August 5, 2013 - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BREWSTER VILLAGE COUNCIL

August 5, 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 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

Joe Strausbaugh, Council Member

Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member

 

VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Al McCallin, Solicitor

 

MINUTES FROM THE JULY 15, 2013 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the July 15, 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 THARP and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 119,530.93. The vote: All yes.  Council Member Huff asked how much a new pump costs compared to what it costs to fix one.  Mayor Schwab is to check the prices.  Council Member Hilliard asked if the roof was paid for twice.  Clerk King assured him it was not but the bill was split between the Water Department and the Electric Department.  Council Member Hilliard asked about the Village paying for the roller rental for the repairs on Harmondale.   Mayor Schwab stated that was what was agreed upon by Council.

 

AUDIENCE:

Nick Pumneo of Seventh Street wanted to know why he was not permitted to have the wood from the large oak tree that was damaged by lightning and scheduled to come down.  He stated that past practice was to offer it to the property owner first.  Mayor stated that the Village Administrator was to speak to Davey Tree about it.  Mayor Schwab thought that the tree company was going to re-evaluate the tree.  Mr. Pumneo would prefer it not to be taken down and if it is, just drop it in the woods.  Council Member Strausbaugh would like a confirmation for Mr. Pumneo on the status of tree.  Mr. Pumneo also had a complaint that he had reported street lights that were out for seven months now and wanted to know why they haven't been fixed.

 

The following residents were also present: Dale Fox, Ray and LaVonne Heitger, Sarah and Micah Strausbaugh, Louie Carroll, and Cindy Mackey.

 

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

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

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP to pass the ordinance.  Council Member Hilliard stated he could not support the ordinance.  Mayor Schwab asked why nothing was brought up until the last reading.  Council Member Hilliard had heard rumors and felt this would not solve the problems.  Mayor Schwab expressed his feelings on rumors.  Council Member Tharp made a motion to table until something more amicable could be reached by all Council Members.  Council Member Strausbaugh seconded the motion.  The vote: Hilliard, yes; Huff, yes; Strausbaugh, yes; Tharp, yes; Bichsel, no; Godwin, no.  Motion carried.

 

Second Reading: 2014 Alternative Tax Budget.

 

First Reading: Agreement with SugarCreekTownship for the maintenance of Browndale and Harmondale.

 

MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department: Chief Rick Patterson

Nothing to report.

 

Police Department: Chief Harry Porter

Switched to StarkCounty & REDCenter’s 800 MHz radio system in works; some minor glitches; scanners will not be capable of monitoring police activity w/o an upgrade; PD has 9 radios applicable to new 800 mhz.

 

On July 31^st Part Time Officer Raymond Gallaher Retired under OPERS; Suggest Council send Thank You Letter.

 

Departmental Social Media Policy (Council copy).

 

July Activity Report.

 

SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin

Letter to VA concerning extension of Village sewer service to Lot 10004011 was given to the Solicitor; Hillview Court Property was split into four parcels and on July 9^th three parcels were sold with Walkers retaining the parcel with the mobile park. Mayor Schwab provided a plat map mylar that was recorded with the County on April 9, 2013.  Schwab outlined the resulting frontage of the new parcels, the sale price of each parcel, and possible impact on the Village.  Attorney McCallin touched on the Consent Order issued to the Hillview owners in 2010.

 

Council Member Huff asked the Solicitor what steps are needed to discontinue past practices.  Solicitor McCallin stated a motion would suffice.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

BeachCity: Had their Solar Project Ribbon Cutting  today; 625 kW in solar panels at 9884 Manchester   Road.

 

Stark County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank) – a program that provides ownership of a tax delinquent vacant lot to a contiguous property owner; an application for a lot on N. Wabash has been submitted; Lot is 15’ x 150’ & appears taxes have not been paid since 1971.

 

www.showyourstripes.org – A Web site for returning vets that may need a job.

 

Dean’s List/University of Akron: residents Aaron Bratcher, Elizabeth Dorkoff, & Eric Stucki.

 

 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Steve Hartman

Kyle B. Wade hired as a Class B Lineman in Electric pending physical, drug tests, & background check.

 

Electric Department Dispatch; $ 75.00/month.  Mayor Schwab stated the importance of this service and if Council wasn't willing to protect the residents and businesses, he would hire them out of his own pocket.

 

Three Nuisance Letters to residents & a Zoning Violation Letter to 192 E. Fourth.

 

Council Member Hilliard asked if the Village Administrator had answers for the Mayor's list.  Mayor Schwab stated that some were answered.

 

Council Member Strausbaugh brought up the Muskingum water issue.  He stated that Mr. Pepper feels it is in the residents homes.  On July 1st, a motion was made to contact an expert.  Mayor Schwab posed the question of isn't Supt. Pepper an expert.  He is licensed by the State, has twenty plus years of experience, and very ably runs the system.  and runs the system.  Council Member Strausbaugh would like to see the results from Supt. Pepper's pressure readings.  He had tested his, Council Member Huff's, Council Member Tharp's, and Council Member Hilliard's water pressures and there were between 50 and 70.  He stated the standard is 50 to 70.  He finds it hard to believe the whole neighborhood has a problem.  He would like to look into it further.  He would like to have the main checked.  He stated the general consensus among the residents is the village doesn't care.  He has been made to feel like the bad guy and a liar.  Council Member Tharp has spoken to a professional engineer.  He stated that if there is no circular passage then the pressure gradually drops.  Council Member Strausbaugh wants to see the main checked to make sure the pressure is what it is supposed to be.  

 

StarkCounty Commissioners: Notice that Municipal Road Funds of $ 31,000 have been approved in 2013 for paving Elton Street from SR 93 to West Corp Limits; does Council want to make a recommendation?

 

MAYOR:Mike Schwab

Funding of the Ambulance Replacement Fund; if Council desires to fund this beyond the initial $ 53,000 a source and amount need to be specified in an ordinance; suggest a Village Clerk recommendation be requested.

 

“Welcome to Brewster” customer handout submitted to Council on 07/15; A Yard Waste description and Fairless phone numbers will be added; Council have any additions ?                                                                               

Employee Wage Ordinance: Finance Committee may want to review Village employee wages (Ord. 06-2013).

 

Email to Council: Scott Ankrom Sewer Rate Review; To keep this moving -suggested that Council approve the Sweetwater Pump Station PTI (Permit to Install) submittal and $ 15,300 fee.

 

Email to Gene Post for Mutual Aid coverage in Electric Department this past weekend; Orrville was contacted to provide service for any outages from Friday – Sunday evening as no Village lineman were available; Mayor urges Council to establish an On Call/Stand By Pay program (Council Copy of past proposals).  The discussion became very heated.  Council Members Huff and Hilliard would like to see two lineman working on weekends.  Mayor Schwab stated that this would not solve the problem and invited other solutions be brought forward.

 

Ordinance #39-1995: Electric Service Policy for Consumers; a couple of items that apply to mobile homes.

 

Fall Clean Up: Week of September 23rd

 

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Kris King

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

 

DARE Grant for 2013-2014 is $ 1,007.68.  Good job Sergeant Denise Rossiter!

 

July Financial and Year to Date report.

 

Finalizing the 2014 Tax Budget.

 

The request for fund approval for the Water Replacement Fund has been submitted to the Auditor of State Local Gov't Services.

 

Recommend 17.5% of ambulance billing be deposited in the Ambulance Replacement Fund.  This will enable the department to purchase an ambulance toward the end of 2017.  This will need to be monitored to ensure the EMS Fund has sufficient operating funds.

 

"VILLAGE SPEAKS":

Council Member Godwin: Residents with children have requested crosswalk buttons.

 

Council Member Hilliard: Received complaint about the fire whistle.

 

Council Member Tharp: Residents have requested more mosquito spraying and had concerns about the drilling companies.

 

Council Member Hilliard: Residents requested more mosquito spraying.

 

COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL REPORTS:

Utility Committee met on July 22^nd with Scott Ankrom of Hazen and Sawyer to review a sewer rate study: Four options were presented.

 

Street Committee met this evening to discuss Fall Ballot Issue.  It was decided that three more meetings would be held.

 

Finance Committee met tonight and discussed budgeting.  Council would like a broader printout provided monthly.

 

Retreat for Council conducted by EDDS was on August 3rd.

 

Tree Board: Fall planting program has been established; Tim Stith suggests a 6’ Blue Spruce planted in WittingPark.  There are still a couple of trees to come down.

 

Reminders:

            Remaining Community Meeting conducted by EDDS will be on August 8at 7 pm          

            On August 19 at 6:30 Insurance Committee meeting            

 

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.

 

Camera at Yard Waste area; Mayor gathering information.

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to have a Street Committee meeting to discuss the Street Improvement Levy on August 22nd at 6pm at Village Hall, a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 3rd at 7pm at the Brewster Friends Church if permitted and another Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, October 29th at 7pm at Brewster Friends Church if permitted.  The vote: All yes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to have a Neighborhood Watch meeting on August 20th at 6pm at Village Hall.  The vote: All yes. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to approve the submittal of the Permit To Install and the payment of the $15,300 fee from the Sewer Fund.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN and motion carried to approve the Electric Department dispatch with City Wide Dispatching for one year.  Council Member Tharp asked what we know about this company.   Clerk King stated this was the company that came in and made a presentation to Council in the past.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to send letters of recognition to AkronUniversity's Dean's List recipients: Aaron, Bratcher, Elizabeth Dorkoff, and Eric Stucki..  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to have a resolution drawn up to deposit 17.5% of ambulance calls into the Ambulance Replacement Fund.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER GODWIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to send a thank you note to Ray Gallaher for his years of dedicated service to the Village.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to send a letter of congratulations to Ryan and Kelly Swan on their  wedding.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Hilliard would like to see things get moving on the Police garage.  He wants the cost estimates.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to writing the CountyCommissions informing them of the Village's intent to carry the 2013 grant over into 2014.  The vote: All yes.

 

Council Member Godwin asked if the Mayor had any more information on the camera at the park parking lot.  Mayor Schwab stated that a 120 line would have to be placed on the pole.  The boat that was dumped at the yard waste has been removed.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to hire Industrial Appraisals to come in and do the Section 13 inventory.  Council Member Godwin asked there would be pictures taken.  There are no pictures taken of inventory.  The bill is to be split between the Street, Water, Sewer, and Electric Funds.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to go into Executive Session to discuss employee discipline at 8:48pm.  The vote: All yes.

 

Mayor Schwab asked who Council wishes to attend the Executive Session.  Council member Tharp replied that only the six members of Council were invited, but the Solicitor and Mayor may be asked to join them.

 

All six Council Members went into Executive Session.  At one point, Solicitor McCallin was called in.  When Solicitor McCallin returned, Mayor Schwab's presence was requested.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL and motion carried to close Executive Session at 9:32pm.  The vote: All yes.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BICHSEL to terminate Village Administrator Steve Hartman with the option of resigning or retiring within forty-five calendar days from today.  Council Member Tharp amended the motion to add that regardless of which way it goes, he receives full benefits.  It was agreed upon with the second.  The vote: Hilliard, yes; Huff, yes; Strausbaugh, yes; Tharp, yes; Bichsel, yes; Godwin, no.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:35pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 ____________________________________

K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer

 

 

 ___________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________

 

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” –           Dr. Seuss (1904 - 1991)

 

“Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.” - Unknown