenue to efficiently and effectively obtain goods and services at the lowest cost possible, by using the volume purchasing of ODOT coupled with their staff and expertise in preparing specifications and using their bidding process. The alternative would be to prepare our own specifications, advertise ourselves, and purchase based on our more limited quantities.

We have used the ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program for road salt, and this year used it to obtain quotes for our paving program.

The ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program requires that participants file a certified copy of a resolution or ordinance to participate every two (2) years. Ours then, needs to be “renewed”. There is a caveat that IF an ordinance is passed and it is considered permanent by the participating political subdivision.

• Electric - Summer Usage.  June through September hot temperatures lead to high electricity usage in the Village this summer. Average temperatures over those past four months were the warmest on record for the State of Ohio going back to 1895.  The hot and humid weather apparently kept air conditioners humming, pushing Brewster power consumption to 20,169,000 kWh for the 122-day period, which is a new summer high - 5% higher than June to September of 2017. 

Over the summer, Brewster also set its second highest all-time peak load of 9,228 kW on August 29^th during the hour from 3 to 4 pm.  The previous peak of 9,230 kW was set in 2016.

 

• Electric – AMP Dissolution of JV1. We have received a follow-up communication from AMP regarding JV1. In August, Council passed a resolution approving the sale of OMEGA JV1 assets.

Once the assets of AMP JV1 were sold, a meeting was held September 26th of the JV1 Participants. The Participants present unanimously passed Resolution 18-09-230JV1, authorizing the termination of OMEGA JV1.  Although a quorum of Participants was present at that meeting, the Joint Venture Agreement requires that certain actions, including termination of the Joint Venture, be approved by each Participant.  Brewster was not present at theSeptember 26th of the JV1 Participants. AMP is therefore requesting Brewster’s approval of Resolution 18-09-230JV1.  AMP is unable to proceed with the termination until they receive a response from each Participant.

JV1 was nine megawatts of diesel generation installed at Cuyahoga Falls. Project “participants” consist of 21 communities in the Northeast AMP Inc. Service Group: Amherst, Beach City, Brewster, Columbiana, Cuyahoga Falls, Galion, Grafton, Hubbard, Hudson, Lodi, Lucas, Milan, Monroeville, Newton Falls, Niles, Oberlin, Prospect, Seville, South Vienna, Wadsworth and Wellington.

 

• OPWC - North Water Tower Safety Improvements and Rehabilitation Project.

The project has gone well, despite some days where weather did slow things down. Final touches are being completed, and we will be able to refill the North Water Tower shortly. We did have a small change order to do “pit filling” inside the standpipe.

 

Dixon Engineering has been on site and prepared daily reports on the progress, which Council may examine if anyone wishes.

 

All that is left is to process billing through the Village and OPWC.

• Solar Project. The Brewster Solar Project continues to move forward. All the solar panels have been placed/mounted on the racking system. They now will be interconnected and fed back into the conduit system.  I will keep Council informed as we move forward.

Councilman Fox expressed concern about parking on the east side of Wabash north of the underpass in the no parking zone.  VA Miller stated that he has ordered no parking signs and they will be posted.

 

1. Update: Electric Rate Study

• John Courtney & Associates is currently working on the Cost of Service Analysis
• The Electric Rate Study should be provided to a Village administration review & comment in the next couple of weeks
• Suggest that if Electric Rates are modified that Council provide residents and businesses with at least a six month heads up period prior to the modifications becoming effective
• Mayor Schwab stated that it the study recommends a change in the rates, Council allows residents and businesses six-months to budget and adjust for it

2.            FYI – FD Building System to Remove Vehicle Exhaust Fumes

• Provided Building dimensions & number of vehicles to a Vendor
• Quote is for a single, stationary unit, an AirHawk 3000XL manufactured by MagneGrip
• Quote is $ 27,058.00 w/o installation
• MagneGrip provides grant application assistance

3. Huntington Bank - Brewster Branch

• Huntington Bank will close their Brewster Branch on January 8, 2019
• Village officials talked with Huntington President this morning
• Village officials have been in contact with several area banks and will meet with their representatives in next several weeks to discuss a Brewster Branch of their bank

4.            Employee Compensation Committee

• Committee will meet to review employee wages for 2019
• Committee to provide a recommendation to Village Council at their November 5^th Meeting
• Committee: Finance Chair Chuck Hawk, Kris King, VA Miller, and Mayor

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RADICH and motion carried to go into executive session for the purpose of considering the compensation of an employee(s) of the Village of Brewster. The vote: All yes.

 

Council, the Solicitor, the Clerk-Treasurer, the Village Administrator, and the Mayor exited the room at 7:55 pm.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HESS and motion carried to exit executive session at 8:11 pm.  The vote: All yes.

 

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER: Kris King

Fire Pay = $ 6,539.83

 

In between my training sessions in Cleveland I was able to make contact with several banks that have Government Banking and Treasury Management Departments that were in attendance.  The Mayor, Village Administrator, and I have scheduled follow-up meetings with several of them since Huntington is leaving town.

 

The Mayor, Village Administrator, and I have been contacting several companies to see which would be the best fit for our timekeeping and payroll needs.  The companies contacted are Kronos, Heartland, Paychex, and ADP.  

 

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

2. Council of the Whole Meeting tonight to review Elected Officials’ Compensation

EXPENDITURE REQUESTS from past Meetings:

1. PD Chief: 09/17/2018 Meeting: Capt. Taylor - Criminal Investigation Training in Columbus on 12/10 – 12/14; cost $ 495 + cost of hotel/meals + wages; will exceed $ 1000 administrative approval threshold.

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to approve the fire pay of $ 6,539.83 from the Fire Fund.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RADICH and motion carried to approve Capt. Taylor’s Criminal Investigation Training in Columbus on 12/10 – 12/14; cost $ 495 + cost of hotel/meals + wages.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RADICH and motion carried to hold a Parks and Grounds meeting on November 19^th at 6:00 pm.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HESS and motion carried to create legislation banning tobacco and vaping in the Village Parks.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAWK and motion carried to create an ordinance that increases the Clerk-Treasurer salary for the April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2024 by 15%.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RADICH and motion carried to hold a Council of the Whole meeting on November 5^th at 6:00 pm to discuss a Village Solid Waste Opt-Out Program.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAWK and motion carried to purchase a $25 gift certificate from Belloni Foods for Thanksgiving and a $25 gift certificate from Belloni Foods for Christmas for the Village employees and members of the Fire Department.  The certificates are to specify no alcohol or tobacco.  The vote: All yes.

 

VILLAGE SPEAKS: Communications Received by Council members from Village residents

Councilman Godwin received many requests for the Village to find a way to keep a bank in town.

 

Ray Heitger of the Recreation Board requested that the alley behind the Moose and Credit Union be blocked off for the Halloween party in the park.

 

Chief Creter had forgotten to let Council know that all the Officers had been fitted for the new vests.  There are currently 16 Officers on the roster.

 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOX MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 PM. The vote: All yes.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

____________________________________________________

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

 

____________________________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor