Meeting Minutes (7-19-21)

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield

July 19, 2021

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on July 19, 2021.

I. Roll Call:

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

Absent: Anthony McDaniel, Solicitor Bill Frank.

II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:

Due to computer issues, approval of July 6, 2021 minutes were tabled until next meeting.

III. Registered Visitors/Guests:

Tim Blake – He has rental property on South 4^th Street. The property to the south and to the west are pretty grown-up. He mowed last week and moved some tin that was laying in the yard. He passed pictures of the property around to Council wanting to know if there were any plans for cleaning up the property. The property has trash piled up, weeds growing and the porch is falling in. No one has lived in the property for approximately 3 years. Some discussion followed by Council regarding what can be done. Councilman Ray Hughes stated that there are provisions in our Ordinances that the Village can cease the property if it’s a threat to public safety. Ray also stated that if the bank ceases the property, because there is a lien on it, by state law they are responsible for upkeep of the property. The Mayor stated that he would contact the bank and see if it can be ceased and signed over to the Village. Kevin Brooks said that if we have to send someone up to mow and clean-up for the time being we would do that. The Mayor said the property owner’s would be billed for any clean-up. The Mayor also said he would talk to Solicitor Bill Frank about ceasing the property.

Bob Allen and Jack Ramsey – They attended from E. L. Robinson. They wanted to talk to Council about the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Storm Sewer Separation Project. E. L. Robinson submitted their qualifications for the project. The project will make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and replace some combined sanitary and storm water lines in the Village. Bob Allen stated that there is a lot of funding available right now that he has forwarded to Kevin Brooks for review. He also received some requested information from Claudia Baker and is going to start an analysis of the Village water and wastewater systems. His intent is to give a template that we can use on an annual, semi-annual basis so we can determine what our rates should be set at to properly maintain our water, wastewater system.

Jack Ramsey wanted Council to keep in mind that the maps/pictures of the project is preliminary. Jamie Hill asked if they thought we are in a good position to receive funding. They stated that they cannot guarantee anything but based on median household income, low to moderate income that the Village is in a good position to get some funding through EPA, Rural Development, Federal Stimulus, or House Bill 168. Misty Tolzda, who also was in attendance agreed and said if we have a project to get it ready. Councilman Ray Hughes asked how far back the rate analysis goes, Bob Allen stated 5 years. Hughes wanted them to be aware that the Village did have a large water leak in the past. Tolzda also stated that as past Fiscal Officer she would be glad to help in any way with the study. Dale English asked about the project for the sewer project at the County Jail. The design will be completed soon for approval. When approvals are in they will be able to get started.

The Mayor asked Misty Tolzda if she had any questions or concerns. She stated that she attended at the advice of the Auditor to clarify any questions that Council may have regarding how things were done in the Fiscal Office in the past.

IV. Old Business:

None

V. Village Administrator Report:

Kevin Brooks stated that the reverse angle parking practice run with ODOT is narrowed down to 2 dates. As soon as he has the specific date he will notify Council. The program will be executed at the Pool. If a resident is interested in practicing reverse angle parking there will be an ODOT representative on site. They must sign an insurance waiver and then they will be able to participate.

Mr. Brooks stated that he has been on-going with AMP and Anixter regarding the AMI Metering project. He said we are ready to make a decision on this to move the project forward. It is going to be extremely expensive but we need to move forward by the end of the year. Brooks said he will have a final recommendation for Council by next meeting, he is going through figures from both outfits. The Itron service support ends 12/31/2021. We can still use the Itron to read meters beyond 12/31/2020 and we can make arrangements to lease, rent, or purchase additional Itron’s if the date of transition to AMI gets pushed back to the middle of next year. The cost of the AMI Metering will be around $700,000. The plan is to use some of the American Rescue Plan Funds. Then use electric funds and/or finance to pay for the remainder of the project.

There are several things setting on hold such as the FEMA project, fencing around the basketball court, and the walking trail. There is a pre-construction meeting set this week for the hydrant project and then it will be set to go.

Mr. Brooks also requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting for Property Acquistion, no action to be taken.

VI. Fiscal Officer Report:

Lori Cunard had a list of all payments made in the past month that she had in Council packets for Council review. Lori also asked for Council approval for the visiting clerk contract with Chris Kerby to continue training with Lori and Brenda. Kevin Brooks stated that there is still work to be done in the Fiscal Office and going forward we want the Fiscal Office to be successful so that is why there is an extension of 3 month’s to Chris Kerby’s contract.

Lori Cunard also stated that there is an Ordinance and Resolution in Council packets for review and approval.

VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:

Dale English – Councilman Dale English wanted Council to know that Corey Jones will be bringing in the new officer, Jacob McNerney, to introduce him at next meeting.

Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report

Jamie Hill – Nothing to report

Carol Hehr – Councilwoman suggested that it would be a good idea to bring any new hires to Council meeting for introductions. Brooks stated that we have been trying to do that but with PD and their work schedule, sometimes it can be difficult.

Ray Hughes – Nothing to report

VIII. Solicitor Report:

Solicitor Bill Frank was absent for meeting.

IX. Mayor Report:

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve Resolution 2021-09, To Authorize Mayor Michael Ricer to Accept and Enter Into a Visiting Clerk Contract with Everett Chris Kerby on behalf of the Municipality of Woodsfield. This is extending Mr. Kerby’s consulting services for another 90 days. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 5–0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance 1296-2021, To Amend and Revise Specific Line-Items in the Appropiations and Expenditures for the Municipality of Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2021, as an Emergency. Jamie Hill made motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0. The Mayor then asked for a motion to pass Ordinance 1296-2021 by its second reading, as an emergency. Dale English made the motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance 1296-2021 by its second reading as an emergency. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0. The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance 1296-2021 by its third reading, as an emergency. Carol Hehr made the motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance 1296-2021 as an emergency by its third reading. Jamie Hill second. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance 1296-2021 adopted.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the bills. Jamie Hill made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report. Dale English made the motion. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 5-0.

The Mayor updated Council on property maintenance.

Kevin Brooks wanted Council to know that this is the last week for free meters. If Council knows of anyone else that would like to be a sponsor for free parking to get in touch with him.

The Mayor asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for the Acquisition of Property, no action to be taken. Jamie Hill made the motion, Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0.

Council entered into Executive Session.

Jamie Hill made the motion to return to regular session, Carol Hehr second.

Council returned to regular session. Motion passed 5-0.

X. Adjourn

Dale English made the motion to adjourn from session, Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 5-0. Council Adjourned 6:47 P.M.

ATTEST:

______________________________ _________________________________

Michael Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Interim Fiscal Officer