Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

July 13, 2006

 

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

 

Roll call:          Robert Ortman – Present

Warren Simpson – Present

Ed Vanek – Present

Vickie Carroll - Present

Steve Reedy – Present

Laura Clark – Present

Mary Barber – Present

Aaron Reedy – Present

 

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

 

Michael Carder was present from GGC Engineers to make a presentation to Council about their engineering services.  He said they’ve had $500 retainers with other Villages.  Michael said he will send over a contract for Council to review.

 

Timothy Oatney was present from his accounting firm to make a presentation to Council about his tax administrator services.  He gave information to Council and said he normally charges 15% of monies collected.

 

Steve made a motion to approve the July 2006 minutes.  Laura second.  All yea.

 

Robert made a motion to approve the July 19, 2006 special meeting minutes.  Steve second.  All yea.

 

Robert made a motion to approve the July 2006 financial statement.  Ed second.  All yea.

 

Warren made a motion to approve the August 8, 2006 Board of Public Affairs meeting minutes since the BOPA has been abolished.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Mary asked for a motion to approve the appointment of Michelle Shumaker as Village Administrator effective August 13, 2006, the effective date of Ordinance 2006-11 (An Ordinance creating the position of Village Administrator, adopted by Council on July 13, 2006).  The purpose of this motion is to correct the earlier motion of July 13, 2006, which motion failed to clarify the effective date of the creation of the position of Village Administrator.  Warren made the motion.  Ed second.  All yea.

 

Laura made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance 2006-16, An Ordinance waiving the residency requirement for the Village Administrator and the Declaration of an emergency.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2006-16, An Ordinance waiving the residency requirement for the Village Administrator and the Declaration of an emergency.  Warren second.  All yea.

 

Report from Fire Chief – Jim Hite submitted his report - see attached.  Jim announced that the department was awarded a Homeland Security grant of $105,967.  Council congratulated him and his team for this accomplishment.  Jim said the department will have to come up with 5% match which will be around $5,500. 

 

Jim said he needed a PO for $9000 to repair the tanker.  Jim said they received $450 grant from the Aladdin Shriners for EMS supplies. 

 

Jim said he would like to hire John Hilliard and James Watkins to the fire department.  After some discussion, Ed made a motion to hire John Hilliard and James Watkins to the fire department.  Steve second.  All yeah, except Warren abstaining on the hiring of John Hilliard.

 

Report from the Service Committee:  Robert said they met Wednesday, August 2nd.  Laura, Ed, Steve and Robert were present.  They discussed the work that still needed to be done at the Street Building.  They suggested replacing the big doors and fixing the wood above them.  They also discussed getting the village truck back on the road.

 

Report from the Safety Committee:  Didn’t meet.

 

Report from the Finance Committee:  Didn’t meet.  Will meet this Monday, August 14 @ 7:30 pm.

 

Report from the Rules Committee:  Didn’t meet. 

 

Report from the Regional Planning Representative:  Robert said Matt Keefe was present and made the same presentation about Fairfield County EMA as he did at the last Council meeting.

 

Old Business –  Council discussed the $575 overage charge from the furnace installation.  Mary asked if Council wanted they wanted to do.  Ed made a motion to table the issue.  Laura second.  All yea.

 

New Business –  Aaron said Lowell Hite mentioned at the last BOPA meeting that the $11.88 charge for batteries should come out of the street fund, not the water fund because the water department doesn’t have any street signs.  The batteries were used to light warning signs that were borrowed when the water line broke a month ago on Main St.

 

Council agreed that we wouldn’t have needed them if it weren’t for the water break, and it’s an insignificant amount of money to bother with.  Council said to leave the charge where it stood.

 

Aaron explained to Council the option that Solicitor Jeff Feyko mentioned to him about putting on a levy for streets instead of an income tax.  They discussed the pros/cons.  We could possibly try to get a 5 or 6 mill levy passed by voters.  That would get about $22,000 - $25,000 a year in.  If it doesn’t pass, we could go back to considering the income tax.

 

At 8:30 pm, Ed made a motion to go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

At 9:25 pm, Steve made a motion to come out of executive session.  Laura second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion that the Village should supply the Village Administrator with a cell phone for ease of communication and for use in emergency situations, IF she desires to have a phone.  The VA would pay $25 per month, and any charge over the standard monthly fee for use of the phone.  Steve second.  All yea.

 

Laura made a motion that the Village should purchase two signs pertaining to the railroad history of the Village to be put on the corporation limit posts, as suggested in a letter to the Mayor.  The cost of the signs is not to exceed $500.  Steve second.  All yea

 

Steve said a nuisance letter needed to be sent to Walnut Creek Sewer District because they have not been mowing their property on Maple Street, and the grass is about two feet high.  Council agreed and said to give the WCSD five days from the date of the letter to get it resolved, or the Village will pay to have it cut and assess their property taxes for the costs.

 

Council also agreed that a letter needed to be sent to the owners of the old school building next door about their grass.

 

Mary said she’s received several complaints regarding the house across the street from the Municipal Building hanging their clothes out to dry on their front porch.  The laundry includes underwear and other undesirable articles of clothing.  Council agreed that a letter should be sent to the resident stating to move the clothes line to the back yard.

 

Steve made a motion to adjourn.  Warren second.  All yea.  The time is 8:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

_______________________________

Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk