Board of Aldermen Meeting

CITY OF WILLARD BOARD OF ALDERMEN SPECIAL SESSION April 19, 2023 7:00 p.m. Staff present: Interim City Administrator, Steve Bodenhamer; City Planner, Scott Hayes; Planning Assistant, Tammy Nephew; and City Clerk, Dona Slater. City Attorney Ken Reynolds was not present. Citizens in attendance: Vanessa Keene, Debbie Ihrig, Bradley Mowell, Marsha Swatosh, Kara Crighton-Smith, and Larry Whitman. Oath of Office The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the Mayor and newly elected Aldermen. Call to Order. Mayor Snider called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call. The City Clerk conducted the Roll Call. Alderman Hendrickson-present, Alderman Smith- present, Alderman Baird-present, Alderman Keene-present, Alderman Swatosh-present, Mayor Snider-present, Alderman Hall-not present. Agenda Amendments/Agenda Approval. Motion was made by Alderman Smith and seconded by Alderman Hendrickson to approve the Agenda. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Voting aye: Aldermen Smith, Hendrickson, Baird, Keene, and Swatosh. Advice of award of ARPA Grant for inclusive playground. Mr. Bodenhamer notified the Board that the City has been awarded a $500,000 grant from ARPA for an inclusive playground. Another $200,000 will come from third parties. The City has committed to $50,000 in funds. The Director of Parks and Recreation, Jason Knight will expand on this at the April 24, 2023 Board of Aldermen meeting. Mr. Bodenhamer stated that there are only a few inclusive playgrounds in the area. Elected Official Orientation. Mr. Bodenhamer distributed documents explaining the role of elected officials. He explained the duties of the Mayor, Aldermen, and City staff. He talked about all Commissions and Boards and their functions. Mr. Bodenhamer stated that Closed Sessions are private and need to remain that way. They are not to be shared with anyone. He handed out Sunshine Law booklets. He also explained that he or the Mayor are the only people to speak with the media. He explained the City must stay within budget. City Administrator’s remarks regarding opportunity and challenges. Mr. Bodenhamer stated that the Board needs to make intelligent use of its property. Long term upgrades to the regional and 94 lift stations are needed as well as consideration of a sewer treatment facility. He advised the Board to not play favorites and to keep an even playing field. They are not to attack other board members or any other people. He said the City staff is the best and professional staff of a 4th class city that he has encountered and that if the Board doesn’t treat them properly they will lose good employees. He also said we email packets out early so the Board members can look at them and be ready for the meetings. If they have questions they should contact him or the Director of Finance before meetings so the meetings can move along at a quicker pace. He said the Board needs to use the three ‘C’s; Compromise, Coordinate, and Communicate. Mr. Bodenhamer advised the Board that any personal attacks by elected officials, in person or on social media, must STOP NOW. Mayor’s remarks regarding opportunity and challenges. Mayor Snider stated he is looking forward to working with the new Aldermen. He said Willard is at a pivotal moment. The City needs to tackle infrastructure. He stated they need to make improving the quality of life for citizens their top priority. Close Open Session Motion was made by Alderman Swatosh and seconded by Alderman Keene to recess the Open Session. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Voting aye: Aldermen Smith, Hendrickson, Baird, Keene, and Swatosh. The Open Session was closed at 7:53 p.m. Open Executive Session Motion was made by Alderman Baird and seconded by Alderman Hendrickson to Open the Executive session. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Voting aye: Aldermen Smith, Hendrickson, Keene, Baird, and Swatosh. The Mayor opened the Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. Close Executive Session Motion was made by Alderman Keene and seconded by Alderman Smith to close the Executive Session. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Voting aye: Aldermen Smith, Hendrickson, Keene, Baird, and Swatosh. The Executive Session closed at 8:15 p.m. Adjourn Meeting Motion was made by Alderman Hendrickson and seconded by Alderman Baird to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0. Voting aye: Aldermen Smith, Hendrickson, Keene, Baird, and Swatosh. The meeting was Adjourned at 8:16 p.m. ________________________________ __________________________ Dona Slater, City Clerk Samuel Snider, Mayor