RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Minutes of Madison Village Meeting Held January 21, 2002

REGULAR MEETING        January 21, 2002

Mayor Evangelista called the meeting to order at 7:05 and invited all in attendance to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council members Mr. Britton, Mr. Burgard, Mr. Buck, Mr. Loparo, Mr. Smith and Mr. Toward were present.  Also in attendance were Clerk-Treasurer Reed, Solicitor Collins, Administrator Sample, Engineer Foley, and Chief Matty.

Mr. Britton motioned to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2002 Special Meeting.  Mr. Burgard seconded.  All present were in favor, except Mr. Loparo and Mr. Toward who abstained.

After a correction to the spelling of Mr. Loparo’s name on the minutes from January 7, 2002 a motion to accept the minutes was made by Mr. Loparo and seconded by Mr. Smith.  All present were in favor, except Mr. Toward who abstained.

Clerk-Treasurer Reed presented Pay Order No. 2016 totaling $87,343.88.  Mr. Loparo motioned for approval.  Mr. Burgard seconded.  All present were in favor.

VISITORS

Jack Mizerak of Dye Hard Concrete 6400 Haywood Avenue, a lifelong Madison resident wants to give something back to the community.  He has offered 500 square feet of his stamping materials and his time for any project needed in the Village.  All he asks in return is volunteers to help with the labor when the time arrives to do this project.  He presented a sample of his work.  This offer will be discussed.  All thanked him for his generosity.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCE #73-2001 was read by Administrator Sample for the third time. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4-1997, SECTION 4, AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 18-2001, SECTION 1, SO AS TO MODIFY THE COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE MADISON SENIOR CENTER.  Mr. Smith moved for passage, Mr. Loparo seconded.  All were in favor, except Mr. Burgard who abstained.

NEW BUSINESS

NOPEC-OPT OUT- NATURAL GAS:  Solicitor Collins explained that NOPEC has created a mirror image of the OPT OUT program of the electricity, one and a half years ago. What is proposed is the issue to be put on the ballot for the May election to see if the Village wants to aggregate its Natural Gas customers.  The deadline for this issue to be put on the ballot is Thursday, February 21, 2002.  There will be two more regular meetings before this deadline, and hopefully more residents will voice their opinion to their councilman, the Mayor or Administrator Sample within the next few weeks. 

SENIOR BUDGET:  Administrator Sample gave everyone a copy of the Senior budget that was approved in January by the Senior Board.  Mr. Loparo motioned for approval, and Mr. Toward seconded.  All present were in favor.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mr. Buck stated that he had a list of things to report to council.  On January 2, 2002 he visited Tom Warneka (V.P. Human Resources) at Hubbell Industrial on Edwards St.   Mr. Warneka has some ideas for future use of the building when they are gone in June or July of 2002.  Mr. Buck wanted a first hand look at the capabilities for this 12-acre parcel with a 76,000 sq. ft. building, including 18,000 sq. ft. of office space.

On the same day, Mr. Buck visited Jerry Balazs of Steve & Jerry’s on the corner of Middle Ridge & Lake St.  Mr. Balazs would like to see sanitary sewers in that area because several food establishments would like to locate into his vacant space, but are limited.

Mr. Buck also on the same day, noticed construction crews at the former Bank Building on the corner of Lexington & Lake St.  Manager Lori Chapin informed him, that her employer, Buckeye Aluminum would occupy all but 600 sq. ft.   Buckeye Aluminum is headquartered in Linesville, Pa.

On January 12, 2002, Mr. Buck contacted Travis Bonnett, manager for Lake County District of the Ohio Department of Transportation, for information on how to get signs on I-90 east and west that would read: Madison Village Historical District.  Mr. Bonnett indicated that there would be no cost to Madison Village, but there are some criteria to be met.  It is Mr. Bucks understanding that all of downtown Madison Village is on the National Historical Register, which should qualify for such a sign.  Mr. Buck feels these signs could help attract more people to visit our community and help our downtown business in terms of revenues.  He requested Administrator John Sample draft a letter to ODOT.

On January 15, 2002, Mr. Buck attended a public meeting held by the Lake County Commissioners at the Madison Township Center.  The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public of water rate increases of 26%, effective immediately.  There will be negotiations in the upcoming months. 

Mr. Buck stated that the Planning Commission Report had a request to change the zoning in the Gehring Insurance, Dr. Henn, and former bank building area.  A request was made to modify the zoning code to allow hanging signs in B1, B2, M1, and M2 districts.  There was also a request to modify zoning codes to eliminate home occupational signs with all present signs being grandfathered.  There was also a request from Dennis Sanzobrino of 7114 Middle Ridge Rd. to change his parcels located North of the Railroad tracks and West of Bates Rd., comprising of 71 acres from M1 to R2 single family.  Nothing was acted on, as there was not a full board in attendance.  They are awaiting signatures from property owners for the next Planning Commission meeting, scheduled for February 11, 2002.

The Planning Commission had a reorganization meeting in which they regretfully accepted the resignation of Tim Reagan and appointed Chairman Don Bartlett, Vice Chairman Mike Evangelista, and Secretary Dan Donaldson.

Mr. Buck mentioned that the Madison Area Development Corporation is still in the formation stages.  They now have a logo and a slogan stating: For the Future Together.  The M.A.D.C. also has a P.O. box and phone number as follows:

                                                M.A.D.C.

                                                P.O. Box 755

                                                Madison, Ohio 44057

Phone 440-428-5880

M.A.D.C will operate on the basis of morals, values and principles.  The next M.A.D.C meeting will take place at Madison Library on January 26, 2002 at 9:00 am.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Foley stated that the street light poles should be arriving in early February

He is continuing to monitor the construction at the interstate where Sidley is putting in a road and sewers. 

They are also proceeding with plans to eliminate the lift station where housing construction and infrastructure are going on at Village Meadows.

SAFETY REPORT

On January 15, 2002, Chief Matty attended a PLUS (Peers Learning Usable Skills) graduation at Madison High School, with 300 5^th grade students.  This is what Madison adopted in place of DARE. 

He also provided Council with a copy of bid specs for a 2002, marked, Ford Explorer.

Chief Matty stated that he has provided Council a list of 2 candidates with his recommendation for immediate hire.  Brief discussion was held.  Motion was made by Mr. Burgard and seconded by Mr. Smith to continue with the process of hiring the 2 recommended people for the part time positions.  All present were in favor.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Sample continues to work on the 2002 budget and hopes to have a draft by the first of next week for Council to review.   

Administrator Sample will be attending a seminar on The Bureau of Workman Compensation on January 31, 2002 at the Ramada Inn at the Airport.  Communities that send a representative to this seminar will receive a 25% rate reduction for 2002.  It would be about a $5,000.00 savings.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Evangelista announced that because of Mr. Reagan’s resignation from the Planning Commission, he would be accepting resumes and names for that position until February 11, 2002.  On the February 18, 2002 meeting he will make the appointment.   Because of Mr. Towards appointment to Council, there is an opening on The Board of Zoning Appeals.  Anyone interested should also get his or her resume to Mayor Evangelista and he will make the appointment at the proper time. 

Mayor Evangelista stated that he would be at a Mayors Court Seminar in Columbus on the weekend of January 25 and 26, 2002.  He wanted to let everyone know to contact either Administrator Sample or Mr. Britton if something comes up during that time.

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Mayor Evangelista also announced that there is another Resolution to pass tonight.  It reads: Resolution to express appreciation and gratitude to Richard L Collins Jr. upon his resignation after 22 years of service as Solicitor of the Village of Madison.  Whereas Richard Collins has served as solicitor for 22 years, he has announced his resignation due to his appointment by the Governor of the State of Ohio, to Judge of Lake County Common Pleas Court.  Richard Collins has been well respected and well recognized by the people of Madison Village.  Richard Collins has provided leadership, guidance and positive direction to the Village of Madison.  Whereas Richard Collins has worked for 4 mayors, 23 council members, 3 administrators, and 2 Police Chiefs, spanning 4 decades, and 2 centuries.  Now, therefore, be resolved by Council of Village of Madison, County of Lake, State of Ohio, that Madison Village on its own behalf, on behalf of Madison Village residents and all of Madison Village public officials, hereby recognize Richard Collins’, 22 years of service to Madison Village Council.  Adopted tonight, January 21, 2002, and signed by Council members.  Motion to accept the Resolution was made by Mr. Britton and seconded by Mr. Smith.  All present were in favor. 

Many thanks were given to Solicitor Collins for his 22 years of dedicated service.  Solicitor Collins gave an inspirational summary describing his first days of Public Service and his appreciation of the support he has been shown throughout the years. 

Mayor Evangelista noted that there have been a lot of applications for the position of Solicitor.  In order to review the applications, a motion was made by Mr. Loparo and seconded by Mr. Burgard to call a Special meeting on Monday, January 28, 2002 at 7:00 PM. All present were in favor. 

Richard Collins formally tendered his resignation as Solicitor and as an employee of Madison Village as of the close of business on Friday, January 25, 2002.  Mr. Britton made a motion to accept his resignation and seconded by Mr. Loparo.  All present were regretfully if favor.

Mr. Burgard motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm.   Mr. Britton seconded.  All present were in favor.