Meeting Minutes (8-1-22)

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield

August 1, 2022

Note: This has been Revised with additions and corrections

The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on August 1, 2022.

I. Roll Call:

Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Carol Hehr, Matt Schaber; Mayor Mike Ricer, Fiscal Officer, Lori Cunard, Village Administrator Kevin Brooks, and Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler.

II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:

Councilman Dale English made the motion to accept the July 18, 2022 meeting minutes. Tom Kirkland second. Anthony McDaniel – abstain. Motion passed 4-0. Councilman Anthony McDaniel asked Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler if she had gotten a definitive answer on whether a Council member can approve meeting minutes if they did not attend the meeting. Solicitor Rothenbuhler replied, yes it can be done.

III. Registered Visitors/Guest:

Aaron Bruggeman, Bruggeman/Eckler – Mr. Bruggeman was here on behalf of Equitrans. He stated that he has nothing of substance to present tonight but he is here to set up some meetings with Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler concerning road use by Equitrans. Equitrans had put up signs on Village roads as an approved route and have been using these roads even though a RUMA was not in place with the Village. Andy Copley, Street Superintendent has already taken the signs down. The Village would like any damages done by the heavy trucks to be repaired. Equtrans is also asking for a road crossing for a pipeline but no agreement has been reached on this matter either.

IV. Old Business:

Mayor Ricer asked for a motion for nominations for the vacant council seat. Councilman Anthony McDaniel made a motion to nominate and elect Leanne Harper. Dale English second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Carol Hehr – no, Matt Schaber – no. Councilwoman Carol Hehr then made a motion to nominate and elect Tiffany Ramsey for the open council seat. Matt Schaber – second. Dale English – no, Tom Kirkland – no, Anthony McDaniel – no. Leanne Harper elected by a vote of three to two to fill the vacant council seat.

V. Council Member takes Oath of Office:

Leanne Harper, elected council member to serve the unexpired term of the vacant council seat which goes through December 31, 2025, was sworn in by Mayor Mike Ricer.

VI. Administrator Report:

Nothing to report

VII. Fiscal Officer Report:

Lori Cunard stated that there will be an Ordinance and a Resolution to be approved during Mayor’s report.

VIII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:

Dale English – Nothing to report

Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report

Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report

Carol Hehr – Nothing to report

Matt Schaber – Nothing to report

IX: Solicitor’s Report:

Nothing to report.

X: Mayor’s Report:

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Leanne Harper – abstain. Motion passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, July, 2022. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Leanne Harper – abstain. Motion passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, July, 2022. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Leanne Harper – abstain. Motion passed 4-0.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #09-2022, An Ordinance Providing for Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2022 and Declaring an Emergency.

The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #09-2022 by its second reading, Declaring it an Emergency.

The Mayor then asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #09-2022 by its third reading, Declaring it an Emergency and adopt.

Ordinance #09-2022 adopted.

The Mayor asked for a motion to pass Resolution #2022-01, A Resolution to Transfer a Totral of $12,000.00 from the General Fund to the Income Tax Fund and Declaring an Emergency.

XI. Un-Registered Visitors:

None

The Mayor asked for a motion to go into Executive Session regarding personnel/disciplinary action. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Dale English – No. Motion passed 4-1. Executive Session entered at 6:05p.m.

The Mayor asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Dale English made the motion. Carol Hehr second. Motion passed 5-0. Regular Session entered at 7:35p. m.

Councilwoman Carol Hehr made a motion that Village Administrator, Kevin Brooks be given 3 days off without pay. Due to the lack of a second, the motion died. At this time, Mayor Ricer gave his resignation to Council. Kevin Brooks asked Mayor Ricer to reconsider his resignation, Mr. Brooks even volunteered to accept Carol Hehr’s discipline that she proposed. Mayor Ricer said it did not matter whether Council accepted his resignation or not, he was done .

Anthony McDaniel made a motion to set a Code of Ethics for Village Administrator Kevin Brooks as well as all other Village employees. Anthony McDaniel asked this to be reviewed by legal counsel before implementation, before the next Council meeting.

XII. Adjourn:

Councilwoman Leann Harper made the motion to Adjourn from Session. Carol Hehr second. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

ATTEST:

___________________________ ____________________________

Michael E. Ricer, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer