LORI CUNARD
January 4, 2023
Meeting Minutes (12-5-22)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
December 5, 2022
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on December 5, 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. Motion passed 5-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
Patty Turner – Mayor Hehr stated that Mrs. Turner attended the meeting to discuss the issues at the parking lot behind the Health Department/Senior Center where kids tend to gather from about 3:00 p.m. to the middle of the night. She stated that she has been in contact with Mayor Hehr regarding the issue, sending pictures and videos, and it has gotten better in the past few weeks and she thanked the Mayor and Police Department for that. She hopes that we as a community can continue to work together to solve the issue. Mrs. Turner stated that it’s good to know that people do care and will listen if there is a problem. She said she did notice the “No Loitering” signs that were just put up today. Mrs. Turner said that yesterday a vehicle backed in behind the trailer’s, hiding from the camera’s, she isn’t sure if anything can be done regarding this or not, but it is her understanding that since the No Loitering signs were put up that they can be asked to leave the parking lot. She said the ones that are coming in have not been noisy or causing trouble. She said that some nights there was loud music and sirens playing over their speakers until 2:00 – 3:00 a.m. Mrs. Turner said it is a big concern because the park is there also, and she wants to feel safe taking her grandbaby to the park. Mayor Hehr said she and Chief Jones discussed the possibility of putting up a stop sign after they go by the football field. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks thanked Mrs. Turner for continuing to keep the Mayor and Police Department informed of the situation. He asked Mrs. Turner to continue keeping them informed. Anthony McDaniel asked if there have been any citations issued? Chief Jones stated that there have been at least 4 issued and 1 pending Criminal Case for Criminal Mischief/vandalism.
Rick Brown, Monroe Theater – Mr. Brown thanked Council for the new sidewalks, he said they look amazing in front of the theater. Mr. Brown said he got the idea of doing statues around the Village that is related to the community for the holidays. He said he got 3 or 4 built and started receiving phone calls, text messages, and emails from residents who wanted to donate or sponsor one and now he is up to 90. Mr. Brown said this is not a fund raiser for the Monroe Theater, he started this on his own. The statues are being built at the Theater but they are not making a penny off of them. Mr. Brown said he would like to work with the Village to keep this going year after year and he is willing to help. Mr. Brown said that when all the figures are complete, they will tell the story of our Village since they are all related to something in the Village. He stated that they are currently working on 5 military figures that will be placed at the Courthouse with the monuments and flags. They also are planning on bringing the military statues out for other holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc. Mr. Brown said he is also working on a map so they will know where to place them year after year and then a route to pick them up for storage. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks said that they could possibly store some of the statues in the garage next door and he thanked Mr. Brown for acknowledging the sidewalks at the Theater. Mr. Brown asked if the Village could allocate some funds for the downtown because going forward, they are wanting to place lights on the courthouse and other buildings in the downtown area. Kevin Brooks said he would work with Fiscal Officer, Lori Cunard to see what auditor’s would say about allocating some resources through electric department as economic development and he did tell Mr. Brown that the Village is purchasing heavy duty trash receptacles for the downtown area. Mayor Hehr wanted Mr. Brown to know that Kevin Brooks was to thank for the sidewalks being done. Dale English said that he was with Mr. Brooks when they met with Shelley and Sands regarding the sidewalks. They were only going to replace the front 4 feet but Kevin Brooks asked them to give a price for the sidewalks
back to the building fronts so they would look nice, so Mr. Brooks is the one to acknowledge for the sidewalks.
V. Old Business:
DORA – Nothing to report
VI. Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks reported that Ryan Regal is in attendance, he is interested in taking the Solicitor’s position for the Village. Mr. Regal will have a contract written up for the December 19th meeting for Council approval. Mr. Brooks asked Council to make a motion to hire Mr. Regal on an interim basis from now until January 1, 2023 @ $200.00/hr. because it makes more sense to run his contract with the calendar year. Tom Kirkland made the motion to hire Mr. Regal as legal representation on an interim basis from now until January 1, 2023, at $200.00/hr. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Regal told a little about himself and stated that he will be taking a look at some pending issues the Village has and he is anxious to get started. Mr. Regal will be taking the empty office downstairs for more privacy and more room.
Mr. Brooks reminded Council that the Safety Meeting/Christmas Luncheon is December 16th @ 11:00 a.m. at the Fire House. It is going to be catered by the Woodsfield Diner. There was a meeting with staff this morning and they were told we require attendance and if they don’t attend, they will work their regular schedule and will not receive their $30.00 gift card.
VII. Fiscal Officer Report:
Lori Cunard stated that we currently have life insurance on employees through Anthem that is at a cost of $5.25 per employee for $15,000 AD&D and Life. We can go through One America, United and increase the employee coverage to $50,000 at $15.00 per employee. Kevin Brooks spoke up to say that since we are moving health insurance we should go ahead and move life insurance also. Mr. Brooks also stated that, after some discussion with Council members, he feels it best we stay with the Village share of health insurance premium at 85% and employee 15% rather than going to the 90% – 10% split. Mayor Hehr asked for Council comments regarding this. Leann Harper spoke up and stated that staying with the 85% – 15% split an employee with the family plan will still save about $125.00/month and a single about $30.00/month by going with United Health. So, employees will still be saving money. If we keep things the way they are and have an abundance of money at the end of next year we can give it back to employees in a different way. Kevin Brooks said that a bonus program would be a good option, but the fiscal office would have to get with the Auditor’s to see what parameters we need to stay within for that kind of program. Mr. Brooks reminded Council that in 2020 during the COVID shutdown we did Hazard bonuses to the employees that worked through the shutdown so it can be done. Anthony McDaniel stated that he feels upping the AD&D and life insurance to $50,000 would be a good idea for our employees. Anthony McDaniel made a motion to approve the AD&D and Life Insurance change to One America, United and increasing the coverage from $15,000/employee to $50,000/employee that the Village will pay at $15.00/employee. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0. Kevin Brooks asked for a hard copy of a re-cap of the coverage employees will have with United Health with the final numbers to be presented to Council at the December 19th meeting. Mr. Brooks feels it is important for Council to see the numbers and what the Village will be saving. He also said we will need a Resolution to change the health insurance for the next meeting.
Lori Cunard reported that she and Brenda Mauck will be going to Columbus for year-end training on December 7th and 8th.
VIII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Nothing to report
Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report
Anthony McDaniel – Anthony McDaniel stated that the tree lighting on Friday evening was very nice.
Leann Harper – Nothing to report
Tiffany Ramsay – Nothing to report
Matt Schaber – Nothing to report
IX: Solicitor’s Report:
None
X: Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor reported that the tree lighting on Friday night went very well. There were probably 100 or more in attendance. She said they are already talking about next year. Mayor Hehr stated that all departments in the Village worked together and had a part in the event. Kevin Brooks said that if we start planning in September or October of next year, he believes Gulfport and Antero would take part and we could possibly get other sponsors for the evening.
Mayor Hehr reported that she will be doing Mayor’s Court training in January on the 12th and 13th. She was hoping it would be virtual but it is not so she will be traveling to Columbus for it.
Mayor Hehr said she would like to go into Executive Session for Litigation at the end of the meeting.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, November 2022. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, November 2022. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr stated that the total dollar amount she had spent on Christmas decorations was approximately $400.00 rather than $200.00 that was approved at the last Council meeting. Anthony McDaniel made the motion to reimburse Mayor Hehr for the Christmas decorations in the amount of $400.00. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0.
XI. Un-Registered Visitors:
None
The Mayor asked for a motion to go into Executvie Session regarding Litigation. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0. Executive Session entered at 6:33 p.m.
The Mayor asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Matt Schaber made the motion. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0. Regular Session entered 6:40 p.m.
XII. Adjourn:
The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tom Kirkland made the motion to adjourn. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:42p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer