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COUNCIL MINUTES VILLAGE OF MADISON Regular Meeting December 18, 2006
Record of Proceedings
Mayor Evangelista 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. Mayor Evangelista requested that everyone observe a moment of silence. Council Members Mr. Britton, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Hamercheck, Mr. Lee, Mr. Loparo and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance, Mayor Evangelista, Administrator, Matt Zapp, Fiscal Officer, Brenda Brcak, Solicitor, Mike Murray, Chief, Mark Forsythe and Eric Haibach for Engineer Foley.
Mayor Evangelista requested the proposed minutes from the December 4, 2006 meeting be amended to correct the spelling of Michael E. Goda under Resolution 33-2006. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Bartlett, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 4, 2006, as amended. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas, Lee abstained. Motion carried.
Fiscal Officer Brcak presented Pay Ordinance No. 2126 totaling $32,866.73 for payroll and $80,141.14 for current and upcoming expenses. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Lee, to approve Pay Ordinance No. 2126. Roll call on the motion, 6 yeas. Motion carried.
Question and Answers on Pending Legislation
Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: expressed concern about Ordinance 82-2006: increases to water and water service rates, and Ordinance 83-2006: increase to sanitary sewer service rates. He requested what the proposed rate increase is for both services. Administrator Zapp addressed the concerns stating that each would be a 50% increase to current costs. Mr. Larson expressed concerns on what the future growth of our community would be considering the costs to reside in the community.
Sue Quayle, 715 West Main Street: expressed concern about Ordinance 82-2006: increase to water and water service rates, and Ordinance 83-2006: increase to sanitary sewer service rates. She felt that residents are now being penalized for not passing the income tax levy in November.
Richard Harmon, 764 South Ridge: addressed the proposed Police District formation and why when he brought the possibility up previously, was in not considered. He also requested a status update on the Hart farm property. Administrator Zapp responded that the re-allotment on the property has not been completed yet.
Kathy Lynn, 209 West Main Street: requested clarification on funds deposited into enterprise funds of the Village and where receipts are posted for enterprise funds. Also questioned if the proposed increase to water and sewer would be just until the water and sewer plants are sold to the county, or indefinitely. Administrator Zapp answered that all funds, including the enterprise funds, are receipted into their own accounts to support expenditures. The General Fund is only used to pay for enterprise funds when they can not support their expenses through revenues received. Mr. Loparo was also asked if he had review the ordinances provides and does an
Ordinance exists to support the chief’s use of a village vehicle. Mr. Loparo answered that he had reviewed the ordinances provided and it has been the past practice of the Village to provide vehicles to the Police Chief. Mr. Loparo also stated that the General Fund should not be paying for other departments expenses and the General Fund should not have to suffer to pay the Water Department’s debt.
Gordon Musclow, 178 Willowbend: expressed concern on Ordinance 80-2006 (suspension of loan payments) and how it relates to Ordinance 81-2006 and 82-2006 water rate increase. Matt explained that by suspending part of the OWDA loans due January 2, 2007, we would be paying out $104,000 compared to the $160,000 that is due. The cost of the suspension would be a one time set back, and comes at the expense of $500 per loan per billing period through the remaining life of the loan.
Ken Takacs, 164 Huntington Woods: Questioned the proposed 50% rate increase in water and sewer and why such a large increase. At the time of the last Budget Committee Meeting, a 25% figure was discussed. He also requested clarification on who is responsible for budgeting the loan paybacks and concern as to why the repayments were not considered in the budget planning previously.
Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Loparo to enter into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m., for matters of legal and personnel. Roll call on the motion, 6 yeas. Motion carried
Council reconvened to Public Session at 8:15 p.m. Council Members Mr. Britton, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Hamercheck, Mr. Lee, Mr. Loparo and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance, Mayor Evangelista.
Old Business
ORDINANCE NO. 74-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF MADISON VILLAGE TO DISBURSE GRATUITOUS FEES AT HIS DISCRETION AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 51-1993. Motion made by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest to approve Ordinance 74-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 75-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT POLICE PERSONNEL, AND REPLACING ORDINANCE 22-1985. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Bartlett to table Ordinance 75-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion Carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 76-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE PRACTICE OF PROVIDING PERMANENT TAKE HOME VEHICLES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND DEPARTMENT HEADS OF VILLAGE OF MADISON AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Loparo to table Ordinance 76-2006, roll call 2 yeas (Britton and Loparo), 4 nays (Bartlett, Hamercheck, Lee and Vest), Motion Defeated.
Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Vest to approve Ordinance 76-2006, roll call 4 yeas (Bartlett, Hamercheck, Lee and Vest), 2 nays (Britton and Loparo), Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 77-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, third reading. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PURCHASE ORDER POLICY FOR THE VILLAGE OF MADISON EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS. Mr. Hamercheck questioned punitive language being added to the Ordinance to prohibit violation of this policy. Following discussion it was determined that the ordinance could be amended at a later date. Motion by Mr. Bartlett, seconded by Mr. Lee to approve Ordinance 77-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 32-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, third reading. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MAKEUP AND COMPOSITION OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR THE VILLAGE OF MADISON. Discussion was held on composition of President Pro-Tempore and two members of Council. Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Vest to approve Resolution 32-2006 as amended, roll call 5 yeas , 1 nay (Loparo), Motion Carried.
New Business
ORDINANCE NO. 79-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND FOR OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2007 TO AND INCLUDING DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Loparo to suspend the three reading rule, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Loparo to approve Ordinance 79-2006, roll call 5 yeas, 1 nay (Vest) motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 80-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR OF SERVICES AND FISCAL OFFICER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND THE PAYMENT OF TWO LOANS DUE ON JANUARY 2, 2007 FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Bartlett to suspend the three reading rule, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Lee to approve Ordinance 80-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 81-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO VARIOUS LINE ITEMS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND FOR OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON, OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2006, TO AND INCLUDING DECCEMBER 31, 2006, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mr. Hamercheck asked if additional funding would be made available in 2007 – answer is yes. Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Lee to suspend the three reading rule, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Bartlett, seconded by Mr. Vest to approve Ordinance 81-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 82-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 22 AND SECTION 24 OF ORDINANCE 9-2004 AND REPEALING ORDINANCE 11-2006 TO INCREASE THE RATE TO BE CHARGED FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
ORDINANCE NO. 83-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF ORDINANCE 10-2004 AND REPEALING ORDINANCE 12-2006 TO ESTABLISH THE RATES TO BE CHARGED FOR SANITARY SEWER SERVICES AND DEFINING RELATED FACILITY CHARGES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
RESOLUTION 34-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading, A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE DEPOSITORY OF THE ACTIVE FUNDS OF THE VILLAGE OF MADISON, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Britton to approve Resolution 34-2006, roll call 6 yeas, Motion carried.
Mr. Loparo excused himself from the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Topics
Motion by Mr. Bartlett, seconded by Mr. Vest to set the Organizational Meeting of 2007 for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Regular Council Meetings dates for January 2007 to be set for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 following the Organizational Meeting, and Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., roll call 5 yeas, Motion Carried
The next Budget Committee Meeting will be held Monday, January 8, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.
Public Questions and Answers
Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: Wished all a Merry Christmas. He also read an Editorial that he had drafted to be sent to the Plain Dealer addressing verbal attacks made by an administrative employee of the Village to an elected official in a public meeting. The letter questioned the insubordination, why the employee was still employed by the Village of Madison, and what steps of reprimand are being done. The Mayor addressed the issue and state that it is a personnel issue and is being addressed by council.
Council Reports
Mr. Britton: The next Fire Board Meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Hamercheck: A letter from William Brotzman, Madison Township, was read as it concerns consideration of dissolving the Madison Recreation District, due to lack of attendance and inability to obtain a quorum. Councilman Hamercheck asked for clarification of procedures and rules of order in these circumstances. Mayor Evangelista answered.
Mr. Vest: Wished all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever is celebrated in your family. Upcoming Meeting Dates: January 18, 2007 – Planning Committee. December 19, 2006 - Comprehensive Planning Committee- Township Hall
Mr. Bartlett: Wished all a Merry Christmas. He also thanked Fiscal Officer Brcak, Administrator Zapp and Council for their diligence and hard work on behalf of the Village.
Mr. Lee: Wished all a Merry Christmas and asked that we remember our troops overseas who can not be with their families this holiday season. He asked Council to consider the possibility of forming a Charter Committee. The Village of Madison is currently a Statutory Council, but as a Charter Organization can enact its own governing rules.
Engineer’s Report
Eric Haibach reported that work is well underway at Comfort Suites at the I-90 intersection.
Safety Report
Chief Forsythe, Safety – No Report
Administrator’s Report
Matt Zapp, Administrator, announced that the Senior Council reconvened to Public Session at 8:15 p.m. Center had received a $1,000 donation from the Madison Wal-Mart. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Britton to accept the $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart on behalf of the Senior Center, roll call 5 yeas, Motion carried.
It was also reported that the Village is anticipating a check in the amount of $48,XXX from Comfort Suites, prior to the end of December 2006.
December 27, 2006 – Post Audit hearing with the Auditor of State’s Office at 4:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Evangelista reviewed upcoming birthdays and anniversaries in January 2007.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
Fire Board – December 20, 2006 – 7:30 p.m. Mayor’s Court – December 28, 2006 Organizational Meeting and Regular Meeting – January 2, 2007.
Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Vest, to enter into Executive Session at 9:10 p.m., for matters of legal and personnel, roll call 5 yeas, Motion Carried.
Council reconvened to Public Session at 10:35 p.m.
Motion by Mr. Britton seconded by Mr. Vest that the meeting be adjourned at 10:35 p.m., roll call 5 yeas, motion carried. Meeting Adjourned.
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