City Council

Village of Arcanum Council Meeting August 11, 2020 7:00 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Bonnie Millard opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance along with all present members of council. Roll Call Council Members present include Tim Philpot, Jacob Banks, Jerry Boolman, Tammy Bruner, Rick Genovesi and Taylor Somers. Also present were Village Administrator Bill Kessler, Solicitor Nicole Pohlman, Police Chief Marcus Ballinger, Administrative Specialist Mary Stephens, Nate Kubik (Daily Advocate), Bruce Shank, Missie Shilt, and Jim Deis. Present via Zoom conferencing was Abbigail VanHoose. Meeting Minutes – Corrections and Approvals Mayor Millard asked for the approval of the meeting minutes from July 28, 2020. Council President Boolman moved to approve meeting minutes from July 28, 2020. Council Member Somers seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Amendments to Agenda Mayor Millard asked to add Ordinance 2020-30 to New Business. Comments from the Public Administrative Reports Mayor: Mayor Millard attended a Communications Meeting for the Arcanum Preservation Society. The preservation Society has been selected and is preparing for the Ohio Open Door event on September 19. All Council is invited. Geocaching is also now available. Solicitor: Village Administrator:  New servers and upgrades will begin for Village equipment.  North Main St/East South Street will be repaved soon. Manholes will be leveled. The entire project will be complete by August 31.  Service & Leisure will meet to discuss pool repairs and planning. Fiscal Officer:  Acceptance of properly appropriated and funded expenditures. Council President Boolman moved to accept the properly appropriated and funded expenditures. Council Member Philpot seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Committee Reports Safety: Chief Ballinger included July reports in the packet. The third phase of Lexipol was released. The fourth release is being reviewed. After two more releases, the department will begin the process of verifying with the Ohio Collaborative Board. Utility Committee: Chairperson Philpot – the committee met August 5th. The base charge for water is $14.39 for the first 167 cubic feet of water. The committee recommends a $0.01 increase to the water rate for usage of 167-333 cubic feet rate and above. Residents will see an increase of approximately $6-8 per month. Several large expenditures are projected within the next 4-5 years including: replacing the water tower at approximately $250,000, water aeration system at approximately $150,000, water meters upgraded to digital readings and billing system at approximately $150,000. A water increase has not been implemented since 2008 and the increase will generate approximately $66,000 per year. The Utility Committee also recommends increasing electric rates by one-half cent per KW immediately and one-half cent per KW in February 2021. Major foreseeable expenses include a bucket truck at approximately $350,000, an upgrade from 2400 to 72oo volt system at a cost of $500,000 and a new substation with lines connecting to the electric grid at $2 million. Residents will see an increase of approximately $2-4 per month generating approximately $400,000 per year. One lagoon is being retired and Aikman Excavating is working to backfill. The project will be complete in a few weeks. A new Water/Wastewater Lead position is open and being advertised for. A new spotlight on the Ivester Park water tower is being installed. 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 August 11, 2020 7:00 p.m. Page |2 The next meeting is scheduled August 24 at 4:30pm. VA Kessler asked for a sewer forgiveness credit due to a water leak at 4 Seminole in the amount of $286.52. Council Member Philpot moved to credit 4 Seminole at $286.52. Council President Boolman seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Community member Bruce Shank asked if the increase in water rates would also increase sewer rates. VA Kessler and Council Member Philpot advised that the increase will not affect sewer rates. Council Member Genovesi inquired about the water rate increase and if it will be a permanent increase. VA Kessler advised that water rates generate the least amount of revenue and in order to plan for future expenses, the water increase will likely be permanent. Finance & Audit: Chairperson Somers reported that the committee discussed the new job description of the Administrative Specialist and would like to recommend a wage increase from $13.50/hour to $14/hour. Council President Boolman moved to increase the Administrative Specialist pay to $14/hour. Council Member Genovesi seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. The next finance and audit meeting is September 1 at 4:30pm. Service and Leisure: Chairperson Banks reported their last meeting was held July 30.  Citizens came to discuss heavy traffic and the need for a stop sign at the intersection of West Firs and Locust. They were advised to start a petition and report back.  Arcanum Preservation Society members attended and asked for protection of any investment into the Old City Building. The group would like to establish a working group between the Township, Village and Preservation Society to work together. They will reach out to the Township next. The Village owns 2/3 of the building and the Township owns 1/3. The Village cannot make guarantees nor be held responsible for the funds that the Preservation Society invests, but the Society is hopeful that all three groups can work together. The Preservation Society also asked four council representation at their meetings to keep open communication. Jacob Banks and Tammy Bruner volunteered to be council representatives. Arcanum Preservation Society is interested in creating business district downtown.  VA Kessler advised that Zac Stanley resigned from his position with the Street Department effective August 14. He would like to move Co-op Reese Whittaker to a Full-Time Street Laborer, Step A at $14/hour effective Monday, August 17. Council Member Philpot moved to change Reese Whittaker to a full-time Street Laborer, Step A at $14/hour effective Monday, August 17. Council Member Genovesi seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Personnel: Planning: Old Business Ordinance 2020-22 - An Ordinance Regulating Trees And Shrubbery In The Village Of Arcanum. 2nd Reading. Ordinance 2020-23 - An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 2008-15. 2nd Reading Ordinance 2020-24 - An Ordinance Repealing Ordinances 2013-22 And 2019-26. 2nd Reading Ordinance 2020-25 - An Ordinance Regulating Weeds And Grass In The Village Of Arcanum. 2nd Reading Ordinance 2020-26 - An Ordinance Enacting An Exterior Property Maintenance Code For The Village Of Arcanum, Ohio. 2nd Reading New Business Ordinance 2020-27 - An Ordinance Providing For An Amendment To The 2020 Appropriations For Current Expenses And Other Expenditures Of The Village Of Arcanum, Darke County, Ohio And Declaring An Emergency (Street Fund and North Street Reconstruction Fund). Council Member Banks moved to waive the three-reading rule of Ordinance 2020-27. Council Member Bruner seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Council Member Banks moved to adopt Ordinance 2020-27. Council Member Bruner seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Council Member Banks moved to declare Ordinance 2020-27 an emergency. Council Member Bruner seconded. All present council members voted yea. Motion passed. Ordinance 2020-28 - An Ordinance Adopting Rates, Terms, And Conditions For Electric Service Provided By The Village Of Arcanum, Ohio. Exhibit A. 1st reading. Ordinance 2020-29 – An ordinance Setting Water and Sewer Rates In The Village Of Arcanum. Exhibit A. 1st Reading. Ordinance 2020-30 – An Ordinance Providing For A One Time Credit To Certain Village Residents For Lead Testing Performed By The Village. 1st Reading. 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 August 11, 2020 7:00 p.m. Page |3 Announcements Adjournment Council President Boolman moved to adjourn. Council Member Banks seconded. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: ______________________________________ ________________________________________ Bonnie L. Millard, Mayor Toni M. Stanley, Fiscal Officer ______________________________________ Jerry L. Boolman, President Pro-Tem