Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2005

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Mayor Mary Barber.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

Roll call:          Robert Ortman – Present

Roger Aubery – Absent

Warren Simpson – Present

Ed Vanek - Present

Kevin Ety – Present

Rita Leiendecker - Present

Mary Barber – Present

Aaron Reedy – Present

 

Mary asked if any visitors wanted to speak.  No one did.

 

Rita made a motion to approve the May 2005 minutes.  Kevin second.  All yea.

 

Rita made a motion to approve the May 2005 financial statement.  Ed second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance # 2005-12, An Ordinance Amending the 2005 Appropriations Ordinance and the declaration of an emergency.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion to adopt Ordinance # 2005-12, An Ordinance Amending the 2005 Appropriations Ordinance and the declaration of an emergency.  Kevin second.  All yea.

 

 

Report from Fire Chief –Chief Mike King was not present.  Jamie Carroll was present.  He said the new medic has been lettered and hope to have in service by this weekend.  Rita asked if Josh Friesner resigned.  Jamie said he did.  Jamie said Cody Jackson is back on the department.  Ed said that if someone resigns and wants to come back on, it has be come before Council, per the Ordinance that was passed.

 

Aaron said they are still not doing a good job of getting PO’s before actually charging items.  He’s getting several bills that have not had PO’s cut for them.

 

Mary said that during the Hazmat drill last weekend, the fire department was reported filthy.  Council discussed the problem.  Bob said the County EMA dept. was unhappy with the participation.  Thurston FD was present, and 18 Sheriff’s deputies were present, but no one else.  Jamie said no one else was notified.

 

Report from the Service Committee:  Robert said Ed was present.  They want to get estimates for the Darst property catch basin.  That property is now up for auction on June 23rd.  They also want to get bids for roofing on the First St. building.

 

Report from the Safety Committee:  Rita said they discussed the mock disaster.  Bob Black left a letter asking if council would do something about keeping kids off the fire escapes of the Municipal Building.  Ed was stopped by Mrs. Brown regarding motor scooters and motor bikes zooming up and down the roads, causing noise pollution an safety issues.  Warren Simpson brought up that there are some free-roaming chickens that need to be taken care of, too.  Ed said that the dirt pile in the alley off Fourth Street isn’t taken care of yet; it’s only half done.  Aaron had sent a letter to the Village Attorney asking him to send a certified letter to them requesting it be done, but the attorney hasn’t responded yet.  Rita said they also discussed starting our own police force.  Mary contacted the Mayor of Carroll regarding the issue, asking some questions.

 

Report from the Finance Committee:  Will meet on Monday.

 

Report from the Rules Committee:  Didn’t meet. 

 

Report from the Regional Planning Representative:  Robert said he didn’t attend.  But from the notes, there was nothing of interest.

 

Old Business - Aaron said we need to order signs for First St. to make it “One Way”, and asked what type to get.  Council agreed on 2 “Do Not Enter” signs and 2 “One Way” signs.

 

New Business  -Jamie Carroll said he’s been mowing the cemetery every other week, but it’s looking bad, needs mowed more often.  Ed said he should mow as it’s needed.  Jamie said people are planting things around the tombstones and asked if he’s to mow around them.  Everyone agreed he should try his best, within reason.  Ed made a motion to allow Jamie to mow the cemetery every week as long as it’s needed.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Ed asked what we’re going to do about money in the Village.  He discussed the possibility of enacting a 1% income tax.  Aaron suggested waiting and talking to a tax advisor or attorney before taking any further action.  Ed said it needed to be done.  Council discussed.  Matter was tabled for discussion by Finance committee.

 

Council discussed quote to finish patching holes in road from Walnut Township.  They stopped before the job was done because they ran out of cold patch, and it would have taken more money to finish (quote is for $128.95).  Ed made a motion to accept the proposal and allow them to finish the project.  Robert second.  All yea, except for Warren voting no.

 

Council reviewed the proposal from Sureshot Directional Boring to clean the catch basins in the Village for $42 per catch basin.  Council discussed.  Ed made a motion to accept the proposal and do all catch basins in the Village.  Kevin second.  All yea.

 

Mary brought up request from Owen Keller.  He wants to divide two lots that he owns differently (lots 143 & 144).  Ed made a motion to table the subject pending further review.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Aaron said that Michelle notified him that Lowell is allowing certain people to have their water turned on without deposits being paid.  Council discussed the issue regarding landlords and builders, but everyone came to the agreement that deposits must be paid.

 

Ed made a motion that when the President of the Board of Public Affairs makes an exception to a rule or regulation in the Guidelines set forth in Ordinance 2005-5, it must be documented in writing and include 1) a description of the exception; 2) a reason for the exception; and 3) the signature and date of the President of the Board of Public Affairs.  This information will be kept the Clerk of the Board of Public Affairs.  Warren second.  All yea.

 

Mary asked if anyone had any suggestions or changes for the contract from Walnut Creek Sewer District on the park.  No one did.

 

Rita made a motion to adjourn.  Warren second.  All yea.  The time is 9:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

_______________________________

Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk