Meeting Minutes (7-6-21)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
July 6, 2021
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on July 6, 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.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Councilwoman Carol Hehr asked for an addition to last meeting minutes. During the ODOT discussion held she asked the Mayor if the public who were in attendance would be able to speak. Councilwoman Carol Hehr made a motion to accept the June 21, 2021 meeting minutes. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 5-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
Adam Archer attended meeting.
IV. Old Business
Jamie Hill asked how the pool is doing and if the repairs were completed. Kevin Brooks replied that the pool income the day before was about $1100.00 and is doing very well. The repairs have been done and luckily it was an easy and inexpensive repair.
V. Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks first brought forward a bill from Knowlton-Ford in the amount of $6,782.02 for the deisel truck in the water/sewer dept. This is for a new engine, labor, and parts. Jamie Hill made the motion to pay Knowlton-Ford in the amount of $6,782.02 for repair of the water/sewer truck. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 5-0.
Kevin Brooks mentions that the ODOT project is going forward option #3. ODOT has decided to retain TRC, the original design engineer, for completion of the design. Residents are still concerned about the reverse angle parking but Kevin Brooks stressed that the design is still incomplete. ODOT is trying to put together some test scenario’s but Brooks will know more by the end of the week.
We are still working through the hydrant project. Solicitor Bill Frank has a Resolution written for the project. Originally we applied for CDBG funds but the bids came in on the high end of our budget so we applied for and were granted OPWC funds for the project. This will be a grant/loan situation however, the intent is to not use the loan funds. There is a pre-construction video scheduled this week. The project will go forward in the next 6 weeks or so and will be completed this year.
There was a video conference with ODNR this morning regarding the Ruble Lake Dam project. They are looking at options that can be done to protect that water source and/or move away from it.
Kevin Brooks stated he had a meeting with FEMA regarding the Poplar and Wolf Pen projects. We have an engineer with a successful bid but FEMA is now questioning the method of repair. He has requested a meeting with FEMA to discuss method of repair but has no response. Bear Contracting has extended their bid by 90 days however, they are asking for additional compensation. Councilman Dale English asked if FEMA has said anything about N. Main. Kevin Brooks responded and said that FEMA agreed to the Poplar and Wolf Pen projects and walked away from N. Main. That was the agreement.
Councilman Ray Hughes questioned Brooks about ODOT regarding crosswalks. He asked if Erica Schneider is a reliable source. Brooks replied and said that she is not involved with the engineering firm but is liason with Historic Preservation. Ray Hughes said we would wait and see once final design is in.
The Mayor mentioned the water leak on St Rt 800. Brooks said the leaks were being repaired today.
The Mayor also brought up Gulfport and Maple Avenue. Gulfport is allocating a substantial amount of money to pave Maple Avenue. Gulfport is also working with the Street Dept. to put in guardrail on Maple Ave. around an electric pole that trucks have hit and damaged. Councilwoman Carol Hehr asked if the electric pole that trucks have hit will be replaced or moved. Kevin Brooks replied and said that would be a major job and if they did move it, it would end up being in a resident’s yard, so not a good option. He said that the electric dept. has inspected it and are not too concerned with it.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Lori Cunard mentions funds of $27,000 from park needs to be advanced back to the general fund. The street fund an amount of -$23,500.00, drug law enforcement -$150.00, and sewer -$8,000.00 these are from 2014 and 2017. Council said they would move forward with a formal Resolution for next Council meeting but would like back-up documentation of the funds being transferred. Councilman Ray Hughes agreed that a paper trail of why these funds need to be moved is necessary. The Mayor asked for a motion to have a formal Resolution written to correct appropiation funds based on the condition there be back-up documentation presented at the July 19th meeting. Motion was made by Tom Kirkland. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Carol Hehr – Charlie’s Run is scheduled for October 2nd. If he can make it 2 more years it will be 45 years and he will have raised over $1 million. Kevin Brooks asked Carol to check whether cones will need to be put out during the run or not. Councilwoman Carol Hehr also asked for an update on the Nature Works grant for City Park from last year. The money in the amount of $17,800 was received and finished out the grant. She also mentioned that some stone needs put down at City Park around the Merry-go-round. Brooks said he would send Steve Eikleberry down to take a look at it.
Dale English – Commented on the new Police Officer. He said that Chief Corey Jones said he is doing a good job.
Tom Kirkland – Mentions fence around pools. There is nothing on the books concerning fencing around pools. Councilman Ray Huges spoke up and said that it was talked about at Planning and Zoning meetings but the suggestion was anything over 5 gallons so they did not include this. Also 2 man-holes were uncovered and had locks cut off, he brought this to Paul Robison’s attention and the locks will be replaced.
Jamie Hill – Mentioned how nice the firworks were. Council discussed making a donation in the future. Brooks said that a sizeable donation could be made through economic development via electric funds. We could inquire with the Auditor to budget this for 2022.
Ray Hughes – Thanked Kevin Brooks for taking the late night call from concerned citizens. Asked about D.O.R.A., any progress? Kevin Brooks explained that the permits have been received. He needs to get together with Solicitor Bill Frank because substantial Legislation will need to be drawn up and passed. Also, a public comment hearing is needed which we need to allow 30 – 45 days for this. It is a process but we do meet the criteria.
Councilwoman Carol Hehr also said she has the theater schedule. She would like approval for the theater to be able to close the alley behind the theater for the Port-a-Jons during events. Brooks said he has no issue with this but just request the alley only be closed 1 hour before and 1 hour after the event. Jamie Hill made the motion to close the alley behind the Monroe Theater 1 hour before and 1 hour after events at the Theater. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0.
VIII. Solicitor’s Report:
Solicitor Bill Frank referenced his written briefing. He asked with Mayor’s permission to call for a motion on Resolution 2021-08 Hydrant and Valve replacement project CT94X. Declaring the official intent and reasonable expectation of the Village of Woodsfield on behalf of the State of Ohio (the Borrower) to reimburse its Water Fund for the hydrant and valve replacement project.
Tom Kirkland made the motion. Ray Hughes second. Motion passed 5-0.
Solicitor Frank stated that items 2, 3, 4, and 5 of his report is information regarding pending litigation for Council review. Mr. Frank asked for any question and there were none.
IX. Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second.
The Mayor discusses property maintenance and fines. There were 15 complaints wrote last week.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report. Motion was made Jamie Hill. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve Mayor’s Court Report. Ray Hughes made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0.
X. Adjourn:
Council member Jamie Hill made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Ray Hughes second the motion. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
Michael E. Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Interim Clerk of Council