Village Council Meeting

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting REGULAR COUNCIL March 13, 2023 Call to order: 7:00 P.M. – The council meeting was called to order by Mayor David Leshinski and opened with the Lord's Prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called: Ex officio members: Councilmember Michele Jeffers P Fiscal Officer Michelle Henke P Councilmember Scott Jones P Records Clerk Laurie Beran P Councilmember Becky Siesky P Law Director Matthew Mishak P Councilmember Jeri Leigh Siss EA Councilmember David Troike P (EA – excused absences) President Pro Tempore Jeanne Maschari P Councilmember Jones moved to approve Councilmember Siss absence due to work. Councilmember Siesky seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss Ab Troike x Motion passed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA March 13, 2023 Councilmember Maschari moved to approve the agenda. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 27, 2023 Councilmember Siesky moved to approve the minutes. Councilmember Maschari seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. VISITORS SABPA – Mark Leshinski, Thomas Pellittieri SAFD – Chief Hevener, Assistant Chief Crawford SAPD – Chief Frazier SA Service – David Valentine Rural Lorain County Water Authority (RLCWA) – Joe Waldecker (General Manager), Andrew Provoznik (Distribution Operator), Michael Pope (Board President), Joe Demczyk (Engineer) POLICE Blotter Citations (2/24-3/13): 56 Speed, 2 Right on Red, 1 Red Light, 1 No License, 1 Stop Sign, 1 Expired Plate, 2 Reckless Op., 1 DUS Location Stops: 23 Russia, 22 W. Main, 7 E. Main, 3 N. Lake, 3 S. Lake, 3 N. Quarry, 1 Leonard Calls for Service: 7 Cruiser The chief is requesting to lease a 2023 Ford Explorer, black, fully outfitted for $58,000 over 3 years, with no penalties to pay off early. The three (3) free cars from Elyria will need to be replaced, trying to keep them running as good as we can, one has a check engine warning. Mayor Leshinski thanked the SAPD for making the Village a safer place to live.  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting MAYOR RLCWA Mayor Leshinski requested RLCWA to meet with council regarding the possibility of the RLCWA taking over the water system. The mayor led the discussion, while Mr. Waldecker answered majority of the questions, unless otherwise noted. How many customers do you serve? Currently, there are twenty-four thousand (24,000) connections with South Amherst being one of those, six (6) PWS, seven (7) counties and thirty (30) townships. This year marks fifty (50) years in business. The system is yours, you know the condition of the system, what would you do? Mr. Provoznik responded: Currently the village is served by RLCWA at two (2) locations (Russia & Quarry Rd), the prime thing to do with an aging system such as the Villages and the amount of stone to be encountered is to rebuild and start from scratch. Ballpark estimate to replace the system? Rough estimate, just over eight million ($8,000,000.00). Rates are a key factor and making sure the system is tight as can be. In reviewing information, saw that the SABPA approved a 6% rate increase over the next three (3) years. This is good for the board to stay proactive in their rate structure, in order to bring in revenue. Increased revenue is used for replacement/new projects and to pay off current loans. Unfortunately, the Village does not qualify for Disadvantaged Community Grants due to the fact that the Median Household Income is above average. Loans would need to be secured. How would the current SABPA debt be handled (water project loans)? If you dispose of your utility, which is your revenue source, then how do you pay off the debt? Mr. Pope responded that the debt would be the responsibility of the village residents, there would be an assessment per household to cover the outstanding loans. Mr. Waldecker added, that he felt the assessment for twenty (20) – thirty (30 ) years would be less of a burden on residents. It is something that could be figured out in a contract. Meter compatibility? The Neptune meters are not compatible. They could be disconnected and sold to another municipality or sold for scrap. Elimination of the water tower? The liability to take down the tower would be on the Village. RLCWA would build the system to handle the pressure for the Fire ISO rating. Once RLCWA has control of the system, they regulate the spacing of the fire hydrants. RLCWA would work with the village for a feasible solution. Councilmember Siesky asked what fees would the resident incur? Mr. Demczyk responded that some of the cost, not all, would include the monthly water bill, vault (current cost $4,500.00), service line, backflow and hazard inspections, plus the overall assessment. (Note: vault is the meter, which would be located in the residents’ front yards. From the vault to the house is the responsibility of the resident.) Councilmember Maschari asked if it was possible to give an overview estimate on the cost per resident and how would the estimated time be for completion if RLCWA took on the project. First thing, I think of with this project is soil boring, I want to see where the rock is at! Looking at data that was provided  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting from November 2022 divided by the number of customers, roughly would be $12,000.00 per customer. If the village decided to sell the water utility, how long before it would be completely turned over to RLCWA? Four (4) to five (5) years for completion of engineering studies, laying of new pipe, meters, etc. before the switch would be complete. SABPA Board Member Pellittieri stated that he is working with Bramhall Engineering to try for grants and some remaining Lorain County ARPA Funds to complete engineering studies for a complete new system of water, storm and sewer. Dumpster Days April 21 & 22 October 6 & 7 NOPEC - PUCO Service offerings will be going out in May/June, would encourage council to champion this. Mayor suggested a backup generator for disasters. Last week the office was given a hours’ notice before the electric service was shut off for repair work on transformers. Councilmember Maschari will send a request to the Service Department to request an estimate. FISCAL OFFICER Payment Listing 2/24 – 3/9/23 February Bank Reconciliation Mayor’s Court - February Gross Receipts Ohio City of Total net Computer Computer General Fund Reparations Oberlin Receipts to SA Fund Clerk Fund Court 7,480.00 1,800.00 72.00 5,608.00 490.00 149.00 4,969.00 RECORDS CLERK NOPEC Grant Deadlines Resolution to accept grant funds along with a completed Community Profile is due June 30. Final Fund withdrawal to be done by November 30, 2025. Remaining grants funds: • Boards and committees to submit request forms to the Building & Grounds Committee for any remaining funds. February Building 330 Annis Rd Pole Barn 30x40, Concrete Pad 582 S Lake St Roof permit 112 N Lake St Generator Replacement 330 Annis Rd Electric & plumbing barn 330 Annis Rd In-law suite, electric, plumbing 300 N Lake St BR – plumbing, electrical, HVAC, structural DEPARTMENTS Service 103 – 105 W Main Drainage Economy Drain started the project. The fire station drain was not connected to anything. When jet - rodding one of the lines they hit something hard, believe that line is capped. the village hall line. Further  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting discussion was held to tie both building’s lines into a catch basin and then have one line going south to the creek. Councilmember Troike moved to complete the project and solve the drain issue. Councilmember Maschari seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. Treatment Plant 90% down at this time Councilmember Siesky said that resident feedback has been very positive to be rid of the eyesore. February Zoning 330 annis Rd Pole Barn 30x40, concrete pad Fire Harris Radio System Resolution (Fire Chief Hevener presented) A comparison between the L3 Harris System and the MARCs System was previously given to council for review. The Lorain County Fire Chief’s Association has tested and supports the L3 Harris System over the MARCs System. The Village in 2022 just approved the purchase of the Harris System through a grant, which was completed. If we had to go with the MARC’s system these brand-new radios would be useless. For the many reasons that were listed during the discussion and on the comparison sheet, the SAFD and the Lorain County Fire Chief’s Association is asking for council’s support of Resolution 690-23. February Fire EMS MVA Mutual Other 13 1 5 1 Training consisted of SCBA maintenance, search & rescue, RIT (Rapid Intervention Training, if a person goes down on the scene) and EMS. BOARDS Cemetery (Councilmember Jones presented) Secondary driveway is still in the planning stages and then to be presented to the Building & Grounds Committee. Drainage project cannot move forward until Ludwig Ditch is cleaned. Park (Councilmember Jeffers presented) April Meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1 to coincide with the Park’s annual clean-up day. Security camera has been ordered. SABPA (Board member Pellittieri presented) Continue to clean catch basins. N. Lake sidewalk, along with final grading and grass seed to be completed this spring. Met with a Lorain County Commissioner and RCAP to discuss various options in order to replace the current water and storm water systems and add a sewer system. COMMITTEES Bldg.& Grounds  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting Holding Tanks Chief Hevener stated that he has been in contact with the engineer and specs are to be emailed by Friday, along with a bid package. Computer lines to fire station & the SABPA shed Chief Hevener will have a quote from Holland Computers and from Diggers, will get a bid for running the wires underground to the fire station and a phone hardline to the doghouse (SABPA shed). Street-Sidewalk-Service March 31 is still the date for the Walk About Town. NOACA Street Survey was received by the mayor, and he will forward to the committee. Safety Cruiser Councilmember Maschari moved to lease the 2023 Ford Explorer Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Jones said it would be nice to have a report every 6 months on how the car is performing. Siesky asked should it be on all vehicles. The fiscal officer agreed with an annual report from each department, so they can get on the capital purchase program. Safety chair will communicate to all departments including Service regarding the report. Administrative Current objectives Revising job descriptions for service worker and administrative assistant. Contract drafts. ORDINANCE Ordinance No. 1759-23 An ordinance repealing existing Ordinance 1693-21 and replacing with Ordinance 1759-23 to authorize the rental of the South Amherst Community Park Pavilion and setting the rate and declaring an emergency. Councilmember Maschari moved to suspend the rules and pass as an emergency Ordinance No. 1759-23. Councilmember Jeffers seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. RESOLUTION Resolution No. 687-23 Agreement with Jack Doheny Companies (JDC) on behalf of the SABPA for Rental Equipment Councilmember Maschari moved to suspend the rules and pass as an emergency Resolution No. 687-23. Councilmember Siesky seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. Resolution No. 688-23 Restore Local Government Funds to Pre-Recession Levels Councilmember Maschari moved to suspend the rules and pass as an emergency Resolution No. 688-23. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed.  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of Village of South Amherst Meeting Resolution No. 689-23 Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) Energized Community Grant Program 2023 NEC Grant Acceptance. Resolution No. 690-23 Support of the Harris Radio System for Lorain County Safety Forces Councilmember Maschari moved to suspend the rules and pass as an emergency Resolution No. 690-23. Councilmember Siesky seconded the motion. Jeffers x Jones x Maschari x Siesky x Siss EA Troike x Motion passed. MISCELLANEOUS Generator Councilmember Jones inquired as to why there is a sudden need for a village hall generator. Mayor Leshinski responded how there was short notice given when the electric company had to work on the transformers and there was no power at the hall. Councilmember Jones asked if in the time that you have been mayor is this only occurrence? Leshinski responded with a no. The water operator connected the water tower to a generator, the hall was closed, and office staff worked remotely or came to the hall later in the day. Councilmember Maschari was informed that the parking lot would not have to be dug up to connect a generator to the tower because it would go through the current electrical panel in the control room. A request will be given to the service worker to receive an estimate for a village hall generator. The Safety chair will reach out to the police to see how the radios are affected when there is no electricity. ADJOURNMENT Time 8:46 p.m. Councilmember Jones moved to adjourn. Councilmember Siesky seconded. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Fiscal Officer Michelle Henke ______________________________ Mayor David Leshinski