Meeting Minutes (2-1-21)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in RegularSession on February 1, 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: None.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Dale English made the motion to accept the February 1, 2021 meeting minutes. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guests:
Corey Jones: Corey wanted to let Council know that there was a price increase for outfitting the new cruiser. The increase was due to the addition of window bars. The original price Corey had brought to Council was $8,289 and the price with the window bars is now $9,065. Motion was made to approve the new total of $9,065 for outfitting the cruiser by Carol Hehr. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0. Corey Jones also asked for a motion to approve the outfitting of the cruiser that was just ordered but not yet received. The amount would be the exact same, $9065. Motion was made to approve $9,065 to outfit the second new cruiser by Jamie Hill. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0. Corey Jones then asked for a motion to approve a new radar on the cruiser that was just received in the amount of $1,484.99. Motion was made to purchase a new radar for PD cruiser at $1,484.99 by Dale English. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 6-0.
Lewis Hill: Lewis attended to give a re-cap of 2020 for the Electric Dept. The biggest thing is the Light Plant substation repairs. They will be wrapping that project up shortly. They had 2-3 times more generation last year than the previous year for peak shaving, saving transmission costs. Meter reading is going well. They have upgraded 48 security lights around the Village to LED and have repaired over 40 more. EPA reports have been completed for last year and one has been completed already for this year. The guys FR clothing is up to date and the trucks inspected. A lot of tree trimming has been done for most major areas. One more major area that will be done this year is Guilford/Oaklawn. Jamie Hill asked about the wiring in the square. Lewis replied that all the underground wiring in the square is burnt up. Fire Department lights are assembled and are shipping from Texas. This will be for stopping traffic when the Fire Dept. has a call and they can turn out safely onto St. Rt. 78. Jamie Hill thanked Lewis Hill and the Department for the great job they do.
Rich McConnell: Pioneer Cemetery was the big project for last year. Brush was taken out and cleaned up, large trees were removed and wrought iron was taken out and a new gate put up. At Oaklawn there was landscaping done and trees and brush was also removed. Council thanked Rich McConnell for the job he does and commented how nice the cemetery always looks.
IV. Old Business:
None
V. Village Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks passed out the Efficiency Smart Power Point Presentation for Council to look at. He said no rush but if Council wants to move forward, Legislation can be drawn up for the Council meeting of February 15th.
Kevin Brooks stated that the Parks truck that was up for bid for about 3 weeks received 4 bids. The high bid of $2,200 was by Brent Roth. He would like a motion from Council to accept the bid. Motion was made by Ray Hughes to accept the bid of $2,200 by Brent Roth for the Parks truck. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
The next topic Kevin Brooks had for Council is for informational purposes. The State is making $45,000,000 available to low to moderate income families for utility costs. It is up to the utility user to apply for this. The Utility office has the paperwork available but it is up to the user to ask.
Kevin Brooks sent Council the Power Supply Re-Cap for 2020. He reminded Council of discussion from the previous meeting that the average Megawatt hour rate is $58.55. Legislation is ready tonight that will strengthen our portfolio for baseload power. The ordinance is to authorize AMP to buy on our behalf the 24×7 power, years 2023 thru 2027. The Village saved over $300,000 in 2020 in transmission costs. Also the Village will run all 3 generators to peak-shave and reduce our costs.
Brooks stated that Council all has the Legislation in front of them, Ordinance 1290-21 that was referred to in discussion a few minutes ago. This Ordinance is to Authorize AMP to buy on our behalf 1.25 Megawatts power, 24×7, if auction price is at or below $29.25, which is what we are at currently, during years 2023-2027. This Ordinance was tabled until the February 15th, 2021 Council meeting.
Jamie Hill asked about the Efficiency Smart Program, if it is a buyable program. Kevin Brooks stated that it is by choice, this program is educating residential and business how to efficiently run their electric bill. Brooks said that if customers utilize the program it is well worth the investment, so it will be important to keep customers informed of what all will be available to them. There is a 3 year commitment and there are benchmarks throughout. If these benchmarks are not met then we do get a rebate. Kevin Brooks stated that they will send monthly reports to see how the community is doing as far as energy savings.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Dustin Kirkland reported that W-2’s are completed and sent out. He finished them today.
Dustin stated that Lori Cunard, Mayor’s Court, said that the Baldwin Group has reached out to her to train her on the Mayor’s Court Computer System. The cost is $95/hr. at approximately 6 hours. She wanted Council approval to complete this training. Motion was made for Lori Cunard to complete training by the Baldwin Group, $95/hr@6hrs. by Tom Kirkland. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 6-0.
Kevin Brooks said that Wednesday, February 10th at 5:30 p.m. he would like to set up a work session for budget consideration. The budget should be approved at next Council meeting, February 15, 2021.
Lastly Dustin reported that a check in the amount of $174,000 was received today from Gulfport.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Finance Committee meeting with Nikki Lude took place last Friday morning. It was concerning Cemetery investments and it is in good shape. They will be meeting every 6 months and have quarterly reports.
Tom Kirkland – Planning and Zoning meeting needs set. Bill Frank spoke up to report that Council would need to set a meeting for the Planning and Zoning Code for presentation of the draft and public input. Public hearing is set for Planning and Zoning on February 15th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Legislation will be brought up during regular meeting.
Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report
Jamie Hill – Nothing to report
Carol Hehr – Ordinance Committee met after Finance Committee Meeting last Friday to discuss several issues. They will be getting together later this month for another meeting.
Ray Hughes – Nothing to report
VIII. Solicitor Report:
Included in Bill Frank’s packet for Council is Resolution 2021-01, Proceed with Consideration of Planning and Zoning Code Amendments to Members of the Woodsfield Village Council. Motion was made to pass Resolution 2021-01, Proceed with Consideration of Planning and Zoning Code Amendments to Members of the Woodsfield Village Council by Anthony McDaniel. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
Bill Frank reported that the Ordinance to authorize Execution of Agreement to enter into the Efficiency Smart Schedule with AMP is waiting on supporting documentation and Council’s agreement to enter the program. The Ordinance can possibly be ready for next Council meeting.
IX. Mayor Report:
The Mayor reported that Lori Cunard is finished with her notary training and testing. She is also finished with her Baldwin Group Documents and she also did training for the credit card machine. She will still have her state certification to do later this fall.
Mayors Court collected $880.00, $37.50 of which will go to the state and the Village keeps $841.00.
The Moose submitted their license fee for Gambling devices.
The Mayor asked for a motion to pay the bills. Jamie Hill made the motion. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 6-0.
Jamie Hill made the motion to enter Executive Session regarding Personnel with Mark and Patti Haralson also joining session. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0. Executive Session entered at 6:32 p.m.
Motion was made to return to Regular Session by Jamie Hill. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0. Returned to Regular Session at 7:27 p.m.
X. Adjourn:
Council member Ray Hughes made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ ________________________________
Michael Ricer, Mayor Dustin Kirkland, Clerk of Council