Mayor Louis Sanders called the April 25th, 2024, Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Roll Call: Ed Beamer, Owen Best, Nicole Lenhart, Keith Hopple, Kirk Stanfield
Others Present: Superintendent Tom Scott, Administrator Bryan Shock, Billing Clerk Alyssa Mason, Cheryl Thompson, Roxanne Bates, Luann Williams, Ryan Price, Kendra Collier presenting for Branham Builders
Absent:
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Best, seconded by Councilman Beamer to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Best, seconded by Councilwoman Lenhart to approve the March 28th minutes. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Cheryl Thompson was present to thank Supt. Scott and Jaime for following up on her meter horn issue. She also had compliments about the use of Facebook for getting information out. Luann Williams was present to follow up on her issue with her basement flooding during heavy rainfall. Administrator Bryan shared he had been in touch with John Martin to excavate but hadn’t heard back yet. Kendra Collier was presenting on behalf of Branham Builders. Branham Builders presented a builder’s proposal for Cook Field Estates. They want to build a housing development expanding Cook Dr. She shared that there is a lack of housing right now, indicating that Seneca East School District is a highly favored school district. She asked the Village if they would consider doing some sort of tax abatement. Village Council all agreed that they liked the idea and would be supportive of a tax abatement. The gentleman with Kendra shared he didn’t want to invest the money in property surveys if the Village was not interested in supporting the project, he said they would research other communities who are willing to do a tax abatement. Kendra said they would start with 5 homes on each side, but there is room for 25 homes. She indicated they would want to use city utilities. Admin Shock shared the area may not be in the Village. Kendra shared they would like to annex if that is the case. Mayor Sanders reported they may need to get permission from the political subdivision they are in to annex.
Public Safety: None.
Streets & Properties: Councilman Beamer shared he would like to review the grass ordinance and investigate how to contract out mowing of properties that allow their grass to get too tall, assessing the cost to taxes. Councilman Beamer asked Administrator Shock to look for the current grass ordinance. Councilwoman Lenhart reported there is a house on the alley by Sutton Bank that has a shower panel in the yard. Councilman Beamer followed up asking Administrator Shock if there is an ordinance for junk vehicles. Councilman Best wanted to know if there was an ordinance for junk in yards. Councilman Stanfield indicated there was a ran down office trailer that needs repaired or removed. Councilman Stanfield the trailer is behind the restaurant and the owner complains about it. He also shared there is a beat-up trailer over behind the apartments too (not sure what apartments).
Parks: Councilwoman Lenhart reported she was still working on quotes for the Village signs. Once she receives them, she will forward them to Charlene to work on the grant that is due in June. She shared was forwarded an email from Nick Leach regarding the park recommendations to reduce liability. This included a gap in the fence between the pool house and playground, pea gravel at parks does not meet minimum depth, removal of damaged swings, and repair damaged bleachers. Councilwoman Lenhart indicated she addressed the email from Nick, and he sent back a $1000 safety grant the Village may be eligible for. She shared her and Tom were working on opening the bathhouse at the pool for the ball teams to use. The bleachers have been addressed. Councilwoman Lenhart shared she was going to take inventory of the swings that need fixed and asked if it was okay to purchase swings to replace damaged ones. She shared she found the old holiday pole banners; the events committee plans to hang them up for Christmas. She reminded Council the first Farmers Market would be May 5th from 2-5 pm at Myers Park. Blooms and Brunch is set up and ready to go. She asked if they could borrow two tables from the village. Council didn’t object.
Trees: None.
Fire: Councilwoman Lenhart shared there 17 calls in March. Councilwoman Lenhart remind everyone that Lonnie is wanting to put together an Auxiliary.
EMS: None.
Cemetery: Councilman Hopple shared the cemetery experienced some theft of headstone decorations.
Personnel: FO Hatfield shared she had ORD 2024-9 Establishing Rules of Decorum for a 3rd reading. Councilman Beamer moved to approve ORD 2024-9 Establishing Rules of Decorum, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Lenhart pointed out that the new employer shirts came in.
Zoning Commission: Admin Shock shared he didn’t have anything.
Finance and rule: Cash balance: $1,446,289.48 All funds include CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. FO Hatfield shared she prepared an Amendment to appropriations based on the estimate revenue she expects based on the rate increase. She shared the account she pays the Contract Water Operator out of is low on funds. FO Hatfield shared she also needs money in water operating supplies, water chemicals, and water billing operating supplies. She also moved money into sewer billing operating supplies for the billing software upgrade. She indicated if Jaime works the rest of the year for the Village, the Village will need an additional $100,000 in that fund, at this point this Resolution only moves $38,000 into there. She also shared the health insurance funds will need supplemental appropriations at some point. She indicated personnel expenses may be running under budget, so it may be possible to move some of these funds in the future. FO indicated she would keep a close eye on it.
2024-11 A RESOLUTION AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS
Councilman Beamer moved to suspend the three-read rule on RES 2024-11, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Beamer moved to declare an emergency of RES 2024-11; Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Beamer moved to adopt RES 2024-11; Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
FO Hatfield shared she has reviewed finances for purchasing a truck. The only fund with the proper appropriation is the sewer fund but she indicated that wouldn’t be the proper method of payment. She indicated she would prefer to purchase a truck equally between the three maintenance funds, 2011, 5101, and 5201. She did share there was an appropriation in the general fund for equipment, she could use that.
Water & Sewer:
Councilman Best reported a response has been submitted to the EPA regarding the lagoons. They indicated in the response that the Village will clean out one of the lagoons. He shared he and Councilman Beamer will meet with the EPA to see if Bloomville has the capacity to serve Attica’s water needs. At a recent meeting discussing providing Bloomville with Sewer, someone suggested Bloomville providing water to Attica, so that is something the water committee is exploring. They have a well system over there. Mayor Sanders asked which location is closer, Bloomville or Willard. Councilman Best reported that he received the engagement letter from Matt Dooley. It doesn’t provide a set price, just billable rates. Matt has agreed to represent Attica in regionalization. Councilman Stanfield how Mr. Dooley was discovered, Councilman Best shared he was referred through Shaun Tappal from Rural Water. This attorney has been working with Rural Water since the 90’s. Councilman Stanfield asked what the rate would be. Councilman Best indicated it depends on the level of the professional; paralegal $150, Attorneys $250-$375. Councilman Best asked if anyone had issues with him signing the engagement letter. Councilman Stanfield indicated he would like to read it. Councilman Beamer indicated he was in favor of signing it, since this is Mr. Dooley’s area of expertise. Councilman Beamer did ask if we go with Willard for regionalization would it be a conflict to work with Mr. Dooley. Councilman Best indicated he didn’t think it would be. Councilwoman Lenhart shared she had no issues with Councilman Best signing he engagement letter. Councilman Best shared he would sign the contract since there were no objections. Admin Shock shared he would suggest looking into getting water from Bloomville since we are considering providing them with sewer treatment. Councilwoman Lenhart asked if there was anything the Village could do about water customers denying access to their water meters for change out? Councilman Beamer indicated they must allow us access to our equipment. Councilman Best asked if anyone from RCAP has reached out to Admin Shock concerning the kickoff meeting for the GIS system. Admin Shock shared he hasn’t heard from them. Councilman Best indicated getting this going will be pivotal in having the lead line inventory completed by October. Alyssa indicated 27 N. Liberty Street water was disconnected but somehow it was turned back on. She said there is a bill for over $500. She said Dakota read it in November 2023 when she realized it was foreclosed. Mayor Sanders asked if Supt. Tom would shut it off, Supt. Tom indicated he shut it off yesterday. Councilman Beamer shared he would pull the meter. Alyssa asked what to do with the account for the previous owner who was foreclosed. She said it was over $12,000. Mayor Sanders said we will have to take it at a loss. Alyssa shared she is working on the software transition. Admin Shock indicated a sludge sample will be going out for the lagoon for the characteristic properties to get a second quote for removal. He indicated the one that needs cleaned out is the one with invasive species growing, so removal would take care of the cattails as well.
Village Website & IT: None.
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: New Business Admin Shock asked if he could contact the sheriff and use the police and police training money for additional patrolling hours. Council had no objections. FO Hatfield indicated she does use the police department account to pay some expenses like the village hall loan payment and some of the village hall electric bill. FO Hatfield reminded Council that they had the donation from Mary Jane Brakeall for capital improvements. Someone suggested using the money for a truck. FO Hatfield said she didn’t think a truck would be a capital improvement. Councilman Beamer shared he believed Mary Jane wanted that money used for a lasting improvement. Councilwoman Lenhart asked if it could be used in the parks in some way. Councilman Beamer suggested street repair. No decisions were made. Councilwoman Lenhart shared she heard the pool was installed using grant funds so the village may have to petition the funder for removal of the pool. Councilman Sanders indicated he would like to have a pickleball court installed where the pool is. Councilman Stanfield suggested putting a feeler on Facebook to see what the community’s opinion is on pickleball. Councilman Beamer asked Councilman Stanfield why he reached out to Attorney Dooley in reference to paying off people’s loans. Councilman Stanfield indicated it wasn’t people’s loans, it was the village. Councilman Beamer asked why he was reaching out for a purpose other than he is being retained for. Councilman Stanfield said he reached out to see where the village will get the money to pay off loans. Councilman Best said the village hasn’t even signed the letter of engagement. The Solicitor told Councilman Stanfield that he may end up incurring legal fees for the village. Councilman Stanfield said he wanted to know what the mechanism would be for recovering the expenses of regionalization. He went on to say he believes the people of the village are being cheated, overcharged, and are experiencing regressive illegal taxation. The minimum bill right now would be $79 for someone who doesn’t use water. Councilman Beamer asked why council would be responsible to answering his question. He went on to say it isn’t a good look. Mayor Sanders indicated if Councilman Stanfield incurs fees, he would be responsible. Councilman Beamer shared Councilman Stanfield should ask our Solicitor for legal advice. Councilman Stanfield said she hasn’t been able to answer my question. Mayor Sanders halted the conversation and asked for adjournment.
Executive Session: None.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilwoman Lenhart, seconded by Councilman Hopple to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:56 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
