City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2015 – 7:30 P.M. PRESIDENT PRO TEM WILLIAM KOONS PRESIDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Koons, Kostura, Porter, Dishong (arrived at 8:02 p.m.), Binder and Carroll OFFICIALS PRESENT: Fiscal Officer Romanowski, Police Chief Rizzo, Building Inspector Heilman, Solicitor Ondrey, Engineer Haibach VISITORS: Jerry Canton, Manor Brook Drive; Ralph Richards, Chillicothe Road; Martha Jagucki, USGS Hydrologist; President Pro Tem Koons called the Regular Council meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Fiscal Officer Romanowski read the roll. Porter moved to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2015 Council meeting, seconded by Binder. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Porter moved to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2015 Strategic Planning meeting, seconded by Kostura. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. VISITORS: Martha Jagucki, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologist, attended the meeting to discuss the well monitoring that the U.S. Department of Interior provides to the village. Jagucki explained the geology of South Russell and the four aquifers. In 1999, USGS was asked for long-term monitoring due to most residents using well water and some properties having water issues. They first monitored nine wells but have cut back to the current four wells. Jagucki reviewed monitoring results from past years with Council and said that 16% of the wells have declined since mid-1990. Discussion followed concerning the flow of the aquifers. Jagucki said long-term monitoring is helpful to be aware of changes over time. She is proposing $6,600 to continue monitoring five wells four times a year or $7,500 to change the location of two manually measured wells four times per year. Kostura asked if it would cost less if the Village were to have the wells monitored once a year as opposed to four times per year. Jagucki said it would be cheaper but they would also have to take the instruments out of one of the wells since four times is the minimum amount of times required to keep equipment in place. Kostura also asked why Geauga County is pulling out of the monitoring. Jagucki said they have talked about it due to funding issues, but she is not sure if they are going to discontinue. Geauga County has 31 wells monitored. Jagucki said if the county does decide to discontinue the monitoring, the Village’s cost will increase. Dishong arrived at 8:02 p.m. 10/12/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 1 of 5 Jagucki asked for a decision from Council by the end of October. Kostura said he doesn’t see the benefit of monitoring the wells four times per year and would like to see a quote for monitoring the wells once a year. Several Council members said they would like to have more testing information than not enough. Discussion followed concerning where potential monitoring may be beneficial. Porter moved for the Mayor and Fiscal Officer to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Interior for well monitoring with a cost not to exceed $8,700, seconded by Dishong. Roll call–ayes; Koons, Porter, Binder, Carroll and Dishong. Nay; Kostura. Motion carried. Koons thinks Council should look at changing the wells being monitored in the spring of 2016. MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor was not present. FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT: The Fiscal Officer reviewed her monthly report. The Fiscal Officer reviewed the proposed tax ordinance with Council. She explained a couple specifications that were added to the ordinance. FISCAL AUDITOR’S REPORT: The Fiscal Auditor was not present. ENGINEER’S REPORT: The Engineer had discussions with Specialized Construction about the possibility of completing a few extra road repairs with the additional money remaining in the 2015 Road Program budget. Since the contractor is not able to complete the repairs until November, the Engineer checked with Burton Scot Contracting, the company that will be completing the Chagrin Falls road repairs, but they aren’t able to complete the work until November either. The Engineer and Street Commissioner will meet soon to specify which road repairs should be completed in November, weather permitting. The Engineer reported that aside of some joint sealing on edges of the roads, the 2015 Road Program is finished. The 2014 Road Program will be finished after Specialized Construction seals about six open cracks. Koons suggested that Council choose which roads they would like to complete with the 2016 Road Program while planning the 2016 budget. The Engineer also reported that he met with Chris Woofter from Chagrin Schools last week concerning the Gurney athletic field drainage. Woofter gave the Engineer the improvement plans to copy, and it was determined that the correct drainage is in place and functioning as intended. The Engineer would like a professional opinion on the layout and ways to disperse some of the drainage that is causing problems on Waverly Lane. He will be asking the Chagrin River Watershed Partners if they have any suggestions. The Engineer received verification that the striping company will be back in to take some of the striping tails off from the Bell Road west project. The striping company would like the Street Commissioner present during the process and the Engineer said he will be there as well. Binder expressed his discontentment with the striping without the turnout lines. Dishong suggested 10/12/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 of 5 asking for a discount but the Engineer said the Village would only see 20% of the discount. Discussion followed. It was determined that the Engineer should ask for a discounted or free service for next year due to the mistake. BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT: The Building Inspector reported that aside from the light fixture being put back up, painting and weather stripping the front door, the contractor is finished with the Village Hall portico project. The contractor didn’t find any rotten wood. She said the remaining work will be completed soon. Kostura stated he would like it painted this year. The Building Inspector reported that the rental house has been rented at $1,250 per month. The new renter installed a ramp for a wheelchair and widened the bathroom door to be wheelchair accessible. Binder expressed his frustration with the rental fee decreasing and lawn mowing still being included in the rental agreement. The salt dome is being reroofed and they plan to be finished by the end of the week. The Building Inspector will have to attend classes in Columbus every Monday in November. Therefore, she is unable to attend the November 9th Council meeting. A Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be held October 29, 2015 at 7 p.m. There are several items on the agenda. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: The Police Chief referred to his monthly report and stated the Police Department is accepting donations for the Shop with a Cop program. STREET COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: The Street Commissioner was not present and will review his report at the October 26, 2015 meeting. SOLICITOR’S REPORT: The Solicitor was asked by the Mayor to bring attention to entering into an agreement with the Chagrin River Watershed Partners. The Solicitor stated that he has reviewed the contract. Dishong moved for the Mayor and Fiscal Officer to enter into an agreement with the Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), seconded by Carroll. Voice vote – all in favor. Motion carried. The Solicitor briefly discussed the tax ordinance that was distributed to Council and said the language regarding the purpose for the income tax specifically addressed the fire and police protection funds, so the same wording was included in the new ordinance. It doesn’t prohibit the Village from using the income for other purposes but he suggested possibly changing that section to state the purpose of the tax is to fund the general functions of the Village. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Binder and Carroll had nothing to report. Koons said three residents volunteered for the Fall Festival this year. There was a count of about 300 people that used the trolley and about 200 people that walked from the school to the park. Chief Zugan had several firemen doing demonstrations in their smoke trailer, which Koons said 10/12/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 of 5 was appreciated. There was discussion among the Park Committee members to use three wagons for hayrides next year, change one of the bouncy houses, and Chief Brosius offered to try to schedule a fly- over with his plane. Koons said the shredding event attracted about 131 residents this year. The Village incurred overtime costs by having one Service Department employee come in to work the event. Koons reported the Farmers Market had their last event on Saturday, October 10th and they will be going to Lowes Greenhouse from January through March. Kostura attended the Planning Commission Meeting on October 8th. Discussion was held on a vinyl fence to enclose a dumpster on Washington Street. Pascoe from the Bell Station attended as well to discuss tearing down the Bell Station and re-building a 2,800 sq. ft. establishment. The proposed landscaping would help hide lights and also act as sound barrier. He will be attending a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for variances and would like to have the project complete by May of 2016. Another issue on the agenda from Chris Plociak was not discussed since she left early. Kostura stated the Finance Committee will meet Thursday, October 15th at 7:30 a.m. Porter stated the Street Committee will meet either October 29th or 30th. Koons will discuss possibly leasing a truck for snowplowing with the Street Commissioner and will ask him to bring pricing to the next meeting. Koons will also let the Street Commissioner know the Village will not be purchasing a utility vehicle in 2016. Dishong stated the health care renewal increased 0.04%, but the deductibles for employees increased significantly. He asked Council to consider absorbing some of the deductible. Council will need to meet and make a decision regarding this issue. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: Kostura introduced an ordinance adopting, in conformance with ORC 718, a “Municipal Income Tax”, and comprising sections 881.01 to 881.99. BILLS LIST: Dishong moved to ratify the October 6, 2015 bills list in the amount of $1,200, seconded by Carroll. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. Kostura moved to approve the October 15, 2015 bills list in the amount of $364,511.99, seconded by Dishong. Roll call – ayes, all. Motion carried. NEW/OTHER: Kostura, Porter, Carroll and Dishong had no new business. Koons reminded Council that Geauga Growth Partnership is holding a workshop in November on employee evaluations and said he will attend. 10/12/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 4 of 5 Binder didn’t have a chance to review CRWP agreement and believes anything that is sent to Council the day of the meeting should not be discussed or voted on until the next meeting. Binder said he didn’t vote on the contract because he didn’t agree with the process of approving the document today. ADJOURNMENT: Being that there was no further business before Council, Dishong moved to adjourn, seconded by Kostura. Roll call, ayes - all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Matthew E. Brett, Mayor Danielle Romanowski, Fiscal Officer Prepared by Jennell Dahlhausen 10/12/15 COUNCIL MEETING Page 5 of 5