Regular Council Meeting Thursday, January 5, 2006 Mayor Dave France called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Robert Cochrun present, Jason Mattern present, Robert Martin Sr. present, Bob Gale present, Matt Parise present, Thomas Bottorf present. Officials: Mayor Dave France present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Walt Ziemba present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Thomas Bottorf asked that a spelling error and a voting error from the previous meeting be corrected. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Matt Parise to approve the minutes as corrected. Vote: Robert Cochrun abstain, Jason Mattern abstain, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale abstain, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 3-0. Persons Appearing Before Council Mayor Dave France presented a proclamation to Indian Creek Golf Coach Ken Herron honoring him for his outstanding record over the past 7 years. Joanne Williams, Springdale Ave., complained about being billed for extra trash bags she put out on her driveway. She also complained about having the notice of the additional charge hung on her door where people could tell when she was not at home. Matt Parise asked the Administrator if this policy of hanging notices on the homeowner's doors could be changed. Walt Ziemba said that he would review the procedure. Reading of Ordinances and/or Resolutions None. Reports, Announcements, and Communications Mayor Dave France read his annual report to the Village for 2005 as Follows: In my Mayor's Report last year, I identified I/I or inflow and infiltration as the Village's #1 problem. I would like to commend our Administrator and his crew for their efforts in reducing our inflow and infiltration with the Troy Avenue, Floyd Street, and Beechwood Hollow projects. Mr. Ziemba has also submitted a request for Issue I funds to replace 84 manholes. A great deal of ground water seeps into our sewage system through deficient manholes. This year I believe our greatest challenge is to develop relationships with Jefferson County, Cross Creek and Island Creek Townships and the City of Steubenville that will benefit us all in reducing our expenses and providing better services to our residents and businesses. Mr. Ziemba and I are participants in a consortium of County Political and Administrative Officials, School systems, Colleges and businesses with a common goal to share services, knowledge, equipment in increased buying power to reduce our costs and increase our efficiency. Mr. Ziemba and I have been communicating with mainly Jefferson County, Cross Creek Township and the City of Steubenville regarding sharing services. We sent a letter to the County Commissioners requesting a dialogue in pursuance of such cooperation. I have also been personally active in representing our Village on many Boards and Committees. I am on the BHJ General Committees and Executive Committee, the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission Board and its Executive Committee, The CIC Board, and I also represent all Jefferson County Mayors on the County Sub-Committee for prioritizing County Issue II Requests. It is my goal to continue a dialogue with County Officials that would benefit us all through mutual agreement. The Population of Jefferson County is now what it was in 1910. Since 1960 we've lost a third of our population. In 1960 there were approximately 100,000 people in Jefferson County. Today there are about 70,000. That means fewer jobs and businesses and less revenue for local political entities to provide services and maintain infrastructure. We need new business and jobs to turn Jefferson County around. I commend Council's efforts in trying to bring this about by budgeting $5000 for the CIC Board. Mike Jacoby, the Board's director ahs done an outstanding job bringing new businesses in Jefferson County and preventing old business from leaving. The CIC Board, BHJ and the Chamber have developed an entrepreneurial service that will help local residents to start and succeed in new businesses. Most of our working residents are employed outside of the Village. Our future is dependent upon the economic development of Jefferson County whether positive or negative. Mayor Dave France asked for nominations for Council President for 2006. Robert Martin Sr. nominated Bob Gale for Council President. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Jason Mattern to close the nomination. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Council then Voted 6-0 to elect Bob Gale as Council President. Mayor Dave France read the December 2005 Police, Code Enforcement, and the Magistrate Reports. He also told Council he would get copies of these and the annual reports to Council Members. Mayor Dave France said that Village Offices would be closed on Monday, January 16, 2006 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Administrator's Report Walt Ziemba said that he had included with Council's packet of information quotes on supplying the Telemetry site with the needed fill. Matt Parise asked if the County would be paying for half of cost of the fill needed. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin Sr. to contract with Geno Morelli and Sons to provide fill at the Village's Telemetry building site on State Route 43 not to exceed $17,453. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Walt Ziemba gave an update on the expansion of the Wintersville Health and Rehab Center. Walt Ziemba said he would be coming back at a future meeting with a quote for Village Traffic signal maintenance. Walt Ziemba said that RITA tax forms were available at the Municipal Building. Walt Ziemba gave an update on the Storm Water Consortium. Walt Ziemba said that he had included in Council's packet a draft of a policy on Driver eligibility for Council to review. Walt Ziemba asked Council's permission to sell a used GMC sludge truck for approximately $18,000. He said that he had interest from the Village of Hopedale and Jefferson County. After some brief discussion it was agreed that although the Village could sell the truck to another Government agency without advertising it would be better to advertise the truck and accept bids from non-government agencies as well. (Which requires an Ordinance if the item valued over $1000.) Motion by Matt Parise, second by Thomas Bottorf to have the Solicitor prepare an Ordinance to authorize the Village to advertise the 1994 GMC sludge truck for sale with a minimum bid price of $18,000. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Walt Ziemba told Council that Judge Bednar had accepted the Village's rental terms of $1050 per month for the first 3 years and $1250 for the final 2 years of the agreement. Walt Ziemba presented Council members with a copy of a report he had compiled that summarized the infrastructure of the Village. Walt Ziemba said he would like the Street Committee to meet concerning establishing a schedule of street paving. Walt Ziemba asked Council to approve the dues for OML membership for 2006 at the cost of $770. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Matt Parise to pay the OML dues for 2006 in the amount of $770. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Unfinished Business Walt Ziemba said that he had received no interest or bids on the Woodridge property. Council members agreed to hold onto the property for now and not readvertise. Chief Laman said that the hearing for the individual that had an illegal water tap was held earlier today. Mayor Dave France handed out the 2006 Committee assignments and asked Robert Martin Sr. to arrange for a Recreation Committee Meeting. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Matt Parise to adopt the previous "Rules of Council". Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Thomas Bottorf requested that the rules of Council be typed into a word document. Several Council members requested that they be given copies of the Village Ordinances. New Business Walt Ziemba asked Council members to turn in work orders or discuss Village needs with him instead of calling or stopping by the street garage. Bob Gale thanked Council for electing him Council President and also commended Village workers for the work done on Skyline Drive. Matt Parise asked the Administrator to give them each a stack of blank work orders. Matt Parise asked if anyone had found in previous minutes where Council had approved paying Prestiege Video for their services with the Village's website. Walt Ziemba said he would follow up on this. Robert Martin Sr. asked if some of the items in the Council chambers that needed repaired could be taken care of. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Matt Parise to retroactively approve the line item and fund transfers as prepared by the Clerk Treasurer. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Matt Parise to approve the advance to the Special Assessment fund as requested by Mike Payne until the real estate had been received and also to make the fund transfers requested from the General Fund. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. For the Good of the Village Joanne Williams asked if the public could fill out work orders. Mayor Dave France said that anyone could submit a work order. Motion by Robert Cochrun, second by Thomas Bottorf to go into executive session to discuss security measures regarding the sewer lift station, pending litigation on an illegal water connection and the dismal of an employee. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Robert Cochrun to return to regular session. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Motion by Bob Gale, second by Robert Martin Sr. to rehire Andrew Palmer at $5.15 per hour in the public works department effective immediately. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin to increase the monthly gas allowance for the Clerk Treasurer and the Water Clerk from $30 to $40 beginning in 2006. Thomas Bottorf said that it would be out of agenda order to vote on this issue at this time. Matt Parise rescinded his motion. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin Sr. to return to New Business. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin to increase the monthly gas allowance for the Clerk Treasurer and the Water Clerk from $30 to $40 beginning in 2006 Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Matt Parise to adjourn. Vote: Robert Cochrun yea, Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 6-0. Next regular scheduled meeting is January 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM. A standing Finance Committee meeting will be at 6:00 PM. Prior to the regular meeting. Disclaimer: These are a draft of the minutes and not deemed official until approved by Council. Mike Payne, Clerk Treasurer Dave France, Mayor