COUNCIL MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MADISON
Regular Meeting
August 15, 2005
Council President Pro-tem Britton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and invited all in attendance to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Council Members Mr. Britton, Mr. Buck, Mr. Burgard, Mr. Loparo, Mr. Toward and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance; Solicitor Murray, Chief Forsythe and Engineer Foley.
Council President Pro-tem Britton presented Pay Ordinance #2095 totaling $32,139.52 for payroll and $75,283.75 for current and upcoming expenses.
Mr. Vest inquired about the amount for payment to Jeff’s Auto Service and Communications Service. Chief Forsythe said that the amount for Jeff’s was for service to more than one vehicle and Communications Services was partly due to a spill on some equipment. Mr. Toward and Mr. Vest expressed concerns about expenses incurred due to employee errors.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Vest, to approve Pay Ordinance #2095. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas and 1 abstain (Vest). Motion passed.
Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street, expressed concerns about credibility of Madison Village Administration and the Police Department regarding the following issues:
Larry Larson said that these are not isolated instances but part of a pattern of conduct. He added that in his opinion the people of Madison Village are being mislead and lied to and they have a right to know what their government is doing.
Jennifer Buchs, 217 Appaloosa Trail, expressed concerns about a neglected storm water creek behind her property and distributed pictures to Council. Mr. Britton said he would forward her concerns to Engineer Foley.
Joe Quinn, 71 Union Street, expressed the following concerns:
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE NO. 37-2005 was read by Solicitor Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE HOURS OF WORK AND RATE OF PAY FOR VARIOUS MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Buck, to remove sections regarding the salary for the Senior Center Director and to be reconsidered after Madison Township has a chance to consider the increase. Roll call, 6 yeas. Motion passed.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Vest, to approve Ordinance No. 37-2005 as amended. Roll call, 6 yeas. Ordinance No. 37-2005 duly passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 38-2005 was read by Solicitor Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE HOURS OF WORK AND RATE OF PAY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAFETY FORCES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON.
Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Toward, to approve Ordinance No. 38-2005. Roll call, 6 yeas. Ordinance No. 38-2005 duly passed.
Mr. Toward suggested taking a survey to see if residents are interested in a self-pay yard waste program and said that it is an option for Madison Village. He also expressed concerns about the expenditure for damages caused by employees to a police car.
There was a short discussion about damages to cars and accountability. Police Chief Forsythe explained that the officers check vehicles for damages at the beginning of their shift.
Mr. Vest gave an update on the I-20 corridor meeting. He also informed everyone that rabies bait is being distributed the week of Sept. 5, 2005, and that it should be handled with gloves if it has to be handled. Mr. Vest added that officers are sworn to uphold the law within the Village of Madison, which includes I-90.
Mr. Burgard asked how often the Police Department is on I-90. Chief Forsythe said that they are on I-90 on every shift. Mr. Burgard also said in regard to a comment about nepotism, he doesn’t vote on anything that involves his wife and that she was an employee before he was voted on Council.
Mr. Buck said that Council has no authority over the Police Department and that they are only a legislative body.
Mr. Loparo said that although July income tax collections were less than expected, the Village is still on track with the budget. He added that he is will distribute job descriptions to Council for review as soon they are complete. Mr. Loparo also said that he received a lot of positive comments from residents during Old Fashioned Days regarding the Police Department and in support of Council.
Engineer Foley reported the following:
Mr. Vest said that the brown hedges at Dollar General are gone and asked if something will be put in their place. Engineer Foley said that they are responsible for some type of screen for that area.
Mr. Toward said that the area in front of the YMCA looks overgrown and asked if Engineer Foley would look into getting it mowed.
Mr. Britton asked about the water tower project. Engineer Foley said that it has to be drained to be painted but that he is also getting quotes for repairs in order for Council to decide whether to make any needed repairs at the same time.
Mr. Buck said the initial work at Appaloosa Trail was done properly and that new problems must have occurred after the project was complete.
SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Forsythe said that I-90 is the jurisdiction of the Village Police and that there is a lot of criminal activity on I-90. For example, Officers O’Leary and Vernon recently found 4.5 ounces of cocaine during a traffic stop. Chief Forsythe also said that if he would have seen Officer Eisenhart drop his bike, he would have helped.
Chief Forsythe reported that Officers are qualifying their weapons this week and Officer Jon O’leary is attending an instructor course for mobile video cameras offered by the Highway Safety Office. The Highway Safety Office is giving a mobile video camera to every department that attends the class.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Council President Pro-tem Britton reported the following:
Mr. Britton also responded to earlier comments about nepotism saying that former Police Chief Matty approached him about hiring his wife about five years ago. Former Chief Matty was advised to contact the Village Solicitor for an opinion and the opinion came back that there was no nepotism.
Motion by Mr. Burgard, seconded by Mr. Vest, to adjourn for executive session. Roll call on the motion, 6 yeas. Motion passed.
Council President Pro-tem Britton called the meeting to order. Council Members Mr. Britton, Mr. Buck, Mr. Burgard, Mr. Loparo, Mr. Toward and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance; Solicitor Murray.
Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Toward, to adjourn. Roll call, 6 yeas. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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