Mayor Nathan Frisch called the January 12, 2023 Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Roll Call: Ed Beamer, Lynn Love, Louis Sanders, Kirk Stanfield
Others Present: Solicitor Heather Niedermeier
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Sanders to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Sanders to approve the minutes for December 22, 2022 and Special Meeting-December 31, 2022. Vote: 3-0. With Councilwoman Love abstaining. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: None.
Public Safety: The Seneca County Sheriff provided patrolling reports for the last 6 months. Mayor Frisch stated we should have enough funds to cover another year of coverage at 5 hours a week.
Streets & Properties: None.
Parks: Councilwoman Love reported Tim Bowerman requested porta pots for next spring. Mayor Frisch asked if Council thought it would be wise to schedule CPR training for the village ball coaches. He suggested Lonnie could provide the training. Councilwoman Love is going to check with the coaches on their thoughts.
Trees: A tree fell on Liberty St. Sowers Tree Service came the next day to remove the tree and also trim a damaged tree in the area, as requested by the Mayor. The cost was $2950. The resident was pleased with Sowers service. Mayor Frisch plans to meet with Sowers to get a quote to remove other dangerous trees in town.
Fire: The Mayor asked Councilman Sanders to take over the Fire committee with the resignation of Tim Bulger. Louis agreed. Councilwoman Love we remain the alternate for Fire.
EMS: Councilwoman Love reported the joint ambulance district met on the 5th. The County EMS presented an employment offer to a potential new EMS Chief. They also posted a position for an EMS Clerk. Councilwoman Love handed out a joint ambulance district roster of representatives from each community. They have entered into contracts with several communities, including North Central, Green Springs, and Sycamore. Councilwoman Love also reported the Joint District passed their budget for 2023. An architect has been hired to start the plans for the building on 224. Starting in two weeks there will be an A shift and B Shift per squad, C Shift will be staffed by volunteers. Mayor Frisch asked about the inheritance from Anita Hollinger. He wanted to know if it went to the County or if it stayed. Councilwoman Love reported that money went to the county because it was put into the wrong fund. Some of that money was spent on a utility vehicle that will stay. Councilwoman Love reported it is like a mini-ambulance and with all the upgrades, including a trailer the cost was roughly $30,000. The vehicle will remain for Attica, but was agreed to allow use for special events throughout the district.
Cemetery: Councilman Sanders reported about the complaints due to the stones tipping and the poor condition of the footers. They plan to hire someone in the spring. Councilman Sanders is even going to try to do some repairs himself.
Personnel: Mayor Frisch reported that Jeret is working on Tuesday morning and Gary is working the rest of the hours agreed to at the last meeting. FO Hatfield reported she received push back from our Health Insurance administrator about removing Gary W. from the health insurance, stating he could only be removed without a signed waiver if he is working under 30 hours a week. The Solicitor was present and did read on Healthcare.gov that employees working over 30 hours must be offered health insurance. The Solicitor did report that those hours are based on an average.
The Mayor, Councilwoman Love, and Councilman Beamer interviewed a candidate for maintenance prior to the meeting. This candidate would be offered $19 per hour. Council discussed covering the payroll expense out of streets, sewer, and parks. FO Hatfield ran a quick project of the numbers prior to meeting and stated money is available in all accounts but would need transferred into payroll. She also stated this doesn’t consider if he elected to pick up health insurance. Also, some money may be needed in the fringe benefit/ tax funds as well. The Mayor asked if he should call and offer him the position. Councilwoman Love stated if he is eligible to be covered. The Mayor stated it would be contingent on the insurance. Everyone agreed. Councilman Sanders asked if we require a physical. Councilwoman Love read in the handbook that we do. The employee could either see his own doctor and the Village would reimburse or we could schedule a visit through a workwell. FO Hatfield asked how she is to handle if one of the water operators work over the 35 hours agreed to. The Solicitor spoke up and said we would have to pay them. Council Beamer stated he asked them to let him know if they would need additional hours.
Zoning Commission: Councilman Beamer reported looking into the request for the internet tower/satellite. The Villages zoning regulations only allow a satellite in the special use district.
Finance and rule: Cash balance: $1,527,022.72. All funds includes CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. FO Hatfield reported the Village received a check from Mary Brakeall’s estate in the amount of $23,250 for capital improvements. The village will be receiving additional funds from the estate.
ORD 2023-1 Mary Jane Brakeall Donation Ordinance establishing a fund.
Councilwoman Love moved to suspend the three-read rule on ORD 2023-1, seconded by Councilman Sanders. Vote:4-0. Motion Carried.
Councilman Sanders moved to declare an emergency on ORD 2023-1, seconded by Councilwoman Love.
Vote:4-0. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Love moved to adopt ORD 2023-1, Councilman Sanders seconded. Vote:4-0. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Beamer stated he has a meeting scheduled with Makeever and Associates to follow up on the bid package for the water operations. Council was provided a bid packet for the water operations. The proposal for Makeever’s services was in the amount of $7500 for preparing the bid packet and administration of the bidding process. Councilman Stanfield has maintained his opinion in relation to working with Makeever and Associates, stating they have created a mess for the village in the past with the creation of the village water plant and the extra reservoir. Councilman Beamer and Sanders pointed out that that is his opinion and they disagree. Councilwoman Love asked if the option of getting water from Willard was still on the table before agreeing to vote on the Makeever’s proposal. Councilman Beamer said Willard is still an option and at this time Makeever’s Office has done $2500 worth of work that we are responsible for.
Councilman Beamer made a motion to enter into a contract with Makeever and Associates in amount of $7500 for preparation and administration of bid documents to sell the water treatment operation, seconded by Councilman Sanders. Vote: 3-1, with Councilman Stanfield voting no. Motion carried.
Councilman Beamer reported they have a list of lead pipes they would like to get replaced before ODOT paves route 4 next year. They have a quote for about $32,000, which includes 6 houses on route 4. The plan is to use rescue funds. 13 lead lines would remain on secondary streets.
Councilwoman Love made a motion to move forward with removal of the lead pipes using rescue funds, Councilman Sanders seconded. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
Mayor Frisch asked the Solicitor how to move forward with doing the work on private property. The Solicitor stated we should have an easement. First, she suggested the Mayor get the property owners permission first. The Mayor said he would like to get moving on this project and asked the Solicitor to draw up a document. The Mayor also stated he would like to use the rescue funds for meters, but they are back ordered.
Councilman Stanfield moved to suspend the sewer cap charge on customers utility bills due to a surplus in the fund. He suggested the payments be made from said surplus. Once the fund is depleted the charge could be reimplemented, or one year at a time. Councilwoman Love seconded. Vote 1-3. Motion denied. Councilman Stanfield was the only yes vote. FO Hatfield reported that fund pays the loan payment for the lagoons.
Village Website & IT: none
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: Unfinished business—Councilwoman Love asked to revisit the discussion on changing the health insurance contribution from 90%-10% to 85%-15%. Councilman Beamer stated he doesn’t want to rock the boat. They agreed to table the discussion.
New Business—With the new year, a president pro-tempore needs appointed. Upon a call for nominations, Councilman Beamer nominated Councilman Sanders and asked to close nominations, Councilwoman Love seconded. Vote: 3-0. Motion carried. Councilman Sanders abstained.
Next meeting: Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilwoman Love to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:47 PM. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
