The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
May 5, 2025
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on May 5, 2025.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Tiffany Ramsay, Matt Schaber, Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, Solicitor Ryan Regel and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks.
Absent: Council member Kaylee Sefert.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Dale English made the motion to accept the April 17, 2025 regular meeting minutes and the April 21, 2025 special meeting minutes. Matt Schaber second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
III. Registered Visitors:
Mike Young, Fire Chief – Mike Young reminded Council that he had given a letter of intentions to Council a couple of months ago regarding replacing a fire engine. He said they have completed the building of a fire engine and is requesting permission to go ahead with the purchase from Atlantic Solutions for the price of $198,000.00 plus they will have metal work done inside the drawers of the truck for a total estimate of about $204,000.00. Fire Chief Mike Young stated that if Council approved the purchase of the new truck, they would like to sell the 1991 Mack when the other is taken out of service. He said it will be a rough sale, he doesn’t know of another fire department that would want it, and they will take sealed bids for it. Dale English made a motion for the Fire Department to go ahead with the purchase of a new fire engine and sell the 1991 Mack. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0.
Chris Ogden – Ms. Ogden came to discuss the swimming pool. She said that last year there were a lot of problems there. She feels rules need to be posted where everyone sees them and the lifeguards need to be aware of the rules, and everyone needs to follow the rules. Ms. Ogden said it cannot be a drop of babysitting service. She said there needs to be an age decided on and any child below that age has to have a parent accompany them to the pool. Teenagers need to respect the lifeguards, and foul language should not be allowed. Ms. Ogden feels an adult should be there because she knows Steve Eikleberry, Park Superintendent, cannot be there all of the time because he has a lot of jobs. She said the lifeguards are paid to be there but not their boyfriends and also, footballs should not be allowed to be passed back and forth in the pool. Ms. Ogden also suggested staying open a couple of hours longer 1 or 2 days a week so parents who work until 5:00 can come and spend some time with their children at the pool. She feels lifeguards should be able to put kids out of the pool after three warnings if they aren’t going to listen and follow the rules. Mayor Hehr said they just had a Park Committee meeting before the Council meeting and one of the things she told Steve Eikleberry was to tell the lifeguards if the kids act up one time, then they are out for the season. Ms. Ogden said again that she thinks there needs to be an adult at the pool every day. Mayor Hehr said there is another Park Committee meeting on the 19th of May, and they will take all of these things into consideration at the meeting.
IV. Old Business:
None
V. Administrator Report:
Village Administrator Kevin Brooks reported that the Farmers Market will start next week, and the signs will be going up. He said they had discussed whether to do it on Wednesday or Thursday, but he said he doesn’t care if they want to do both days. Mayor Hehr said all vendors are welcome to set up and there is no charge. Kevin Brooks said there is electric and water hook-up for food trucks if they are interested in coming.
The map for the storm and wastewater improvements project has been on display and we are about to go to bid on it. The project is between $4 – $11 million depending on how many alternates we award with the project.
Kevin Brooks has been in contact with Congressman Ruly’s office, we had submitted for $6.6 million for the Rubel Lake improvements and our request was denied. Mr. Brooks said he is not upset about it, we put in multiple requests and that was one of them. We are still in the conversation for the Woodsfield Government Center, that is a large dollar request as well. The Congressman is not really sponsoring water projects.
We are still under findings and orders at Rubel Lake from the ODNR due to some dam improvements. We can only do what we can because we have been unable to acquire the land needed to make improvements.
Kevin Brooks reported that he talked with Bernard and Linda Dick today in regard to the Brown Community Center. There were a couple things in the lease he went over with Solicitor Ryan Regel. Mr. Brooks said this has been discussed for a year and it is time to decide, if we don’t go forward with it then they are going to sell the property.
Solicitor Ryan Regel asked Brent Dick if he had a position as to where the lease stands according to the most recent version. Brent Dick said their biggest issue is the property taxes that the County is trying to assess on it. He believes it would be very advantageous for the Village to sign the lease for the Brown Community Center. He said we would not have to worry about a rain day because we would have a facility for events. He said as long as the facility continues to function as the Brown Community Center there will be no issues. Solicitor Ryan Regel said it is a 15-year lease with the option to renew it for another 15 years. The proposal is that the rent would be $1.00/yr., and the utilities would be the responsibility of the the Village. The one concern is the property taxes being assessed and the Village not wanting to be responsible for what is being assessed but that seems to be getting sorted out. The main term of the lease is that the center has to remain as the community center and if not, the lease will terminate. Anthony McDaniel asked if we sign the lease and find that the community center is costing the Village more money than we want to spend on it do we have a way out with a notification. Solicitor Regel said there are terms in the lease for termination. Kevin Brooks also said that a little-known fact is that the Brown Community Center is a community wide safety shelter. Anthony McDaniel made a motion pending the finalization of the language of the lease agreement for the Brown Community Center. Dale English second. Tome Kirkland – abstain. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 4-0.
Kevin Brooks reported that the Police Department has been doing their due diligence for mowing reminders throughout the Village because there are a number of high grass properties.
Mr. Brooks also wanted to remind everyone about the façade improvement program. The Village will reimburse one-half up to $1,000.00 for façade improvements. The new auto parts store has taken advantage of the program and got all new signage on the front of the building. We also will reimburse one-half up to $1,000.00 for the demo of property and one-half up to $500.00 for sidewalk replacement.
Solicitor Ryan Regel said tonight was the opening for bids for the EMS building. He asked if any bids have been received. Kevin Brooks said Mayor Hehr has a bid that was given to her.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Lori Cunard reported that Auditor Charles Harris was refunded $21,700.00 so as of now we have paid them $11,200.00 but we will have two more installments to pay for at a later date.
Lori Cunard will be attending the MFOA Conference from May 21 – 23 in Columbus. The Fiscal Office will be closed because Brenda Mauck will be on vacation.
Lori Cunard reported that when she attended Mayor’s Court training, they were updated on House Bill 29 and there was an update on the Baldwin Court System.
Lori Cunard also reported that in June we will begin working on the temporary budget.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Nothing to report.
Tom Kirkland – Tom Kirkland reported that he had a Village resident approach him last Friday about the safety fence being down around the lot on Main Street where the building was demolished. He talked to the Street Department, and they have put the safety fence back up. Kevin Brooks said we are trying to get a resolution with that; they have been in contact with the EPA. Solicitor Ryan Regel has
been working with Kevin Brooks to get someone in to do the remediation that is being requested, and we will hopefully be improving the property relatively quickly.
Anthony McDaniel – Anthony McDaniel said he had delivered one of the bids for the EMS building. Mayor Hehr said she does have it.
Kaylee Sefert – absent.
Tiffany Ramsay – Tiffany Ramsay reported that the Park Committee met today before the Council meeting. They discussed what Mr. Reick and Mr. Bosley had presented to Council at the last meeting. She said they have a couple of options they felt comfortable with but are waiting to hear back from them.
Tiffany Ramsay reported that Property Maintenance also met. There have been notices issued for high grass and they are working on locating a building inspector that meets the certifications they need to address abandoned houses.
Tiffany Ramsay also wanted to report that clean-up week is June 2nd – 6th and the dumpsters will be at the municipal building. Kevin Brooks said we are hoping to have the dumpsters here on Friday, May 30th and the Police Department will be monitoring them. Mayor Hehr said everyone is encouraged to use the dumpsters.
Tiffany Ramsay said the Community Strong Committee will be having a Spring Fling on May 17th from 10:00a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the square. There will be a cruise-in and vendors are able to set up on the sidewalks for free. Kevin Brooks said if there is a need for the outlets in the islands or the bump-outs to let him know because they will have to be energized.
Matt Schaber – Nothing to report.
VIII: Solicitor’s Report:
Solicitor Regel said after the special council meeting regarding the dispatch he had a conversation with the Prosecutor. Solicitor Regel thinks preliminarily the terms are agreed to, but it is just a matter of putting the fine details together. He is hoping he will have a contract for Council to sign and make it official at the next meeting.
Solicitor Regel asked Mayor Hehr to open the bid for the EMS building. The bid is from the Monroe County Squad Association and James Hunt, Treasurer stated at the monthly meeting of the Monroe County EMS Squad Association it was discussed and voted on in favor to submit a sealed bid of $150,000.00 for the purchase of the building at 374 Lewisville Road in Woodsfield, Ohio. The building will be deeded to the Monroe County EMS Association, and it will house a 24-hour a day 7 day a week paid emergency transport squad. Mayor Hehr said since we only had one bid, she asked for a motion to accept the bid of $150,000.00 from the Monroe County EMS Squad Association. Kevin Brooks said the bid did coincide with the appraised value of the building. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Anthony McDaniel – abstain. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 4-0.
IX: Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Tiffany Ramsay made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, April 2025. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, April 2025. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2025-04, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and/or Village Administrator to Apply for, accept, and enter into a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Agreement on behalf of the Village of Woodsfield for Planning, Design and/or Construction of Wastewater and Strom Water Facilities; and Designating a Dedicated Repayment Source for the Loan. Kevin Brooks said just to be clear this is the second part of the large project, the first portion
Council approved was the grant portion/loan forgiveness so this is for the extra work that will need to be done with utilization of the loan funds, and it is a 30-year no interest loan. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr reported that Lewis Hill, Electric Superintendent, has been checking on the new sound system for the square. They have decided to go with a portable system so if they wanted to use it at City Park or somewhere else they can. He is waiting for a quote, and they are hoping to have it for the Alumni weekend.
Mayor Hehr requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting regarding personnel/hiring.
X. Un-Registered Visitors/Guest:
Brent Dick – Brent Dick made a comment in regard to the sound system. He said the Village should be able to get a couple units for a few hundred bucks. Kevin Brooks said Barnesville has a good system and Lewis Hill contacted them to ask about their system.
Michelle Johnson – Michelle Johnson would like to explain the situation she has found herself in with Oaklawn Cemetery. She is here to inform and warn the public that Oaklawn Cemetery makes mistakes and along with them the city refuses to own them or fix them. She said when her dad passed away 3 years ago, they bought burial plots for him and her mother. She said in a moment of profound grief and vulnerability she bought 2 more plots so she could be buried next to her dad. Michelle Johnson said she is not a Cemetery employee or specialist, but she realized over the past week that the plots are difficult to understand, and she mistakenly put her trust in the city officials that her dad would be buried in the correct spot. She has 4 plots and wanted her dad and herself in the center 2 and her mom and husband on either side. When her dad was buried, his was the only grave in that section but when she recently visited, she found someone had been buried next to him. When she had the audacity to question why someone was buried next to her dad, where she is supposed to be buried, she was patronized and told she was wrong and completely her fault that her dad is buried on the end instead of in the center. So, she bought 4 plots intending to be buried beside her dad only to find now that they will be on end plots and not beside each other. She thinks it is absurd that her dad and herself will be on the end and her mom and husband will be in the center beside each other. She said when she spoke to the mayor about it her response was that everyone has to be buried next to a stranger and how did she not know this for 3 years and the answer is because he was buried in that section by himself until last week. Michelle Johnson also said she has been told by the groundskeeper that there is no fix. She has done some research and found that to disinter her dad and move him over 2 spaces it will be between $3,000 and $4,000. She also said she does not put her personal business on Facebook and was not happy that it was put on Facebook via city officials causing her more emotional upset. Mayor Hehr asked who put it on Facebook and Michelle Johnson said it was the city council’s wife who put it on Facebook. Kim Schaber stood and said it was her that posted it as a topic that may be discussed this evening during the meeting. She said she did not post any names but just posted there was some confusion out at Oaklawn Cemetery that may be discussed during the meeting.
Mayor Hehr said she had talked with Michelle Johnson on Friday, and she rode out to the Cemetery today and met with Steve Eikleberry, Cemetery Sexton. Mayor Hehr said she can see the confusion but there is nothing that can be done as far as she knows. Michelle Johnson said she just wants the public to be aware that if they purchase plots at Oaklawn Cemetery to have a loved one buried then they had better be sure they are getting buried where they are supposed to be. Mayor Hehr said if she wants to be buried next to her mother, that can be done. Michelle Johnson said she understands that, but she wanted to be buried next to her dad and she trusted the Cemetery employees to know what they were doing and to do it right.
Mayor Hehr wanted to make it clear that Michelle Johnson’s father is buried in one of the 4 plots purchased and the remaining plots are plots she purchased but her dad was buried in plot 1 and should have been in plot 3. Mayor Hehr apologized for the mistake and said it was a human error, but she doesn’t know what else to do.
Kevin Brooks stated that we had a funeral director who demanded the plots be flipped, so he wanted it stated that there are times that we have some issues with the funeral directors, and he does have issue with that because they do not own the plots. Mr. Brooks said we can and do want to make it right
and we do apologize but he knows that it will not make better and he also said the employees at the Cemetery do take things seriously and personally.
Anthony McDaniel asked Solicitor Regel if we could call Executive Session to discuss this matter further. Solicitor Regel said it would qualify for Executive Session, so Anthony McDaniel requested Executive Session regarding possible litigation to continue this discussion.
Chief Corey Jones – Chief Jones had Solicitor Ryan Regel prepare a Resolution in reference to 5 gun parts, firearm parts, piece of equipment for firearms that were donated by Chris Imboden over several years to the Woodsfield Police Department for department use. Chris Imboden has been a resident for over 20 years, has volunteered for the Village Police Department, he has been the department’s armor for quite some time and is a commissioned special deputy for Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. The items have become obsolete, and Chris Imboden has expressed interest in regaining possession of the items. Chief Jones proposition is for Council to approve the Resolution to transfer the items to Chris Imboden’s possession. The transfer will be done through Baker’s Guns and Gear because he possesses the Federal Firearm’s Licensing.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2025-05, A Resolution Declaring Certain Property of the Police Department of the Village of Woodsfield Ohio, not Needed for Public Use, is Obsolete, and is Unfit for the Use for Which it was Acquired and Declaring an Emergency. Solicitor Regel asked Chief Jones if the value of the items were less than $1,000.00 to which Chief Jones replied yes, the value is less than $1,000.00. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go into Executive Session regarding Personnel/hiring with action to be taken. Tiffany Ramsay made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Executive Session entered 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Dale English second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Regular Session entered at 6:40 p.m.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to hire Paul Channell for the Police Department, starting date is May 19, 2025 at a rate of $23.00/hr. contingent on him entering the employment agreement. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Chief Jones stated to be clear there is no sign-on bonus. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go into Executive Session regarding potential litigation, no action to be taken. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Executive Session entered at 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Anthony McDaniel made a motion. Matt Schaber second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Regular Session entered at 6:54 p.m.
XI. Adjourn:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tiffany Ramsay made the motion. Dale English second. Kaylee Sefert – absent. Motion passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer