Village Council

Village of Wellington Council Minutes June 4, 2012 Council Chambers I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 7:00 p.m. II. MAYOR O’KEEFE- ROLL CALL: Council President Sandy Denes-present Councilman Steve Maurer-present Councilwoman Helen Dronsfield-present Councilman Hans Schneider-present Councilman Jeff Hyde-present Councilman Guy Wells-present Others Present: Village Manager Pyles, Law Director Bond, Finance Director Shaw, Public Works Superintendent Brasee, Police Chief Rollins, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Rosemark, Acting Electric Superintendent Bealer, Zoning Inspector Furcron and Clerk Gundert. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - • Approval of 5/21/12 Work Session Minutes - Mr. Wells requested that the minutes be changed to read as follows: Mr. Wells questioned asked about the fees charged for the cemetery and that possibly they needed to be raised to generate more income. Motion by Denes 2nd by Wells to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2012 meeting as corrected. Vote was taken, motion carried with all voting “yes”. • Approval of 5/21/12 Council Minutes – Mr. Wells suggested that the joint meeting be removed from the minutes of the regular council meeting and be voted on separately at the next joint meeting. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Denes to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2012 meeting with the amendment that the minutes of the joint meeting will be removed. The minutes of the joint meeting will be approved at the next joint meeting. Vote was taken, motion carried with all voting “yes”. IV. APPROVAL OF EXPENSES 101 General Fund $69,372.41 208 Permissive Tax 955.95 401 Capital 17,541.64 501 Water 13,419.00 502 Sewer 7,949.83 503 Electric 14,574.72 503 Power Costs 0.00 504 Garbage 0.00 206 Storm Sewer 0.00 508 Consumer Deposit 600.00 Payroll 85,680.11 Total $210,093.66 Ms Denes and Mr. Maurer had questions on the expenses. Ms. Shaw and Mr. Pyles along with the Superintendents and Tonya Smith (Finance Clerk) answered the questions. Motion by Hyde, 2nd by Wells to approve the expenses. Vote was taken, motion carried with all voting “yes”. Page 1 of 4 Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL AND VILLAGE OFFICIALS: ƒ Police Chief Rollins – nothing to report ƒ Clerk Gundert – nothing to report. ƒ Finance Director Shaw – Finance Department Report - Ms. Shaw noted that her report was in tonight’s packet and asked if there were any questions. Ms. Shaw informed council that a representative from RITA is attending tonight’s meeting and will be available for questions. Mayor O’Keefe would like to wait until “New Business” for the presentation. ƒ Law Director Bond - Nothing to report. ƒ Village Manager Pyles - Staff Reports - Staff reports were included in the council packet. He stated that he or the superintendents present would be happy to answer any questions. Bulk Trash Day – Mr. Pyles reminded residents that this Thursday (6/7) is bulk trash day and extra garbage could be placed in the curb lawn for pickup. Bulk trash pickup occurs the first Thursday of every month. Summer Cooling Tips – Mr. Pyles reminded residents to clean air conditioning filters and condensers before using them this season. This will allow units to operate more efficiently and save energy costs. Another energy saving idea is to close windows and drapes during hot days to keep heat out of homes. Compliments for holiday weekend – Mr. Hyde complimented Mr. Pyles and village staff for the good work over the holiday weekend. There were a lot of happenings with all the activities, a water break and transformer problems. Mr. Hyde complimented village workers on a good job. VI. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE ƒ Finance/Audit Committee – Mr. Hyde reported that finance committee minutes from the Mat 21st meeting were in the packet. Because two members of the Finance Committee will be unable to attend the meeting on June 18th, the Finance Committee will meet on July 2nd after the police committee and before the ordinance committee to work on budget matters. The Finance Committee will also meet on July 16th after the council meeting as regularly scheduled. ƒ Police Committee - Mr. Maurer reported that the committee will meet on tonight after the council meeting. Minutes from the last meeting were in the packets. ƒ South Lorain County Ambulance Board – Mr. Maurer reported the next ambulance board meeting is Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Ambulance Headquarters. ƒ Public Works Committee - Ms. Dronsfield reported that the Public Works Committee met tonight before the council meeting. Courtland Street Waterline – The committee discussed replacing a water line on Courtland Street from Grove Street around the corner onto Montrose Way almost to the corner of Grand Avenue. This is approximately 1500 feet of water line. All work will be done by Public Works employees. Motion by Dronsfield, 2nd by Maurer to request legislation for supplemental appropriations from the water department in the amount of $12,000.00 for this project. Vote was taken, motion passed with all voting “yes”. Appropriations are needed to purchase the water pipe for this project. Council members complimented the ability of the Public Works department employees to do this work in house and save the Village money. Wastewater Plant Improvements – Ms. Dronsfield reported that the Village had received approval on an OWDA loan for wastewater plant improvements. This application was completed last year and the Village received notice that they qualified for a 1% loan to complete plant improvements. The amount of the loan is $386,980.00 and will be repaid over 20 years. Mr. Pyles explained the improvements will replace parts in the wastewater plant that over 40 years old. The improvements will Page 2 of 4 Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes  increase the life of the plant as well as the efficiency of the wastewater plant. Mr. Pyles complimented the employees at the wastewater plant for maintaining this plant and getting 40 years out of these parts. Mr. Pyles explained that sewer rate will be increased to 100% of water costs to cover the repayment of this loan and other debt on the wastewater plant. The increase in rates is projected to provide $40,000.00 per year for debt payment. Legislation approving these items is on the agenda later tonight. Ms. Dronsfield reported that the Public Works committee recommended passage of this legislation. ƒ Utility Committee – Ms. Denes reported the committee will meet June 18th before the council meeting. Minutes from the last meeting were in tonight’s packet. ƒ Main Street Board - Ms. Denes asked Main Street Wellington representative Ginger Mateer to speak regarding Main Street Wellington. Ms. Mateer thanked the Village for the beautiful flowers downtown. The Farmers market will open on June 15th and be held on Fridays from 4-7 pm. The Village Garage Sales will be held June 15th and 16th. Relay for Life will be holding a garage sale in the town hall during this event which will increase traffic downtown. Council has authorized an extra policeman to be on duty those days to help with traffic control. ƒ Ordinance Committee – Mr. Wells reported that the Ordinance Committee will meet tonight after the police committee meeting. The topic for that meeting will be consideration of a charter amendment. VII. ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS • ORDINANCE NO 2012-20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL INCOME TAX AGENCY FOR THE ADMINISTATION OF WELLINGTON’S INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS 2nd Reading nd Motion by Maurer, 2 by Schneider to approve the second reading of Ordinance No 2012-21. Vote was taken, motion passed with the following votes: Denes-yes, Dronsfield-yes, Hyde- no, Maurer-yes, Schneider-yes, Wells-yes. • ORDINANCE NO 2012-21 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CREDIT TO THE WELLINTON UNION CEMETERY RELATIVE TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 510 COURTLAND STREET AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading • ORDINANCE NO 2012-22 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A LOAN FROM THE STATE OF OHIO FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, PROVIDING FOR EQUALIZATION OF THE SEWER AND WATER RATES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading nd Motion by Denes, 2 by Wells to suspend the rules and pass No. Ordinance 2012-22 as an emergency in order to complete the loan application process in a timely manner. Vote was taken, motion passed with all voting “yes”. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Denes to approve Ordinance No 2012-22 as an emergency. Vote was taken, motion carried with all voting “yes”. VIII. Old Business - nothing IX. New Business Page 3 of 4 Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes  • Resolution for Karen Webb – Council President Denes presented Karen Webb a resolution of commendation in recognition of her many years of service to the Village of Wellington. Mayor O’Keefe read the resolution as it was presented to Ms. Webb. Ms. Webb retired as Clerk/Treasurer in March 2012. • Resolution for Bob Box – Council President Denes presented Bob Box a resolution of commendation in recognition of his many years of service for the Village of Wellington. Mayor O’Keefe read the resolution as it was presented to Mr. Box. Mr. Box retired as Superintendent of Public Works in April 2012. • Resolution for Kirk Gott – Council President Denes presented Kirk Gott a resolution of commendation in recognition of his many years of service for the Village of Wellington. Mayor O’Keefe read the resolution as it was presented to Mr. Gott. Mr. Gott retired as Superintendent of Electric in April 2012. • Resolution for Kevin Gott – Mayor O’Keefe read a resolution of commendation to Kevin Gott (not in attendance) in recognition of his many years of service for the Village of Wellington. Mr. Gott resigned in April 2012 after 17 years of service to the Village of Wellington. • RITA Presentation – RITA Marketing Specialist Chuck Hawk gave a brief presentation about the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) to members of council. He provided all council members with literature about RITA. He also answered any questions council members had regarding the changeover to RITA for the collection of income taxes. Items that were discussed were: 1) Annual renew of contract with 6 month notice to cancel; 2) Availability and options of help for taxpayers in preparation of returns; 3) Notification options to notify residents of change over to RITA collection of taxes; 4) Options of holding an Amnesty program for village; 5) Resources that RITA uses in the filing of tax returns and collection of taxes. Mr. Maurer encouraged other members of council to visit the RITA facility in Brecksville if they can. He felt the company was very impressive. Council members and the RITA representative held a brief discussion of different aspects of RITA. • Mowing of lots – Mr. Schneider inquired if the mowing service was responsible for the lot mowing on Woodland Street. Mr. Brasee answered that they did not mow on Woodland Street this year. Mr. Maurer requested Superintendent Brasee oversee this mowing process to make sure the mowing is done neatly. • Cemetery Budget – Mr. Wells commented at the last meeting that there would be uncertainties in the cemetery budget due to the reduction in millage rates for next year. He requested Ms. Dronsfield as Cemetery Board representative, ask the cemetery board what their needs will be for the next year and report back to council. Mr. Maurer also requested a more detailed report on future cemetery budget needs including salary requirements. Ms. Dronsfield reported that the cemetery board meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am. Everyone is welcome to attend. X. Adjourn Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Schneider to adjourn. 8:55 p.m. Clerk of Council Mayor Page 4 of 4 Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes