Village Council

Village of Wellington Council Meeting Minutes Hans Schneider, Mayor Council: Gene Hartman-Council President, Steve Boham, Mark Bughman, Helen Dronsfield, Gary Feron, Keith Rowland Council Chambers December 16, 2024 7:13 PM 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Schneider called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance 2. ROLL CALL Councilman Steve Boham – Present Councilman Gary Feron – Present Councilman Mark Bughman – Present Council President Gene Hartman – Present Councilwoman Helen Dronsfield – Present Councilman Keith Rowland – Present Others Present – Mayor Schneider, Village Manager Greever, Finance Director Pfeiffer, Law Director Bond, Chief McPike, Clerk of Council O’Brien, Brian Burke, Ali Gott, Madison Minutello 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Feron, 2nd by Bughman to approve the minutes from the December 2, 2024 Council Meeting. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS – Motion by Hartman, 2nd by Rowland to approve the expenses and pay the bills. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. 101 General Fund $ 91,208.85 201 Street CM&R Fund $ 15,407.79 208 Permissive Vehicle Tax $ 3,657.43 290 Caring Fund $ 400.00 301 SPC Assess Bond Retire $ 167,611.32 401 Capital Improvement $ 188.00 501 Water Fund $ 155,780.35 502 Sewer Fund $ 176,326.29 503 Electric Fund $ 207,383.59 504 Garbage Fund $ 32,679.08 505 Cable TV Franchise Fund $ 32.45 506 Storm Sewer Capital $ 9,330.66 508 Consumer Deposit Fund $ 344.67 Pay 25 $ 125,029.33 Total $ 985,379.81 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND VILLAGE OFFICIALS  Mayor Schneider  Law Director Bond – Northing to report  Chief McPike – Nothing to report  Finance Director Pfeiffer – Nothing to report  Village Manager Greever – Mr. Greever mentioned that he had nothing to add and offered to answer any questions. Mr. Hartman had questions regarding a letter from resident Richard Hyde concerning the CSX crossing; Mr. Greever reported that he has not received any updates on the RR crossing, and is continuing to press the issue. Mr. Hartman requested that Mr. Greever look into the other concerns of Mr. Hyde and accommodate his suggestions; Mr. Greever will look into the matter.  Main Street Wellington – No report. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES  Finance – Mr. Hartman reported that the committee met prior to council and stated that the Finance Department does a great job. He mentioned that RITA collections are up 6% from last year, as well as employee health insurance, which is up $16,000 from last year. He reported that Finance has two ordinances on tonight’s agenda – second reading of the 2025 budget, and a housekeeping ordinance correcting actual revenue totals.  Police – Mr. Rowland reported that the committee met prior to council and discussed the November stats, and part time and overtime pay. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Dronsfield to hire Kevin Jerore as part time auxiliary officer at $16.54 per hour, effective after passing drug screening. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”.  Public Works – Ms. Dronsfield reported that the committee will meet prior to council on January 6.  Utility – Mr. Bughman reported that the committee will meet prior to council on January 6.  Ordinance – Mr. Feron reported that the committee met prior to council and discussed changing the parking on Wenner St. from the west side of the street to the east side of the street. He asked that  Wenner St. residents attend the next two meetings to discuss the matter. He mentioned that the first reading of the ordinance is on tonight’s agenda. Mr. Feron mentioned that they discussed a TC Energy easement, and the ordinance is on tonight’s agenda as well.  Personnel – Mr. Boham reported that the committee will meet on January 6, if there is business to discuss. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS & QUESTIONS - None (5 Minutes Per Person For Questions & Comments) 8. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE NO. 2024-44 AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT AND OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, OHIO FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY 2nd Reading (Requesting Suspension of the Rules) Motion by Hartman 2nd by Feron to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Hartman to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-48 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A REVISED 2025 ANNUAL BUDGET OF ESTIMATED REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading (Requesting Suspension of the Rules) Motion by Hartman, 2nd by Feron to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Hartman to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-49 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE TO REFLECT CORRECTIONS IN ACTUAL REVENUES AND TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading (Requesting Suspension of the Rules) Motion by Hartman, 2nd by Feron to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Hartman to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-50 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC GRANTING CERTAIN EASEMENTS IN VILLAGE-OWNED PROPERTY IN THE VICINITY OF BARKER STREET AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading (Requesting Suspension of the Rules) Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Bughman to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Bughman to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-51 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 351.15 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, RELATIVE TO PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS 1st Reading Mayor Schneider instructed Village Manager Greever to compose a letter to Wenner St. residents concerning the proposed parking ordinance, and invite them to the next two meetings for discussion; Mr. Greever will prepare and send a letter. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-52 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THE LORAIN COUNTY JOINT SELF- INSURANCE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS PROGRAM AGREEMENT, AS A PARTICIPATING MEMBER, TO ACQUIRE AND PARTICIPATE IN LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS ONLY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE 1st Reading (Requesting Suspension of the Rules) Motion by Feron, 2nd by Bughman to suspend the rules. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. Motion by Rowland, 2nd by Bughman to approve as read. Roll call vote was taken with all members voting “yes”. 9. OLD BUSINESS – None 10. NEW BUSINESS Employee Recognition Luncheon – Mayor Schneider reported that the annual employee recognition luncheon was held on December 13, where Andy Pickworth was presented the employee of the year award. Mayor Schneider further reported that Andy took his own initiative to study, and pass the exam for his Water Operator III license. Congratulations Andy!  Coffee with the Mayor – Mayor Schneider invited residents to attend Coffee with the Mayor at Bread-N-Brew on Saturday December 21. He mentioned that there is an ugly sweater contest and ugly sweater bar crawl beginning at 5 PM. HS Student Meeting Review – Ms. Dronsfield reviewed the council meeting, including a lesson on passing legislation with the HS government students in the audience. Tree Lighting Event – Mr. Bughman thanked MSW Director Arntz for the great work on tree lighting celebration! 2025 Committees - Mayor Schneider asked councilmembers to consider what committee’s they would like to participate in 2025 and let him know ASAP. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas. 11. ADJOURN – Motion by Feron, 2nd by Bughman to adjourn at 7:35 PM