Minutes:
CouncilPresident Owen Bestcalled theFebruary 13,2025,Village of Attica Council regularmeeting to order at 7:30PM.
Roll Call:Owen Best, Ed Beamer, Nicole Lenhart,Keith Hopple,Jim Gray,Kirk Stanfield
Others Present:Administrator Shock,Maintenance Supervisor Scott, State Rep Gary Click, Dylan Wyatt -Makeever, Cindy Brookes – RCAP, Louis Hoyles KofC
Absent:Mayor Louis Sanders
Approval of Warrants:Motion by Councilwoman Lenhart to approve the warrants for payment, seconded by Councilman Hopple. Vote: 6-0 Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes:Motion by Councilwoman Lenhartto approve 1/23/25 minutes, seconded by Councilman Hopple. Vote: 5-0, with Councilman Beamer abstaining, Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication:
State Rep. Gary Click thanked the Village and first responders for their quick and positive response to the train derailment, he offered his support as we work through the process of cleaning up from the emergency.
Resident Louis Hoyles representing the Knights of Columbus inquired to better understand the rate schedule in instances of zero usage as well as the allocation of water and sewer billing to different accounts such as capital improvement and debt retirement. Clerk Mason, Councilman Best, Councilman Beamer along with help from RCAP representative Brookes helped to explain the methodology behind the rate schedule. Noting, changes may need to come with the hopeful transition of regionalizing with the City of Willard for water supply.
Dylan representing Makeever brought the design proposal for the water regionalization project with Willard. Councilman Stanfield inquired if this process was sent out for competitive bidding. Dylan noted the construction phase would be. Solicitor Niedermeier noted that design and engineering services aren’t required to be held for competitive bidding.
RCAP representative Brookes provided updates to the regionalization project with Willard, noting that the project did not qualify for the FEMA grant.
Public Safety: None
Streets & Properties:None
Parks: None
Trees:None
Fire:None
EMS:None
Cemetery:None
Personnel:Councilman Gray along with Solicitor Niedermeier provided an injury / accident report form for the village staff to utilize for future incidents.
Zoning Commission:Administrator Shock provided an application for a zoning permit from Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church to build a storage building on their property. Administrator Shock noted no issues when inspecting the property. Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve application, seconded by Councilman Beamer, vote 6-0 motion carried.
Finance and rule:Cash balance: $1.2MAll funds inclusive ofreserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds.
Ord2025-3 – Delinquent accounts (2nd read) - Councilman Stanfield inquired on the Village’s budget for litigation and also inquired on when he would be offered fair and reasonable opportunity to make resolution for the account. Solicitor Niedermeier asked if Councilman Stanfield if he has attempted to dispute his bill. Councilman Stanfield questioned the validity of the balance being certified and the process of obtaining the amount. Solicitor Niedermeier noted that this is the standard procedure and how it has been handled in the past. Councilman Stanfield claimed the delinquent account attempt to be fraudulent. Media member Phil Wheeler inquired with Councilman Stanfield for better understanding of the fraudulent claim specifically. Councilman Stanfield noted the rate schedule has been built upon ignorance. Councilman Best asked council to proceed with business.
Ord 2025-4 – Transferring $50,000 from General Fund to Water Fund (emergency) – Councilman Beamer made motion to approve, Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion, vote 6-0, motion carried.
Ord 2025-5 – Meter access (emergency) – Councilman Beamer inquired on why this ordinance is an emergency and why he hasn’t been made aware of the legislation. Councilwoman Lenhart stated that passing this legislation with the three read rule and layover period would keep this project from completing in a timely matter. Clerk Mason also stated this ordinance could be used immediately to expedite the process. Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to pass the ordinance as an emergency, Councilman Hopple seconded the motion, Vote 5-1 with Councilman Beamer opposed. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer:Councilman Best provided a draft agreement from Bloomville’s attorney for the sewer regionalization project. Councilman Best recommended providing this agreement to the attorneys that are helping the village with the water regionalization project to provide advice. Councilman Stanfield inquired to better understand the $3 allocation for capital improvement. Councilman Best asked council to take time to reflect on the draft and bring notes to the next meeting.
Councilman Beamer provided an update on the water regionalization project with Willard, notably a draft contract is close to being finalized and is expected to be provided in the coming weeks.
Village Website & IT:None
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business:Councilman Best made motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to exit executive session, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion.
Next meeting:Regular meeting on Thursday,February 27that 7:30PM.
Motion byCouncilwomanLenhart, seconded byCouncilman Beamer to adjourn the meeting. Time: 10:20 PM. Vote: 5-0.Councilman Stanfield abstained, Motion carried.
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Mayor Louis Sanders- Fiscal Officer Isaac Phillips
