July 1, 2013 - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BREWSTER VILLAGE COUNCIL

July 1, 2013

7:00 P.M.

 

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

 

7:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to excuse Council Member Strausbaugh from this evenings 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.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mike Schwab, Mayor

Sherri Bichsel, Council Member

Dave Godwin, Council Member

Tom Hilliard, Council Member

Jay Huff, Council Member

Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member

 

VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Steve Hartman, Village Administrator

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Al McCallin, Solicitor

Rick Patterson, Fire Chief/Street Supt.

Ryan Swan, Lineman

 

MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 17, 2013 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the June 17, 2013 Council meeting minutes.  There were none.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP 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 $ 382,613.21. The vote: All yes.  The two bills for transformers were questioned.  There were three transformers that were ordered for the railroad and the other two transformers were ordered for stock.

 

AUDIENCE:

Richard Lutes and Dave Jones from Muskingum Ave presented a petition requesting action concerning the water pressure in their neighborhood.  They stated that normal water pressure should be between 50 to 70 pounds per square inch (PSI).  They had been instructed that their pipes needed replaced.  Mr. Lutes had Grabill Plumbing come measure his pressure and it was only 30PSI.  When the water pressure was checked, they put a hose on the pipe where the water comes into the house and the water ran muddy for about 15 minutes.  Mr. Jones stated it takes 45 minutes to fill the bathtub and there is not enough pressure to take a shower on his second floor.  They both stated this has been a problem for a long time but it is getting worse.  VA Hartman is going to meet with them tomorrow and get in touch with an expert.  He said it sounds like a problem with the main.

 

Kelly Snavely of the Fairless Soccer Club thanked Council for the use of the fields for their last season and is requesting use for this year.  She also presented a Community Service Donation Request for Council's consideration.

 

Kathy Otto of West Second Street has been experiencing problem with cars being parked in the by-way behind her home blocking her exit from her garage.  This mostly happens during sporting events at the park.  She is requesting better signage.  A new "No Parking" sign and a "No Outlet" sign will be put up.

 

The following residents were also present: Dale Fox, Paul Mackey, Cindy Mackey, and Ryan Mihal.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

Second Reading – An ordinance modifying the permitted height of grass & weeds to a max of 8 inches.

 

Second Reading – A resolution creating a Water Replacement Fund.

 

Second Reading – A resolution to modify the source of funding Council’s & the Mayor’s salaries.

 

First Reading - An ordinance to establish a policy for the disposal of Village property.

 

MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department: Chief Rick Patterson

EMS Program – Capt. Jen Mohler applied for and received a Ohio Dept of Public Safety Grant of $ 5250 for Training & Equipment for the 2013-2014 Award Year; Thank You Jenny !  Chief Patterson stated they were looking at purchasing a new heart monitor and applying the grant money as a down payment.  The monitor costs around $ 30,000.

 

Chief’s Letter – Request that Jesse Rose of 681 N. Wabash be appointed as a probationary firefighter pending a successful physical, drug test, & background check.

 

Chief’s Email – request for annual pump & ladder testing; pump tests approx. $ 600 & ladders approx. $ 350.

 

The Firehouse Software billing is due at a cost of $ 735.

 

Capt. Maybaugh has a hole in his boots.  Cost for a new pair is around $ 350.

 

The house burning on West Seventh went well.  Chief Patterson would like to thank the Dairy for giving them the opportunity for training.  The other small house next to it has some asbestos that has to be removed before it can be torn down.

 

Police Department: Chief Harry Porter

Council has a copy of Sgt. Rossiter’s street light repair list provided to electric; 10 of 13 repaired as of Friday.

 

Financial Statement to Council – Fines, etc. from PD;  Total = $ 118.25; submitted by Chief Porter.

 

June Police Report.

 

Council Member Tharp asked where the Chief has been.  He never shows up for meetings anymore.

 

Council Member Hilliard stated he had received the note from the Chief requesting minutes from the Neighborhood Watch meetings.  He will be getting them out to him.

 

Council Member Tharp asked if the Police Dept. had received anymore complaints about speeding on the north side of town.

 

SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin

Nothing to report.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

Repository Clipping: Comparison of Water Rates in StarkCounty.

 

Request for a donation from the Fairless Soccer Association.

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Steve Hartman

The generator at the Water Plant cannot be used at the Electric Department as suggested last meeting.

 

The Water Tower Automation equipment has been ordered by Bergren.  They hope to have the installation finished by the middle of August.

 

Davey Tree was in to evaluate the tree damaged in front of Tom and Jen Hamilton's home on East Harmon.  He feels the tree has a chance if the branches are trimmed and the damage to the trunk scabs over.  Council Member Hilliard asked if the tree is the Village's or the home owners?  It is the Village's.

 

First Energy has proposed the purchase of 1.5 miles of the 69kV line.  They are to send us a price and a proposal.  Council Member Tharp asked Solicitor McCallin if they could go into executive session once the proposal is received.  Solicitor McCallin believes this is legal.  Council Member Hilliard asked how much the easement for the lines had cost?  VA Hartman stated the engineer has all the documentation in order to calculate a fair market value.  He could look it up after the materials are returned.

 

Roseman has been grading at the Electric building.  They have ordered materials to complete the interior.  They plan to be finished by the end of the month or at least before school starts.  Council Member Godwin wanted to make sure the pile of dirt around the building was being graded.

 

Income tax submittals are flowing in.  Currently we are $ 60,000 ahead of last year.

 

Weed letters went out to: 194 W. Main, 184 W. Main,  201 McKinley, and 549 S Wabash.

 

A nuisance letter was sent to 847 Harriman to put trash in cans so animals can't get to it.

 

Council Member Huff stated the trees by Dave Duff's home need trimmed and wondered if Tim Stith could do some of the needed trimming.  He also stated the light down at the end of McKinley was not on the list.  It stays on all the time.  Council Member Hilliard stated there was a light that goes out intermittently at 5th and McKinley in front of Hess's house.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked if the Walkers had been contacted and asked to attend the July 15th meeting.  VA Hartman stated they were coming and he would make a reminder call a couple of days before.  He also stated that he ran the numbers for th electric bills at the Hillview trailer Park and the Village would collect about $ 3,400 a month, of that only $ 300 return on the investment.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked for an explanation of why the paving was done like it was.  VA Hartman stated there was miscommunication between the representative from Northstar and the foreman.  It was only supposed to be an inch above the gutter.  It is also cracking.

 

Council Member Bichsel asked what the plans for Pinewood where the storm sewer was repaired.  The VA will have it patched.

 

Council Member Godwin asked that the area where the water main breaks occurred be repaired on West Harmon Street.

 

MAYOR:

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of June 20: variance for 3 foot sideyard setback for construction of a garage at 375 N. Wabash approved.

 

Hillview Court: BeachCity has provided printouts for their electric accounts for 2011-13 (Council copy of current account list)   28 active & 4 inactive accounts.

 

Meeting with First Energy on June 18^th (Council copy of minutes); gist - new FE Substation in Harmon for better reliability & options for Brewster, proposed FE purchase of 1.5 miles of Brewster feeder line; two items Council may want to put in mix: guarantee from FE for sufficient future power from Harmon Substation & provisions for a second Village connection.

 

Mayor’s Memos: Mower Deflector & Roller Disposal Issues (Council copies)

 

Exploring: A Camera for Yard Waste/Storage Barn area; Menard’s has a First Alert Single Camera DVR setup for $ 200; review of installation manual for possible purchase; add-on camera possible; will update Council.

 

Council Member Hilliard stated he received the two letters from the Mayor concerning the roller and the mower deflectors.  He stated the Mayor did a lot of work researching and it all comes down to a lack of communication.  We need to get faster communications.  Council Member Tharp asked the Mayor what the value of the roller was.  Mayor Schwab stated he couldn't tell the value of a 24 year old roller that we no longer have possession of that had an oval roller and a blown engine.  There was a lengthy discussion that followed.

 

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Kris King

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

 

Starting this month, the firemen will be receiving their checks monthly instead of semi-annually.  Do you want me to present that total before you each month?   Council will also be receiving their checks monthly.

 

The CO detectors were approved at a cost not to exceed $ 2,500.  The actual cost was$2,872.80.  I will need a motion to pay this bill.  Chief Patterson stated that one of the detectors was for the Sewer Plant.

 

Asst Clerk Cunningham has been analyzing the village's hours to determine our full time employee equivalents'.   March 2013=26.53.  April 2013=25.98.  May 2013=28.77.  These FTE's mean that we are considered a small employer.  A small employer does not fall into the "Play or Pay" Program.

 

Payments amounting to $184.72 have been paid out of  the $15,000 deposited with the Ohio Public Entity Consortium to pay the Village's portion of employees high health insurance deductibles.

 

The 2014 Alternative Tax Budget is due at the county on August 20, 2013.  This will require a resolution to be drawn up. 

 

Provided the June financial report.

 

"VILLAGE SPEAKS":

Tom & Jennifer Hamilton reported damage to a tree during the paving project; Chief Porter has provided an incident report w/pictures & VA has contacted Northstar who has looked at the damage & an arborist to assess the damage.

 

Ed Reidenbach of West Main Street would like the  trees in front of his home looked at.  He put between $2,400 and $ 2,700 in fixing his sidewalks and they are needing repaired again.  VA stated  they are Norway Maples and he will take a look at them.

 

COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL REPORTS:

Council met with Sugar Creek Twp Trustees on Monday, June 24 & agree in principal to a joint repair project on             Harmon/Harmondale: 

• Council may want to ratify the specifics of the agreement by Motion
• Council may want to direct that a written agreement for future maintenance of Harmondale & Browndale be created

 

Neighborhood Watch Meeting on June 18^th; Chair Councilman Tom Hilliard.  He stated they will start walking the streets next month after they receive their t-shirts.  He provided cards with the Police dispatch number on them.

 

Economic Development Committee June 26^th meeting with Shearer’s Foods (Council copy of Mayor’s minutes).  Council Member Tharp stated theses meetings are opening the doors was communications.  He stated good things will come about because of these meetings.

 

Councilman Godwin has provided information about a park swing that will support a wheelchair.  He will work with Supt. Patterson to find the equipment he is looking for.

 

Utility Committee meeting: Council Member Tharp report that there was a nice discussion on the water and sewer rates earlier this evening.

                                                                       

PENDING PROPOSALS from past meetings:

Police Garage proposal: Being Reviewed by Parks & Grounds & Finance; Mayor has asked Street Superintendent to provide a cost estimate for adding on two stalls to Street Garage to accommodate sheltering of Police cars in existing first two stalls.  Estimate to include building, concrete, electric, oil separator, and so forth to keep surprises to a minimum (may be a reasonable solution to Street & Police Department’s storage issues).

 

A Village Social Media Policy from Mayor; referred to Employee Committee for review

 

On Call/Stand By Schedule in Electric Utility; currently being reviewed by Utility Committee

 

Senior Citizens’ program/facility; currently WANDLE House provides Euchre on alternate Wednesdays.

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to suspend the Council rule requiring an expenditure to wait one meeting before consideration and purchase a pair of fire boots at a cost not to exceed $ 350.00.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to instruct the VA to put a "No Parking" sign at the entrance of the by-way as requested by Kathy Otto.  The vote: All yes.  A "No Outlet" sign is going to be put up also.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to allow the VA to hire a fourth lineman.    Council Member Godwin brought it forward because VA Hartman had provided a list of the duties.  He also stated he had watched them work on replacing poles with BeachCity after a crash.    Council Member Tharp stated that was not what he asked for.  He wanted the day-to-day activities.  VA Hartman stated if they do not pass it, his last action before leaving will be to hire that fourth lineman.  The vote: Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Godwin, yes;  Hilliard, no; Huff, no.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried hire Jesse Rose as a probationary fireman pending a successful physical, drug test, & background check.   The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL asked Clerk King if a motion was still needed for the CO detectors.  The Fire Dept.'s purchase is under $ 2,500 so a motion was not needed.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to suspend the Council rule requiring an expenditure to wait one meeting before consideration and pay the Firehouse Software agreement at a cost of $735.00.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to instruct VA Hartman to contact a water expert to take a look at the low pressure situation that Mr. Lutes and Mr. Jones brought to Council.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to draw up an agreement for the maintenance and repair of Harmondale and Browndale and be signed by all parties. The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to draw up an agreement for Harmon and Harmondale repairs that includes both crews will work on the prep.  The Village will pay for the cold mix for patching.  The Village and Township will split the cost of the asphalt and application by the contractor.  The Village will pay for the tar and the Township will cover the cost the gravel for chip and sealing the road.  After the project is complete, the Village will assume the maintenance of Harmondale and the Township will assume the maintenance of Browndale.  Council Member Hilliard stated we have had nothing but problem with the road projects in the four years he has been on Council and hopes we have better luck on this one  The vote: Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Godwin, yes; Hilliard, no, Huff, yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried draw up a resolution accepting the 2014 Alternative Tax Budget.  The final number will not be available until the last reading.  The vote: Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Godwin, yes; Hilliard, no, Huff, yes.

 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 ____________________________________

K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer

 

 

 ___________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor