Meeting Minutes (6-21-21)

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield

June 21, 2021

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in RegularSession on June 21, 2021.

Roll Call:

Present: Council Members Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Jamie Hill, Carol Hehr, D. Ray Hughes; Mayor Mike Ricer, Solicitor Bill Frank, Village Administrator Kevin Brooks, Interim Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard.

Absent: Anthony McDaniel.

2. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:

Councilman Dale English made a motion to Accept the June 2, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Jamie Hill second. Ray Hughes, abstain. Motion passed by vote 4-0.

2. Registered Visitors/Guests:

Corey Jones wanted Council to know that he is still in the interview process for the full-time vacancy in the Police Department. He would like a motion from Council to be able to hire a candidate for the position should he interview an individual matching the qualifications for the job. The starting salary would be $15.45/hr. with 6-month probationary period and after probationary period is completed the salary would go up to step 2 @ $15.97/hr. Jamie Hill made the motion to approve Chief Jones to hire for the vacant position in the Police Department at $15.45/hr. with 6-month probation then up to step 2 at $15.97/hr. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0.

2. Old Business:

None

2. Village Administrator Report:

Kevin Brooks included in Council packets a downtown analysis that was prepared by Jason Hamman. This is a preliminary analysis, once the grant is finalized with Buckeye Hills a full report will be done for downtown economic development. Also included in Council packets is the hotel analysis, this will be used by investors that are pursuing financing for the hotel.

Kevin Brooks reported that he has been working with AMP regarding the AMI metering. The price for the AMI metering jumped from $665,000 to $825,000. One reason for the price jump was the understating of electric meters. We went from 1400 meters to 1739 meters. The second issue was that rather than replacing some of the water meters AMP’s quote was to replace all the meters so this went from 340 meters to 1400 meters. Between both of these things, that makes the $160,000 price difference. Mr. Brooks said that he is against replacing all the meters at once. He had a zoom conference with AMP today and with not replacing all the meters and the logic the price is down to $636,000 but that would be with our guys doing quite a bit of the work. This would be the installation of the network, which Brooks doesn’t feel would be a problem. But to install 3,200 meters may be. He doesn’t feel that realistically our guys could get this done being on such a tight time schedule so some of this work will have to be out-sourced.

Mr. Brooks feels that the price will probably fall somewhere in the middle of the $636,000 and the $825,000. He feels our goal should be to stay around the $700,000 mark. AMP is offering

special financing through their credit line for projects such as this and the Village will be receiving funds from the American Rescue Plan which can be used for this.

Mr. Brooks asked Council to have a decision made on whether or not they want to continue with the AMI metering by the July 6^th Council meeting so that a contract can be signed with AMP and

meters can be ordered. After some discussion, Council agreed to have Mr. Brooks continue working through the contract and proposal for the AMI project but not to replace all the meters at once.

The next item Kevin Brooks brought up is the ODOT Project. He reminded Council of the 4 options we have with ODOT. Kevin Brooks also reminded Council that this project is not just about 2 islands. There are 6 signals going in, there are count-down crosswalks, an entire block of sidewalk that will be replaced, there is raising of the road on the west side, and there are bulb-outs with greenery being added.

Kevin Brooks also stated that during the 6 months or so that the construction workers will be working here, they will be shopping and eating in town and we will be able to collect tax dollars from them. He also wanted to let Council know that after final inspections are done if there is something not working out or that the Village is not happy with, such as the reverse parking, we can change it but it will be the responsibility of the Village not ODOT to make the changes. Councilman Ray Hughes is worried about the loss of possibly 12 parking spaces. Mr. Brooks acknowledged that there would be the loss of some parking but he doesn’t feel it would be 12 spaces and until we get the final plans for the project he is not sure how many would be lost. Jamie Hill spoke up and said that he had been in touch with Eric Davis from ODOT regarding the back-up of traffic during school letting out but after discussion Brooks feels this is something that can be worked out.

The Mayor asked for a motion from Council on the ODOT Project. At this time Councilwoman Carol Hehr spoke up and asked if the Mayor should allow any of the public that were in attendance at tonight’s meeting to speak. The Mayor replied he did not have to allow anyone to speak at this time. Kevin Brooks spoke up and said Anthony McDaniel had to work this evening but he would like it known that he chooses option #3 presented by ODOT. Carol Hehr made the motion to choose option #3 presented by ODOT. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0. After some discussion, Council feels comfortable with their decision and thanks ODOT for working with the Village and saving some of the islands. Mr. Brooks said he would notify ODOT tomorrow on the decision that Council made.

VI. Fiscal Officer Report:

With Lori Cunard’s permission, Solicitor Bill Frank offered details to Council of proposed legislation that would have direct fiscal implications. This included Ordinance #1295-2021 To amend and revise specific line-item appropriation’s and expenditures for the Municipality of

Woodsfield for calendar year 2021 (as an emergency). This is a recommendation by Chris Kerby who has been working with Lori and Brenda in the Fiscal Office to increase the line-item fund by $78,000 to pay bills for the Fairground Rd Water Improvement project. The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #1295-2021 (to amend and revise specific line-item appropriation’s and expenditures for the Municipality of Woodsfield for calendar year 2021 by its first reading, as an emergency). Jamie Hill made the motion and Carol Hehr seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #1295-2021 by its second reading, as an emergency. Dale English made the motion and Tom Kirkland seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. Then Mayor then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #1295-2021 by its third reading, as an Emergency. Tom Kirkland made the motion and Ray Hughes seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance #1295-2021 adopted.

Solicitor Frank then brought forward Resolution 2021-07 to authorize the proposed lease from 8/1/2021-6/30/2022 for the Memorial Park Community Alternative School. The elements of

the lease are the same as last year. Jamie Hill made a motion to pass Resolution 2021-07 to

enter into a lease from 8/1/2021-6/30/2022 for the Memorial Park Community Alternative

School in the amount of $10,000.00. Tom Kirkland seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:

English-Nothing to report

Kirkland-Nothing to report

McDaniel-absent

Hehr-Nothing to report

Hill-Nothing to report Hughes-Nothing to report VIII. Solicitor’s Report:

Solicitor Bill Frank referenced his written briefing (containing 4 elements) that had been e-mailed to officials 6/20/2021. Legislative action items (processed during the Fiscal Officer’s portion of the meeting) included Ordinance 1295-2021 (to amend and revise specific line-item appropriations and expenditures for the Municipality of Woodsfield for calendar year 2021, as an emergency); a proposed lease agreement for presentation to the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District for the Memorial Park Community Alternative School for August 1, 2021-June 30, 2022; and Resolution 2021-07 (to authorize and direct Mayor Mike Ricer to present and execute the proposed lease on behalf of the Municipality of Woodsfield). Solicitor Frank also indicated he had detailed an update on pending litigation as part of his written briefing; he asked if there were any questions based upon his written briefing. No questions were indicated.

IX. Mayor’s Report:

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Carol Hehr seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

Jamie Hill made the motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, May 2021. Dale English seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

Ray Hughes asked if Council packets could be sent to the new Village Council email addresses however, not all Council members have their emails registered/activated at this time.

Paul Robison, Water/Sewer Superintendent was present and requested Executive Session. Jamie Hill made the motion for Executive Session regarding Personnel/Employment. Carol Hehr seconded the motion. Roll call vote (5 yes-0 no-1 absent): Mr. English-Yes; Mr. Kirkland-Yes; Mr. McDaniel-Absent; Mr. Hill-Yes; Mrs. Hehr-Yes; and Mr. Hughes-Yes. Executive Session entered at 6:21 p.m.

Jamie Hill made the motion to return to regular session. Tom Kirklandseconded the motion. Roll call vote (5 yes-0 no-1 absent): Mr. English-Yes; Mr. Kirkland-Yes; Mr. McDaniel-Absent; Mr. Hill-Yes; Mrs. Hehr-Yes; and Mr. Hughes-Yes. Executive Session exited at 6:38 p.m.

Jamie Hill made the motion to contribute $45.00 to the Monroe County Beacon for the Designed by Kids Ads. Tom Kirkland seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

X. Adjourn:

Council member Tom Kirkland made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Ray Hughes seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

ATTEST:

_________________________________ ________________________________

Michael Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Interim Fiscal Officer