Village Council

Village of Wellington Council Meeting Agenda Barbara O'Keefe, Mayor Council: President Hans Schneider, Sandy Denes, Helen Dronsfield, Jeff Hyde, Steve Maurer, Guy Wells Council Chambers Monday October 6, 2014 7:30 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor O’Keefe called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL Council President Hans Schneider – Present Councilman Jeff Hyde – Present Councilwoman Sandy Denes – Present Councilman Steve Maurer – Present Councilwoman Helen Dronsfield – Present Councilman Guy Wells – Present Others Present – Mayor O’Keefe, Village Manager Pyles, Finance Director Shaw, Law Director Bond, Public Works Supt. Brasee, Electric Supt. Bealer, Water WW Supt. Rosemark, Sergeant Shelton, Zoning Inspector Furcron, MSW Director Eppley, Clerk of Council O’Brien, Enterprise Reporter Valerie Urbanik, Residents Mike Schneider, Joe Davidson and Anna Merriman 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Denes, to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2014 meeting. Roll call vote was taken, Schneider – Yes, Denes – Yes, Dronsfield – Yes, Hyde – Yes, Maurer – Yes, Wells – No. 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS – Ms. Denes had a couple of questions regarding the bills, Mr. Pyles answered her questions. Motion by Denes 2nd by Maurer. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. 101 GEN $ 52,273.98 201 Street CM&R $ 1,039.30 208 Permissive Vehicle Tax $ 427.99 401 Capital Improvement $ 15,716.67 501 Water $ 7,725.16 502 Sewer $ 7,883.10 503 Elect $ 18,317.66 Power Bills 504 Trash $ 100.00 505 Cable TV Franchise Fund $ 4,295.50 506 Storm Sewer Capital $ 36,582.85 508 Consumer Deposits $ 500.00 Total $ 144,862.21 Pay 19 & 20 $ 184,385.32 Grand Total $ 329,247.53 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND VILLAGE OFFICIALS: § Mayor O'Keefe – Mayor O’Keefe read a letter of retirement resignation from Jay Lowther effective October 29, 2014. Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Schneider to accept Mr. Lowther’s retirement resignation with regret. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. § Law Director Bond – Mr. Maurer asked Mr. Bond for clarification in the Charter regarding hiring practices. Mr. Maurer explained that he understood appointments such as Police Chief, Village Manager and Finance Director, however he was unsure  of hiring for positions such as a full time Police Officer, whether that was an appointment with council’s approval or a regular hire. Mr. Bond explained that he wasn’t sure whether or not the charter specified between the two, however it does state that council has the authority to approve it. Mr. Bond will check into it and get back to Mr. Maurer with an answer. § Sergeant Shelton – Sergeant Shelton reported that they had installed a No Parking Anytime sign behind a resident’s home on N. Main St. The sign was installed due to construction vehicles parking in the private drive which comes out onto Patriot Dr. Sergeant Shelton also reported that on Sept. 27th the department had participated in “Operation Medicine Cabinet” where they collected nine large boxes of prescription pills. Sergeant Shelton announced that he had met with Supt. Nolan from the Wellington Schools who informed him that they had installed cameras in the High School which will cover the East hallway and part of the South hallway. He mentioned that when they get to the next phase of the project, the police dispatch will be able to tap into the camera system at the High School and will be able to see what is happening in case of school emergencies. The new school will also have the same system with the same capabilities. § Finance Director Shaw – Ms. Shaw reported that there had been an increase in online bill pay usage. She reminded residents that they needed to have their account number and the address as it is printed on the bill when registering. Mr. Maurer asked if there would be an auto fill option on the bill pay page; Ms. Shaw said she would check with the company. Ms. Denes asked whether or not she had received any calls concerning the RITA subpoena letter; Ms. Shaw said no, however, she had received calls regarding the possible water rate increase. Ms. Shaw mentioned that she had also received calls regarding the tax collection agency the village had hired, who have filed lawsuits; some residents had been in contact with her office to obtain copies of their records. § Village Manager Pyles – Mr. Pyles reported that hydrant flushing had begun and advised residents to check their water for discoloration before running their washing machines. He also reported that the village had been granted an extension for the downtown grant. He mentioned that the newly paved alleys, newly paved portions of Depot St., and enhanced crosswalk lighting purchases have been funded by the downtown grant. Ms. Denes asked Mr. Pyles about the school traffic study results; Mr. Pyles explained that crossing on Jones St. did not warrant a signal, the entrance of the school did warrant a signal, however, ODOT did not feel that was an appropriate place for a signal installation. ODOT deferred the decision to the village, where he believed, the Planning Commission had approved a drawing which included a signal with left turn capabilities at the High School entrance. Mr. Maurer asked who had conducted the traffic study; Mr. Pyles explained that he had Poggemeyer do a one day count at Jones St. and the traffic engineer for the school had conducted a longer study. Mayor O’Keefe asked whether or not council could decide where the signal could be installed; Mr. Pyles explained that ODOT said the signal could be put in, however, there was a risk involved when installing an unwarranted traffic signal. Mr. Maurer asked what the risk would be; Mr. Pyles explained that in case of an accident at an unwarranted traffic signal location, there was a potential for liability. Mr. Bond added that there is a problem when you act contrary to state law. Mr. Maurer explained that with the new school, the traffic on Jones St. was going to be terrible. Mr. Schneider asked Mr. Pyles whether or not he would be attending candidate’s night; Mr. Pyles answered that he would be there to talk about the underpass project, Thursday at 6:00 PM. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE § Main Street Wellington – Mr. Eppley reminded residents that Saturday Oct. 11th was the Gossman Allstate Ins. 5k/10k Halloween walk/run downtown. There would be  awards for best costume, and also for best male and female run times. § Finance – Mr. Hyde reported that the next committee meeting is Oct. 20th prior to council. He also reported that RITA had sent out notices and anyone who received one should get those filled out and back to RITA. Mr. Hyde mentioned that Fire Board met on Oct. 1st. § Police – Mr. Maurer reported that Sgt. Shelton had updated the committee on the New World software system that the county is participating in. Mr. Maurer made a motion to hire Richard Pozywak as a part time officer at $17.50 per hour, effective as soon as possible, with a 6 month probationary period, 2nd by Hyde. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Mr. Maurer made a motion to hire Shawn Kneisel as a full time officer at $19.00 per hour, with a 6 month probationary period and a start date of Oct. 14th, 2nd by Schneider. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Mr. Maurer made a motion to hire Matt Perkins as a full time officer at $19.00 per hour, with a 6 month probationary period and a start date of Oct. 13th, 2014, 2nd by Schneider. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Mr. Maurer mentioned that the committee had discussed updating the police cruiser dash cameras and also purchasing body cameras for each of the officers. Ambulance board will meet on October 14th at 7:00 PM. Mr. Maurer asked that the Mayor’s office or Mr. Pyles office send letters out to the officers who had interviewed for the full time officer position but did not get the job. § Public Works – Ms. Dronsfield reported that the committee had met prior to the council meeting and discussed the hiring of a part time employee. Ms. Dronsfield made a motion to hire Matthew Broud at $10.16 per hour at 30 hours per week, effective immediately, 2nd by Wells. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Ms. Dronsfield mentioned that the Public Works Dept. would begin pickup up leaves on October 15th. She also mentioned that the elevator would be out of service beginning tomorrow through Friday Oct. 10th. § Utility – Ms. Denes reported that the committee had met prior the council meeting. Ms. Denes made a motion to hire Jeffrey Lopez at $17.00 per hour beginning Oct. 7th (she noted that he had already passed the drug test) with a 6 month probationary period, 2nd by Hyde. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Ms. Denes made a motion to hire Stephen Norton at $17.00 per hour beginning Oct. 20th, pending a drug test, with a 6 month probationary period, 2nd by Wells. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “aye”. Ms. Denes made a motion to purchase a 2016 Freightliner bucket truck at $220,827.00 from DUECO out of Medina, 2nd by Wells. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Ms. Denes noted that the truck would be replacing a 1999 bucket truck, which will be sold after the new truck has been broken in. The next committee meeting will be Oct. 20th prior to council. § Ordinance – Mr. Wells reported that the committee had nothing on its agenda, and did not meet tonight. The next scheduled meeting is Nov. 3rd prior to council. § Mr. Schneider – Mr. Schneider asked Mr. Furcron when the foundation of the demolished house on N. Main St. would be cleaned up; Mr. Furcron will send a letter to have them clean that up. Ms. Denes asked Mr. Furcron when the Irish Building would be addressed as a nuisance. Ms. Denes feels that the owner of the building has had ample time to repair the portico, the window etc. She explained that the owner had been given every opportunity to apply for CDBG grants and has done nothing. Mr. Furcron said he had spoken with the owner about replacing the window, and stated that she was working on the inside, however, he will send her a letter. Ms. Dronsfield asked who was replacing the windows on the second floor, Mr. Eppley explained that the property owner had not followed the CDBG rules and had already signed a contract for vinyl windows, and he could not help her now. He also mentioned that he had found a contractor to give her an estimate on replacing the front window, back in June. 7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2014-39 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CONTINUING APPOINTMENT OF A BUILDING OFFICIAL, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 2nd Reading nd nd Motion by Denes, 2 by Maurer to move the 2 reading. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2014-41 AN ORDINANCE ADJUSTING THE RATES FOR WATER SERVICE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1ST Reading ORDINANCE NO. 2014 – 42 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2014 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES RELATIVE TO VILLAGE COMMUNICATIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1ST Reading Mr. Maurer made a motion to amend the ordinance amount, from $14,000 to $28,000.00, 2nd by Hyde. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Denes to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Denes to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2014-43 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW BUCKET TRUCK FOR USE IN THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1ST Reading 8. OLD BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS § Mayor O’Keefe announce that Trick or Treat would be held Thursday October 30th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. She explained that the county Mayor’s Alliance had decided upon the date and mentioned that the village would follow suit. § Mr. Rosemark thanked council for hiring his recommendations for the waste water plant operator positions. He also thanked Jay Lowther for his dedication and year of service, and mentioned that Jay will be missed. Ms. Denes asked Mr. Rosemark how many years of experience had been lost at the WW Plant with the promotion of Mr. Novotny and the retirement of Mr. Lowther; Mr. Rosemark said 56 year of experience. Mr. Maurer asked how many applications Mr. Rosemark had received for that position; Mr. Rosemark said 8. 10. ADJOURN – Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Denes to adjourn at 8:03 PM