Meeting Minutes (12-6-21)

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield

December 6, 2021

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on December 6, 2021.

I. Roll Call:

Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Carol Hehr, D. Ray Hughes; Mayor Mike Ricer, Village Administrator Kevin Brooks, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard.

Absent: Council Members; Anthony McDaniel, Jamie Hill.

II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:

Councilman Dale English made a motion to accept the November 15, 2021 meeting minutes. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 4-0.

III. Registered Visitors/Guest:

None – Due to 2 Council members being out sick, Wesbanco representatives were postponed to a later date.

IV. Old Business:

None

V. Administrator Report:

Village Administrator Kevin Brooks requested Executive Session regarding Personnel/Employment at the end of the meeting.

Kevin Brooks wanted to state that the tree lighting held on Friday evening went very well. It was well attended, very well run and everyone enjoyed the evening. Dominos made a donation of the pizza’s and Brent Dick along with some other residents made donations which all went towards the event and Antero had a hospitality tent set up.

VI. Fiscal Officer Report:

Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard asked Council about bonding for certain employees in the Village. She wants to know the bond amount to put on the employees in the Utility Office and Fiscal Office. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks spoke up and said that he thought that the Utility Office employees were already bonded but Lori Cunard stated that according to Schumacher Agency that is not so. Council agreed to discuss this later in the meeting.

VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:

Dale English – Nothing to report

Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report

Anthony McDaniel – Absent

Jamie Hill – Absent

Carol Hehr – Councilwoman Carol Hehr said that she bought solar lights for the islands and she would be putting them in probably within the week. Kevin Brooks spoke up and said that he could have the guys from the Street Department or Light Department help her with them due to the traffic around the islands.

Ray Hughes – Councilman Ray Hughes stated that the Utility Committee had a meeting on November 22 to review the water and sewer increase. He handed to Council a recap of the meeting. Suggestions that were made by the committee were: Institute monthly water and billing tracking, continue with meter upgrades, complete GIS mapping, and water department audits-using the AWWA software. The goal is to get the water loss down to 20% with a target of about 15%. The final recommendation of the rate increases are: Sewer base rate increase – declined at this time, Sewer overage charge/1000 gallon

increase – declined at this time, 2% increase to be implemented in 2024, Water base rate increase – approved as a flat increase of a $5 base rate increase, Water overage charge/1000 gallon increase – declined at this time, 2% increase to be implemented in 2024. All the recommendations are less than the proposed amount and percentages provided by E. L. Robinson. Kevin Brooks stated that the Ordinance is in the packet tonight and the entire proposal is in one Ordinance so we don’t have to re-visit this later on. The Ordinance includes 2022, 2023, and 2024. The 2% on the water side accounts for 25 cents per 1000 gallons that will go into effect in 2024. The 2% on the sewer side is 26 cents per 1000 gallons which also will go into effect in 2024. Councilman Dale English asked Ray Hughes if the committee considered all the old lines that need to be replaced. Ray Hughes replied that no they did not and that is going to be a big expense but there are other problems because we don’t know when or where we are losing water, therefore, the Committee suggested the GIS mapping. The water system will have to be upgraded with any opportunities we have. The last 2 pages of the Committees report were Operations reports that can be used to let Council know if there is any planned or unplanned maintenance for water/sewer. Ray Hughes said he is trying to open the lines of communication between the water/sewer departments and Council. The Ordinance for the rate increase is on the agenda for first reading.

VIII: Solicitor’s Report:

None

IX: Mayor’s Report:

The Mayor stated that Uriah Wilson would like to request a variance that 328 South Main Street be zoned commercial rather than residential. Village Administrator spoke up and said that one of the reasons the Planning and Zoning Code was re-written was to stop the spot zoning. The area is a residential neighborhood not commercial. The proper thing for Mr. Wilson to have done would have been to ask for the variance before he purchased the property. Council has tabled this until they get more information from Mr. Wilson as to exactly what his plans are for the property.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #01-2021, To make Temporary Appropriation’s for the Current Expenses and other Expenditures of the Village of Woodsfield, State of Ohio during the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2022, and Declaring an Emergency. Let it be noted: A motion to suspend the three-reading rule and pass this ordinance as an emergency measure was made, seconded and passed with 4 affirmative votes. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 4-0. Tom Kirkland – Yes, Dale English – Yes, Carol Hehr – Yes, Ray Hughes – Yes, Anthony McDaniel – Absent, Jamie Hill – Absent. The Mayor then asked for a motion to pass and adopt Ordinance #01-2021. Ray Hughes made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0. Ray Hughes – Yes, Carol Hehr – Yes, Dale English – Yes, Tom Kirkland – Yes, Anthony McDaniel – Absent, Jamie Hill – Absent. Ordinance #01-2021 adopted.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #02-2021, Providing for Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2021 and Declaring an Emergency. Let it be noted: A motion to suspend the three-reading rule and pass this ordinance as an emergency measure was made, seconded and passed with 4 affirmative votes. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0. Dale English – Yes, Tom Kirkland – Yes, Carol Hehr – Yes, Ray Hughes – Yes, Jamie Hill – Absent, Anthony McDaniel – Absent. The Mayor then asked for a motion to pass and adopt Ordinance #02-2021. Ray Hughes made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0. Ray Hughes – Yes, Tom Kirkland – Yes, Dale English – Yes, Carol Hehr – Yes, Anthony McDaniel – Absent, Jamie Hill – Absent. Ordinance #02-2021 adopted.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass, by its first reading, Ordinance #03-2021, An Ordinance to Increase Water and Sewer Rates to Consumers. Ray Hughes made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0. Ray Hughes – Yes, Tom Kirkland – Yes, Dale English – Yes, Carol Hehr – Yes, Anthony McDaniel – Absent, Jamie Hill – Absent. Ordinance #03-2021 passed by its first reading.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2021-01, To Authorize Mayor Michael Ricer to enter into a Cooperative Agreement for Provision of Emergency Management Services for the Municipality of Woodsfield, Ohio by the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Carol Hehr made the motion. Ray Hughes second. Resolution #2021-01 passed4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2021-02, To give the Village of Woodsfield Full-Time Employees a Pay Increase. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Resolution #2021-02 passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2021-03, ODOT Preliminary Legislation in the matter of the Stated Described Project. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Resolution #2021-03 passed 4-0. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks stated that ODOT said after the passing of this resolution the job will let in March, 2022 and they do need a copy of the resolution returned to them to continue with the project.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of the bills. Ray Hughes made the motion. Carol Hehr second the motion. Motion passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, November, 2021. Dale English made the motion. Carol Hehr second the motion. Motion passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, November, 2021. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Carol Hehr second the motion. Motion passed 4-0.

X. Un-Registered Visitors:

None

Carla Wobschall from the Beacon asked if someone could explain the exact reason for the water/sewer increase. Kevin Brooks and Council explained that due to increasing costs and a deteriorating system it was necessary.

Dale English made the motion to go into Executive Session regarding Employee Compensation with no action to be taken. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0. Executive Session entered at 6:30 p. m.

The Mayor asked for a motion to return to Regular Session. Dale English made the motion. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 4-0. Regular Session entered at 6:45 p.m.

XI. Adjourn:

Councilwoman Carol Hehr made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

ATTEST:

____________________________ ____________________________

Michael E. Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer