Regular Council Meeting Thursday, December 19, 2002 Meeting Called to order by Mayor Robert E. Cochrun. Roll Call: John Synodinos present, Dave France present, Dave Smith present, Robert Martin Sr. absent, Beth Rupert present, Gene Pool absent. 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 Dave Smith second by Dave France to approve the minutes from the Special Council Meeting held on December 12, 2002. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. New Business Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave Smith to approve the budget transfers a submitted by the Clerk Treasurer. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Motion by Dave France, second by Dave Smith to approve increasing permanent appropriations for 2002 in the Fire levy fund by $400.00 and the EMS Levy Fund by $400.00. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Motion by Dave France, second by Beth Rupert to abolish all standing committees except the audit committee and to use the all committee meetings to discuss agenda other than audit committee agenda. Any area needing an AD HOC committee to meet will have such committee appointed at that time by the Mayor. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Gary Folden said that the Ohio EPA is mandating compliance with storm water rules. He said that compliance had been required for the past 10 years but the EPA is now demanding compliance. He said that the county and the Jefferson Soil and Water District are coordinating an effort to help all County governments comply with the requirements. He said that Jefferson Soil and Water is applying for a grant that will require a contribution by all County municipalities over the next four years of approximately $2000 to $5000 annually. The administrator suggested that Wintersville contribute $5000 to this effort annually beginning in 2003. He explained that if the Village had to address these issues on it's own it would cost many times this contribution. He also said that the program would develop an increase in revenue from fines and permit fees. According to the Administrator Irene Moore from the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District would be heading up this effort. He said that Perry Pool and himself would represent the Village on a committee that would have input on the program. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave France to contribute $5000 annually for the years 2003-2006 from the Sewer Fund to the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District to help fund the storm water improvement program. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Gary Folden said that the Wintersville Area Business Association is asking the Village to contribute towards the cost of snowflakes recently installed on Main Street. Council Members told the Administrator to have the Wintersville Area Business Association to submit bills related to the purchase and/or installation of the snowflakes and they would make a decision on which bills to pay for the project. Gary Folden reported that the Village only received 1 bid for renting the property on Woodridge and that bid was for $350 per month from the current tenants, below the $500 minimum requested. The current tenants (A.L.I.V.E.) also submitted a letter indicating several repairs that had not been taken care of. Gary Folden said that the Solicitor informed him that the Village would need to go back out to bid for the rental property since the minimum required bid was not met. John Synodinos said that the Village needs to make the repairs needed on the property. Robert Laukert, former Councilperson, said that the contractor hired to make the repairs on the building had done what he was contracted to do. Motion by Beth Rupert, second by Dave Smith to go back out to bid renting the Woodridge property without a minimum bid required. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Persons Appearing Before Council Dr. Todd Hagins, Sam's Way resident, complained about the poor conditions of his road. He said that AH&L Builders, the contractor for the subdivision, has not followed through on promises to fix the road, which has been creating a mud problem among other problems. He also complained about people parking on the road that blocked him, on at least one occasion from being able to get out of his driveway. Mayor Cochrun explained that the road was not dedicated to the Village and repairs were the responsibility of the contractor. He said that one option would be for the Village to take responsibility of the road and assess the residents for any repairs needed. Beth Rupert asked Dr. Hagins if he had spoken to the contractor about the problem. Dr. Hagins said that all his communications had been verbal and that promises were made but that nothing has been done. He said he does have an attorney looking into the situation. Beth Rupert asked the Administrator to try to schedule a meeting a with the residents and the contractor to discuss alternatives to coming up with a solution to the problem. Reading of Ordinance and/or Resolutions. Ordinance 2002-26: An Ordinance increasing the Police clothing allowance was read for the 1st time. Ordinance 2002-27: An Ordinance changing the work period for the Police officers was read for the first time. Reports, Announcement and Communications Mayor Cochrun announced that the Village Christmas Light judging contest would be December 20, 2002 between 7:00 and 9:00 PM. Mayor Cochrun told Council members that the Solicitor's contract would be up December 31, 2002 and he would like Council to renew his contract. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave France to renew Solicitor Chris Becker's Contract for an additional two years at the same pay of $7200 per year. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Mayor Cochrun announced the sanitation schedule for Christmas and New Years weeks. Mayor Cochrun said that a plaque was given to Kenneth Hores to honor his contribution to the Village. The plaque was presented to his family members at the Ray Laman Christmas party where Mr. Hores played Santa for many years. Beth Rupert suggested that the Village begin putting pictures up in the municipal building's main hallway to show off events held in the Village. Dave Smith read an editorial that had recently appeared in the Herald Star newspaper that criticized actions by the Wintersville Council members. John Synodinos stated that reading this article was digging up the past and he had come to the meeting with the idea of forgetting the past. He said that he disagreed with the Herald Star editorial because the Village has accomplished many things and business had not come to a stand still like the article indicated. Dave France said he would like to see Village officials start now to work hard on future business. Dave Smith said he did feel that Village business had come to a grinding halt at the previous meeting. Mayor Cochrun read a letter from Councilperson Gene Pool, which announced his resignation effective December 31, 2002. Motion by John Synodinos, second by Dave France to accept the resignation of Gene Pool. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Mayor Cochrun instructed Gary Folden to put an ad in the paper that indicated anyone wishing to apply for the remainder of Gene Pool's term as Council person should send a letter to the Village explaining why they would like to be selected for the position. Council Members discussed the idea of conducting interviews for the position during an open Council session. Mayor Cochrun said Council has until January 30th 2003 to choose a new member or he would assume the authority by law to make the selection. Administrator's Report Gary Folden said that he would be meeting in Sheffield Village the next day with Dennis O'Toole to review a draft of a proposal to submit to the 3 entities interested in selling water to the Village. Old Business John Synodinos said that he did not think that Council needed to go into executive session to discuss the salary and benefit items that Chief Laman discussed last meeting and wanted to discuss again at the meeting tonight. Chief Laman discussed his request that his patrolman be paid overtime (four additional hours) when they worked a holiday. John Synodinos asked if the Chief was proposing dropping the $534 of holiday pay that was already rolled into their base pay? Dave France said that pay raises for next year had already been decided and that this request should wait until next year to discuss. Beth Rupert asked Clerk Treasurer Mike Payne to get together with Chief Laman and determine the cost of Chief Laman's proposal. Dave Smith said that he would still like to see something done about the school signs. Beth Rupert said that she would like Council members to make a list of things that they would each like to see accomplished. Motion by John Synodinos, second be Dave Smith to pay bills as funds become available. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Motion by Beth Rupert, second by Dave Smith to adjourn. Vote: John Synodinos yea, Dave France yea, Dave Smith yea, Beth Rupert yea. Motion passed 4-0. Next regular meeting scheduled for January 2, 2003 at 7:00 PM with All Committee meeting at 6:00 PM. C. Michael Payne - Clerk / Treasurer Robert E. Cochrun - Mayor