Regular Council Meeting Thursday, August 18, 2005 Mayor Dave France called the meeting to order Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Dr. Robert Price present, Thomas Bottorf present, Robert Martin Sr. present, Matt Parise present, Dave smith present. Officials: Mayor Dave France present, Solicitor Christopher D. Becker present, Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne present, Administrator Walt Ziemba present. Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Reading of Minutes Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Matt Parise to approve the minutes from the August 4, 2005 Regular Council Meeting. Discussion on the motion: John Synodinos said that he had some items that he would like added to the August 4 2005 minutes. A discussion followed on whether Mr. Synodinos' additions should be added and whether one Councilperson could request additions or corrections to the minutes without the motion to approve the minutes amended to include those changes. Chris Becker said that it is up to the Clerk/Treasurer to put in the Minutes what he feels is relevant. He added that the Minutes are only required to be a synopsis of the meeting and that Council always had the authority to approve corrections or additions to the Minutes. Thomas Bottorf withdrew his motion to approve the Minutes as written. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve the Minutes from the August 4, 2005 with the following additions under New Business. * Mayor Dave France refused to allow Matt Parise or John Synodinos to respond to a statement that Mayor France had read at the previous meeting, stating that he (Mayor France) knew what their responses would be. Vote on the Motion: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price abstain, Thomas Bottorf nay, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 4-1 with 1 abstention. Persons Appearing Before Council Shirley Rawson, 113 Troy Place, said that she had previously come before Council on October 2, 2004 to request help from Runoff water coming on her property. She thanked Council for the assistance that the Village had done to try to eliminate the problem, but said that the problem still existed and that she felt a full grate needed placed across her driveway, to catch all of the excess water. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to have this work done by the Village. Discussion on the motion: Walt Ziemba said that this water run off was not the Village's responsibility but that he and John McDevitt had planned to look at what could be done to alleviate the run off problem on Monday, August 22nd. He said that probably a slotted drain and pipe could be put in that area if Council approved, but it would require some property easements and several thousands of dollars to do the project. John Synodinos said that he would withdraw his motion until Walt Ziemba had time to come up with a solution. Rocco Boniey, the Village's insurance agent, passed out quotations he had obtained for the Village's health insurance rates, including an 8% increase with the current carrier which was still the best rate when comparing with other companies. The monthly rates for the premiums were $14,386.14 for the current carrier, $14,923.30 for Anthem Blue Cross and $15,475.22 for Health Assurance. He added that the coverage for orthodontia had been dropped by the current carrier since the group size was less that 25. Motion by Matt Parise, second by Robert Martin Sr. to renew Health insurance coverage with the current carrier, Medical Mutual, for the period September 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Reading of Ordinances and/or Resolutions Ordinance 2005-22: An Ordinance assessing property owners of Sam's Way was read for the 3rd time. Discussion on the motion: Robert Martin Sr. stated that assessing the property owners is a mistake. Matt Parise said that there was no good solution for this situation. He said that he sympathized with the residents on this matter but the Village was in a bind over this project. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. nay, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-1. Ordinance 2005-23: An Ordinance creating new water rates was read for the 2nd time. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by John Synodinos to suspend the rules and waive the 3rd reading of Ordinance 2005-23. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-23: An Ordinance creating new water rates was read for the 3rd time. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by John Synodinos to approve Ordinance 2005-23. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-24: An Ordinance defining an auxiliary Patrolman II position and setting a new rate of pay was read for the first time. Motion by Thomas Bottorf, second by Robert Martin Sr. to suspend the rules and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of Ordinance 2005-24. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-24: An Ordinance defining an auxiliary Patrolman II position and setting a new rate of pay was read for the 2nd and 3rd times. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Thomas Bottorf to approve Ordinance 2005-24. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-25: An Ordinance certifying delinquent water customers to their taxes was read for the 1st time. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dr. Robert Price to suspend the rules and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of Ordinance 2005-25. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-25: An Ordinance certifying delinquent water customers to their taxes was read for the 2nd and 3rd times. Motion by Dave Smith, second by Matt Parise to approve Ordinance 2005-25. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-26: An Ordinance certifying delinquent sewer customers to their taxes was read for the first time. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Matt Parise to suspend the rules and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of Ordinance 2005-26. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-26: An Ordinance certifying delinquent sewer customers to their taxes was read for the 2nd and 3rd times. Motion by Dave Smith, second by Dr. Robert Price to approve Ordinance 2005-26. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-27: An Ordinance allowing the Administrator to lease the Woodridge building was read for the first time. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Thomas Bottorf to suspend the rules and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings for Ordinance 2005-27. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance 2005-27: An Ordinance allowing the Administrator to lease the Woodridge building was read for the 2nd and 3rd times. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve Ordinance 2005-27. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Reports, Announcements and Communications Mayor Dave France said he was getting requests for additional information to be placed on the Village's web site including more detailed agenda items. He said that Council would need to supply any new business to the Village office prior to the meeting. Matt Parise asked if Council persons would be allowed to bring forth new business that was not listed on the agenda. Mayor Dave France said that only emergency items would be allowed to be brought up. He said it would be up to Council to decide what items would be considered an emergency. Thomas Bottorf said that this idea that was brought up by the Mayor was just a step toward being able to come to the meetings more prepared. Matt Parise and Robert Martin Sr. both stated that they thought Council or people coming to the meetings should be able to discuss whatever issues they wanted. Mayor Dave France said that he was just asking Council to let Tammy know about items that would be brought up so that the public could know what might be discussed at the meeting. He said if Council still needed to bring up a critical issue they would have the right. Matt Parise said he had no problem with this issue if it was only a request by the Mayor. Bob Gale, Stardust Drive, said that the agenda did not currently provide the public with much knowledge on what was going to be discussed at the meetings. John Synodinos said that he agreed that people should be informed as much as possible, but he did not agree that restrictions should be placed on bringing up items. The idea of advertising on the Village's web site was briefly discussed and was left up to the Solicitor to determine if it was legal for the Village to do. Thomas Bottorf said that finance committee meeting would start in September to discuss next year's budget with Department heads. Administrator's Report Walt Ziemba showed Council and those attending the meeting a small section of pipe that showed how bad the condition of the 50-year-old Village water pipes were. Walt Ziemba referred Council to the Judge's decision on the water suit against Steubenville and Dennis O'Toole's letter suggesting that the payment of $162,216.00 plus interest be sent out as soon as possible. Chris Becker said that he would contact Mike Payne on Monday to verify the legal rate of interest that needed to be paid from April 2004 on the settlement. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dr. Robert Price to pay the City of Steubenville the judgment of $162,216.00 plus interest. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Walt Ziemba told Council that the City of Steubenville had appealed the judgment by Judge O'Farrell regarding the water lawsuit. Walt Ziemba told Council that the new one ton truck recently delivered cost the Village $33,200 after trade-in. Walt Ziemba said that Gil Thermes Fencing Company had the low quote for fencing to be placed around the recreation area. The two quotes received were $5,745.00 from Gil Thermes and $6,116.00 from McNeil Fence Company for the purchase and installation of approximately 600 feet of chain link fencing. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Dave Smith to purchase the fencing from Gil Thermes Fence Company for the price of $5,745.00 Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Walt Ziemba said that he had obtained a price quote of $1,400 to install a shower at the Woodridge property that would be advertised for rent. Motion by Robert Martin Sr. to install a shower at the Woodridge property, did not receive a second. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to install a shower if the building was rented out to a resident versus renting to a business. Thomas Bottorf said that he had a problem with installing a shower for $1,400, which represented approximately 3 months of rental income. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf nay, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-1. Walt Ziemba updated Council members on the telemetry project. He said that the church did not want the telemetry to be located in the spot selected by the Village but they did suggest a lower spot near the cemetery that would require fill. Walt Ziemba said that the Gump's Lane water line project was higher than he originally estimated. He said that the engineer's estimate for the project to install a new water line was $192,200.00. He said that he had obtained quotes for loan rates from local banks. He also said that Council could do the project next year and obtain a zero interest loan. He said that the Village had many other projects in town that also needed done that would be delayed if this project was Council's priority. Motion by Robert Martin Sr. to start this project did not receive a second. Walt Ziemba said that he would check on flushing the lines for this street. He said Council might also consider just doing the engineer study for Gump's Lane, getting the price to do this project, then performing the work next year when the zero percent loan could be obtained. Robert Cochrun said he had spoken to Mr. Molinario about what has been done with this Street's pipes before and he was told that they had been flushed with chemicals. However Mr. Cochrun said that at this point new lines were needed since the condition of those pipes were probably in too bad of condition. Bonnie Kane, Gump's Lane, said that the thought of putting chemicals in her line concerned her. She said that that she hoped Council would replace the lines as soon as possible. Walt Ziemba reported that the only bid received by the Village for the cruiser that was advertised for sale was from Paul Roe for $301.00, which was lower that the $1000.00 minimum required. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Thomas Bottorf to put the cruiser up for sale to the high bidder for two weeks without a minimum bid listed. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Matt Parise yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 6-0. Walt Ziemba referred Council to the letter written by WODA Corporation regarding their development of a senior housing development. He said that the Village by law had 30 days from the receipt of the letter to submit any objections they might have regarding the development taking place. Thomas Bottorf suggested that the Mayor submit a letter, stating the Council's support of the project. Walt Ziemba and Perry Pool discussed with Council, Jim Rice's request to close the alley between Walnut and Locust Streets. John Synodinos said that Mr. Rice's intention was to just clean up and fill in this area. Matt Parise said that the weeds in this area need cut, even if there were rocks that would have to be cut around. Council did not decide to take any action on closing this alley. Walt Ziemba discussed the process that needed to be followed if Council wanted to select a company for doing a water study. Matt Parise said that he did not like the idea of selecting a firm based on qualifications and then negotiating a price with this company. Thomas Bottorf suggested that this topic be discussed at a Water Committee Meeting. Walt Ziemba asked if Council wanted to move forward on changing the Ordinance for billing water customers that do not send in their water meter cards or customers who have water meters that can not be accessed. Thomas Bottorf said this topic had been discussed at a Water Committee Meeting and he would supply Chris Becker with information on this change. Walt Ziemba said that the storm water decals had been placed near the storm drains thought out the Village. Matt Parise asked to be excused at this point in the Meeting. Unfinished Business Walt Ziemba said that Perry Pool had located Mr. Wedlake's water meter. Walt Ziemba said that the City of Steubenville would be dealing with the sign issue on Starkdale Church's property since the sign was situated in the City of Steubenville limits. Walt Ziemba said that Village employees would be cutting the grass on the Ellsworth property that the Chief had sent letters on. He said the costs involved would be placed on the owner's property taxes. Robert Laukert suggested that any resident with concerns about RITA taxes come to the Village on Friday, August 19th between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to meet with RITA representatives. New Business Robert Martin Sr. said he wanted to congratulate Walt Ziemba for the job he has been doing as the Village Administrator. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Robert Martin Sr. to approve the transfers as presented by the Clerk/Treasurer. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Thomas Bottorf to pay bills approved by Council as funds become available. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. For the Good of the Village None. Motion by Robert Martin Sr., second by Dr. Robert Price to adjourn. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dr. Robert Price yea, Thomas Bottorf yea, Robert Martin Sr. yea, Dave Smith yea. Motion passed 5-0. Next regular Scheduled meeting is 7:00 PM. September 1, 2005. Disclaimer: These are a draft of the minutes and not deemed official until approved by Council. Mike Payne, Clerk Treasurer Dave France, Mayor