Council Pres. Pro-Tem Nate Frisch called the July 13, 2017 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:40PM.
Roll Call: Jeff Painter, Kirk Stanfield, Jeff Love, Nate Frisch, George Yakoubian. Absent: Gary Jordan and Mayor Shock. Others present: Village Administrator Martin, Police Chief Turner, M/M Lance Drummond, Mary Bolen and Pool Manager Glea Herr.
Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Love to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Painter, seconded by Councilman Love to approve the minutes as presented. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communications: email concerning our traffic signal in relation to Emergency Vehicle responses, Councilman Frisch will forward the email to AVR Fire and Ems. Mary Bolen was present to hear the decision on her $1863.51 water bill. Council discussed various options on what could be done with the leak of 11 units (8,140 gallons). The w/s committee discussed these types of leaks , and what forgiveness of any $ on portions/full bills does to the utility budgets and while raising water rates to meet budget needs puts the burden of forgiveness onto all water customers. This is an attack on the utility budgets and they do without/cuts budget, do not receive raises when these freebies are given out. The cost of chemicals is 1.56 per 1,000 gal. This amounts to $13.00 on Ms. Bolens leak usage. That does not begin to cover the cost of other expenses associated with producing water. Councilman Painter asked where we were on the Ordinance for forgiveness that Solicitor Palau was to draw up. Councilman Yakoubian expressed that property owners must maintain their lines, as well as the Village for curb boxes for turn offs. We can’t look the other way when negligence o6 the home owner occurs. We are all compassionate when these unfortunate things happen to residents. Councilman Stanfield asked V.A. Martin about the average daily usage production of water vs. usage, and what is wasted on leaks, hydrant flushing, back washes, etc., that this involves treated water and you never re-coup that cost. We didn’t give Tiger Treats a break on their leaks, only on the sewer portion. Councilman Yakoubian says other utility companies do not give away their product (AEP, Col. Gas). Mary can be put on a payment plan for this expense, or contact organizations to help with expense. All customers pay for these losses with higher water rates. Councilman Love proposed M.B pay her average bill ($57.96/month), pay the chemical cost and $100 labor on this leak and that it be her one-time-forgiveness. No second was received on the motion and discussion continued. Councilman Stanfield wants to retro-active Tiger Treats for his leak (on the water portion) and said that the Ordinance states that the Village Administrator can make these decisions. V.A. Martin said no way he is going to determine a reduction amount for any resident – that will be Council’s decision and will not put his job on the line for Councilman Stanfield to point fingers that he (Martin) gave some-one a break, so fire him. 8:25PM Councilman Stanfield left the meeting. Jeff Love retracted his motion. 8:28PM Councilman Stanfield returned to the meeting. Motion by Councilman Love, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian for Mary Bolen to pay 25% of her bill ($1863.51) = $465.88, that this is her one-time forgiveness. (no chemicals to pay or labor to pay). Vote: 3 Yes to 2 No, with Councilmen Stanfield and Painter voting No. Motion carried by majority. M.Bolens payment of $80.00 will be credited toward the $465.88 due.
Pool Manager Herr asked Council what day the pool would close and if on that day a customer appreciation could be held with hotdogs and free swim day. Council said the pool’s last day will be Saturday August 5th, (Attica Fair Aug 8-12th), free swim, but the hot dogs would have to be a donation as the pool is operating in the red. Several present volunteered the food for the last day. Motion by Councilman Painter, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian that Aug. 5th be the last pool operation day, be a free swim day, with hot dogs donated by individuals, not the P/Rec operating budget. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Public Safety: Councilman Yakoubian stated that the Lidar photo camera enforcement program with Blue Line Solutions has ended by mutual agreement, that it is not a good fit for the community. Thus the resignation of Arbitrator Steven Palmer. Councilman Frisch asked Chief Turner where he is on gathering the hours of officer reimbursement for billing to Blue Line Solutions and the status of equipment return. Chief Turner responded that he is working on the hours for billing, extremely busy lately and that he understands that any equipment of Blue Line’s that is still in our possession will be held until we bill and receive our final money due us from Blue Line Solutions. Chief Turner said he is obtaining prices for two patrol rifles in that the current ones are in need or replacement. Councilman Painter said he received complaints of V.A. officers outside Village Limits (Fairgrounds) Sat. eve, felt they were targeted and the Officer was extremely rude. It is not our jurisdiction outside Village limits and Chief Turner said he addressed this with the Officer in question. What is the status of the current break-ins occurring in the Village? Residents are worried. They are all under investigation, and the one location is being handled by the Sheriff’s office as it is outside V.A. limits. What about the ballfield – were the codes changed and old ones cancelled out? Were the doors ever replaced? The pool was broken into as well. Chief Turner stated that these break-ins cost his department much $ from his budget, and with the Levy upcoming stated that the community has to expect a much higher millage that the current one to bring his department budget back to the $144,000 that it previously operated on in prior years. With the State cuts, general funds cut from his budget, he is only receiving $77,000 in (two-levy) income. He can’t cut anymore. The levy will be put on the May ballot, and must allow for resolution/Co. Auditor/resolution/State approval time lines. The Committee needs to be working on their budget for levy consideration. Turner said that mutual cooperation for Fire and EMS is in place with the Townships, so why don’t they cooperate with our Police and Parks needs/joint efforts? Turner also stated that in the past 8 years his departments has needed money and no solution/resolution has been forthcoming to properly fund the Police department.
Streets & Properties: Heyman Drive paved and will have berm placed on sides next week. Other paving is complete as well. V.A. Martin has replaced faded out traffic signs. The no-outlet sign is on order. The State has placed new Corp. and speed signs on U.S.Rte 224 East. Martin said he had nothing further for w/s and asked to be excused.
Parks: Personnel drained and cleaned/re-filled the baby pool due to rain run-off, turning the water muddy brown.
Trees: Chompers Tree Service has not responded to the Village’s request for insurance/workers comp. coverage. We cannot have non-compliances companies working for the Village, it is a liability risk on our part. Mr. Drummond said for $1,500 Chompers will work for us for 8 hours and do the work we need. Councilman Painter reported that Roe’s has given him quotes for tree work ($2,150) we need done, and other individuals work will reduce that price given the Village. Tree committee is to coordinate with Greg the work to be done, with our personnel doing the small tree work ourselves.
Fire: -
EMS: No meeting.
Cemetery: Meeting held, bills paid and looking at some needed repairs to be done.
Personnel: -
Zoning Commission: -
Finance & Rule: Total all funds: $941,857.09 The June 30, 2017 bank reconciliation was reviewed and signed by Council. The police department balance is sufficient at this time to make payroll and pay bills. $ received from Blue Line and expense cut-backs have helped. Will keep an eye on this and bring a resolution to Council when needed for an advance. 2nd Quarter debt update was given to Council.
Water/Sewer: handled above.
Village Web Site/IT: -
Unfinished, Old, New Business: -
Next meeting: Thursday July 27, 2017 at 7:30PM.
Motion by Councilman Love, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:04PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
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Mayor Bryan Shock Fiscal Officer Pat Krebs
