LORI CUNARD
January 4, 2023
Meeting Minutes (11-21-22)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
November 21, 2022
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on November 21, 2022.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Leann Harper, Tiffany Ramsay, Matt Schaber; Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Dale English made a motion to accept the November 21, 2022 meeting minutes. Leann Harper second. Anthony McDaniel – abstain. Motion passed 5-1-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
None
V. Old Business:
DORA – Hope to finalize after the first of the year.
VI. Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks reported that the Safety Meeting/Christmas Luncheon has been scheduled for Friday, December 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Fire Station. The luncheon will be catered by Woodsfield Diner. There will be an RSVP given out by the Fiscal Office. Dale English wanted the new council members to know that family is welcome to come to the luncheon.
Kevin Brooks reminded Council that because of how the holidays fell this year for Christmas and New Years the City Building will be closed December 23rd and 26th and December 30th and January 2nd. Anthony McDaniel asked when the first Council meeting would be since January 2nd is the first Monday. Kevin Brooks replied that it would be held on Tuesday, January 3rd.
VII. Fiscal Officer Report:
None
VIII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Dale English reported that they have completed the interviews for the Cemetery position. He said they would probably have a recommendation by the first Council meeting in December. Kevin Brooks spoke up and said that we are looking at a start date of January 3rd for the position. However, we may allow them to start in December so they can get on the health insurance quicker.
Tom Kirkland – Tom Kirkland said the Policy and Procedures Committee met and they do agree with the change of health insurance from Anthem to United Health. Mr. Kirkland stated that it is up to the Council on whether they want the Village to pay the extra 5% of the premium for Village employees as long as employees understand it is on a yearly basis depending on premium costs. Kevin Brooks spoke up to say that we are looking at a six figure savings per year by switching from Anthem to United Health. He also said that it has been communicated to staff that if renewal premiums raise next year then chances are it will affect the Village contribution. The proposal made for now is that the Village will raise their contribution rate from 85% to 90%. Anthony McDaniel would like to see that some of the savings we incur be set aside so in case there is a bigger jump in premiums next year it will be easier to afford and instead of taking the 5% from the employees maybe we could do 2.50%. Kevin Brooks said that would be fine, it could be done during the budgeting process. Leann Harper asked if rather than increasing the Village contribution of health insurance premiums this year only to possibly decrease the contribution next year if there is another way to give back to the employees? Kevin Brooks stated that he understands her concern but we no longer have some high-end users on the insurance plan and we will be starting the renewal process in September of next year, so we will have more time to shop around if there is a significant increase in the renewal rate. Mayor Hehr said that if we do what Anthony
McDaniel suggests then those funds we set aside could be used to offset a renewal increase. Mr. Brooks said that we have a younger, healthier workforce so he is hoping we won’t see a big increase in renewal rates next year, but we have no way of knowing what the market will do. At the next council meeting we hope to have the locked in premium rate so Council can vote on the change.
Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report
Leann Harper – Leann Harper let Council know there is a Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 a.m. It is a 3-mile walk/run that will start at City Park. It is being held for Crohn’s/Colitis Foundation by donation only, this is their sixth year. If anyone is interested just show up, they walk through Woodsfield, walk through the Cemetery and back to City Park. The walk is usually over by 10:00 a.m.
Tiffany Ramsay – Tiffany Ramsay stated that since she is new to Council, and she knows there are a few other new Council members, she would like to visit each department and meet all of the employees. Dale English said he and Tom Kirkland usually try to visit each department right before Christmas to talk with them and wish everyone Happy Holidays. Kevin Brooks also said that every 2 weeks he has a meeting with the Supervisor’s in his office at 8:00 a.m. and she would be more than welcome to sit in. They talk about what they are working on and set a schedule for the next 2 weeks. Tom Kirkland also said she is welcome to go with him and Dale English in a couple of weeks and they can show her where all the departments are. The Superintendents can show her around the buildings, there has been a considerable amount of upgrade in the last few years, particularly the Street and Water Departments.
Matt Schaber – Nothing to report
IX: Solicitor’s Report:
None
X: Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, mid-November 2022. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor stated there are a couple Ordinances in Council packets to pass as an emergency. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #13-2022, An Ordinance Providing for Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2022 and Declaring an Emergency. Matt Schaber made the motion. Leann Harper second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #13-2022 by its second reading, Declaring it an Emergency. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Dale English second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #13-2022 by its third reading, Declaring it an Emergency and adopt. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Dale English – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance #13-2022 adopted.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #14-2022, An Ordinance to make Temporary Appropriations for the Current Expenses and other Expenditures of the Village of Woodsfield for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023 and Declaring an Emergency. Dale English made the motion. Leann Harper second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #14-2022 by its second reading, Declaring it an Emergency. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #14-2022 by its third reading, Declaring it an Emergency and adopt. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Leann Harper second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance #14-2022 adopted.
Kevin Brooks made Council aware that there may have to be an extra Council meeting in December to approve payment of final bills. Village Superintendents have been made aware to cut spending as of December 9th so hopefully all the bills will be in for the December 19th meeting so we can close the year and we will not have to schedule an extra meeting.
Mayor Hehr read Resolution #5-2022, A Resolution to Approve Buckeye Hills Regional Council as the lead Technical Assistance Grant Applicant for the Appalachian Community Grant Program. Mayor Hehr said this is to work with Buckeye Hills to secure planning money for the downtown revitalization project.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Resolution #5-2022. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr stated that the Village did get approved for the Natureworks Grant for a little over $12,000.00. The grant funds will be used to purchase a gazebo that will be put at the beginning of the Walking Trail and also a picnic table and another piece of exercise equipment for the Trail.
Mayor Hehr said she has been attending the meetings on the Landbank. She is hoping we will receive additional funding in 2023. Mayor Hehr said if anyone knows of any homes that need taken down to let her know so she can get them on the list. Tom Kirkland asked about the old school but the Mayor said it falls under the Brownfield Act and it is tied up in court. Leann Harper asked about the house down the street on the corner but the Mayor said the owners have to agree to it.
Mayor Hehr stated that we are thinking of getting Reisbeck gift cards for employees. She asked Council what dollar amount they would like to give? Kevin Brooks said that in the past we gave the staff each a $20 gift card for the purchase of a ham or turkey for Christmas. Mayor Hehr said it is up to Council but $20 would not get much now. Anthony McDaniel asked if we could do $50? Leann Harper said she would like to be able to see exactly where the funds would come from and how much exactly that it is going to cost before approving $50. Kevin Brooks said that he feels $50 is to much because the Village is also paying for a catered lunch for the staff, gifts will be given out to employees, and liberal time-off for Holidays. Dale English also said that he thinks what the Village does for the employees is pretty nice. Anthony McDaniel made a motion to give $30 Reisbeck gift cards to Village employees for Christmas. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr let Council know that she purchased new bows from Amazon for the wreaths that are put up around the Village. She also purchased candy canes to put in the islands for a total of about $200.00 for the bows and candy canes. She said that she had talked to Gulfport about donating to the Village but that did not work out, we came in too late. Anthony McDaniel made a motion for the Village to reimburse Mayor Hehr for Christmas decorations in the approximate amount of $200.00. Anthony McDaniel stated that he would make a donation towards the decorations also. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 6-0.
Anthony McDaniel asked if the Christmas trees were going to be put up at City Park again this year?
Kevin Brooks said he has not spoken to Kayla Ruble but they had a brief conversation at one point about having the trees on the lot next door. Mr. Brooks said he would try and talk to her about moving the trees from City Park.
The Mayor reminded Council about the Christmas Tree lighting on December 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
XI. Un-Registered Visitors:
None
XII. Adjourn:
The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dale English made the motion to adjourn. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer