LORI CUNARD
April 25, 2022
Meeting Minutes (4-4-22)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
April 4, 2022
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on April 4, 2022.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Jamie Hill, and Carol Hehr; Mayor Mike Ricer, Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler, Village Administrator Kevin Brooks, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard.
Absent: D. Ray Hughes.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Councilman Carol Hehr made a motion to accept the March 21, 2022 meeting minutes. Anthony McDaniel second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
Chief Corey Jones and Pastor David Cottrell – Chief Corey Jones stated that Pastor David Cottrell is the Police Department’s volunteer chaplain since October, 2020. He asked Pastor Cottrell here to let him know how much the department appreciates him. He has always made himself available to any officer day or night whenever they may have needed him. Chief Jones wanted to recognize Pastor Cottrell and congratulate him on his achievement of receiving the Walton Tully award chaplaincy at the International Conference for Police Chaplains. Pastor Cottrell stated that there has never been more of a time than in these times to be a support to the officer’s and he is thankful for the privilege.
Chief Jones also made Council aware of the resignation of Hunter Cline, he has accepted employment elsewhere and has departed the Village. Chief Jones also asked for Council’s permission to post the vacancy of the position. Carol Hehr made the motion for Chief Jones to post the vacant position for the Police Department. Jamie Hill second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Mayor Ricer asked Chief Jones if he had anyone in mind to which Jones replied he does have a few. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks reminded Chief Jones that there is a conference call tomorrow with CT Consultants and Jennifer Brown which he is more than welcome to sit in on and bring up the vacant position.
On Tuesday, March 29th Chief Jones traveled to Columbiana County which is where Officer McNerney is going to K-9 Training. Officer McNerney successfully completed his training and is now certified in the State of Ohio. He also stated that they have been receiving an overwhelming amount of generous donations from businesses and individuals for the K-9 and a reminder that June 11, 2022 is a chicken barbeque at the firehouse as a fundraiser for the K-9.
Andy Copley, Street Superintendent – Mr. Copley attended on behalf of the Street Department to let Council know that Tim Buckalew retired after 30 years of service. Mr. Copley, Councilman Dale English, Councilman Tom Kirkland and Mayor Ricer conducted interviews to fill the vacant position. Mr. Copley asked for Council to approve the hiring of Andrew Hughes. Jamie Hill made a motion to hire Andrew Hughes as laborer for Street Department. Tom Kirkland second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
IV. Old Business:
Jamie Hill stated that he saw there are other communities that are now going to participate in the D.O.R.A. program. Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler stated that they are working on permits and paperwork for the program in the Village.
V. Administrator Report:
Village Administrator Kevin Brooks stated that he is happy to report that Dan Haralson, water treatment plant, has passed his Class I water operator’s test last week. This makes him entitled to a pay increase so Kevin Brooks would like to change Mr. Haralson’s job title from lab analyst to water treatment plant, class I operator and his new wage will be $14.21/hr. Dale English made a motion to change Dan Harlson’s job title from lab analyst to water treatment plant, class I operator along with a pay increase to $14.21/hr. Anthony McDaniel second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Kevin Brooks said he has a request from Confident Sons and Daughters to use City Park for Lovefest 2022. This will take place on July 30, 2022 and it will be a day long event at no charge for use of the Park. Jamie Hill made a motion to approve the request from Confident Sons and Daughters to use City
Park for Lovefest 2022 at no charge on July 30, 2022. Tom Kirkland second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mr. Brooks let Council know that there is conference call tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. with CT Consultants to talk about final plan design for the new municipal building. Anyone who would like to join in is more than welcome. They will also start to discuss funding options at this meeting so we can stay on track for the spring, early summer 2023 start of construction.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Lori Cunard has Ordinance #03-2022 that the Mayor will be bringing up during Mayor’s report.
An update on Wesbanco: Most auto payments and direct deposits have been changed. There are still a few to change and we still have a little over $100,000.00 at Citizens National to cover any bills that may come in to there yet.
Lori Cunard discussed with Chris Kerby on ways to add to the General Fund and he suggested maybe we should consider changing the distribution of Income Tax Funds.
Lori Cunard’s report stated that there have been generous K-9 donations coming in.
The Fiscal Office received a check for the Fairgrounds phase 3 pad mount and metering for lift station project in the amount of $16,350.00
The 2022 Municipal Finance Officers Spring Conference will be held in Dublin, OH on May 18 – 20, 2022.
Mayor Ricer then read to Council an article from an employee of Sal Chemical and Council member of Wintersville, OH that Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler had given to him. This Council member/Sal Chemical employee is commending Mark Haralson and Tyler Spence, water treatment plant, for getting medical help to a delivery person for Sal Chemical who was having a medical emergency during a delivery to the plant. This Council member felt their efforts went above and beyond their call of duty for getting the gentleman the help he needed and their gratitude is greatly appreciated.
Mayor Ricer also let Council know that Kiwanis is having a bingo fundraiser, the Monroe County Fairground is doing a buy-a-brick program for a fundraiser and the Monroe County Chamber dinner is coming up and neither he nor Kevin Brooks will be able to attend but if anyone else would like to go he will give them the detailed information.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Nothing to report
Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report
Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report
Jamie Hill – Nothing to report
Carol Hehr – Councilwoman Carol Hehr stated that she had a call from Charlie Kozlesky and he would like to do Charlies Run on September 24, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This will be his 45th year and they have raised $981,00 for Children’s Hospital. He is hoping to hit the $1,000,000 mark this year and they are looking for volunteers to help with the run.
D. Ray Hughes – absent
VIII: Solicitor’s Report:
Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler stated that the Mayor signed a pipeline agreement last week but she cannot discuss this in open session because there are confidentiality terms so if any of Council has any questions about specifics please feel free to get in touch with her so they can set up a time to talk.
Solicitor Rothenbuhler also said she had an update from James Peters regarding the sewer at the County jail. He has said there is roughly a 16-week lead time for the bar screen to come in and it will probably take a month for the attorneys to draw up the paperwork for the grant acceptance for this project and submit it. James Peters indicated that as soon as this is done the County Commissioners will be contacting E. L. Robinson to give them the go ahead to start the project. Kevin Brooks stated that this is reasonable, he is just glad things are moving forward and hopes there are no unnecessary delays.
IX: Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of the bills. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, March, 2022. Jamie Hill made the motion. Carol Hehr second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, March, 2022. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #03-2022, An Ordinance Providing for Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of Woodsfield, during Calendar Year 2022 (Declaring an Emergency). Jamie Hill made the motion. Carol Hehr second.
Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0. The Mayor then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #02-2022 by it second reading (Declaring an Emergency). Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Anthony McDaniel – yes, Jamie Hill – yes, Carol Hehr – yes. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0. The Mayor then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #02-2022 by its third reading (Declaring an Emergency) and adopt. AnthonyMcDaniel made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Jamie Hill – yes. D. Ray Hughes – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance #03-2022 adopted.
X. Un-Registered Visitors:
None
XI. Adjourn:
Councilman Jamie Hill made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
Michael E. Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer