RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Minutes of MADISON VILLAGE Meeting Held October 15, 2001

REGULAR MEETING          October 15, 2001

Mayor Reed called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and invited those in attendance to join in the pledge of allegiance.  Council members Mr. Britton, Mrs. Kopczak, Mr. Burgard and Mr. Loparo were present.  Also in attendance were Clerk-Treasurer Ross, Engineer Ned Foley, Chief Matty, and Administrator Sample.

Mr. Loparo motioned to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2001 Regular Meeting.  Mr. Burgard seconded.  All present were in favor.  The October 1, 2001 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved.

Clerk-Treasurer Ross presented Pay Order No. 2009 totaling $61,961.65.  Mr. Britton motioned for approval.  Mr. Loparo seconded.  All present were in favor.  Pay Order No. 2009 was approved.

VISITORS

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE #64-2001 was read by Clerk-Treasurer Ross for the first time.  AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR AND CLERK-TREASURER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE WESTFIELD COMPANIES THROUGH GEHRING’S AGENCY, INC. FOR GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR MADISON VILLAGE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  First reading.

ORDINANCE #65-2001 was read by Clerk-Treasurer Ross for the first time.  AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE VILLAGE ADMINISRATOR AND CLERK-TREASURER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH TIMOTHY E. BEHM FOR A PERMANENT EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PUBLIC HIGHWAY, STREET, AND UTILITIES PURPOSES, AND THE CONSIDERATION THEREFORE.   First reading.   

RESOLUTION #30-2001 was read by Clerk-Treasurer Ross for the first time.  A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS FROM MADISON VILLAGE OLD FASHIONED DAYS COMMITTEE TO BE APPLIED TO THE COST OF THE STAMPED CONCRETE IN VILLAGE PARK AND THE COST OF A BICYCLE TO BE USED BY THE MADISON VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  Mrs. Kopczak moved for passage.  Mr. Burgard seconded.  All present were in favor.

RESOLUTION #31-2001 was read by Clerk-Treasurer Ross for the first time.  A RESOLUTION HONORING AND RECOGNIZING MAKENZIE BURNHEIMER, AUSTIN GEIB, BRITTANY GEIB, RACHEL GEIB, KURSTIN HART AND TESSA HEMMI FOR THEIR VALUABLE AND UNSELVISH CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELIEF FUND FOR THE VICTIMS AND THE VICTIMS’ FAMILIES OF THE TRAGEDY IN NEW YORK CITY.  Mrs. Kopczak moved for passage.  Mr. Loparo seconded.  All present were in favor.

RESOLUTION #32-2001 was read by Clerk-Treasurer Ross for the first time.  A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GIFT FROM MICHAEL LOPARO OF HIS MAJESTY’S TEA ROOM OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE, LIGHTS AND OTHER DECORATIONS FOR THE VILLAGE FREIGHT STATION AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE THEREFORE.   Mr. Burgard moved for passage.  Mrs. Kopczak seconded.  All present were in favor.  

DISCUSSION:

Mayor Reed began a discussion regarding the Senior Work Action Program.  Mature Services, Inc. provided a letter to Rae Jean Burgard regarding same.  In summary, Mature Services, Inc. is a service that provides manpower to agencies such as ours at no cost to the Senior Center.  The person hired by this organization would be paid by them and would be under a contractural arrangement for a period of two years.  It is the hope of the organization that after two years this person would be retained as a paid employee of the Senior Center on a permanent basis.  Initially, this employee would earn $5.15 an hour and would be required to work a 20-hour week – no more and no less.

Rae Jean Burgard stated that the program was a senior work action program called SWAP.  The money for this program is federally funded.  Rae Jean would sign off on the time sheet and then the time sheet would be turned over to Mature Services, Inc. (in Akron, Ohio).  Mature Services would be responsible for paying the employee, including making the necessary tax deductions, etc.  There would be no cost to us.  The trainee would have to attend a mandatory quarterly meeting and we would provide a free coupon on the Laketran bus for this.  The program is a Title 5 program and is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging.  At the end of the two-year program, we would have the option of hiring the trainee or the agency would find another job site for the person.  The purpose of the program is to give the person 55 years of age or over a way in which to supplement their income or retirement.  Rae Jean would have the opportunity to interview this trainee.  The trainee would be involved in daily activities and assisting with parties, picnics and outings, and would work with photo albums and memorabilia at the Senior Center.  They get some holidays off and get a credit of 4 hours for attending the mandatory quarterly meeting.  If Mature Services would go out of business, the person, as a direct employee of Mature Services, would then have no job.  We would not be obligated to hire or continue to pay the trainee.  Painesville Senior Center currently has 5 trainees under this program -- an art instructor, a craft instructor, a custodian, a receptionist, and a secretary.  Rae Jean said she would hope to eventually have an additional trainee to help with maintenance in and around the Senior Center.  The person would first have to interviewed by Jennifer Rooney who would determine if this person was eligible to work under this program and would be able to perform the necessary duties at the Senior Center.  The bottom line is that we would be receiving 20 hours of work each week free of charge.  If Mature Services goes out of business, we simply don’t have an employee.

REPORTS:

Mr. Burgard said they had a Planning Commission Meeting last Monday, but didn’t accomplish much because not all our members were present.  There were some questions regarding a request for a “conditional use permit”, but the person requesting it was not present to answer them.  They moved to present their questions to this person at the next Planning Commission Meeting.

Mayor Reed said the proposal for the “conditional use permit” was for some vacant space in Jerry Balazs’ store and David and Gail Wickert were interested in operating a retail store to provide outdoor products to include, but not limited to, camping, fishing, hunting equipment, firearms and ammunition.  Mayor Reed said he would welcome any questions from council to present to the Wickert’s at the next Planning Commission Meeting.

In response, Mr. Sample said the reason the Wickert’s did not appear at the meeting on Monday was because of an error in our office mailing.  It was through no fault of their own. 

Mr. Loparo said he received a telephone call from Mike Gehring who asked what the status was of the lease for the Madison-Perry area Chamber of Commerce.  When he inquired regarding the same of Solicitor Collins, Mr. Collins said he was waiting for directions from council.  Mayor Reed said he would get in touch with Mr. Collins and put the item on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Mr. Loparo also stated the His Majesty’s Tea Room was featured in a national magazine – there was an article in the December issue of the Country Victorian Magazine.  The Lake County Visitor’s Bureau and the Ohio Development Corporation brought in writers from New York City, Harris Publishing and photographers.  They liked our little Village here and took lots of pictures.  It was a very nice article about our village and the Tea Room.

Mrs. Kopczak wanted confirmation about the number of political signs allowed per property lot.

In response, Mr. Sample said he sent out 1400 flyers to every home and property owner in the Village regarding the proper use of political signs.  He said that 99% of both the candidates and the homeowners are complying with the ordinance regarding political signs.  There are a couple of situations where there were signs that were too close and where there were a group of 3 signs too close together, and one property where they put out 3 signs instead of one last year, there are now five.  He is asking the support of those candidates running for office that, where they see signs that are too close together or too many in number, that they take the liberty of asking for their sign back in order to comply with the sign ordinance.

ENGINEER’S REPORT:

Ned Foley said the work at Village Glen is continuing – they did get the curb poured and, weather permitting, is still on track to get the asphalt down.  CEI has moved the poles out front (intersection of River St. and Main) so the contractor should be in at any time to start the intersection work and probably the signal foundation.  Probably, later this week we will be having a pre-construction meeting for Mr. Sidley’s development near McDonald’s – there is some equipment there – I know they will start clearing and moving some dirt so probably during the course of this winter that project will get all of its utilities in.

SAFETY REPORT:

Chief Matty had a communications update.  He said on Sunday at 5:00 a.m., not the entire county – only the central users, went to the digital side of the system.  We are experiencing some minor technical problems but this is only the experimental run before the entire county switches over to the digital side.  October 17 is Lake County’s Safe Communities Coalition.  We will be having a meeting that day with Director Robert Archer of Lake County Emergency Management.  This will be on disaster planning – this is looking at weather related incidents not so much as terrorism.  With winter coming on he thought it would be a good idea if he came in as a speaker to see what the county is going to do if we get a blizzard like 1978 again or something along those lines.  Then, on November 2 there is a planning session at Lakeland College with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and Lake County Emergency Management Agency – this will be for disaster planning and updated information and this will deal with the weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, etc.  I would also like to remind council that Thursday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harbor Yacht Club is the Lake County Police Chiefs Officials Night.  He would like to know those council members who are planning on attending before leaving this evening.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:    

Mr. Sample said the crews are out and about picking up leaves.  We’re not as far behind as we were last year – for whatever reason, the leaves are falling down more gradually this year so the crews are not spending full days picking up leaves.  He is sure before the next council meeting, however, that the crews will be spending many full days picking up leaves.  He also wanted to let council know that we did hire a new water department employee, Mr. Bill McGonnell, who previously worked for Berbakps Tree Service and who has a knowledge of heavy equipment, etc.  Mr. Sample also stated that we have started looking into the 2002 budget.  We are hoping to work on it the balance of this fall and hopes to have something to council by the end of this year.  If you have any ideas or comments regarding the budget, please let him know so he can incorporate them into the first draft.  Also, he mentioned that he just returned from his driving vacation to Maine and compared other small towns along the route with Madison.  After driving through several hundred small towns, we should be very pleased as to how Madison Village rates in comparison.  For the most part, none of them had anything on Madison Village.  Mayor Reed responded that he appreciated the positive feedback.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

We have received a letter from the Office of The Auditor, State of Ohio, that there will be a meeting on Thursday, October 18, at 9:00 a.m. to go over the preliminary findings of the recent audit of Madison Village.  This will be a non-public session, and you are all encouraged to attend.

Mayor Reed also said he received a letter from Boy Scout Pack 57 from Austinburg requesting the use of the Village Park on Sunday, November 11 at 3:00 p.m. for a flag farewell.  It would be a tribute to our nation’s flags which should not be used for public display if torn, tattered or faded.  Their historic theme for November would be “Hometown Heroes” in order to honor our military, police and firemen -- our country’s best.   It would be open to the public – and refreshments would be served.  Mr. Britton motioned for approval.  Mr. Loparo seconded.  All present were in favor.

Mayor Reed also said he received a letter from the State Senator’s Office, Mr. Bob Gardner, informing us of the passage by the Ohio Senate of House Bill 226 which authorizes counties, townships and statutory municipal corporations to dispose of unneeded personal property by internet auction.

Also, on June 2, 2002, in the Village Park, Mayor Reed would like to enlist council’s help in scooping ice cream from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. during a big band/ice cream social picnic.  Madison Jazz Project would play in the park so the public could enjoy the park as well as the entertainment.  Administrator Sample asked to pick a rain date and June 9 was selected as a rain date.  Mrs. Kopczak motioned for approval.  Mr. Burgard seconded.  All present were in favor.

Mr. Sample also mentioned that he received notice that Senate House Bill 245 that deals with the Clerk-Treasurer being an appointed position instead of an elected position, should come to the floor next week and if passed would be a plus to us and other small communities in the future.

Mrs. Kopczak motioned for adjournment.  Mr. Loparo seconded.  All present were in favor. 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.