Regular Council Meeting Thursday, January 20, 2005 Mayor Dave France called the meeting to order. Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Dr. Robert Price present, Thomas Bottorf present, Robert Martin Sr. absent, Matt Parise present, Dave Smith present. Officials: Mayor Dave France present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne, Administrator Walt Ziemba. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dr. Robert Price to approve the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting held January 6, 2005. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Persons Appearing Before Council Robert Laukert, Council BHJ Representative updated Council on his meeting with Dr John Brown and Doris Davis concerning projects BHJ is working on. Robert Laukert updated Council on the January 19, 2005 BHJ meeting. He said that the Main topic was the discussion of ODOT's plans for the destruction of the Ft. Steuben Bridge in 2008. He suggested that the Mayor or the Solicitor draft a letter to the Ohio Department of Transportation to accelerate the process of getting started on a new bridge. He said that the alternative for a new bridge and highway reconfiguration had been reduced from 9 alternatives down to 3. He said that Wintersville might lose out if they were not proactive in these types of things that involve economic development in our area. Ordinance and/or Resolutions None. Chris Becker discussed with Council and the Administrator what amounts to use for the new ordinances being developed for tap in fees. It was decided that the Ordinance language for water and sewer tap in fees for apartment buildings and other facilities with one master meter and multiple residential units at $700/$2000 (water/sewer) for the first residential equivalent and $350/500 (water/sewer) for subsequent units. The Ordinance was also to contain language that stated that buildings with master meters would be charged the minimum monthly rate per unit for water and sewage service. Chris Becker said he would have these Ordinances prepared for the next Regular Council meeting. Reports, Communications and Announcements None. Administrator's Report Walt Ziemba updated Council on the status of the telemetry project that is being worked on by Jefferson County. He said that the Village needed to negotiate the acquisition of property located across from West End Motors for the site of the telemetry system. He said that the Village could also lease the land. Matt Parise said that he would prefer not to lease the property. John Synodinos said that a lease could work if the price was low enough. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Matt Parise to hire Dale Featheringham to appraise the land that the telemetry system would be located on. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Walt Ziemba said that he would be meeting with County officials again in February to discuss the odor problems in Sunset Gardens. Matt Parise said that John Synodinos, Robert Martin Sr. and himself had met with Jack Gilmore and Jim Zorbini from Jefferson County officials seemed exceptive to helping solve this problem. Thomas Bottorf questioned whether 3 Council members were allowed to hold a prearranged meeting to discuss Village business without violating sunshine laws. Walt Ziemba said that the initial meeting of the Sam's Way Equalization Board had met and that another meeting would be scheduled. Walt Ziemba said that he had given each Council member a synopsis of the MS Consultant contract for the work they had previously done in the Village. He said that he does not anticipate the cost of the new study to cost the Village as much as was paid to MS Consultants. He said the new RFP would be sent out in early February, and that Rural Water might be able to pay some of the expenses that the Village would incur. John Synodinos asked the Solicitor to look over the MS Consultant contract to see if they performed the duties they were hired to do for the Village. Walt Ziemba told Council that the Village's zoning code does not address the construction of a nursing home. Walt Ziemba said that it would cost $903.00 to repair the telephone in the elevator. He said that the company was offering a 10% discount if it was repaired by the end of January. Council agreed this work had to be done. Walt Ziemba said he had an estimate of $600 to make repairs on the roof at the Municipal building. Walt Ziemba reviewed two requests to waive sewage bills. One request was in writing from an Individual, the other request was from a business that had experienced pipes that had burst. Council members said that they did not want to make exceptions for either of these circumstances. Walt Ziemba said that Comcast had contacted him and said that they had undercharged all basic service customers last month and would be adjusting bills on the next billing cycle. Walt Ziemba said that he had received a letter asking for reappointment or appointment of members to the Enterprise Zone Tax Incentive Review Council. Mayor Dave France said he had reappointed Dave Smith and Thomas Bottorf to this committee. Walt Ziemba discussed the Village easement for water lines near Big Lots. Chris Becker verified that the Village had a recorded right of way there, and the Village was responsible for repairing breaks occurring to those lines. Walt Ziemba said that the Village would be receiving one free aerial photo from BHJ. Robert Laukert, BHJ representative, told Council that February 23, 2005 ODOT would be holding a "new Development projects" meeting, and that the Village should send the Administrator to that meeting. John Synodinos asked the Administrator to see if this was something that would be beneficial for him to attend. Unfinished Business Council members briefly discussed the locks at the pump house. Motion by Matt Parise, second by John Synodinos for the Administrator to arrange for a meeting between Comcast, Indian Creek, and the Village regarding taping Council meeting as soon as possible or request that the parties involved attend a future Council meeting to discuss this matter. Discussion on the Motion: John Synodinos asked if he could contact John Craig, Indian Creek Principal, regarding the taping of the meeting. Mayor Dave France told John Synodinos that it would be okay for him to contact Mr. Craig. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Matt Parise said that he had learned that Jefferson County was not paying Ohio Sales Tax on gasoline they purchased. Mike Payne said he would check to see if the Village was currently paying sales tax on gasoline purchased from Marathon after it was determined that the bills from the other gasoline vendor, Citgo was not charging the Village sales tax. Walt Ziemba said that he had not yet followed up on the school light repair question, or the grass cutting issue on Ellsworth. Walt Ziemba said that a Finance Committee meeting was needed to meet with Mr. Greg Day on the new PC's that would allow producing reports for Council. Walt Ziemba said he would prepare a schedule of vehicles needed and had an update of a Village street schedule after meeting with his foreman on February 1st. Walt Ziemba said he had not talked with the phone company regarding the utility connections on Main Street. He also had not connected ODOT yet concerning the paving of the remainder of Main Street. Chris Becker said he would follow up on the Ordinances regarding Warren Lane and the lien on Roberts Street when he was in town on February 17th. Chris Becker said he would attempt to set up a meeting with Jack Gilmore and Dennis O'Toole regarding starting negotiations on a bulk water contract with the County. Mayor Dave France said that no nominations had been received for the Citizen of the Year award. He said that next year he would try to start the process earlier. Mike Payne asked Council to approve the UAN Software/hardware support agreement with the State run Uniform Accounting Network (UAN). Matt Parise explained how the UAN had settled on the current agreement with all the Villages to include hardware support. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by John Synodinos to approve the software/hardware agreement with UAN. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Dave Smith to authorize the Police Department to purchase a credit card machine and begin accepting credit card payments for Municipal Court. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Matt Parise to authorize Chief Ed Laman to advertise for bids for a new police cruiser. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. New Business John Synodinos said that a resident had approached him regarding a cat problem in the Park View area. Sergeant Jesse Kosegi addressed Council on the Issue, stating that the situation is treated similarly to the dog complaints. Matt Parise inquired about the status of the Moon Valley lift station and the problem previously discussed in that area. Walt Ziemba said that a camera inserted in the drain system showed that there were several roots which had broken through the clay tile pipes that were partially blocking the flow. He said that these videos were sent to a company in Pittsburgh who would send someone to cut these roots out. Walt Ziemba said that an I & I Study might also help to determine additional problems in this area. He said that the owner who complained of problems in this area did have a different slope to his sewer line. He added that the entire sewer line in this area may need replaced or a liner inserted in the old pipe. Matt Parise inquired about Perry Pool being in attendance at the Council Meetings. Walt Ziemba said that he had given him the approval not to attend the meeting since he had something else that he needed to do this evening. Matt Parise said that he thought that the snow removal by Village employees was not as good this year compared to previous years. Mayor Dave France said that part of the problem was that the Village had been experiencing truck problems. Thomas Bottorf questioned whether the current Ordinance regarding cars parked in the street during periods of snow was being upheld. Sergeant Kosegi explained to Council how this Ordinance was handled. Thomas Bottorf asked if the four businesses located on Kragel Road were complying with the Village's sanitation fee ordinance. Walt Ziemba said he would follow-up on this issue. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Thomas Bottorf to approve the transfers of funds to the Police Levy Fund. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave Smith to pay bills that have been approved by Council. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. For the Good of the Village None. Mayor Dave France asked that a moment of Silence be observed by those present to honor former Auxiliary Policeman, Kenneth Cesaro, who died in an accident at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp. on Monday. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dr. Robert Price to adjourn. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next Regular Scheduled Council Meeting will be held on February 3, 2005 at 7:00 PM. Mike Payne, Clerk Treasurer Dave France, Mayor