Regular Council Meeting Thursday, March 15, 2007 Mayor Dave France called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Robert Cochrun absent, 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 absent, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Walt Ziemba present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by Thomas Bottorf. Second by Jason Mattern to approve the minutes from the regular Council Meeting held March 1, 2007. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. Persons Appearing Before Council Mayor Dave France read a proclamation proclaiming March 2007 as MRDD awareness month. He then presented the proclamation to Richard Pfannenshimidt representing the board of the Jefferson County MRDD. Richard Pfannenshinidt thanked Council for recognizing MRDD and presented Council with a painting and a fact sheet about the MRDD upcoming levy renewal. Motion by Bob Gale, second by Matt Parise to support the upcoming MRDD levy renewal. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. Dr. Singh spoke on behalf of a group of Doctors who were present at the Council meeting concerning their plans to construct a new long term acute care 30-40- bed hospital in Wintersville. He explained that this type of hospital was used when patients were discharged from standard hospitals and not quite ready for nursing home or home care. He said that the facility would be a 50,000 square foot building employing 100 people. Dr. Singh said that the site of the proposed facility was still being evaluated and that additional plans would be released after the land was evaluated. He indicated that local trade unions would be used in the construction of the building and that they hoped to break ground in June, with the completion date 14-16 months later. He said that once the land was evaluated that they would notify Council and make sure that the zoning for the facility was in order. Dr. Singh said that sometime in April they would have more information for Council and the residents of Wintersville. He said that similar facilities were constructed in Pittsburgh, Beaver, and the Old Ohio Valley Hospital but that a study indicated that there is still a need for an additional 50 beds for this type of facility in this area. Council Members all agreed that the construction of this facility would be a great thing for the Village. Mayor Dave France thanked Dr. Singh for updating Council on their plans. Reading of Ordinances and/or Resolutions Ordinance 2007-03: An Ordinance amending the Village Income tax Ordinance was read for the second time. Ordinance 2007-04: An Ordinance amending the water rate Ordinance was read for the first time. Ordinance 2007-05: An Ordinance amending the sewer rate Ordinance was read for the first time. Bob Gale questioned why ordinances were not prepared for this evenings meeting by the Solicitor repealing the old water and sewer Ordinances. Mayor Dave France said that the Solicitor had failed to send those in, and he asked the Administrator to contact the Solicitor about those Ordinances. Reports, Announcements and Communications Mayor Dave France read the February 2007 Police Report Mayor Dave France said that the Village offices would be closed on April 6, 2007 for the Easter Holiday. He said that sanitation schedule would be moved up by one day that week. Administrator's Report Walt Ziemba told Council that he had included, in their packet, a report of the Village's water storage tank. He briefly discussed the repairs needed on the tank. He said that the $100,000 that had been applied for in Issue II funds do not appear to be enough to handle all the improvements and that he may reapply for a larger sum this fall and push the repairs on the tank back to 2008. Jason Mattern said that he may be able to save the Village some costs regarding the water tank repairs regarding the SPCC part of the repairs and asked that he be involved when those repairs were being discussed. Walt Ziemba announced that Village employees would be attending a seminar on Land and Stream training and also a seminar in Reynoldsburg dealing with several topics including finances for Villages. Walt Ziemba asked if Council wished to have Spring cleanup this year for the Vilalge Residents. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Jason Mattern to have a Special trash pickup for Village Residents on each Monday in June based on what day the residents regular trash pickup day. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. Walt Ziemba said that the Village would also have a tire collection day(s) later in the years as well. Unfinished Business Wal Ziemba said that the Village had finished their part of the telemetry project and he would try to schedule a meeting with Jack Gilmore to discuss the issue of reimbursement of half the costs with him. Walt Ziemba said that the count in February of customers waited on at the water office window was 1057. Walt Ziemba said that the plaque that was to be given to the Citizen of the Year was not ready for tonight's meeting so the presentation was put off until the next meeting. A brief discussion on the taping of Special Meetings was held and Mr. Wilson indicated that he could provide this service if he was given at least a week notice. Thomas Bottorf said that he and e-mailed the Solicitor regarding the skilled gaming (tax) issue and had not heard back from him. Matt Parise said that the 90 day probation period for new employees had been discussed and the decision at this time was to leave the policy as is. Robert Martin Sr. told Council that the CAC was taking applications for summer help if the Village was interested. Walt Ziemba told Council that they needed to discuss that hourly rate the Village wanted to pay summer help since governmental entities were exempt for the new minimum rates. Mayor Dave France reminded Council that two employees of the Village were in the Army reserves and that when they were gone that would leave the Village short handed. Bob Gale said that he did not feel the Village should pay any employees less than the new minimum wage. New Business Several Council Members expressed concern on the revisions of 1% Wage Tax Ordinance that was read for the second time at tonight's meeting. The revisions included taxing dividends income over $1000 and taxing gambling winnings over $5000. John Synodinos, former Council person, said that he did not feel that anything other than wages should be taxed by the Village. It was agreed to continue discussing this revised Ordinance at a Finance Committee Meeting. Bob Gale said that Administration needed to be more prepared for Council meetings since the Ordinances, bills and Administrator's report were not prepared for the meeting. Bob Gale said that a report was needed next meeting regarding recreation activities for the summer. Chief Laman said that a drug dog report would be prepared for Council in April. Robert Martin Sr. asked that the light on the side of the building be repaired. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Bob Gale to approve the transfers prepared by the Clerk Treasurer. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. Mayor Dave France said that he would tell the Solicitor that he needed to have Ordinances prepared by Tuesday of the week of the Council Meetings so that they could be included on the agenda. He also said that he would allow residents to speak on issues during the Council Meeting instead of waiting for the end of the meetings when they were not on the agenda. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin Sr. to pay bills approved by Council as funds become available. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. For the Good of the Village Bob Laukert and Ken Nelson asked to be notified when the next Finance Meeting would be held so that they could attend. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Bob Gale to adjourn. Vote: Jason Mattern yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Bob Gale yea, Matt Parise yea, Thomas Bottorf yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next Regular scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 7:00 PM Disclaimer: These are a draft of the minutes and not deemed official until approved by Council. Mike Payne, Clerk Teasurer Dave France, Mayor