Regular Council Meeting Thursday, January 3, 2002 Meeting called to order by Mayor Robert E. Cochrun Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Dave France present, Dave Smith present, Robert Martin Sr. present, Beth Rupert Present, Gene Pool present. Officials: Robert E. Cochrun present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer C. Michael Payne present, Gary R. Folden present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by Gene Pool, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve the minutes from Regular Council Meeting held Thursday, December 20, 2001. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 6-0. Mayor Cochrun asked for nominations for President of Council for 2002. Beth Rupert nominated Gene pool, Dave France seconded the nomination. Robert Martin nominated John Synodinos, Dave Smith seconded this nomination. Voting for John Synodinos: Robert Martin, Dave Smith, John Synodinos Voting for Gene Pool: Dave France, Gene Pool, Beth Rupert Mayor Cochrun broke the tie by voting for Gene Pool. Gene Pool was elected Council President by a 4-3 vote. John Synodinos asked to be excused from the remainder of the meeting due to his feeling "under the weather". Persons Appearing Before Council Chief Ed Laman asked Council for permission to send Patrolman Jesse Kosegi to Drug Dog training school on February 4th. He explained to Council that the schooling and the purchase of the drug dog would cost $5,500 plus travel expenses for Patrolman Kosegi. He told Council that over $10,000 had already been raised to cover the costs associated with getting the program started. He said that additional funds would be raised through a benefit dance to be held next month. He also explained which cruiser he planned to use to be converted to transport the drug dog. Motion by Gene Pool, second by Beth Rupert to pay $5,500 to purchase a drug dog including training for Patrolman Jesse who will be housing and handling the Drug Dog. Travel expenses incurred by Patrolman Kosegi would also be covered. Vote: Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 5-0. Chief Ed Laman also asked for permission to purchase a new police cruiser. He said that he needed to place his order by January 15th if possible. He said that he would probably ask the administrator to put his oldest vehicle up for sale after the purchase of the new cruiser. Motion by Gene Pool, second by Dave France to go out to bid for a 2002 police cruiser with acceptance of the low bid. Vote: Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 5-0. Mayor Cochrun presented plaques to former Council Persons: Robert Laukert, John Polsinelli and Joseph DeArdo Sr. for their services to the Village. Betty Stinard told Council that four young women had been going door-to-door in her neighborhood asking residents if they were being bothered by pollution. Mayor Cochrun said that these women had not obtained permission to do this survey. He said that residents should notify the Police if they have reason to believe anyone is going to homes without Village permission. He said if anyone wishes to go door-to-door, they must first go to the Village building to get a license. Reading of Ordinances/Resolutions None. Reports, Announcements and Communications Mayor Cochrun asked residents throughout the Village who were interested in improving any aspect of the Village to contact himself or Council Members and committees could be set up to work on these projects. Mayor Cochrun read the totals collected from Magistrate's Court from December 2000 through November 2001. Mayor Cochrun read the Magistrate's Court report for December 2001. Mayor Cochrun read the Code Enforcement's Report for December 2001. Mayor Cochrun announced that the Village Offices would be closed Monday, January 21, 2002 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Mayor Cochrun asked Council Members to review the "Rules of Council" that were distributed to them. Committee Reports None. Administrator's Reports Gary Folden asked Council's approval to submit a letter to RITA to keep moving forward on the subpoena program. He said that no subpoenas would be issued until the correct list of residents had been reviewed. Beth Rupert asked if alternatives to RITA had been researched. Gary Folden said that he would be meeting with the Cleveland Department of Finance who also handle collection of income taxes for Ohio municipalities. He said his first impression of this organization was unfavorable based on his initial problems getting through to them. He also said that he had plans to meet with Mingo Officials to discuss their in-house method of colleting taxes. Robert Laukert, former Councilperson, gave a brief explanation of the subpoena program. He stated that he hoped the Village would continue to proceed with the program, despite the previous problems, because of the sizeable amount of unpaid taxes that could be collected. Old Business None. New Business Robert Martin said that he had been invited to tour Boardman's water plant along with County engineer Jack Gilmore. He invited other Council members to tour the facility with him. He said he wanted to do what he said he would do if elected to Council. He said the water problem we have is one of the major concerns the Village had to deal with. Gene Pool said the Sanitation and Street Garage is about ready to fall down and he would like to see them repaired or rebuilt. Gary Folden said he would get prices for new structures. Chris Becker said he spoke to attorney Otto Jack, owner of an apartment complex in the Village who questioned if he could pass the cost of his dumpster to the tenants on a pro rata basis. He said that Dee Petrella said that the billing system could make this adjustment on the bills if approved by Council. Chris Becker told Council that his contract expired December 31, 2001 and that he would like Council to consider renewing his contract. Gene Pool said that he would like to take this matter under consideration until the next meeting. Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne explained to Council Members that an employee of the Village had a period of time when he was not employed at the Village. He said that he would like Council's approval to count his prior employment time towards his level of accrued time awarded. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Dave France to include prior employment of employees towards their level of accrued time awarded. Vote: Dave France Yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool nay. Motion passed 4-1. Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne asked for a motion to transfer funds needed in the Sanitation, Police Levy and Police Pension funds to meet current obligations. Motion by Gene Pool, second by Beth Rupert to transfer from the General Fund; $20,000 to the Sanitation fund, $20,000 to the Police Levy Fund and $10,000 to the police Pension fund. Vote: Dave France yea, Dave smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Gene Pool, second by Beth Rupert to pay bills as funds become available. Vote: Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Beth Rupert, second by Dave France to adjourn. Vote: Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Gene Pool yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next regularly scheduled meeting January 17, 2002 at 7:00 PM. C. Michael Payne, Clerk Treasurer Robert E. Cochrun, Mayor