Regular Council meeting, Tuesday, July 3, 2001 Meeting call to order by Mayor Robert E. Cochrun. Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Gene Pool present, Beth Rupert present, John Polsinelli present, Joe DeArdo Sr. present, Robert Laukert absent. Officials: Mayor Robert E. Cochrun present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer C. Michael Payne present, Administrator Gary R. Folden present. Moment of Silence. Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes A correction was noted for the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held June 19, 2001. A motion was made under "New Business" that was excluded from the minutes. The motion made by Joe DeArdo Sr., second by Robert Laukert was to have an Ordinance prepared to increase the Residential sanitation rate from $8.00 per month to $10.00 per month. The vote on this was as follows: John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea, Robert Laukert yea, Beth Rupert yea. The motion passed 4-0. Motion by Joe DeArdo Sr., second by John Polsinelli to approve the minutes, as corrected, from the Regular Council Meeting held Tuesday, June 19, 2001. Vote: John Synodinos abstain, Gene Pool abstain, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 3-0 with 2 abstentions. It was noted by the Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne that the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held Tuesday, June 5, 2001 did not include the first reading of Ordinance 2001-16 that was read. Motion by John Synodinos, second by John Polsinelli to correct the minutes of June 5, 2001 to include the first reading of Ordinance 2001-16. Persons Appearing Before Council Lisa and Bob Poole, of the Ohio Scholarship program were presented a proclamation by Mayor Cochrun for their services in working with the Miss Ohio Program. The Poole's introduced the 2001 Miss Ohio Valley pageant winner who represented this area at the Miss Ohio Pageant. Mayor Cochrun read a proclamation honoring patrolman Brad Leas and Patrolman Jesse Kosegi for their recent success in winning silver medals at the recent State Weightlifting competition. Linda Blackburn, S. Avalon Drive, said that the program available to assist low-income households with their water bills needs to be publicized more. She also asked why the water rates needed to be so high? Beth Rupert gave an overview of why the rates had increased and how Council had held meetings explaining the reason for the increases. Dave Vogle, Main St., Wintersville, approached Council with concerns of the quality of the water in the Village. He said he did not believe the water in the Village to be of good quality and produced a sample of water that he had taken from his new water tank that was discolored and full of sediment. He said that the poor water quality had resulted in damaging his previous water heaters. John Synodinos asked what type of testing was done by Wintersville employees. Gary Folden said that the water is treated by Steubenville but that some testing is done by the Village to meet EPA Standards. Betty Stinard, passed out copies of a letter to Council that she had read at the previous meeting concerning the Church Street issue. Chris Becker said he had spoken to Brandon Reese about resolving this matter. He said that Me. Reese would discuss the situation with his stepfather, Mr. Schmidt who owns property on Church Street. Chris Becker said that he hoped to arrange a meeting with the parties involved in the Church Street situation to resolve the matter. Gary Smith, Powells Lane, stated that he did not think that Chris Becker should continue as Solicitor of the Village since he no longer resided in the area. He also said that he felt that Chris Becker's campaign tactics were improper during the 2000 elections. Linda Blackburn asked if the Village was currently doing anything for the youth in the Village? Gene Pool stated that the Village is working on finding funding to build a Skateboard Park near the Municipal building. Vern McCaffic told Council that some minor progress had been made concerning his neighbor's property. He said that the grass had been cut and one vehicle had been removed. He still felt that something more needed to be done about the unsightly problem. Chris Becker said that no laws can be passed that would help this particular problem. Vern McCaffic also brought up the issue again concerning the water run off situation near his home and the problems that it was creating. Gary Folden said that once the Airport project is completed the situation should cease to be a problem. Reading of Ordinance and/or Resolutions Ordinance 2001-14: An Ordinance changing the Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer position to part time was read for the 3rd time. Motion by Joe DeArdo Sr., second by Gene Pool to accept Ordinance 2001-14. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance 2001-16: An Ordinance requiring all off street parking required pursuant to Chapter 1145 to be completer within one year of occupancy of the building was read for the 3rd time. Motion by Gene Pool, second by John Polsinelli to accept Ordinance 2001-16. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance 2001-17: An Ordinance lowering the speed limit in portions of the Village was read for the 2nd time. John Synodinos said that he could not find any other Villages or Municipalities that had 20 mph speed limits in subdivision. He also said that residents have complained to him about this Ordinance. Police Chief Ed Laman spoke up in favor of reducing the speed limit to 20 mph because he said that people driving at this rate would have more time to control their vehicles if they needed to stop for pedestrians. Mayor Cochrun said that if this lower limit could help prevent one pedestrian from being injured it would be worth the change. Beth Rupert inquired about the cost to the Village to convert the current signs to the lower limit? Chief Laman said that the cost would be minimal since many of the signs could still be used and just change to the new limit. Motion by John Synodinos to table Ordinance 2001-17. This motion died due to the lack of a second. Ordinance 2001-18: An ordinance authorizing the Building Inspector to condemn and demolish the building at 126 Roberts Street was read for the 1st time. Motion by John Synodinos, second by John Polsinelli declaring Ordinance 2001-18 and emergency and to suspend the rules and have the Ordinance read for the 2nd and 3rd time. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Ordinance 2001-18: An Ordinance authorizing the Building Inspector to condemn and demolish the building at 126 Roberts Street was read for the 2nd time. Ordinance 2001-18: an Ordinance authorizing the Building Inspector to condemn and demolish the building at 126 Roberts Street was read for the 3rd time. Motion by Joe DeArdo Sr., second by John Polsinelli to accept Ordinance 2001-18. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Resolution 2001-19: A resolution authorizing the Village to apply for a D.A.R.E. Grant was read. Motion by John Polsinelli, second by Gene Pool to accept resolution 2001-19. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Gary Folden said that patrolman George Woods should be commended for his work on the D.A.R.E. Grant. Ordinance 2001-20: An Ordinance amending section 113.01 of the Codified Ordinances to change the location of where ordinances are posted was read for the 1st time. Ordinance 2001-21: An Ordinance amending section 955 changing the sanitation fees for apartment complexes was read for the 1st time. John Synodinos said that this change would only help out a few property owners. He said that it would reduce each unit's monthly apartment cost by approximately 62 cents, which would not be passed along to the residents. He also said that this change would result in a decrease of needed Village revenue by $3000. Motion by john Synodinos to table Ordinance 2001-21 but this motion died due to a lack of a second. Ordinance 2001-22: An Ordinance increasing residential sanitation rates by $2.00 per month was read for the 1st time. John Synodinos said that he received this notice like everyone else about the rate increase. He said that the wording of the notice indicated that the increase in rates had already been made. He also said that he felt the increase was due to the method that sanitation expenses were being allocated. Mike Payne explained that the state auditors had approved of allocating certain salary and building payments to be paid partially from the different enterprise funds. Motion by John Synodinos to table Ordinance 2001-22 but this motion died due to lack of a second. Reports, Announcements and Communications. Gary Folden said that he will continue to search for the missing dumpster rate ordinance that permits the Village to charge $16.00 per month. If he is still unable to locate this Ordinance he will work with the Mayor selecting a committee to review the situation on how to proceed with this issue. Gary Folden reported on a recent conference he attended on behalf of the Mayor. He said that a group of Ohio Valley Mayor's are forming a consortium that will be promoting the Ohio Valley as a place to locate businesses. They will specifically be targeting California businesses that have been hit with high-energy rates. Council members discussed some of the pros and cons of Wintersville contributing to the consortium's expenses. Motion by Joe DeArdo Sr., second by Gene Pool to donate $1,000 to this consortium. Vote: John Synodinos nay, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 4-1. Motion by John Synodinos to amend the previous motion to donate $500 to the Mayor Consortium group instead of $1000 to pay to marketing expenses. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. nay. Motion passed 4-1. Old Business John Synodinos asked for an update on the water contract with the County. Chris Becker said that he spoke to Craig Allen from the prosecutor's office on June 29, 2001 concerning the contract modifications he had requested primarily concerning the delivery point of water. He said that Craig Allen agreed to these changes but when he later received a copy of the contract from the County the changes had not been made. Chris Becker said that he then spoke to Jack Gilmore from the County who said that there would be no problem in making the changes requested. Chris Becker said Mr. Gilmore saw no problem getting the revised contract to him in time for the July 17th Council Meeting. Mike Payne suggested that the contract be made retroactive to July 1, or earlier in order to save the Village the difference in rates. He said that he would be willing to drive to Steubenville to pick up the modified contract in order to make sure Council had the agreement by July 17. Chris Becker said that he would request the agreement be retroactive and that he felt that the contract should be sent to him by the next meeting. John Synodinos asked about the AT&T Broadband proposed franchise fee increase. Gary Folden said that a representative from AT&T Broadband would be coming to the July 17th Council Meeting to address Council on that issue and any other questions Council Members might have. John Synodinos asked about the date of the AT&T open house? Gary Folden said that no date had been given to him yet. Gene Pool said that Motif's Furniture did not receive their dumpster yet. Gary Folden said he would follow up on the status of their dumpster. Gene Pool said that the dumpster at Burger King had wheels that needed repaired. Council Members discussed the issue briefly on who was responsible for the cost of maintaining the dumpsters including when the Village employees might have accidentally damaged the unit New Business Motion by John Synodinos, second by Joe DeArdo Sr. to support the renewal of Indian Creek School District's 7.9 mill operating levy. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by John Polsinelli, second by Beth Rupert to pay bills as funds become available. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Gene Pool to adjourn. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Gene Pool yea, Beth Rupert yea, John Polsinelli yea, Joe DeArdo Sr. yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next regularly scheduled meeting is at 7:00 PM. on Tuesday July 17, 2001. C. Michael Payne, Clerk/Treasurer Robert E. Cochrun, Mayor