All Committee Meeting Thursday, April 3, 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 present, Dave Smith present. Officials: Mayor Robert E. Cochrun present. Solicitor Christopher D. Becker absent, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Gary R. Folden present. Gary Folden explained to Council the reason for the Village’s Worker’s Compensation premiums increasing from approximately $10,000 to $63,000 for premiums to be paid in 2004. He described a program that would allow the Village to save $13,000 on future premiums that would involve bringing employee back to work earlier in the case of compensation related injuries and assigning them duties that they would be able to perform. Beth Rupert asked the Administrator about the status on installing a sign at the top of Grove Street to help residents locate the Municipal building. Gary Folden said that he had forgotten about this request and would follow up on getting a sign. Dave France said that he would like to see the Village inquire about purchasing the property for sale at the top of Grove Street. Gary Folden said he would approach the realtor about the price for the property. Robert Martin Sr. asked about the status of the light poles on Grove Street. Mayor Cochrun said that Gene Pool was suppose to be making some type of form to help construct the poles. Robert Martin Sr. said he would follow up with this project. Beth Rupert inquired about putting flags back up on Main Street, and could the legion help with purchasing any new flags. Gary Folden said that his crew had not had time to follow up on putting the flags back up. Robert Martin Sr. suggested that the Village consider supporting a project of making yellow or red, white, and blue flags and having businesses and residents hang them up throughout the Village in support of American troops. John Synodinos asked about turning down the thermostats at the Woodridge and Leonard Ave. buildings. Gary Folden said they had both been turned off. Robert Martin Sr. asked if the Village had any Ordinances regarding dogs running loose or otherwise creating an unsafe situation. He described a specific problem of a dog in his neighborhood that was a potential problem. Gary Folden said he would check on the Ordinances currently in place. Mayor Cochrun said he would ask the Police Chief to follow up on the specific problem in Mr. Martin’s Neighborhood. Regular Council Meeting Thursday, April 3, 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 present, Dave Smith present. Officials: Mayor Robert E. Cochrun present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker absent, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Gary R. Folden present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by John Synodinos, second by Thomas Bottorf to approve the minutes from the regularly scheduled meeting held March 20, 2003. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert abstain, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0 with one abstention. Persons Appearing Before Council Fred Sustic, 270 Cadiz Road, asked Council why residents were not notified when businesses were built near their homes. He said that he would like the opportunity to discuss or object to new businesses opening prior to the fact. Council members said that the Village only controls the zoning of areas in the Village, but the actual building plans for a Commercial building are controlled by the state. Beth Rupert suggested that Mr. Sustic contact the property owners next to his property to find out his specific plans for any type of business that might be opening near him. Gary Folden said that the Village could use some type of business registration program to help track the businesses in the Village. Fred Sustic said that sidewalks and driveways had been busted up near his home due to the construction in his neighborhood. Mayor Cochrun said he would have someone check out the situation for Mr. Sustic. Matt Parise, Avalon Drive, said that the condition of the flags in Wintersville were deplorable. Mayor Cochrun asks the Administrator to look into this problem. Reading of Ordinance and/or Resolutions Resolution 2003-06: A Resolution supporting President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq and to support the military fighting for our Country was read. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve Resolution 2003-06. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Resolution 2003-07: A Resolution asking Gov. Taft to maintain local government funds and local government revenue assistance funds for budget year 2004. Dave France said he does not want to give money back to the State, but he thinks individual Villages need to reexamine some of the services they spend money on that could be handled more efficiently. He said that some smaller entities may need to combine with other entities to eliminate duplication of services. Robert Martin Sr. said that the Village needs these funds and should not start giving the funds back to Columbus. John Synodinos said that too much money is spent in Columbus and that is where cuts need to begin. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve Resolution 2003-07. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2003-08: An Ordinance consenting to the Director of Transportation to complete the expansion of State Route 43 was read for the 2nd and 3rd time. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve Ordinance 2003-08. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Reports, Announcements and Communications. Mayor Cochrun read the Magistrate, Police and Building Inspectors Reports for March 2003. Mayor Cochrun announced that a representative of Ted Strickland’s office would be at the Municipal building Wednesday, April 23rd from 10:00-2:00 PM. to discuss any concerns residents may have. Mayor Cochrun announced the Spring Clean Up schedule for June. Mayor Cochrun said that a planning Commission Meeting would be held Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 PM concerning Sam’s Way. Mayor Cochrun announced that a Military tribute board had been set up at the entranceway of the Municipal building. Administrator’s Report Gary Folden explained that the Village’s workers compensation rates were going up by almost $53,000 due to several factors. He explained that the Village could reduce this increase by $13,000 by establishing a transition to work program, which he explained was a way to bring back employees from workers compensation injuries in a faster, yet gradual way. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Dave France to approve the Administrator to begin setting up a transition to work program. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by John Synodinos to approve the Administrator to also implement a safety rewards program and to spend up to $4,000 annually to fund this program. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France nay, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-1. Gary Folden said that Trailer Court owner, Wendall Reese was asking for a break on sewer usage for his April billing in the amount of $2640.00 This amount was based on $275,000 gallons of water that did not get sewage treatment due to a water break. Council decided to table the matter until more information was available on the situation with the Trailer Court water break. A decision would be made at the next Regular Council meeting. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Thomas Bottorf to approve the budget line transfers submitted by the Clerk Treasurer. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Beth Rupert yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Old Business John Synodinos inquired whether the repairs to the Leonard Avenue building had been done. Gary Folden said that there still were items to be repaired yet. Beth Rupert left the meeting, due to another commitment at this point. John Synodinos asked if the information on residents moving in or out of the Village had been submitted to R.I.T.A. Gary Folden said that he was working on this project. New Business Motion by Dave France, second by Robert Martin Sr. to have an Ordinance developed by the Administrator that would require all new businesses to register (for free) with the Village or be subject to a $100 penalty if they did not do so within 90 days of their business opening. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Robert Martin Sr. discussed his idea to implement a program to install yellow ribbons throughout the Village for residence and businesses to show support for the Military. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave France to approve the Village to append up to $500 on yellow ribbons to be displayed through out the Village to show support for U.S. Armed forces. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Robert Martin Sr. said he would coordinate the program to install the ribbon with a few other volunteers. Dave Smith asked the Administrator to remind the Solicitor to draw up an Ordinance for a Hotel/Motel tax. Motion by Dave Smith, second by Thomas Bottorf 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 John Synodinos, 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 Meeting will be Saturday, April 11 at 12:30 PM. Mike Payne Robert E. Cochrun Clerk Treasurer Mayor