Record of Proceedings

Mayor Evangelista called the meeting to order at 8:15 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. Loparo and Mr. Vest were present. Also in attendance, Mayor Evangelista, Administrator, Matt Zapp, Fiscal Officer, Brenda Brcak, Solicitor, Mike Murray, Officer, Ian Mussel and Engineer, Ned Foley.

Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Bartlett, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 20, 2006, as presented. Roll call on the motion, 4 yeas, Loparo abstained. Motion carried.

Pay Ordinance No.2125 totaling $27,454.49 for payroll and $6,699.75 for current and upcoming expenses. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Loparo, to approve Pay Ordinance No. 2125. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion carried.

Question and Answers on Pending Legislation

Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: expressed concern about Resolution 32-2006: Safety Committee. He would like to see a community member added to the Safety Committee when Council addresses committee appointments in January 2007.

Kathy Lynn, 209 West Main Street: expressed concern about Ordinance 76-2006: Practice of Providing Take Home Vehicles for Administrative Staff. She asked if an Ordinance existed that allowed Chief Forsythe to take a Village vehicle home, and was this considered compensation.

Gordon Musclow, 178 Willowbend: addressed Resolution 32-2006: Safety Committee. He encouraged Council to consider placing a community member on the Safety Committee with the 2007 appointments. He suggested that this appointment could be considered a non-voting member.

Old Business

ORDINANCE NO. 74-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, second reading. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF MADISON VILLAGE TO DISBURSE GRATUITOUS FEES AT HIS DISCRETION AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 51-1993.

ORDINANCE NO. 75-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, second reading. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT POLICE PERSONNEL, AND REPLACING ORDINANCE 22-1985.

ORDINANCE NO. 76-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, second 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 77-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, second reading. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PURCHASE ORDER POLICY FOR THE VILLAGE OF MADISON EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS. Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Bartlett to amend the Ordinance to include “ AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”, roll call 5 yeas, Motion carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 32-2006 was read by Mr. Murray, second reading. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MAKEUP AND COMPOSITION OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR THE VILLAGE OF MADISON.

New Business

ORDINANCE NO. 78-2006 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 DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Loparo to suspend the three reading rule, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Britton to approve Ordinance 78-2006, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Behm Funeral Home ($2,900.00) and Pike’s Carestar ($to be noted) have requested the return of donations gifted to the Village for painting and refurbishing of the Water Tower. At such time that the Village is in a position to complete the project, both would consider making donations to the project. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Loparo to approve the return of donations, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

River Oak Homes presented Council a proposal for annexation to the Village of Madison of the Powderhorn Development Project. The proposed development (off Bates Road) would include the existing golf course, new housing developments, club house and party center. The need from the Village would be water and sewer, other amenities to be included in the association.

Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Britton for the Village of Madison to formally apply to Lake County for recycling grant monies, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest to amend the Village’s payment structure to the Lake County Refuse Drop – Painesville site, to a billed entity with 30 day net, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Motion made by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Bartlett to approve the use of Park request of J.C. Nifty Fifty Diner for 2007. Proposed use to be Tuesday evenings from June 5, 2007 through September 25, 2007 for the “Tuesday Night Car Cruise-In’s”. Roll call 5 ayes, motion carried.

Public Questions and Answers

Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: Thanked all for the good job that was done by the Village with the flooding situation on December 1, 2006. Concerns were also expressed on the Budget Sub-committee concerning the status of the proposed Sewer/Water District. (Administrator Zapp gave an update); status update on proposed Police District (Councilman Loparo will address in his Report to Council later in the agenda); and was an Ordinance authorizing a pay increase to Chief Forsythe for use of Village vehicle for take home use?

Mildred Janco, 178 East Main Street: Voiced concern on the annexation proposal from River Oaks Homes with the Powderhorn Development. They are in need of water and sewer from the Village. Also requested update on the proposed Hotel at I-90. (Administrator Zapp updated that clearing of land at the site has begun and the developer is moving forward).

Gordon Musclow, 178 Willowbend: Expressed concerns that the growth within the Village community could be taking over our reserves. He was pleased with the questions that Council asked of the developers from the Powderhorn Development. Also expressed thanks for Mr. Lehman’s presentation on budgeting, and expressed concerns of accepting future grants that may tax our operating funds once the grant is terminated.

Jim Sabo, 12 Square Circle: Addressed the flooding situation of December 1, 2006. Requested a status update on cleaning of the ditches in the Village. (Administrator Zapp updated what had been completed and what needs to be done). A discussion was held on property easements and access to land owned by private individuals or not in the boundaries of the village. Also questioned what had happened to the leaf vacuum that was used in previous years to do the fall leaf pick-up. (Administrator Zapp updated that the leaf vacuum was worn and in need of repairs of about $12,000. The unit is not worth the amount needed to repair it).

Ann Takacs, 164 Huntington Woods: Addressed the 911 tape that was played by Sheila Wilson at the November 20, 2006 meeting. She stated that Village Fire Department is not always manned and expressed concerns on adequate man-power at the Fire Department. (Mr. Loparo updated that an investigation is pending and is not open to public record laws. At what time the investigation is completed, and it can be released to the public, it will be made available).

Jack Lading, 603 West Main Street: Questions were asked of Ned Foley regarding rights of entry and easements to property for safety issues. (Engineer Foley updated of the Village’s rights of entry and difficulty with private residents for entry).

Kathy Lynn, 209 West Main Street: Thanked the Village Administrator, staff and Council for the good job that was done with the December 1, 2006 flood situation. The reverse 911 calls to homeowners worked well.

Stephanie Ritchie – Madison Township: Discussion was held on the Fire District Board Committee placements that will be made by Council at the January 2007 Organizational Meeting. A list of questions that should be asked of potential committee placements were handed out.

Council Reports

Mr. Britton: Christmas in the Park was held Saturday, December 2, 2006. Estimated attendance was 500 to 600 people. The total cost to the Old Fashion Days was $275 to $300. Many groups participated in the events and parades and they served 275 cups of hot chocolate along with coffee.

Mr. Hamercheck: Thanked the Road Crew, Police Department, Senior Center, Mayor Evangelista and Administrator Zapp for the quick response with the flood situation on December 1, 2006. The reverse 911 calls went out and reached many people, including outside of the range of homes selected. Secondly, he would like to review the investigation report pertaining to the Fire Board, when it is released to the public.

Mr. Vest: Thanked all for their quick response on the flood situation December 1, 2006. He also reminded everyone that the Leaf Program and Sidewalk Clearing Programs were started as a result of grants that were no longer available to the Village. These programs now have to be supported through our operating funds. These two projects are examples of what we learned in the Budgeting Workshop earlier this evening.

Mr. Loparo: Updated Council on his findings on a proposed Police District. After meeting with Chief Jenkins, a detailed report was presented to council on finances. Budgetary figures were reviewed and compared to our current budget. It was determined that should they go forward, it could be more costly. At a future point, it could then cost the Village six to eight mills of new money to recreate a Village Police Department.

Mr. Loparo also reviewed our current health benefit program to employees and our estimated costs. In other Budget Committee items, he reported that the bed tax would generate 3% of the total room cost as revenue to the Village. We need to have this in place before the new hotel is completed. He asked the Council revisit the flood insurance amendment that was voted down last month based on the second flooding of December 1, 2006. He reminded all that there is a Fire District Meeting on December 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

In proposal, Mr. Loparo suggested amending our “No Skate Board” ordinance to include toys, roller skates, roller blades, and sleds. And that such ordinance includes the area of the south side of Main Street.

Mr. Bartlett stated that the last few months have been a steep learning curve. He also wanted to include Cathy Katona in those thanked for coming in early on the morning of December 1, 2006 to help out in the flood situation.

Engineer’s Report

Ned Foley, Engineer – No Report

Safety Report

Ian Mussel, Safety – No Report

Administrator’s Report

Matt Zapp, Administrator reminded all of the Budget Meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. He also reminded Council that he would be out of the office at 12:00 noon Thursday, December 7, 2006 and would be returning Monday, December 10, 2006.

The Village has received $300 in car wash tokens from Terry G’s in Madison. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Bartlett that the Village accept the car wash tokens, valued at $300, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Evangelista thanked John Lehman, Director of Financial Management of Portage County, for presenting a workshop on budgeting (at no cost to the Village) to Council prior to this meeting. Upcoming Meetings for December include: Fire District – December 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals – December 11, 2006 and Village Council – December 18, 2006.

Michael E. Goda of the Village of Madison has achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Loparo that Council approved and pass Resolution 33-2006 to honor Michael E. Goda for achieving the honor of Eagle Scout, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Mayor Evangelista discussed the proposed Regional Police District and the need to pursue. Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Bartlett that Mr. Loparo and Mr. Hamercheck serve on an ad hoc committee, to research a regional Police District, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Hamercheck to enter into executive session at 11:01 p.m. for matters of personnel and legal, roll call 5 yeas, motion carried.

Council reconvened to Public Session at 12:00 a.m.

Motion by Mr. Loparo, seconded by Mr. Bartlett that the meeting be adjourned at 12:00 a.m., roll call 5 yeas, motion carried. Meeting Adjourned.

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