Mayor Nathan Frisch called the August 27, 2020 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:28 PM.

Roll Call: Lynn Love, George Yakoubian, Ed Treft, Louie Sanders, Tim Bulger, Kirk Stanfield Others Present: Solicitor Heather Niedermeier Heyman

Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Bulger to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to approve the minutes. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.

Written & Oral Communication: Resident Gary Jordan was present to state that his wife had left the hose on, and the water ran outside. He is requesting the sewer portion of his bill waived. He thinks that the bill somehow overlapped, because the final read on 8/1 was double what it normally is. Council was unable to make a decision on his bill, as they needed more information. He will get copies of his bills and come to the next meeting. Jordan also asked if someone from the Village could level the ground near his house where it was dug up years ago and not leveled.

Public Safety: Councilman Bulger reported: he would like to get started on going through the inventory and things to get them buttoned up, and he has noticed increased state trooper presence over the last month and personally thanks them when he can.

Streets & Properties: Councilman Bulger stated that some speed limit signs are faded and may need replaced.

Parks: Councilman Love reported: Greg has ordered stone for the parking lot project at Myers Park, she has not obtained a quote for repairing the wooden sign mentioned in the last meeting yet. Councilman Bulger asked if the benches have been removed from the park and noted that some of the picnic tables need care. It was noted the benches may have been moved by kids.

Trees: none

Fire: Councilman Yakoubian reported: had meeting and paid bills, an executive session was held but no action taken, the fire department is having a cash raffle with the prize to be drawn in November.

EMS: Councilman Love reported: had meeting and paid bills, Ken Majors was called over to clear up some personnel issues, Republic EMS would like to meet with Attica to talk about a joint effort, staffing shortages still a problem.

Cemetery: none

Personnel: Discussion was had on employee Gary Weis’s sick time payout. Councilman Bulger stated the recommendation of the committee was to grant Weis a one-time payout of 120 hours at 40% of his pay rate. This would essentially be a settlement payout, only once. A new policy would be developed before year end to address payout requests. Weis could then request another 120 in December if he chooses, under the new policy when it is passed. Solicitor Heyman advised that a settlement payout is fine for this instance, but a policy must be in place by year end to address any future requests. Councilman Treft wondered if it was legal to change the policy but was advised that no policy currently exists, so there is no change being made. Bulger advised the new policy will be drafted for review and approval by Council. Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to pay Gary Weis 120 hours at 40% of pay, as a settlement pay, covering the prior year’s request and as a one-time only payout. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.

Zoning Commission: none

Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $ 1,316,934.82. Village Income Tax: The plan to start the three readings of the income tax ordinance at the next meeting is still on. Residents will be invited to the three meetings for questions and information. The meetings will start at 7pm to allow for extra time for those questions. Social distancing will need to be followed, and if we don’t have room inside, it will have to be held outdoors. Changing the venue last minute could be an issue with notice to the public. Postcards will be mailed out to utility customers with the meeting information, and it will be printed in the paper, as well as posted on Facebook. Councilman Love asked about giving a credit for taxes paid in other municipalities. Councilmen Yakoubian and Sanders both expressed support for no credit. Solicitor Heyman advised that the ordinance can be amended after the first reading if a credit is wanted. It was noted that in general, a credit is usually seen when a tax is above 1%. Council can enact up to a 1% income tax without a vote. Council listed the following uses for the possible income tax money: streets, paving, pool, pool filter, public safety, repairs, parks, drainage, abandoned houses. Councilman Love noted that a neighboring town enacted a 1% income tax, and voters passed an additional 0.5%. FO Gullett gave pricing information on sending postcards. Motion by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Bulger to spend up to $331 for post cards to notify residents of the upcoming meetings with tax information. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.

Water & Sewer: Councilman Treft stated that his neighbors moved in two months ago, have not received a utility bill or shutoff notice, but water was shutoff earlier today. The resident told Treft that they had put $300 cash in an envelope and dropped it in the dropbox Monday evening. The billing clerk had sent a message before the meeting that Water/Wastewater Superintendent Gary Weis had called her to inquire. The information that was given to him was that the resident paid at the bank on Wednesday. With conflicting information, it was decided to follow back up with the residents so that we could straighten the situation out. Councilman Yakoubian noted that there should be more hours that the utility office is open for residents. He would like to see at least three days per week Councilman Love suggested maybe some hours after 3pm or 5pm on Fridays. Discussion was had on former hours and the current temporary hours from reopening after the pandemic shutdown. Council will need to discuss with the water/sewer departments a better solution for billing office operating hours.

Village Website & IT: none

Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: FO Gullett advised that Rumpke strongly suggested a roll of instead of curbside pickup, but is still working on an actual price for the community cleanup day. Councilman Love stated the owners of Mad Love Food and More food truck asked if they could park beside the building during lunchtime hours. Mayor Frisch advised that as long as they generate their own power and they don’t interrupt construction of the park, he has no issues. Mayor Frisch advised that an executive session was needed to discuss upcoming litigation, excusing Councilman Stanfield from the discussion due to a conflict of interest. Councilman Stanfield exited the meeting at 8:40pm. Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to enter into executive session to discuss upcoming litigation, at 8:41pm. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried. Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to exit executive session, at 8:57pm. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried. Mayor Frisch advised that he did reach out to Dean Henry but did not speak to him. The matter will be tabled until the next meeting.

Next meeting: September 10, 2020 at 7:00PM

Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:02 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried. ____________________________________ __________________________