LORI CUNARD
March 27, 2022
Meeting Minutes (5-17-21)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
May 17, 2021
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Jamie Hill, Carol Hehr, Ray Hughes, and Anthony McDaniel, Mayor Mike Ricer, Solicitor Bill Frank, Administrator Kevin Brooks, and Interim Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Dale English made the motion to accept the May 3, 2021 meeting minutes. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guests:
Chief of Police Corey Jones attended to let Council know that Hunter Cline has successfully completed his probationary period as of May 3, 2021. He has demonstrated a good work ethic, Integrity and shows dedication to the department. Chief Jones is asking that Council take Cline from probationary status and move him to step 2 on the wage scale which would take him from $15.45/hr. to $15.97/hr. Jamie Hill made the motion to remove Hunter Cline from probationary status and move him to step 2 on the wage scale which would be at $15.97/hr. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0.
IV. Old Business:
None
V. Village Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks let Council know that they did find chlorine for the pool. It was found at B & R Pools in Pittsburgh, PA. The cost is $5,062.00 and this should get us through the pool season along with chlorine that was left over from last year. Brooks reminded Council that in the past PPG had provided chlorine to the Village free of charge but that will no longer be. Kevin Brooks asked for a motion from Council for the purchase of the chlorine. Last year we had about a $15,000 loss operating the pool but he feels we should generate enough revenue this year to at least pay for the chlorine. Jamie Hill let Brooks know that he also had heard of a company (Michael Yates) for the purchase of chlorine. He forwarded the information to Brooks. Jamie Hill made the motion to accept the quote of $5,062.00 and go ahead with the purchase of the chlorine from B & R Pools. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 6-0.
Kevin Brooks told Council that he spoke with Eric Davis from ODOT regarding the downtown project. They are doing a conference call on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. Kevin has the information for anyone who wants to do the meeting on their own or they are welcome to meet in his office for the meeting. ODOT has done a historical review and they have the results of the review. Davis told Kevin that they have come up with some alternatives. Brooks assumes Eric Davis will be going over the alternatives and that a decision will need to be made on which direction we would want to go.
Kevin Brooks reported that the Park has had no vandalism since closing it and several permits have been issued.
Kevin Brooks stated that he spoke with Jason Hamman, about 6 months ago we had applied for a research grant with Buckeye Hills for the downtown doing a blight study that would possibly provide businesses with some funding for sod improvements and building improvements. The grant was approved, we are getting $27,500.00. Jason Hamman is going to get the study in process so we can have the results by the end of the summer and have a definitive direction to pursue some economic development in the downtown area. Jason Hamman has also agreed to do a face to face update at the June 7th meeting, however due to vacations Council meeting will be held on June 2, 2021. Jamie Hill made the motion to move the Council meeting date from June 7, 2021 to June 2, 2021 due to vacations/lack of quorum. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
Jamie Hill asked about the DORA program. Kevin Brooks responded that we have to have 4 participants. We are still waiting on 2 participants and then Bill Frank would have to get legislation prepared. But we can’t do anything until we get the 4 participants which is the minimum number needed. Kevin Brooks also stated that we there is a lot of interest in the Farmer’s Market on the lot next door.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Lori Cunard, Interim Fiscal Officer stated that Chris Kerby has been coming in and he has January and February reconciled. He will be coming back in again Thursday, May 27th to work on March and April. Carol Hehr asked about training and Lori responded that Chris Kerby and Amy Winland are both giving training. The estimate is that by June we should be up to date, but training will continue through at least July possibly August.
VII: Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Nothing to report
Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report
Jamie Hill – Nothing to report
Anthony McDaniel – Mike Walker, Air Evac reached out to him and said if we could get an answer to him in June on whether we wanted to do the payroll deduction membership.
Carol Hehr – Carol wanted Council to know that she is writing 2 NatureWorks grants for picnic tables for the Park and also benches, exercise equipment, and picnic tables for the walking trail. She gave the Mayor 2 Resolutions and asked that Council approve them. The grant would be in the amount of $22,745.00. The Village match would be $5,686.00. The Mayor asked for a motion to approve Resolution #2021-03 for an ODNR Natureworks grant application for the Woodsfield walking trail. Ray Hughes made the motion and Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 6-0. The Mayor asked for a motion to approve Resolution #2021-04 for an ODNR Natureworks grant application for the Woodsfield City Park. Anthony McDaniel made the motion and Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 6-0.
Ray Hughes – Nothing to report
VIII. Solicitor Report:
Solicitor Frank referred to his Council briefing regarding the Legislation to facilitate conveyance of property, release of claims for charges invoiced and authorization of request for Court Order to release Special Assessments certified regarding charges for lawn maintenance of 513 South 4th Street. With the Legislation is the charges that Solicitor Frank was able to obtain from invoices that had been prepared which total $1,120.00. The Auditor’s office has received assessments for 2017, 2018, and 2019. The Auditor’s office confirmed that the balance on their books are $2,175.09. The total forgiveness would be $3,295.00. The Legislation approved tonight would specify the amounts the Village would be forgiving, and set the table for us to go next to get the court order to process this. Carol Hehr asked if it could be specified that if the Village releases the claim that the property needs to be cleaned up according to our specifications. Ray Hughes made the motion to approve Resolution #2021-05 To authorize release of claims for payment of charges invoiced to property owner as well as those certified as special assessments for unpaid lawn maintenance expenses by the Municipality of Woodsfield upon execution of satisfactory agreement. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0.
IX: Mayor Report:
Ray Hughes made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 6-0.
The Mayor reported that the Alumni parade is scheduled for line-up at the park at 6:30 p.m. and parade at 7:30 p.m. There will be nothing at the Moose this year. Everything else for the weekend is as usual.
The Mayor’s stated that he and Chief Jones have been busy with property maintenance the past week. They have went door to door to notify people whose property’s need cleaned up and people will be fined if they don’t clean up.
Kevin Brooks requested Executive Session to consult with Legal Council with no action to be taken.
Anthony McDaniel made the motion for Executive Session regarding Litigation, Executive Session entered at 6:26 p.m. Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 6-0. Executive Session entered.
Anthony McDaniel made the motion to return to Regular Session at 6:35 p.m. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0.
X. Adjourn:
Council member Anthony McDaniel made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ ________________________________
Michael Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Interim Clerk of Council