City Council

Village of Arcanum Council Meeting June 25, 2019 7:00 p.m. Call to Order: Mayor Baumle opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance along with all present members of council. Roll Call: Council Members Jerry Boolman, R. Genovesi, Bonnie Millard, Tim Philpot, Eric Van Hoose, answered to roll call. A motion was made by B. Millard to excuse B. Vencill. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Also present were Bill Kessler, Toni Stanley, Jim Watt, Bruce Shank, Ruth Collins, Mike Dickman, Cindy Dickman, Sarah Billenstein, Charles Billenstein, Beth Royer-DeLong, Jeff Coyle, Beth Piel, Jim Piel, Tim and Angela Herron, Dave Kessler, and Thomas Kessler Minutes – Corrections and Approvals: Mayor Baumle asked for approval of the minutes of June 11, 2019. A motion was made by B. Millard to approve the minutes from June 11, 2019. E Van Hoose seconded. All others present voted yea. Motion passed. Approval of Properly Appropriated and Funded Expenditures: Mayor Baumle asked if there were any questions regarding the approved expenditure list. A motion was made by E. Van Hoose to approve the voucher register received through June 24, 2019. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Amendments to Agenda: Mayor Baumle asked for any amendments to the agenda. T. Philpot stated he would like to add executive (elected officials) pay to the agenda at the end of the council meeting. Comments from the Public: Mayor Baumle asked for comments from the public. T. Kessler asked if there have been any steps taken to increase the availability of the minutes to the public. He mentioned giving a copy to the school. The mayor responded that he posted in his newsletter how to access the minutes. D. Kessler asked for access to the old building for a meeting regarding ways to preserve the opera house portion of the building. He asked about the requirement to add a tornado shelter to the new building. Village Administrator B. Kessler explained that the state requires a tornado shelter be installed because the police department is also in the building. C. Dickman wanted to bring an issue to Council to have corrected regarding sidewalk out of compliance and tree removal. There was an Assessment of 5 years for beautification project and was voted down. They were told they had to have sidewalk fixed and tree removed. They were given two months to get it completed, and was told it could be assessed to property taxes. Amount assessed was incorrect amount of $1,300 and should have been $1,180. She was told it could be paid over two Vi l l a ge o f A r c a n u m R e gu l a r C o u n c i l M e e t i n g June 25, 2019 7:00 p.m. Page |2 payments. However, it was assessed incorrectly and wants it corrected. A motion was made by T. Philpot to correct the issue. R. Genovesi seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. R. Collins reported that she and several others pulled weeds at the old municipal building. J. Cornell asked for help regarding alley that is not accessible and causing a nuisance and hazard. J. Watt spoke regarding the parking lot and signs adjacent to his building. Signs are not in good repair and preventing him from maintaining his building. Additional comments on concern for Old Town Hall building and what would be done with it. Administrative Reports: Mayor: There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new wastewater treatment building on August 6, 2019. Light refreshments will be provided. Clemmons and Nelson is in the process of getting a list of individuals to interview for the police chief opening. CIC Darke County is looking at grant opportunities and passing on information. Village Solicitor: Nothing at this time. Village Administrator: MASI vouchers will be continuing until new Wastewater Treatment Plant Lab is up and running. Utilities for wastewater treatment plant will begin billing the Village in July. There is a request for a wastewater treatment plant screening compression washer via Change Order. #12. The cost was not available at the time of the council meeting, however, this item was removed at the beginning of the project and the general understanding is that it will be approximately $60,000 which was the amount in the original specs. A motion was made by T. Philpot to approve the change order to purchase the wastewater treatment plant compression washer. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Fiscal Officer: Nothing at this time. Committee Reports: Service & Leisure Committee: T. Philpot provided a summary of the 6/17/2019 and 6/24/2019 meetings. Discussed traffic speed and the need for increased police traffic patrols. Possibly posting additional speed limit signs. Discussed sidewalks in need of repair and determined property owners would be notified the week of July 3, 2019. Also, discussed weed and grass control in the Village, Resolution 203-22 Article 13 and 14. Amended legislation will be at June 25, 2019 council meeting. Best Way garbage collection contract will be reviewed in the July 15th meeting at 6:30 in the city building. Waiting on easement for Northwest Drainage Project to be signed. West North Street Project (curbs, gutters, and sidewalks) assessments will be mailed out to affected property owners. There will be a public meeting July 15, 2019 at 6:30 for public concerns to be heard. Safety Committee: Discussion on whether to hold next committee meeting at firehouse. No Vi l l a ge o f A r c a n u m R e gu l a r C o u n c i l M e e t i n g June 25, 2019 7:00 p.m. Page |3 decision made. Utility Committee: Continuing project for burying lines for streetlights. Leak was found and valve repair was complete. Planning Committee: There will be a meeting on July 8, 2019 at 6:00 with the individuals from Columbus who works with Opera House restoration. Personnel Committee: Nothing at this time. Finance and Audit Committee: B. Millard provided a summary of the 6/19/2019 meeting. Toni is working on the 2020 Budget. The 2018 Audit was completed with one significant deficiency in reconciling monthly bank statements. Auditor’s suggested the Village have a Capital Asset policy and an Unclaimed Money for outstanding check handling policy. Still waiting for clarification on CD use for payment of new building. Discussion on increase pay for elected officials with request to have more discussion with council. The committee asked for more information regarding manning issues within the administrative offices. Discussed handling of pay for police patrol at school functions. Toni will research and report back. The next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for June 26, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Old Business: None at this time. Unfinished Business: Ordinance 2019-24 – An ordinance repealing ordinance 2019-21. This is the 2nd Reading. A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Ordinance 2019-24. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Ordinance 2019-24. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Ordinance 2019-25 – An ordinance for providing for an amendment to the 2019 appropriations of the Village of Arcanum, Darke County, Ohio and declaring an emergency (General Fund, Water Fund, and Electric Fund). A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Ordinance 2019-25. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Ordinance 2019-25. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to declare an emergency on Ordinance 2019-25. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Resolution 2019-16 – A resolution authorizing an agreement with Wichert Insurance for property and casualty insurance coverage and declaring an emergency. A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Resolution 2019-16. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Resolution 2019-16. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to declare an emergency on Resolution 2019-16. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Resolution 2019-17 – A resolution of necessity to levy a replacement tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for fire protection services for the Village of Arcanum, Ohio (R.C. 5705.03, 5705.192, and Vi l l a ge o f A r c a n u m R e gu l a r C o u n c i l M e e t i n g June 25, 2019 7:00 p.m. Page |4 5705.25). A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Resolution 2019-17. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Resolution 2019-17. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Resolution 2019-18 – A resolution declaring the necessity for the construction of sidewalks along a portion of North Street in the Village of Arcanum and declaring an emergency. A motion was made by E. Van Hoose to waive the three-reading rule for Resolution 2019-18. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by E. Van Hoose to adopt Resolution 2019-18. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by E. Van Hoose to declare an emergency on Resolution 2019-18. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Resolution 2019-19 – A resolution authorizing the Mayor and/or Village Administrator to approve pay requests and change orders for the Village Police Department and Administration Building and declaring an emergency. A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Resolution 2019-19. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Resolution 2019-19. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to declare an emergency on Resolution 2019-19. T. Philpot seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. New Business: Ordinance 2019-26 – An ordinance amending Ordinance 2013-22 regulating trees, shrubbery, weeds and grass in the Village of Arcanum. This is the 1st Reading. A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three-reading rule for Ordinance 2019-26. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Ordinance 2019-26. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Ordinance 2019-27 – An ordinance establishing a credit card policy for the Village of Arcanum, Ohio and declaring an emergency. Exhibit A. A motion was made by B. Millard to waive the three- reading rule for Ordinance 2019-27. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to adopt Ordinance 2019-27. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by B. Millard to declare an emergency on Ordinance 2019-27. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Resolution 2019-28 – A resolution authorizing the Village Administrator to seek bids for the North Street Reconstruction project and declaring an emergency. A motion was made by T. Philpot to waive the three-reading rule for Resolution 2019-20. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by T. Philpot to adopt Resolution 2019-20. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. A motion was made by T. Philpot to declare an emergency on Resolution 2019-20. E. Van Hoose seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. Amended Agenda Item: T. Philpot stated that research was conducted regarding executive salary schedules across the State of Ohio. The top and bottom end of the pay scales were removed from the data and the remainder was averaged. The average salary for council members across the state is $2,700.00. This is compared to Vi l l a ge o f A r c a n u m R e gu l a r C o u n c i l M e e t i n g June 25, 2019 7:00 p.m. Page |5 $1,800.00 which is the current amount for village council members. This would be a 50% increase. While no research was done as to when the current council pay was enacted, it has been that amount at least for the past 10 years. The committee discussed using the 50% amount and applying it to both the council and the mayor’s compensation. This would increase the mayor’s annual salary from $6,000.00 to $9,000.00. T. Philpot stated that the increase would mean paying council members $225.00 per month. He also stated that the Council President puts in many more hours taking care of village business than do the other members of the council. He stated that the Council President should be paid more and proposed an amount of $50.00 per month above the council pay schedule. Members of the council had reservations regarding an increase in pay for the Council President. T. Philpot stated that the council makes the decision who is the president and would choose someone who could devote the extra time to justify the increase in salary. Further discussion was conducted regarding the extra requirements placed upon the Council President, from familiarizing new council members with meetings and procedures to assuming the responsibilities of the mayor if the person in that position is unable to complete their term in office. B. Millard asked if the increase in council salary would increase the number of persons interested in an elected position. B. Millard stated that she called Versailles and their council members earn an annual salary of $3000.00 with an adjustment for the Council President. J. Boolman restated his concern that the next council president might not have the time to devote to the job the same as the current president. The mayor stated that no matter what the decision, the amount of increase will probably remain in effect for a long. T. Philpot stated he would not vote for a raise unless the council president was given a higher compensation amount. R. Genovesi proposed the annual amounts of $10,000.00 for the mayor, $3,600.00 for president, and $3,000.00 for the council members. A motion was made by T. Philpot to prepare legislation to raise the salary of the mayor to $10,000.00, Council President to $3,600.00, and Council Members to $3,000.00. J. Boolman seconded. All present voted yea. Motion passed. There was discussion on attendance at Council and Committee meetings by council members and the difference between missing council meetings for a scheduled vacation and a chronic lack of attendance. E. Van Hoose stated that he will no longer vote to excuse members who have a track record of continually missing council meetings. B. Millard stated that not excusing a member will result in them not being paid. T. Philpot said that not paying a member who continually misses meetings is an appropriate action to take. Announcements: None Adjournment: J. Boolman made a motion to adjourn. E. Van Hoose seconded. Meeting adjourned.