LORI CUNARD
January 4, 2023
Meeting Minutes (9-19-22)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
September 19, 2022
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on September 19, 2022.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Matt Schaber, Leann Harper; Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks.
Absent: Solicitor Kristy Rothenbuhler.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Matt Schaber made a motion to accept the September 6, 2022 meeting minutes. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
Rick Brown, Monroe Theater Group – Mr. Brown attended Council meeting to discuss the Nightmare at the Monroe, Haunted House Event to be held on October 21st and 22nd and October 28th and 29th, both Friday and Saturday evenings. This year the event was nationally recognized and made Ohio’s top 20 haunted venues out of 286. They are expecting their crowd to triple or even quadruple which would mean six to ten thousand people to attend during the four days. With that being said, Mr. Brown said they designed the haunted house so there will be 2 lanes for people to enter the front of the building, they will be taken through by tour guides and then exit the back of the building at the alley. The concern is for safety at the alley. Mr. Brown asked if the alley could be closed on the 4 days of the event from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 12:00 a.m. He said that they were thinking about putting up PVC with military type camouflage netting over it and it could easily be taken down or even driven over in the case of an emergency if Council would approve it. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks spoke up to say that the Village has barricades that can be easily put up and taken down and he does not see any problem with closing the alley for the event. Mr. Brown is also concerned about parking in the Village with that many people expecting to attend, he said they are thinking of the fairgrounds and then having a shuttle to bring people in, but he said they will come up with something. Mr. Brown is hoping that not only will the Theater do well with this event, but the surrounding businesses will get a boost from it also. They are not doing concessions so people will have to go to the restaurants in town for something to eat or drink. Kevin Brooks said he will talk to Shelly and Sands and ODOT and ask them to clean up as best they can and open up as many parking spaces as possible for the event. Mr. Brooks also said that the downtown project should be nearing the end at that point and the sidewalk and curb to be done first is the one in front of the Theater. Mr. Brooks said he would talk to Shelly and Sands tomorrow regarding this. Mr. Brooks also said that they are more than welcome to use the parking lot at the municipal building and told Mr. Brown to talk to Pastor Dave Cottrell about using the parking lot at the Methodist Church.
IV. Old Business:
None.
V. Administrator Report:
Village Administrator Kevin Brooks reported that he has a resignation letter from Richard McConnell, Cemetery Groundskeeper. Mr. McConnell’s resignation is effective September 23, 2022. Kevin Brooks asked Council for a motion to accept the resignation of Richard McConnell, Cemetery Groundskeeper, effective September 23, 2022. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 5-0. Steve Eikleberry, Park Superintendent, will be reassigned to the Cemetery until someone can be hired. Mr. Brooks asked for Council’s permission to start the hiring process along with the Cemetery Committee so we can get someone hired possibly before next Council meeting. We will probably only cut grass 2-3 more times but it would be nice to get someone hired and explain what the job duties are. Kevin Brooks said that they have been discussing the combining of the Cemetery and Park Departments because the jobs they do are so similar, especially April through October, and we do use the seasonal park workers at the Cemetery to help out from time to time. So we may be putting the new Cemetery Groundskeeper/Laborer under the Parks Department. Council did not have a problem
with Mr. Brooks and the Cemetery Committee moving forward with the hiring process to fill the open Cemetery position.
Kevin Brooks also reported that Maghan Sole had inquired about using the open lot next door to the municipal building to do a community yard sale. She would like to do October 1st and 2nd from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mr. Brooks has no problems with this and as long as Council agrees to it he will give the go ahead for the community yard sale. Council agreed to the community yard sale on October 1st and 2nd.
Mr. Brooks stated that a lady had come in who has a food truck and would like to set up and start doing events in town. One event that was talked about was the Christmas tree lighting, allowing her to set up in the empty lot next door because there is water and electricity. Kevin Brooks also stated that other communities are doing food truck Mondays or food truck Fridays which he would not have an issue with. The permitting would be done through the health department and we would just allow her the space to set up. Mr. Brooks is looking mainly at getting her scheduled for events in the Village from now through the end of the year and then possibly scheduling for the Farmers Market next year. Mr. Brooks also brought up the idea of providing live music on the open lot next door which had been talked about at an earlier date. He said he had advertised for music events and had received a demo tape from someone in Zanesville but he would like to be paid and we prefer for him to just use the event as a promotional item. So Mr. Brooks has not really pursued this but if we would bring someone in it also would be an opportunity to bring in the food truck as long as there are no objections.
Mayor Carol Hehr asked what is going on with D.O.R.A. and Kevin Brooks replied that she would have to talk to legal counsel, it is in her hands.
Kevin Brooks gave an update on the downtown ODOT project. He said that they will be substantially finished with the project by November 1st. Once the rest of the storm drainage is completed by the end of this week, things will start to move pretty quick. The only thing that is moved to the spring is the mast-arm signalization but that is just because we have to wait for them to come in. They will start to work on the curb islands, the center islands and sidewalks and they have talked extensively about the parking meters, parking stations and sidewalks which Mr. Brooks emailed everyone to update them on this.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard reminded Council that she will be at Mayor’s Clerk training this Wednesday – Friday.
Chris Kerby, traveling clerk, will be in the Fiscal Office on Tuesday, September 27th to start working on next year’s budget.
She stated that a check was received from FEMA in the amount of $2,709.27 for final payment for the Wolfpen Project.
Lori Cunard stated that Ordinance #11-2022 is included in Council packets. Mayor Hehr then asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #11-2022, 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. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Leann Harper second. Dale English – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #11-2022 by its second reading, declaring it an emergency. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #11-2022 by its third reading, declaring it an emergency and adopt. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance #11-2022 adopted.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Councilman Dale English stated John Richter from American Legion is present at the meeting and he has some drawings for the Veteran’s Park that will be located on the current Municipal Building lot. Mr. English said this will be talked about later in the meeting.
Village Administrator Kevin Brooks spoke up and said he and Mayor Hehr have a meeting with Mike Carter, CT Consultants on Wednesday @ 11:00 a.m., they can share the drawings with Mr. Carter and he can get them to the architect if that is acceptable.
Tom Kirkland – Councilman Tom Kirkland spoke to E. L. Robinson today and they said the project with the County Jail is moving forward, they are having trouble getting supplies but it is moving as quickly as possible.
Anthony McDaniel – Nothing to report
Leann Harper – Nothing to report
Matt Schaber – Nothing to report
VIII: Solicitor’s Report:
None
IX: Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Hehr reported that Kevin Brooks, Dale English, Tom Kirkland, and herself had a Zoom meeting with CT Consultants regarding the downtown revitalization. They are meeting again on Wednesday @ 11:00 a.m. and want to discuss a public meeting and getting public input. Mayor Hehr would like to schedule it for Tuesday, October 4th @ 6:00 p.m. Kevin Brooks spoke up to clarify that this is in regard to the ARC Grant Program that the Governor’s office announced in June, 2022, for Appalachian counties, it has nothing to do with the ODOT Project. Anthony McDaniel asked if this is going to be a special meeting to which Mayor Hehr replied no it would not be. Mayor Hehr said they are encouraging businesses and residents to share their ideas for downtown. They will be starting with a drawing that was done about 20 years ago for downtown revitalization and build from there. Once the plans are completed Mayor Hehr will present it to the Appalachian Committee.
Mayor Hehr stated that Charlie’s Run is this weekend. This will be his 45th and final year and he is hoping to raise over $1,000,000.00 for children in hospitals. Mayor Hehr talked to Pandora Neuhart who suggested honoring Charlie Kozlesky by naming the alley behind the Municipal Building in honor of him. The alley will be named “Charlie Kozlesky Way”, three street signs have been made for the alley. There is a dinner at the VFW on Saturday evening, Mayor Hehr will be going up with the Proclamation to present it to him. Mayor Hehr then read the Proclamation to Council. Kevin Brooks stated that the signs will be put up at each end of the alley behind the building and one on St. Rt. 78 behind Marden Rehab. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to accept the Proclamation naming the alley behind the Municipal Building “Charlie Kozlesky Way”. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 5-0.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 5-0.
X. Un-Registered Visitors:
John Richter, American Legion – Mr. Richter had a drawing of a monument that Gallagher & Sons had drawn for him. Gallagher & Sons have worked with veterans in the past and they donated the bench in front of the Courthouse. Mr. Richter had the idea for a monument of 133 names of all veterans from Monroe County that were killed in WWI for the veterans’ park. Mr. Richter also made Council aware that in Monroe County there is a program called Veterans in Distress, if anyone knows a veteran or veterans family member in the County that needs help contact Anthony at the veteran’s office.
Brent Bosley, Post Commander, VFW #5303 Woodsfield – Mr. Bosley stated that the Woodsfield Alumni parade was led by the remaining sole surviving veterans of WWII and there were only 3 of them. There are 21 service members per day in the United States that take their own lives. The vast majority of Vietnam Veterans did not receive the welcome home that they deserved. Veterans Day, November 11th, falls on a Friday this year so Mr. Bosley is asking permission from Council to do a Welcome Home
Parade on that day. He is letting Council know that this is not just for Woodsfield Vietnam Veterans or just Monroe County Vietnam Veterans but for any Vietnam Veteran who served from 1962 through 1975 that will be welcome to be in the parade and be recognized for their service. There could be thousands of people, they have been getting a lot of supporters and volunteers for this parade. He stated this is not a political parade, this is just to recognize veterans for their service to this country. Mr. Bosley also stated that they would like to put a flag with flag holder on every parking meter for the parade day and going forward for all patriotic holidays. Village Administrator Kevin Brooks said there would be no problem with doing the parade but just make sure to coordinate the event with Chief Corey Jones and the P. D. Tom Kirkland made a motion granting permission for the Welcome Home Parade on November 11th @ 6:00 p.m., coordinating the event with Chief Corey Jones and P. D. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0. Councilwoman Leann Harper asked if the parking meters would be up in the downtown area to put flags on for the parade. Mr. Bosley stated that if not he would make other arrangements for flags for the downtown area. Councilman Dale English let Mr. Bosley know that the flag holders are in the garage next door. Councilman Anthony McDaniel asked for contact information so he could get the word out at the Ohio County Fire Chiefs meeting in West Virginia and send word up through the state. Councilman Dale English stated that he agreed that Vietnam Vets did not get the welcome home they deserved. He thanked Mr. Bosley for planning of the event and coming to Council and making them aware of it.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go into Executive Session regarding Personnel/Litigation, no action to be taken. Leann Harper made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 5-0.
Executive Session entered at 6:17 p.m.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 5-0. Regular Session entered 7:29 p.m.
Councilman Matt Schaber made the motion to appoint Tiffany Ramsey to fill the vacant Council seat with a term expiring December 31, 2025. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 5-0.
XI. Adjourn:
The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Leann Harper made the motion to adjourn. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer