Mayor Louis Sanders called the May 9th, 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, Cheryl Randall, John Jacquot, Cheryl Thompson, Roxanne Bates, Luann Williams, Ryan Price, Bonnie with the Hub
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 April 11th minutes. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Cheryl Randall of Buckeye Drive wants to see about the development and tax abatement on Cook Dr. Ryan Price was in attendance to follow up on the flooding issue and street repair on Buckeye Drive. Councilman Beamer indicated that would be discussed later in the meeting. John Jacquot of 27 Liberty Dr. He said he recently moved in August and received a $580 bill that was over 5 years old. He said he wants to have the water turned on. Admin Shock indicated Mr. Jacquot would find that the bill is not 5 years old. Admin Shock said there was a reading of the meter when the previous people moved out and it was read again on the 18th of April. John indicated when he moved in, he was told the meter was off, so he was not expecting a bill. He was told he had to rebury a line because the water main was blown. Councilman Beamer asked if the water was shut off how did you replace your waterline. Mr. Jacquot shared how he replaced the line trenching the line and getting it to the colander. He said he was preparing to call the village, but they dropped off the bill before he had a chance. Councilman Beamer indicated that the water was shut off, John replaced the line and somehow the water got turned back on. Councilman Beamer shared he spoke with Supt. Tom a few weeks ago because the valve is so messed up the line can’t be shut off anymore. Supt. Tom indicated the valve just spins. Councilman Beamer indicated that tampering with a shut off valve is tampering with a public utility which is a felony. Mr. Jacquot indicated he did not mess with the valve; he just replaced the line. Councilman Beamer asked Supt. Tom if the water was shut off as much as it could be? Tom said he could turn the pressure down but not shut it all the way off, it just spins. They tried to change the valve and the water was still flowing causing issues. Councilman Beamer asked if the resident if he would like the water turned off. Mr. Jacquot indicated he would like it to be shut off. There is no water to the house according to the resident. Mr. Jacquot indicated the new line is not hooked up yet. He needs a connector. The line is not hooked to the meter. Councilman Stanfield asked if it was a curb meter. Councilman Beamer asked if the water was slowed down enough that they could pull the meter and cap the line off. Mayor Sanders asked if it was running, where is it going. Supt. Tom indicated they cannot find the shut off; there is a curb box to shut it off. Councilman Beamer asked if the line from the meter to inside the house was replaced. Mr. Jacquot said yes. Councilman Beamer asked if water was leaking inside the house. Mr. Jacquot indicated no; he assumed the water was off at the meter. Mayor Sanders said the crawl space should be wet. Councilman Beamer told Supt. Tom to see if he could pull the meter and cap, it off. Councilman Best asked if at that point the valve could be replaced? Tom shared it needs a whole new meter horn. Tom said the main would need shut off at the street to do that. They have not done that yet because it would affect the whole street. Mayor Sanders asked if Mr. Jacquot would be responsible for the bill. Councilman Beamer said yes, in his opinion. Councilman Stanfield said that Mr. Jacquot said he didn’t connect it to the street. Tom asked if the trench was still open. Mr. Jacquot indicated it was. Councilman Beamer asked Tom to go look at it. Tom said he would. Mayor Sanders asked how council feels about the bill. Councilman Beamer once again indicated the bill is his responsibility. Councilman Stanfield asked if Alyssa indicated the reading in November was no different than the reading 5 years ago. Councilman Best reported that is what he thought. Councilman Beamer asked when Mr. Jacquot dig the trench open, Mr. Jacquot indicated it was before the first snow. Tom shared it is possible that if he dig it up before the first snow, it could have froze and broke the line, but he would expect it to be split. Councilman Beamer asked Tom to follow up with him when he visits the property. Luann Williams was present to see if Admin Shock spoke to John Martin. Admin Shock indicated he visited John Martins business last Friday. FO Hatfield asked why they could not check with a different company. Mayor Sanders indicated they would like to use a local contractor. Councilman Beamer suggested another company to contact. Luann asked if anyone spoke to John Martin. She shared she tried him when she was first having issues and he was so busy he didn’t call her back. She shared they should move before there are crops in the field. Admin Shock indicated he would follow up tomorrow. Ryan Price reported the Legion Park is in poor condition and needs to be cleaned up. He said he was down there for a game and people were complaining about the weeds and the fact that there is only one trash can. Councilwoman Lenhart indicated she got a hold of the softball president to clean up the inside of the field, and he did. She indicated the park is on the list to get cleaned up. She has also received multiple calls and messages.
Public Safety: Admin Shock shared he had a meeting with Sheriff Stevens. They are interested in using the police department as a satellite station. Councilman Best asked if there was any talk about trading hours for the office space. Admin. Shock shared that is thinks this is a win for us and them. It will mean that they will be in town more. Councilwoman Lenhart indicated with the crosswalk for the Sutton Bank employees. She asked if Council would like to entertain putting a crosswalk sign in the middle of route 4. Admin Shock shared the State would have to be consulted before anything could be put in the middle of the road. Tom said the snowplow would take a sign out, it would not be cost effective.
Streets & Properties: Councilman Beamer asked Admin Shock if he found the grass ordinance, he wants to send it to heather to see about assessing taxes. Admin Shock indicated he did find it and would give it to him after the meeting. Admin Shock shared he and the mayor delivered a copy of the ordinance to a property on E. Tiffin Street with tall grass. They ended up mowing the front yard but not the back. Councilman Beamer joked that tomorrow he should go to the back door. Councilman Beamer indicated he received an email about a neighboring complaining of snakes in tall grass. Councilman Beamer then indicated he is working on a spreadsheet for paving. He found out paving could cost anywhere from $350,000 to $700,000 per mile. He indicated he started the spreadsheet to calculate how often the streets will need paved, how often the alleys will need paved, and so on so the village could forecast for paving presently and in the future. He shared he is meeting with Bucyrus Road Materials next week to drive the streets and ask questions. Councilman Beamer indicated street maintenance such as crack sealing is also important to consider. Supt. Tom indicated he recently purchased cold patch and has used half of it. Admin Shock shared he met with the Venice Township trustee about the proposed Cook Drive Extension. The township believes the whole complex has been annexed into the village, but Admin Shock shared he could not find information to corroborate that. Cheryl Randall who lives in Buckeye Drive shared she believes part of her property is in the township. Councilman Beamer indicated that he believes whatever the auditor shows is what it is. Admin Shock shared even the recorder cannot find any information for the annexation. Councilman Stanfield asked if there was an address. Admin Shock shared the Trustee did not have an address. Admin Shock indicated the west end was in the village, but the east side was in the township. Admin Shock indicated pictures he saw the area was flooded, so he told council to keep that in mind. We do not want another issue like we have in Buckeye Drive. Councilman Best reported the Solicitor reported the tax abatement is a long process which includes a housing study and declaration of a Community Reinvestment Area. He said Heather suggested the Village work with Seneca County Regional Development. Councilman Best shared she also mentioned the school may need to be involved depending on the percentage of abatement. Councilman Best asked if the village should reach out to Seneca County Regional Planning. Councilwoman Lenhart said maybe wait until we hear back from the builder. Councilman Beamer shared it doesn’t hurt to go ahead and meet with them. Councilman Stanfield asked if the land was cheap. Councilman Best shared the developer owns the land.
Parks: Councilwoman Lenhart reminded Council Blooms and Brunch was this Saturday from 11 am -3pm. She had to cancel the Farmers Market due to the rain. She had nine vendors lined up. The next one will be June 2nd rain or shine. She shared that she had made a sheet for community feedback on parks projects to present at the farmer’s market. Councilwoman Lenhart said she wants to start a snake rock. She said at the Blooms and Brunch event they want to work on the snake rock and place it at village hall. Council just wanted to ensure it wouldn’t be in the grass. She said it would be out of the grass as to not be an issue for mowing. She is still working on quotes for the Village signs. She received quotes back one, for $4240 for all four signs with post. The grant will cover 75%. She shared the other grant was over $12,000. Councilman Beamer asked where the villages 25% would come from. FO Hatfield reported they discussed the general fund in the past. Councilman Beamer indicated they could use the money from Mary Jane Brakeall. FO Hatfield like that idea. Tom shared that he ordered parts to rebuild the valves for the toilets in the pool bathhouse. Tom shared the rebuild kits are $36 otherwise the village is looking at $2000. Councilman Best shared in that case the porta pots don’t sound so bad. Councilwoman Lenhart said the leak needs to be fixed so the concession stand could use the water.
Trees: None.
Fire: Councilwoman Lenhart shared there seventeen calls in March. Councilwoman Lenhart remind everyone that Lonnie is wanting to put together an Auxiliary.
EMS: None.
Cemetery: Councilman Hopple shared the cemetery will meet on the 13th.
Personnel: Councilwoman Lenhart asked if the village could look at hiring part time help for mowing. Mayor Sanders asked if we could afford it. FO Hatfield reported we could at least afford one person. FO Hatfield shared the village pays a seasonal person every year. The cheaper the better. There was no objection from Council. Councilwoman Lenhart shared three days of mowing takes Tom and Will from other tasks. She also wanted to know if they could consider doing brush every other week. It is taking so much time. Councilman Beamer shared he doesn’t have a problem with bringing someone on to mow. He did not want to change the brush pick up to biweekly. He said to wait a few weeks and see if brush dies down a little.
Zoning Commission: Admin Shock shared he and Nate went to visit Chad Legron’s property for rebuilding a garage that previously burnt down. Admin Shock shared he may be a little close on one corner of the garage, about three feet. Councilman Beamer asked what the zoning guidelines say regarding that zoning district, because a variance may be needed. Admin Shock indicated one of the neighbors is an LLC and they do not know how to contact them. Admin Shock shared they did speak to two of the neighbors and they did not care. FO Hatfield shared the mailing address should be on the auditor’s website. Councilman Hopple indicated you could contact the tax administrator to find out who pays the taxes. Councilman Beamer shared he wasn’t opposed to the garage but wants it to be done the proper way. Mayor Sanders indicated there should probably be a variance.
Finance and rule: Cash balance: $1,414,527.74 All funds include CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. FO Hatfield shared she completed the March bank reconciliation but forgot to print the signature sheet.
Water & Sewer:
Councilman Beamer indicated he and Councilman Best met with Bloomville, the EPA, RCAP, and Dylan about Bloomville’s capacity to provide water to the Village. He shared they do not have the capacity to serve the village of Attica. Councilwoman Lenhart asked if there was discussion about us providing them sewer. Councilman Beamer shared that was discussed as well. The smoke test is happening soon to review the infiltration issue of storm sewer. Councilman Beamer did indicate that it sounded like Bloomville connecting to Attica for sewer was going to be Bloomville’s best option. Councilman Best asked if with that information, should the village move forward with the draft agreement with Willard? He believes that will be the next step and then rates can be negotiated. There was no objection from Council. Admin Shock shared Cindy Brookes was in and met with him regarding the preliminary smoke test. In the process of working on that project her team found lids solid lids on the storm basins and lids with holes on the sanitary system which could be the source of infiltration. They are marking the lid so they can be swapped out. Councilman Best asked if there was more information on GIS, but he reported he didn’t hear anything. He said Cindy did mention it, she indicated that Tom and Will should be included in the meeting, otherwise that was all that was discussed. Councilman Stanfield asked if the bulk water system was adjusted for the rate increase. Tom indicated he has no idea how to change the current system. He said it is a timed event, based on the amount of money paid water is dispensed, but he is not sure how the flow rate was figured or how to change it without dispensing water and timing it. Tom shared he would continue looking into it to figure out the timing part/flow rate. He does not know how many gallons are dispensed per minute. Councilman Stanfield reported the rate schedule that was passed is not aligning with the rate schedule he received from Alyssa. He said there are some major discrepancies. Councilman Stanfield asked if the new rate schedule was presented around town. Councilwoman Lenhart shared the rates were sent out to the customers. Councilman Beamer asked what the discrepancies are. Councilman Stanfield said he can’t explain it but the numbers in the column for the sewer area is wrong. He suggested Council review things before they pass them. FO Hatfield shared the paper he is looking at is different from what was voted on. She also shared sewer rates did not change, so they should not be different on the rate sheet. She asked who created that rate schedule, he said Alyssa. FO Hatfield indicated that was not passed by Council.
Village Website & IT: Councilwoman Lenhart asked how Council felt about the comments on Facebook. She shared that they are negative, nasty and unnecessary. There were no objections to shutting off the comments.
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: New Business Councilwoman Lenhart shared she believes Council should look at a 1% income tax. Councilman Beamer asked if 1% would be enough. He said he is not opposed to an income tax but wants to prepare a forecast for equipment and capital improvements. He believes if it is presented that way, the residents will be more likely to support it. He is including the cost of equipment in the spreadsheet he is working on for paving. Council will continue discussing in the future. Councilman Beamer then asked Councilman Stanfield to resign. Councilman Beamer reported watching Councilman Stanfield fill a coffee cup with coffee creamer and put a lid on it, passing it off as a cup of coffee. Councilman Beamer indicated Councilman Stanfield is deceitful and stole coffee creamer. Councilman Stanfield also asked Councilman Beamer to resign. Mayor Sanders indicated it was time to move on. He shared that the Village purchased a truck. He shared he and Tom went to Firelands in Sandusky and purchased a nice, clean used truck. Supt. Tom shared he purchased a pole saw, while he was there, he asked for a quote on a Steiner 450 Mower. He indicated it would cost almost $40,000. He shared there is a bunch of equipment that could be sold to help offset the cost. Tom thought the Steiner would be a better option than a skid steer. He said the Steiner has attachments that can be purchased as well. He suggested Council consider purchasing it to mow the reservoir. He went on to share what tasks he has completed in the last two weeks.
Executive Session: Councilman Best moved to enter executive session to discuss personnel at 9:15 pm., Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Best moved to exit executive session at 9:35 pm, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilwoman Lenhart to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:35 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
