Village Council

Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes Barbara O'Keefe, Mayor Council: President Guy Wells, Sandy Denes, Helen Dronsfield, Jeff Hyde, Steve Maurer, Hans Schneider Council Chambers Monday July 6, 2015 7:40 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor O’Keefe called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance 2. ROLL CALL Councilwoman Sandy Denes – Present Councilman Steve Maurer – Present Councilwoman Helen Dronsfield – Present Councilman Hans Schneider – Present Councilman Jeff Hyde – Absent Council President Guy Wells – Present Others Present – Mayor O’Keefe, Village Manager Pyles, Finance Director Shaw, Law Director Bond, Chief Barfield, Public Works Supt. Brasee, Electric Supt. Bealer, Water/WW Supt. Rosemark, Zoning Inspector Furcron, Wellington Twp. Trustees Brasee and Fisher, Wellington Twp. Clerk Grose, Cemetery Clerk Navarre, Clerk of Council O’Brien, Enterprise Reporter Leyva, Joe Davidson, Susan Jameson, Brandan Sorg, Richard Bonewit, Tim Wolfhoop, Mike Schneider 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Wells, 2nd by Maurer to approve the minutes from the June 15, 2015 meeting. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “aye”. 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS – Ms. Denes had a couple of questions regarding the bills; Ms. Shaw and Mr. Pyles answered her questions. Motion by Denes 2nd by Wells to approve the bills and pay the expenses. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. 101 GEN $ 78,685.93 201 Street CM&R Fund $ 3,740.17 401 Capital Improvement $ 613.72 501 Water $ 112,428.61 502 Sewer $ 137,752.00 503 Elect $ 229,835.38 ***Power Bills $ 478,770.18 504 Garbage Fund $ 24,931.47 505 Cable Franchise Fund $ (4,295.50) 506 Storm Sewer Capital $ 56,283.79 508 Consumer Deposit Fund $ 2,128.43 Total $ 1,120,874.18 Pay 13 $ 101,945.40 Grand Total $ 1,222,819.58 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND VILLAGE OFFICIALS: § Mayor O'Keefe § Law Director Bond – Nothing to Report § Chief Barfield – Chief Barfield reported that residents should call if they see any suspicious activity or juveniles out past curfew, while it was happening. Ms. Denes mentioned that she had a complaint of people parking in driveways, across the sidewalks. She further mentioned that there is an ordinance which prohibits that, and the Police Dept. will be looking for those violations. Mayor O’Keefe advised residents to call the Police Dept. if they see cars that are parked in the streets and have not moved in several weeks. § Finance Director Shaw – Ms. Denes asked Ms. Shaw about the Cemetery Ins.; Ms. Shaw reported that the village is paying for the property portion of the insurance, and mentioned that the village is not allowed to pay the liability. Ms. Denes mentioned that it was a cost savings to the cemetery.  § Village Manager Pyles – Mr. Pyles reported that there had been a meeting last Thursday about the sub-station, and a memo had been distributed to council members and will be discussed at the Utility Committee meeting. He thanked the Police Department, the Police Auxiliary, and Wellington Fire District for their help patrolling the streets during the planned black out. Mr. Wells asked for an underpass update; Mr. Pyles reported that he had a lengthy meeting recently to discuss how they were going to gain on the schedule. He further reported that CSX decided that they have a lot of work to do in that block of track and they are anticipating having that completed at the end of July. Mr. Pyles mentioned that the crossing will be open during the fair, however, many things still need to be completed after Labor Day weekend; he is confident that the underpass will open in 2015. Ms. Denes asked about the fiber optic line; Mr. Pyles explained that it had been completed, and is attached to the bridge deck. Ms. Denes asked whether or not Mr. Pyles was giving tours; Mr. Pyles replied yes, if any council members were interested in a tour, he could make it happen only on a weekend, in small groups and will be for informational purposes only. § Main Street Wellington – Ms. Denes reported that Main Street had a successful Ice Cream Social and Concert on the square, and mentioned that they are gearing up for the Cheese Festival on July 17th, 18th and 19th. Mayor O’Keefe added that the ice cream social was very successful and that they had run out of ice cream; Mr. Wells mentioned that they were still looking for judges for the cheesecake competition. § Motion by Wells, 2nd by Denes to adjourn from the regular council meeting at 7:50 PM to have a joint meeting with the Cemetery Bd. and Township Trustees. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. JOINT CEMETERY, COUNCIL AND WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP MEETING Village of Wellington: Mayor Barbara O’Keefe Wellington Council Members: Guy Wells (President), Sandy Denes, Helen Dronsfield, Jeff Hyde, Steve Maurer and Hans Schneider Wellington Township Trustees: Fred Pitts (Chairman), LeRoy Brasee, Nancy Fisher, Wellington Township Fiscal Officer & Cemetery Board Member: Louise Grose a. Roll Call – Mayor O’Keefe called the meeting to order and requested roll call. Wells – Present, Denes – Present, Dronsfield – Present, Hyde – Absent, Maurer – Present, Schneider – Present, Brasee – Present, Fisher – Present, Pitts – Absent. b. Approval of Minutes: Approval of Minutes from the May 4, 2015 – Motion by Dronsfield, 2nd by Schneider to approve the minutes from the May 4, 2015 Joint Meeting. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. c. Old Business - None d. New Business – Ms. Shaw reported that when she sent a copy of Ordinance 2015-20 in to the County, she enclosed a letter asking why the Village residents were being double taxed. She further reported that shortly after, she (and others) received a letter asking them to come to a meeting with the County Budget Commission, Treasurer, and their Law Director (who was not present). There was a lengthy discussion about a meeting that transpired at the Lorain County Auditor’s office, with Mr. Pyles, Ms. Shaw, Ms. Fisher, Mr. Brasee, Ms. Grose and Ms. Navarre. Mr. Pyles explained that the method that was used, .30 mills being collected from the village taxpayers and the township taxpayers, the auditor expressed concern that they were collecting more money than was needed for the operations of the cemetery. He further explained that one of the roles of the Budget Commission is to look out for the taxpayer, and they could actually say that the .30 mills, village and .30 mills, township, and .30 mills  village as part of the township taxing district, is too much. Mr. Wells suggested leaving the millage amounts the same, and having the Cemetery Clerk add a Capital Improvement Fund to the budget, which will show the dedicated Capital Improvement funds. After much discussion, it was decided to leave Ordinance 2015-20 in place, and make no changes at this time. RESOLUTION NO. 2015 – 28 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND THE TRUSTEES OF WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP DETERMINING THE RATE OF TAXATION TO BE LEVIED UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND THE TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON FOR CEMETERY PURPOSES e. Adjourn – Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Brasee to adjourn the Joint Meeting at 8:18 PM. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion by Denes, 2nd by Dronsfield to resume the regular Council Meeting. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES § Finance – Mr. Maurer reported that the committee will meet prior to the next council meeting. § Police – Mr. Wells reported that the committee had met prior to council. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Maurer to accept the resignation of Maureen Cole, effective June 22, 2015. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Maurer to immediately terminate the probation of Officer Pozywak, and increase his hourly wage by 4% to $18.56, effective the next full pay period. Mr. Wells reported that Chief Barfield mentioned that there is a Sheriff Deputy who is working with the school as a DARE Officer. He further reported that the Chief would like to take $500.00 from the Police Departments operating fund, and place into the DARE fund to purchase t-shirts for the students. Mr. Wells mentioned that there had been a discussion pertaining to holiday hours for the Police Department, which had been referred to the Ordinance Committee. § Public Works – Ms. Dronsfield reported that the Public Works Dept. had been extremely busy. She mentioned that they are working at the Rec. Park, working on the water line on Johns St., pouring concrete on Grand Ave. and Union St., stoning the reservoir banks, and are repairing catch basins. She further reported that Dan Davidson and a team of volunteers spent an afternoon repairing the fences at the Rec. Park. She thanked Mr. Davidson and his crew. Ms. Dronsfield reported that South St., Middle St., the Depot St. parking lot and a portion of the Rec. Park parking lot are scheduled for slurry seal, by Slurry Seal of Toledo. She further reported that the small brick landscaping wall at the Town Hall, and the storm sewer project east of town are still on the schedule to be completed. She mentioned that there had been some discussion about the Cell Tower, with more information to come in the future. § Utility – Ms. Denes reported that the committee will meet July 20th prior to council and will continue discussions about Lineman Compensation. § Ordinance – Mr. Schneider reported that the committee had met prior to the council meeting and discussed the Personnel Policy Manual, where Mr. Wells suggested scheduling another work session. The work session will be held after the Council Meeting on July 20th. Mr. Schneider mentioned that Mr. Bond will be amending the bulk trash ordinance to read that the trash may be placed to the curb after sunrise the day prior to pick up. He further mentioned that the Ordinance will be on the next council agenda. Mr. Schneider announced that a demonstration of the CPR Thumper, will be held Tuesday July 7th at 6:30 PM, at the Ambulance Building. He also announced that the signalization project at the High School has been approved by the Planning Commission, and the signalization will be installed sometime this fall. § Mr. Maurer – Mr. Maurer thanked the Chamber of Commerce, the Eagles, Al Leiby  and everyone who was responsible for the 4th of July festivities. He mentioned that the car show was very well attended and overall it was a nicer celebration than in past years. Mayor O’Keefe mentioned that there was a great crowd downtown for the 4th of July, and thanked everyone who helped make it a success. 7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 2015-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL Tabled on 6/15/15 3rd Reading Mr. Wells announced that they would not be taking it off of the table tonight. ORDINANCE NO. 2015-24 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 3rd Reading nd Motion by Wells, 2 by Denes to move the third reading. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-27 A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2016 TAX BUDGET 2nd Reading nd Motion by Wells, 2 by Schneider to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Maurer to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2015-29 AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A NEW SECTION 134.04 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES, RELATIVE TO PAYMENT OF BILLS 1st Reading Ms. Denes asked what precipitated the $100,000 limit; Ms. Shaw explained that the amount can be changed to whatever Council deems fit. She further explained that especially at the end of the year, there are many things that come from the bank, which may carry late fees, or projects due to the state, that need to be paid right away. Mr. Maurer agreed that the $100,000 was a large amount. Ms. Denes suggested limiting it to checks; Ms. Shaw was fine with that. Mr. Maurer asked Ms. Shaw to check with surrounding villages on their limits set. ORDINANCE NO. 2015-30 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN EASEMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT LONGSTANDING ENCROACHMENTS FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 100 SOUTH MAIN STREET, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading nd Motion by Denes, 2 by Wells to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion by Wells, 2nd by Dronsfield to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. 8. OLD BUSINESS Scottish Games – Ms. Denes reported that it was a rainy day, however, the Scottish Games were a success. Cheese Festival – Mayor O’Keefe reminded residents of the Cheese Festival July 17th, 18th, and 19th. 9. NEW BUSINESS Bucket Truck Change Order – Mr. Pyles explained that $764.00 worth of change orders had been performed on the new bucket truck. He asked for a resolution from council allowing for the additional payment. Motion by Denes, 2nd by Maurer for a resolution allowing for the additional $764.00 to the purchase price of the bucket truck. Roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. 10. ADJOURN - Motion by Maurer, 2nd by Denes to adjourn at 8:35 PM