Regular Council Meeting Thursday, March 20, 2003 Meeting called to order by Mayor Robert E. Cochrun. Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Dave France present, Thomas Bottorf present, Robert Martin Sr. present, Beth Rupert absent, Dave Smith present. Officials: Mayor Robert E. Cochrun present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Gary R. Folden present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by Dave Smith, second by Thomas Bottorf to approve the minutes from the regular Council Meeting held March 6, 2003. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. abstain, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 4-0 with one abstention. Persons Appearing Before Council Linda Franklin, 162 Tera Manor, said that the recent water line repairs have left the street, curbs, and cul-de-sac damaged. She said that she hoped the Village would repair these items along with repairing driveways; sidewalks and lawns that have been dug up. Mayor Cochrun said that everything would be eventually put back the way that it was prior to the repairs. Perry Pool and the Mayor agreed that the cul-de-sac would be made smaller with new curbs and dirt. Perry Pool said that he would check on damage to the curbs. He said that all Village streets could use resurfacing, not just Tera Manor. He also said he would look into placing large rock at the top of the street to help eliminate dirt being washed onto the street. Ed Cusick, Tera Manor, asked Perry Pool if he could have additional sections of his driveway repaired do to the damage caused by all the water on his property. Perry Pool said that the Village would probably replace more of his driveway because of all the damage he incurred. John Morgan, 339 ½ Fernwood Road, asked for a resolution to his large water bill last month. Mr. Morgan presented a printout of his water usage that indicated a range of usage between 2-6 thousand gallons per month prior to last month’s 22 thousand gallon reading. He said that the Village had checked his residence for leaks as well as checking the accuracy of his meter and everything was fine. Perry Pool verified the statement made by Mr. Morgan. Council Member Dave France and Tom Bottorf indicated they wanted to investigate the situation concerning this bill further before adjusting the Morgan’s Bill. Council Person Dave Smith said that he too would like the Village too monitor this situation, but felt that the amount of the bill was too large not to adjust at this time. Council Member John Synodinos and Robert Martin Sr. agreed that the bill should be adjusted, due to the large discrepancy from the average use by the Morgan’s. Gary Folden was instructed to adjust the water bill down to the highest usage month amount on the printout of 6 thousand gallons based on a majority consensus on the matter. Robert Laukert, Representative to BHJ for the Bridge study project, updated Council Members of the recent March 12th meeting where the committee agreed to accept the report presented to them by an outside consultant regarding a bridge location and road improvements. Mr. Laukert also briefly discussed other items discussed at the BHJ Meeting concerning a walking trail from this area to Washington DC, widening Route 22 from Cadiz to Newcomerstown, and a free seminar that will be offered April 1st and 2nd in Wellsburg for public officials who deal with the public. He also mentioned that the next BHJ Transportation meeting to discuss phases 1-3 of the Bridge Study would be held May 21st at the Rose. Kim Morgan, 339 ½ Fernwood Road, followed up with her husband’s request regarding her water bill. She said that it was obvious to her that there had been a malfunction with the water meter at their residence, and they should only be required to pay their average usage of 3 thousand gallons and not the 6 thousand gallons agreed to by Council. Robert Martin Sr. said that Council had agreed to adjust her bill because of the huge discrepancy, but they had to avoid setting a precedence which might allow everyone in the Village from demanding an adjustment on their water bill when they feel it was a little high over their normal usage. Ordinance and/or Resolutions None. Reports, Announcements and Communications Mayor Cochrun reported that the Village’s insurance had indicated that it would provide liability coverage to the Village for teams using the leased ball field property near the old Elementary School. He said that the Village’s insurance company would like to have proof of medical coverage for players or teams using the field. Council agreed to have the annual cleanup of large items to be discarded by residences in June again this year. Mayor Cochrun reminded residents to obey the speed limits in the Village. He also asked that joggers not run down the middle of Village streets. Administrator’s Report Gary Folden asked Council Members to consider adding a streetlight near 275 Crawford Avenue. This section was a sight of a break in of a parked vehicle last year. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by John Synodinos to add a street light near 275 Crawford Ave. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Gary Folden reported to Council that 4-6 part-time employees would be hired again this summer by the Village. Old Business John Synodinos asked if any follow-up on the noise Ordinance had taken place. Chris Becker said that in his opinion it was not necessary to purchase a decibel meter, and that the current Ordinances in place are sufficient. John Synodinos asked if the water Ordinance section requiring residents to continue to pay additional penalties and late fees even when their water had been shut off should be changed. Gary Folden said that he would discuss this with Dee Petrella to see how the late fee and penalties were actually applied. Dave Smith reported that he attended a Recent Tax Incentive Review Council Meeting where a motion was passed to continue the tax abatement for Wal-Mart over the next 10 years. Dave Smith said that he would like Council to continue to discuss the topic of changing the Clerk Treasurer position to an appointed position instead of an elected one. John Synodinos asked Mike Payne to explain his opinion on the matter. Mike Payne explained that he initially had been in favor of this change, but he had changed his mind because of the following: 1.) Clerk Treasurers who are appointed would not be eligible to purchase additional service time, which allows them to retire earlier and receive a larger pension from PERS. 2.) Clerk Treasurers who have been elected before now can be removed at the end of their term by Council Members who may not like them. Dave France said that the discussion on this topic could be continued at the April 11th workshop. Chris Becker reminded Council that the deadline for making this change was July 21st. Robert Martin Sr. said that he was not in favor of taking the vote away from the people who had not elected a bad clerk yet. He did say that he did not object to discussing this matter further at the workshop. Dave Smith said that the Village might lose a lot of money paying a Clerk Treasurer if the Village moved the water operations to the County. Chris Becker said that no one had contacted him regarding the drafting of an agreement to allow Hazelip Memorial the right to place a sign on a Village Right-of-way. He said that he was not sure that an agreement could be drafted that would accomplish everything both parties would want. Mike Payne asked if any progress had been made towards a new Street garage? Gary Folden said that it was still being worked on. New Business Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave Smith to acknowledge the Council’s support of the President and the U.S. armed forces in the conflict with Iraq. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Dave Smith said that the idea of a bed tax needed to be discussed. Chris Becker said that he would bring in samples of Ordinances approving bed taxes. Dave France commended Mayor Cochrun for his work with the Township regarding road repair. Matt Parise, 215 S. Avalon Drive, asked why the Village was making improvements to property being leased by the Village from Dr. Petrolla. Council and Chris Becker explained how had the roadway down to the Ball Filed was and why it was necessary to repair. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Thomas Bottorf to approve the budget line transfers prepared by the Clerk Treasurer. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Mike Payne explained that the natural gas bills had been very high at the two Village properties at Leonard and Woodridge that had previously been paid by the tenants. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave France to pay bills as funds become available. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Dave Smith, second by Robert Martin Sr. to adjourn. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next regular scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM. Mike Payne Robert E. Cochrun Clerk Treasurer Mayor