Meeting Minutes (1-18-21)

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield

January 18, 2021

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in RegularSession on January 18, 2021.

I. Roll Call:

Present: Council Members Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Jamie Hill, Carol Hehr, Ray Hughes; Mayor Mike Ricer, Solicitor Bill Frank, and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks. Absent: Fiscal Officer Dustin Kirkland. Lori Cunard is sitting in for Dustin Kirkland to take notes for minutes and record.

II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:

Jamie Hill made the motion to accept the January 4, 2021 meeting minutes. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed by vote 4-0 (Carol Hehr-Abstain).

III. Registered Visitors/Guests:

None

IV. Old Business:

Jamie asked about reception of cameras, Kevin Brooks stated that they have experienced no problems.

V. Village Administrator Report:

Kevin Brooks said that the retainer we have with CT Consultants is up for renewal and asked Council if they want to renew. It would be $750 (an annual retainer) to renew the retainer with them. Dale English made the motion to renew the retainer with CT Consultants. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 5-0.

Kevin Brooks reminded Council of the Presentation by AMP on their Efficiency Smart Program that took place sometime last February. He’s asking Council if they would still be interested in enrolling and if Council would like them to come back to do another presentation. Jamie Hill stated that he thinks it is a great idea and doesn’t feel they need to come back. Carol Hehr asked if Kevin could just get some literature for her to read up on it to remind herself what it is all about. Just to be clear Kevin said it would be just for businesses to have an evaluation on where they can save money and he would get some literature for Council on the Program.

Kevin Brooks let Council know that Dale, the Mayor (Mike), and Kevin himself had a teleconference call with AMP, Sawvel also sit in on the call. They reviewed the Power Supply Recap and due to the peak shaving that was done the Village saved over $300,000 in transmission and capacity costs for 2021. They also received pointers on how to maximize the peak shaving going forward.

They also talked about Solar as a peak shaving resource, however, based on the Village current portfolio, they believe it is in our best interest to pass on that for now. We are looking at a rate no higher than $29.25/MWH through 2027. Legislation is being prepared by AMP for this and should come across at the next Council meeting. The Village’s diesel generators are 60+ years old and when Farabee works on them they have to craft the parts because you can no longer get the parts. But at the end of 2019 the Village spent about $44,000 and had all 6 operating perfect. So they probably still have about 5-6 years life left. There are 6 generators but only 3 are approved for peak shaving, the other 3 are emergency only. Kevin is looking at some type of solar project that we own with battery back-up for peak shaving in the future. Ray Hughes asked about cost increase, will it offset the savings by running the 3 generators at peak times? Kevin replied yes there will be an increase but it is realistic that we will knock off another $100,000 next year by running all 3 generators.

Kevin Brooks wanted Council to know that he is taking sealed bids for the Park truck, 1991 F150, 2 wheel drive. The truck has over 156,000 miles on it and after talking it over with Bill Frank they estimate it to be valued at $1,000. He will be taking sealed bids until January 29, 2021 and will bring the bids and present to Council at the February 1, 2021 meeting. An employee of the Village has put in a bid at $800 and he has received a bid from a non-employee of $500 so far.

Kevin Brooks requested Executive Session regarding Personnel/Compensation.

Kevin Brooks also wanted to let Council know that starting with the February 1, 2021 Council meeting that the Department heads will be coming to meetings ( 1 or 2 per Council meeting on a regular basis) to give a 2020 recap of accomplishments and accomplishments throughout the coming year for each department. This will give Council a chance to ask questions and understand the work load of each department. Council all agreed this is a good idea.

VI. Fiscal Officer Report:

None – Fiscal Officer Absent

VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:

Dale English – Nothing to report

Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report

Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report

Jamie Hill – Nothing to report

Carol Hehr – Nothing to report

Ray Hughes – Just wanted to give a reminder to review the Planning and Zoning Code so a decision can be made on how to move forward. Anthony McDaniel asked if the Planning and Zoning Code needed to be enacted by Ordinance. Ray Hughes and Bill Frank replied yes. Anthony McDaniel would like to make a motion to approve the Planning and Zoning Code pending an Ordinance. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0.

VIII. Solicitor Report:

Bill Frank included updates to pending litigations included in his packet that had taken place since Friday packets went out.

Bill sent an email to Mayor, Council, Administrator and Chief Jones letting them know of the projects he is working on. He noted a change on his work anticipated this week stating item #2 can be deleted.

IX. Mayor Report:

The Mayor asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ray Hughes made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 5-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, January 2021. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0.

The Mayor needs permission from Council to get Lori Cunard bonded through Schumacher Insurance Agency. Council agreed to go forward with this.

The Mayor has a report on Mayor’s Court collections that he will pass around to Council to look at.

The Mayor asked for motion to pay Utilities Instrumentation Services in the amount of $5,700. This was for testing on the transformers and will be a part of submission for reimbursement from the insurance claim. Jamie Hill made the motion to pay UIS in the amount of $5,700. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0.

The Mayor requested Executive Session regarding Personnel/Compensation.

Carol Hehr made the motion to enter Executive Session regarding the 2 items of Personnel/Compensation. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0. Executive Session entered at 6:07 p.m.

Motion was made to return to Regular Session by Jamie Hill. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0. Returned to Regular Session at 7:04 p.m.

X. Adjourn:

Council member Jamie Hill made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

ATTEST:

_________________________________ ________________________________

Michael Ricer, Mayor Dustin Kirkland, Clerk of Council