LORI CUNARD
October 6, 2023
Meeting Minutes (9-5-23)
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
September 5, 2023
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on September 5, 2023.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Anthony McDaniel, Leann Harper, Tiffany Ramsay, Matt Schaber, Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, Village Administrator Kevin Brooks, and Solicitor Ryan Regel.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Tiffany Ramsay made the motion to accept the August 21, 2023 meeting minutes. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0.
III. Registered Visitors/Guest:
None
IV. Old Business:
DORA – Nothing new to report.
V. Administrator Report:
Village Administrator Kevin Brooks asked Council for a motion to approve shift differential for Andy Hughes, Street Department, in the amount of $1.50/hr. for the duration of the absence of Andy Copley and Steve Carpenter. Dale English made a motion. Tom Kirkland second. Anthony McDaniel asked what Andy Hughes has been doing. Kevin Brooks said he has been patching streets, emptying the trash cans downtown, helping with mowing at the Cemetery and Parks, and mowing alleys and rights-of-way. Mayor Hehr stated that he was going to take out the street sweeper the other day, which he did a couple of times in different areas.
Anthony McDaniel stated that he thought in the past it was done retro for the step-up. Mr. Brooks replied that the Finance Committee had met and discussed, and the recommendation was that the shift differential should be for the duration of the long-term absence of Andy Copley and Steve Carpenter. Mayor Carol Hehr said this is what has always been done in the past. Kevin Brooks stated that Council had done something similar for Brenda Mauck in the Fiscal Office when Lori Cunard was on sick leave a couple of months ago. He stated that Brenda Mauck was paid a lump sum. Leann Harper questioned how long Lori Cunard was off and questioned giving Brenda Mauck shift differential. Mr. Brooks said Brenda Mauck was just given a lump sum at the end of Lori Cunard’s leave. Leann Harper said it must have been at the meeting she was absent from because she did not remember. Mayor Hehr verified that Brenda Mauck was not paid a lump sum after Lori Cunard’s sick leave but Tina Tubaugh, Utility Office, was paid a lump sum for Supervisor’s pay after Claudia Baker left the Village.
Leann Harper asked when the shift differential would be taken off for Mr. Hughes and Mr. Brooks stated that when one or both of the guys come back to Street Department the shift differential will go away.
Mr. Brooks said we are not hiring right now because we are still paying both gentlemen from payroll for their accrued leaves, and we cannot sustain an additional salary in the Street Department. The Street Department is solely funded from the General Fund, and we cannot sustain that cost. Motion passed 6-0.
Anthony McDaniel asked if Andy Copley is going to be able to be a part of the budget conversation. Mr. Brooks replied that he has already been to an extent, we have talked to him regarding some capital purchases, and we have been communicating with Andy Hughes also.
Kevin Brooks reported that Kaden Buzzard, part-time/seasonal for Park and Cemetery Department, has left employment with the Village. Since Kaden Buzzard left a little earlier than anticipated and it is still mowing season Mr. Brooks would like to hire Raymond Dalrymple for temporary/seasonal to fill in where Kaden Buzzard would have worked through the fall season. Matt Schaber asked how long he would be expected to work, and Mr. Brooks said probably through the end of October. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to hire Raymond Dalrymple as a part-time/seasonal employee for Park and Cemetery Departments at $10.50/hr. Leann Harper made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 6-0.
Kevin Brooks reported that they would like to hire Wyatt Goodrich in the Water Department at $13.00/hr. as temporary/part-time with an assignment lasting through December 31, 2023. We have another employee at the Water Plant who will be out for surgery at a minimum of 12 weeks and of course the Water Plant operates 7 days/week, 16 hrs./day. Mr. Brooks said he would rather hire someone in than pay current employees’ overtime. Leann Harper asked if this position includes benefits, it does not other than OPERS. Mr. Brooks said the plan is that Wyatt Goodrich will work 3 days one week and 2 the next for a total of 40 hours over the biweekly pay period. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to hire Wyatt Goodrich for the Water Plant at $13.00/hr. as a temporary/part-time employee.
Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Tom Kirkland – abstain. Motion passed 5-1-0.
Kevin Brooks has a letter from Glenda Rubel representing GLEMEL Property’s. She would like to consider vacating the alley between 516 and 518 Wood Street. She bought both of the property’s and there is an alley that runs between the two. She submitted a diagram and would like the alley vacated. Mr. Brooks is not asking for a decision but would like to have Council’s thoughts or opinions on this. He said if they are not interested in vacating the alley then he will let her know. If Council is interested, then Glenda Rubel would have to have a formal survey done and start the process of vacating the alley. The property is the Dorothy Ricer property. Anthony McDaniel asked if there are other property owners that would be affected and Mr. Brooks replied that there does not look to be, he believes she is the only property owner there and the alley runs through the backyard. Anthony McDaniel asked if this can be grouped in with the next group of alleys, Mr. Brooks said it can. Matt Schaber asked if the alley is used, and Mr. Brooks said the alley is grass. Mr. Brooks said we would still have to have a public hearing, but he would wait until we have the survey in hand to schedule the hearing.
Mr. Brooks asked Solicitor Ryan Regel what the next step is after having the Public Hearing for the last 6 alleys we plan to vacate; he still has the surveys. Solicitor Ryan Regal said it goes to the recorder’s office and he believes there is a fee. Council agreed to start the process of vacating the alley between 516 and 518 Wood Street.
On Friday, Kevin Brooks sent Council members, via email, a proposal for professional services from CT Consultants regarding grant writing services for OPWC, Clean Ohio Fund Greenspace Conservation Program. Mayor Hehr said she believes that this should be done in Executive Session because it is for acquisition of property.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard reported that the only thing she has is the two Ordinances to be approved during Mayor’s report.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Dale English – Nothing to report.
Tom Kirkland – Tom Kirkland would like to schedule a Finance Committee meeting for Friday at 8:00 a.m.
Anthony McDaniel – Anthony McDaniel reported that the Property Maintenance Committee met prior to the Council meeting today. They identified some properties that have rolled off their list but have a few new ones that rolled on.
Anthony McDaniel asked Kevin Brooks if any other businesses downtown had taken advantage of the Façade Reimbursement Program. They also discussed if there is any way they can extend the reimbursement program to property owners for clean-up. Kevin Brooks spoke up to make it clear that the Property Maintenance Fund is funded by the customer service fee. Mr. Brooks said he has no problem with enhancing the program to include different types of renovations or improvements. However, he does feel it should be capped. We generally generate around $74,000.00 per year to be spread across these funds so he is suggesting putting a cap on it and only allow a certain amount to be spent on the reimbursement programs so as not to drain the Property Maintenance Fund. Mr. Brooks suggested maybe putting a cap at 7 or 8 per year under the reimbursement program. He also reminded
Council that cost of the dumpsters during clean-up week, about $6,000.00, is paid from the Property Maintenance Fund. Leann Harper asked if the Façade Reimbursement Program is just for the businesses downtown. Kevin Brooks said it is for any commercial property in town.
Leann Harper – Nothing to report.
Tiffany Ramsay – Nothing to report.
Matt Schaber – Matt Schaber said he is taking some templates to Laura Robinson at the school, so the students know what the layout is like to do designs for the control boxes. Leann Harper said the students are very excited about it.
VIII: Solicitor’s Report:
Nothing to report.
IX: Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Leann Harper made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court report, August 2023. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the Income Tax Report, August 2023. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Motion passed 6—0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #09-2023, an Ordinance Authorizing and Directing the Mayor of the Village of Woodsfield, Ohio to Enter an Amendment to the Agreement with Beverly J. Landefeld for Village Owned Property Located at 201 Oaklawn Avenue Woodsfield, OH 43793and Declaring an Emergency. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Leann Harper second. Dale English – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr then asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #09-2023 by its second reading, declaring an emergency. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #09-2023 by its third reading, declaring it an emergency, and adopt. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed. Ordinance #09-2023 adopted.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to pass Ordinance #10-2023, an Ordinance Providing for Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2023 and Declaring an Emergency. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second. Leann Harper asked what this Ordinance is for. Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard stated it is setting up the appropriations for the utility deposit fund. Kevin Brooks said it is just reorganizing funds so that each department gets credited for deposits correctly and when a refund is due it is also taken from the correct fund, and we are trying to utilize the Munibilling Software to its potential, which we had not been doing. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #10-2023 by its second reading, declaring an emergency. Dale English made the motion. Anthony McDaniel second. Tom Kirkland – yes, Leann Harper – yes, Tiffany Ramsay – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance #10-2023 by its third reading, declaring an emergency, and adopt. Tiffany Ramsay made the motion. Leann Harper second. Dale English – yes, Tom Kirkland – yes, Anthony McDaniel – yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance #10-2023 adopted.
Mayor Hehr stated that the Community Strong Committee is going to be put under the Village now due to financial reasons. Lori Cunard will be talking to Chris Kerby about setting up a fund for donations the Committee gets on Thursday.
Mayor Hehr attended a Landbank meeting this morning and there is money left over from the first round so we will have at least one property in the Village taken down, hopefully this year.
Mayor Hehr stated that the Community Strong Committee discussed bringing back the Halloween parade. They would like to do it on October 26th @ 7:00 p.m. Trick or Treat for the Village will be October 26th @ 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the parade will be at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Hehr said the Christmas Tree lighting has been scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Kevin Brooks said that Antero would like to sponsor it, but he is not sure of how they will feel about a Saturday, he will contact them to let them know the date and time.
X. Un-registered Visitors:
None
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go into Executive Session regarding acquisition of property, action may or may not be taken and if action is taken it will only be in the form of applying for grant monies. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second. Motion passed 6-0. Executive Session entered at 6:09 p.m.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to go back into Regular Session. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Dale English second. Motion passed 6-0. Regular Session entered at 6:28 p.m.
XII. Adjourn:
The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Anthony McDaniel made the motion. Leann Harper second. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer