COUNCIL MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MADISON
Regular Meeting
January 16, 2007
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, and Mr. Vest were present. Absent was Mr. Loparo. Also in attendance, Mayor Evangelista, Administrator, Matt Zapp, Fiscal Officer, Brenda Brcak, Solicitor, Mike Murray, Chief, Mark Forsythe and Eric Haibach for Engineer Ned Foley.
Motion by Mr. Vest, seconded by Mr. Bartlett that the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of Council, dated January 2, 2007, be approved . Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion Carried.
Fiscal Officer Brcak presented Pay Ordinance No. 2128 totaling $28,192.26 for payroll and $166,039.97 for current and upcoming expenses. Motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Britton, to approve Pay Ordinance No. 2128. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion Carried.
Question and Answers on Pending Legislation
Richard Janco, 178 East Main Street: requested explanation on Ordinance 6-2007. Mayor Evangelista explained that Ordinance 6-2007 is an assessment to a property owner’s tax bill for non-payment of water, sewer, and garbage utilities to the Village. The debt for the utility stays with the property that incurred the expense, and the village can file with the County Auditor for collection. This applies to the property owners.
Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: requested further clarification on Ordinance 6-2007, and how would this effect a property owner with renters. Mayor Evangelista confirmed that the property owner is responsible for the non-payment of utilities by their renters. Deposits are required for connection, and are used to what level they can be in non-payment situations, but the balance of the amount due is passed on the property owner.
Old Business
ORDINANCE NO. 75-2006 status on Tabled Ordinance was reviewed. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT POLICE PERSONNEL, AND REPLACING ORDINANCE 22-1985. To remain Tabled at this time.
New Business
ORDINANCE NO. 6-2007 was read by Mr. Murray, first reading. AN ORDINANCE CERTIFYING DELINQUENT SANITARY SEWER CHARGES, WATER RENTS AND REFUSE AND GARBAGE COLLECTION FEES TO THE LAKE COUNTY AUDITOR
FOR COLLECTION AS OTHER MUNICIPAL TAXES ARE COLLECTED, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest to suspend the three reading rule. Roll call on the motion to suspend, 5 yeas. Motion Carried. Motion by Mr. Britton, seconded by Mr. Vest that Ordinance No. 6-2007 be approved. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion Carried.
Motion made by Mr. Bartlett, seconded by Mr. Vest, that a Resolution be passed to proceed with the evaluation of our Water and Sewer facilities by Lake County, as it concerns the pending sale of the Village of Madison water and sewer utilities to Lake County. Said evaluation to be at the expense of Lake County Department of Utilities. Roll call on the motion, 5 yeas. Motion Carried.
The Sale of the Park land was addressed. Administrator Zapp advised Council that in order to proceed with the Sale of Public Lands, Ohio Revised Code outlines the process of sale. Council would first have to create an Ordinance to sell the property. The Ordinance would need to be advertised once per week for five weeks. Sealed bids would need to be accepted and opened in a Public Meeting. Bid can be accepted or rejected by Council.
Public Questions and Answers
Richard Janco, 178 East Main Street: Requested a status update on the collection of approximately $26,000 from J.W. Bettley, Inc. The Mayor advised that remedies for collection of that debt are in process.
Kathy Lynn, 209 West Main Street: Asked what solutions have been made in the Officer Verdi issue and who authorized a change in his pay status. Mike Murray stated that the Village had requested and not yet received written documentation to support for Officer Verdi’s medical leave. The with holding of pay is a legal issue in this case, and not subject for open discussion at the meeting, as it is dealing with a personnel issue. Kathy also asked if there were any fund raisers being planned to help support Officer Verdi. None are known.
Larry Larson, 239 West Main Street: Requested a copy of the Ordinance or Policy that requires medical documentation for use of sick leave.
Max Sorenson, 5861 Shore Dr.: Addressed Council on Madison Township’s move to dissolve the Recreation Board. The township can only withdraw from the Recreation Board. They can not dissolve the Board. He asked Council to continue to support the Recreation Board as they serve a good purpose to the community and our youth. A discussion was held on mowing of the fields of the Rec. Board. The next meeting will be an Organizational Meeting on January 25, 2007. There will be three seats open with Madison Township no longer involved.
John Hamercheck supported the activities of this group and the many good activities that they do with the youth of our community.
M. Janco, 178 West Main Street: Addressed Council on what will happen to our employees, if Lake County does buy our water and sewer facilities. Mayor Evangelista stated that current employees of the Village would be absorbed into the Lake County Utility Department. Administrator Zapp stated that our current employees would transfer over to the County with the
sale. The move would be favorable for our staff as they would potentially receive pay increases to what their current rates are.
Council Reports
Mr. Britton: No Report.
Mr. Hamercheck: The Saturday, January 13, 2007 Community Meeting was held at the library. A letter from J. Adams was read in summary of the meeting. Forty people were in attendance. Items of discussion included the recent water and sewer rate increases and the Village Debt. Future meetings are planned and participation is encouraged.
Mr. Vest: *Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2007.
*Madison Comprehensive Planning Committee is scheduled for January 30, 2007 at
7:00 p.m.
Mr. Bartlett: Planning on attending the Planning Commission Meeting.
Mr. Lee: *January 17, 2007 – 7:30 Fire Board Meeting
*January 22, 2007 – Budget Meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Engineer’s Report
Eric Haibach reported that Comfort Inn Suites had completed their tap-in. The plate is back on and they are working back on their own property.
Safety Report
Chief Forsythe reported that two vehicles, seized in felony drug arrests, were auctioned off at public sale. $3,950 was received and deposited into the Police Trust Fund. A reminder was also given of the monthly Block Watch meetings, held the last Wednesday of each month.
Administrator’s Report
Administrator Matt Zapp reminded everyone of the Planning Commission meeting on January 29, 2007. Also, on March 5, 2007, Erie Homes Construction will have a meeting regarding the rezoning on Hyder Drive.
Fiscal Officer Report
Fiscal Officer Brenda Brcak, reported that the books and records for 2006 had been reconciled. There is still a $76.72 difference from bank to cash, but the difference is in the favor of the Village. It was reported that the ending General Fund Cash balance is $118,682.11 with $23,894.87 in encumbrances being carried over to the 2007 year. This leaves a Cash Balance to the General Fund of $94,787.24 less $38,109.08 in advance of funds approved January 2, 2007, which leaves a $56,678.16 in unencumbered and un-appropriated funds. All funds combined ended the year with a $612,843.51 balance.
In other business, all W-2 forms have been completed and distributed to employees. All year end reporting and documents have been forwarded to the Federal, State and Local taxing authorities.
Mayor’s Report
Effective February 1, 2007, Time Warner has enacted a 5% increase to cable bills.
The program Operation Safe Place in conjunction with Lake Tran was announced as a public service.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
*Planning Commission – January 29, 2007
*Comprehensive Planning Committee – January 30, 2007
*Next Meeting of Council – February 5, 2007
Motion by Mr. Hamercheck, seconded by Mr. Bartlett, to enter into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m., for legal matters, roll call 5 yeas, Motion Carried.
Council reconvened to Public Session at 10:35p.m.
Motion by Mr. Vest seconded by Mr. Britton that the meeting be adjourned at 10:35 p.m., roll call 5 yeas, motion carried. Meeting Adjourned.