LORI CUNARD
March 27, 2022
Meeting Minutes (2-15-21)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
February 15, 2021
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Jamie Hill, Carol Hehr, Mayor Mike Ricer, Solicitor Bill Frank, Fiscal Officer, Dustin Kirkland and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks. Absent: Ray Hughes and Anthony McDaniel.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Caro Hehr made the motion to accept the February 1, 2021 meeting minutes. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0. Ray Hughes and Anthony McDaniel absent
III. Registered Visitors/Guests:
Paul Robison: There were 2 main projects that took up a lot of the time for the water/wastewater department. They were the LTCP and water project, which is almost done. There were 19 water leaks repaired and 18 main sewer repaired. The reservoir tanks have been inspected but not yet cleaned but that is coming up this year. There was a shaft and bearing replaced on a rotor at the sewer plant. A new skid steer was purchased that they have been using to remove snow at the water plant. Most of their time was spent with Bear Construction. They upgraded and re-plumbed 3 lift stations. A new Jetter was purchased through the LTCP. Dale English brought up a concern on N. Main and Maple Ave. with trucks getting over to far and driving over sections where water lines run through. Council agreed to put up barriers to keep the trucks out. Monthly Safety meetings are being conducted once per month. Kevin Brooks commended Paul and his crew because they have helped out other departments tremendously, especially Street Department, due to employee leaves. Council thanked Paul and his crew for all that they do.
IV. Old Business:
None
V. Village Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks asked where Council was at concerning the AMP Power Purchase Agreement for them to purchase on our behalf at an up to price of $29.25. Bill Frank mentioned a concern of competitive bid threshold language in the agreement. Kevin Brooks said that this is a standard agreement and that the same agreement was signed by the Village 4-6 months ago just that we have upped the buy price because the price is coming in higher at auction. Kevin Brooks stated that if Council has questions regarding the competitive bid language and wants to see if it can be removed from the Agreement he doesn’t have an issue contacting AMP, but Bill Frank said he is in communication with them. Brooks feels that Council needs to act on this at the March 1st meeting and not drag it out any longer. Bill Frank spoke up to say that to suspend the rules and pass this agreement as an emergency tonight it would require 3/4th majority which we do not have tonight anyhow.
Kevin Brooks then brought up the Efficiency Smart Program. He wanted to know if Council would like to enroll in the program or not. Jamie Hill said that after reviewing the presentation that Kevin handed out to everyone at last meeting and he saw some of the costs he’s not so sure he would like the Village enrolled. Carol Hehr spoke up to say that she would prefer to wait for all of Council to be present to make a decision on this. This also is tabled until March 1st meeting.
The next issue, Kevin Brooks reminded Council that utility assistance is available and the documentation has been made available to customers through the Utility Office.
Kevin Brooks stated that Lifeguard positions were posted and he listed the names and hourly pay rates of the pool employees on his Village Administrator’s report. We are anticipating a longer pool season with concessions this year at the pool. Also, if these employees don’t get their desired amount of work hours at the pool we will utilize them by having them work hours with Steve Eikleberry doing the non-compliant mowing. Brooks would like a motion from Council to hire the individuals listed for Pool/Park employees at the pay rates as follows: Asst. Manager – Kirsten Friday @$10.00/hr., Re-Hires: Regan Hamilton, Courtney Jones, and Rymie Bishop, each @$8.95/hr. and New Hires: Kalista Friday, Kynzi Bishop, Emily Byler, and Trista Morris, each @$8.85/hr. Jamie Hill made the motion to hire the individuals listed at the pay rates shown as Pool/Park employees. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0. Ray Hughes and Anthony McDaniel absent.
Kevin Brooks requested Executive Session regarding potential Litigation and Personnel employment of Public Employee.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Dustin Kirkland asked about renewing membership with Heritage Ohio@$500 annually and OMCA@$55.00 annually. Brooks spoke up to say that he doesn’t think that we are getting much benefit if at all from Heritage Ohio but he did feel that OMCA should be renewed. The OMCA membership will be renewed @$55.00.
Dustin Kirkland received the License renewal for Pool Concessions. Brooks said to go ahead and forward to Steve Eikleberry, we are planning on doing concessions at the pool this summer.
Dustin also wanted Council to know that he did ask for an extension of time for the budget. Things are going well and he will be ready for the scheduled budget meeting on February 24th.
Dustin has a meeting with Nikki Lude tomorrow morning to discuss the investment of the Gulfport Lease check which is a little more than $174,000.
Kevin stated that the Oil bonus check is being kept separate from the royalties associated with the Gehrig drilling, the reason being, the funds are earmarked for the new Municipal Building project.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Dale commented that the Village Street Department has been doing an excellent job at keeping the snow plowed off the streets within the Village. The Mayor then spoke up and said that he found where we can get bulk salt at $96/Ton. The Village has been paying $110/Ton.
Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report
Anthony McDaniel – Absent
Jamie Hill – Nothing to report
Carol Hehr – Carol wanted to publicly Thank the Street Department for helping the Health Department last Friday at the fairgrounds for the Vaccination Clinic.
Ray Hughes – Absent
VIII. Solicitor Report:
Included in Bill Frank’s packet for Council is the docket and journal entry for Monroe County Court case #CRB2020237. The pre-trial conference was held on February 3, 2021. The Defendant waived rights on trial timeline. The discovery phase of Litigation process entered, set for a 90 day timeline. Next telephonic Pre-Trial Conference scheduled for May 5, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.
Also included in packet is Legislation readied and available upon possible recommendation of enactment by Committee-of-the-Whole, to amend the Woodsfield Municipal Code regarding Zoning and Land Use Planning, Ordinance #1291-2021. The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #1291-2021 To Amend the Woodsfield Municipal Code to Update Planning and Zoning Regulations by its first reading. Dale English made the motion and Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 4-0.
Lastly, included in packet is the Solicitor’s Contract, revised for further consideration. The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Solicitor’s Contract with revision’s. Jamie Hill made the motion and Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0.
IX. Mayor Report:
The Mayor asked for a motion to pay the bills. Carol Hehr made the motion and Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, February, 2021. Jamie Hill made the motion and Dale English second. Motion passed 4-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, January, 2021. Tom Kirkland made the motion and Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0.
Executive Session regarding possible Litigation and Personnel employment of a Public Employee entered. Dale English made the motion to enter Executive Session. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 4-0.
Motion was made to return to Regular Session by Carol Hehr. Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 4-0.
X. Adjourn:
Jamie Hill made the motion to adjourn from session. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ ________________________________
Michael Ricer, Mayor Dustin Kirkland, Clerk of Council
ATTENTION: As can be seen the minutes are incomplete. There was an issue with the recorder. I will be gathering notes to complete these minutes for next Council meeting.
***The minutes were completed by gathering notes from the meeting.