July 15, 2013 - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BREWSTER VILLAGE COUNCIL

July 15, 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 THARP and motion carried to excuse Council Members Bichsel and Godwin 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

Tom Hilliard, Council Member

Jay Huff, Council Member

Joe Strausbaugh, Council Member

Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member

VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Steve Hartman, Village Administrator

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

Al McCallin, Solicitor

MINUTES FROM THE JULY 1, 2013 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Mayor Mike Schwab asked if there were any additions or deletions to the July 1, 2013 Council meeting minutes. There were none.

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

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to accept the bills for the amount of $ 89,343.64. The vote: All yes. Council Member Hilliard stated that he had suggested that Elliot's Auto be used by the Village. At least get prices if Council desires. Council Member Huff stated the Davey Tree bill for trimming trees in town was too high. He wants to see Tim Stith do more of the trimming. VA Hartman explained that they were trimming for the power lines not for looks. Supt. Radich makes a list for them. Both Councilmen stated they were unhappy that they trimmed a tree where the power lines were dead and that the Dairy had plans to take that tree down. They were also unhappy that all trees on McKinley were trimmed but the one by Mrs. Majors' home. Council Member Huff wanted to know who in the world is running this place.

AUDIENCE:

Louie Carroll of East Seventh Street attended to voice his concerns. First he had heard that Council was entertaining raising utility rates. He wanted to know where the money went from the last rate increases. Next he stated that he heard that a police garage was being discussed. He said that has been needed for a long time. He then went on to the scrapping of the asphalt roller. He stated he didn't understand why it was scrapped. it was a $5,000 roller. He said that you could bet that the scrap yard didn't scrap it. It should never been left to sit outside in the weather all those years. He heard that the Solicitor had stated that the Superintendent has the authority to scrap items they feel are no longer usable. Mr. Carroll stated the chain of command had to be involved. Council Member Hilliard stated that Council was waiting on a quote from the Street Supt. to give them a quote for the Police Garage and the roller issue has already been hashed out. Mr. Carroll stated that scrapping something like that was unconstitutional. Hilliard stated that they were learning from their mistake. Mr. Carroll stated that there was already a resolution on the books concerning scrapping and doing a new one every couple of years didn't make any sense. Council Member Tharp stated hat as far as the utility rate increases were concerned that nothing was concrete and no figures has been given. A Council Member had just suggested it to cover future infrastructure improvements. Council Member Hilliard stated that he didn't want to see a big jump when it is needed but a small percentage over time. Mr. Carroll stated that families are struggling and we should ask ourselves why and do something about it. Council Member Huff stated that up until now nothing has been done to improve the sewer plant for 20 years. Mr. Carroll stated something should be done every year. VA Hartman stated that was not how it works. Council Member Huff stated our rates can only maintain what we already have.

Ray Heitger, 317 East Seventh Street, stated he heard that the Dairy was expanding, which he feels is great. He wanted to know if the EPA would look to see if they have to expand their sewer system to prevent odor problems. VA Hartman stated the EPA only gets involved if the processes are changed. Council Member Hilliard stated they are only adding a storage building.

The following residents were also present: Dale Fox, Ray Heitger, Jim Gerber, William Lynch, and Cindy Mackey.

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES:

ORDINANCE 32-2013 – An ordinance modifying the permitted height of grass & weeds to a max of 8 inches was given third reading.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to pass Ordinance 32-2013 as read. The vote: All yes.

RESOLUTION 33-2013 – A resolution creating a Water Replacement Fund was given third reading.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF to pass Resolution 33-2013 as read.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to amend the resolution to change the 4% to 8%. The vote: All yes.

The vote on the amended resolution: All yes. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 34-2013 – A resolution to modify the source of funding Council’s & the Mayor’s salaries was given third reading.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD to pass Resolution 34-2013 as read.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSBAUGH and motion carried to amend the resolution from 50% General and 50% Utilities to 25% General and 75% Utilities. The vote: All yes.

The vote on the amended resolution: All yes. Motion carried.

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

MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS:

Fire Department: Chief Rick Patterson

Council Member Tharp thanked the Chief and Firemen for their participation in the services for his Uncle Ronny Hart.

Council Member Hilliard stated that Supt. Patterson did a good job keeping up with the yard waste after the storm.

Police Department: Chief Harry Porter

Chief Porter has submitted a draft of a proposal for municipal guidelines for Part Time Police Officers to the Solicitor for his review.

Chief is on vacation for next two weeks.

Council Member Hilliard stated that with all the issues of dumping tires by the yard waste, why hasn't there been any arrests? He would like to look into the cost of the fines. He stated it was looking kind of dumpy.

SOLICITOR: Attorney Al McCallin

Council Member Tharp gave Atty. McCallin homework of looking into an agreement that Mr. Walker, Attorney for HillviewTrailer Park, stated that his parents had with the Village of Beach City concerning supplying the park with power. He would like to see a similar agreement drawn up for Brewster. Council Member Hilliard stated that safety is the biggest issue. The owner of the power system has the responsibility to maintain safety. There was discussion as to BeachCity abandoning the system and Brewster assuming ownership. The trailer park as a single unit versus individual trailers. A sewer extension was briefly discussed.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Stark County Health Department: A steady rise in cases of West Nile Virus from mosquito bites and Lyme's Disease due to ticks in StarkCounty; attributed to mild Winters.

Stark RPC: 2014 District 19 Infrastructure OPWC applications due by September 13.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR: Steve Hartman

Muskingum residents Dick Lutes and Dave Jones concerns resolution provided by Supt Pepper & VA. It is believed to be a flow issue.

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.

July 10th Storm: 18 large trees cleaned up. No major damage. We were very lucky.

The Street Dept. is patching including storm sewer ditch on Pinewood.

Patching has begun on East Harmon.

Lake County Sewer is in to begin sewer relining project.

Construction easements have been prepared for the pump station.

Pole line surveying work has been authorized. They will be in to survey in 4-5 weeks. VA Hartman will try to get them in sooner.

Income tax submittals are flowing in. Currently we are $ 92,800 ahead of last year.

Council Member Tharp asked who pays our Electric Department for working in BeachCity. Clerk King stated that BeachCity pays them directly. He asked the VA what expert he had contacted concerning the water issues on Muskingum. VA Hartman stated no one would be contacted until all the residents that signed the petition could be interviewed. He believes it is a flow problem.

Council Member Huff stated he has reported the light on the end of McKinley that is on 24/7. VA Hartman stated the head has been changed twice. Council Member Huff stated that the heads had not been changed. He also stated that core samples being collected has been on the agenda week after week. He wanted to know when it was going to be taken care of. VA Hartman stated the core samples have been collected and sent to Oklahoma and we are still awaiting the results. Council Member Huff stated every tree on McKinley except one, Mrs. Majors, was trimmed. Why was every other tree trimmed but they drove past that one.

Council Member Tharp reported that there is a red light out at 2nd Street.

Council Member Strausbaugh stated that since he missed last meeting he would like to know what the miscommunication was with the paving by Northstar. VA Hartman stated he had told them it could be 1 inch above the curb line. The intersection at Horton is more like 3 inches. VA Hartman stated it will be addressed at the walk through.

Council Member Hilliard wants to see the bill for patching when it comes in.

Council Member Tharp wanted to know what the date of completion for the electric garage. VA Hartman stated that the materials are estimated to be received in about two weeks then it will be another week.

Council Member Hilliard asked about the quote for the sandblasting the curbs. If it is not an emergency then the VA doesn't get to it. VA Hartman stated Five Star has been out of state. Council Member Hilliard stated the curbs by the underpass are looking pretty crappy. He stated he still doesn't have the answer from Chief Porter as to whether no parking can be enforced.

MAYOR:Mike Schwab

Draft of a Council agreement with Sugar Creek Twp Trustees for future maintenance of Harmondale & Browndale:

Council review of Agreement (Solicitor has okayed legal structure).
Solicitor recommends that Agreement be approved by Ordinance.

Electric, Wastewater, & Water Utility Departments’ Financial Numbers Review; based on 2012 expenses and shows for what purposes the dollars were expended.

Very Preliminary draft of a Welcome to Brewster handout; work in progress; intent is for the Utility Office to provide to new customers; please make suggestions or correct info

Letter of Congratulations to Wally Davis on the occasion of his 90^th Birthday.

Mayor Schwab would like to see the utility dispatch issue resurrected. He asked the VA to get quotes.

Council Member Tharp had a resident request that links to the local businesses be put on the Village website. Mayor Schwab thought that was a great idea.

Council Member Hilliard agreed that an emergency system needs put in place.

VILLAGE CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Kris King

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

Fire Department pay = $ 7,322.84.

Working on the preliminary figures for the 2014 Tax Budget.

Sent for an additional amended certificate for 2013 to include the two new sewer funds.

Sent in five properties for assessments for weed mowing by the Street Department. Total assessments = $900.

Met with Huntington Bank concerning on-line utility payments. They offer real-time banking.

Street computer crashed. All-in-one purchased in 2009 for $1,245.00. Would like to dispose of it. Hard drive has been removed and files have been retrieved.

Retired Electric Superintendent Leland Heath passed away. Would Council like flowers sent from the Village.

"VILLAGE SPEAKS":

Follow up from a 07/01 Village Speaks: the tree on Harmon damaged during street construction has been assessed by Arborist Hanshaw who advised an appropriate trimming should save the tree.

Council Member Tharp had an upset resident because they couldn't get through to the police. They called both the station and car phone. Mayor Schwab pointed out the Neighborhood Watch cards with the dispatch number. He stated that is the best way to get in touch with an officer.

VA Hartman had a request that the Village put something on the books prohibiting the use of bb guns and airsoft guns in the Village.

VA Hartman stated there has been a resident burning trash, a letter will be sent.

Council Member Hilliard had a complaint that the police did not get fireworks stopped that a resident had complained about.

COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL REPORTS:

Utility Committee met this evening with William Walker owner of Hillview Court: Potential extension of utilities was discussed. More concrete numbers are needed before the investment can be considered.

Utility Committee minutes from July 1^st meeting.

Reminders:

Community Meeting conducted by EDDS will be on July 18^th & 25^th and August 1^st & 8^th; Mayor suggests that business owners, Village organizations, and others be personally invited as well as newspaper notices

July 22 Utility Meeting at 7 pm with Hazen & Sawyer – Sewer Rate Study review

Retreat for Council conducted by EDDS is scheduled for August 3rd at 10AM. It will be about 4 hours long.

August 5 at 6 pm Street Committee to discuss Ballot Issue

August 5 at 6:30 pm Finance Committee

Street & Sidewalk Committee may want to begin working on Plans for presenting to Voters for Fall Ballot Issue

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 HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to donate $500 to the Fairless Soccer Association and give them the permission to use the fields. The vote: All yes. It had been noted that the park has Oktoberfest already scheduled for September 28th.

COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER THARP and motion carried to approve the annual testing of pumps and ladders at a cost not to exceed $1,000 from the Fire Fund. The vote: All yes.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to draw up an ordinance approving the agreement with SugarcreekTownship for the maintenance and care of Harmondale and Browndale. The vote: All yes.

Council Member Tharp pointed out that the letter from Stark County Commissioner awarding the $ 31,000 for the repaving of the west side of Elton stated that it had to be under contract or construction by Nov. 30th, 2013. VA Hartman stated that in past years, the Village was able to roll it over into the next year and apply for more. He will be looking into it further.

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF and motion carried to approve the fire pay of $ 7,322.84 from the Fire Equipment Fund. The vote: All yes.

COUNCIL MEMBER THARP MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD and motion carried to pay the Farmstead bill of $ 200.81 from the General Fund for Neighborhood Watch t-shirts. The vote: All yes.

Council Member Tharp requested that the Mayor and VA put something together for the OWDA submission.

COUNCIL MEMBER HILLIARD MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:36pm.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________________

K. Kris King, Village Clerk-Treasurer

___________________________________

Mike Schwab, Mayor

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

“Nobody believes the official spokesman... but everybody trusts an unidentified source.” - Ron Nesen

“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” - Aldous Huxley (1894 – 1963)

Community Meeting conducted by EDDS will be on July 18 at 7pm