Mayor Nathan Frisch called the November 23, 2021 Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:36 PM.
Roll Call: George Yakoubian, Kirk Stanfield, Tim Bulger, Lynn Love Others Present: Solicitor Heather Niedermeier Heyman
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to approve minutes. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Resident Deb Briggs was present to inquire about the status of the ordinance violations and the junk behind 406 Maple. Follow up will be done with the sheriff and relayed back. Resident Ed Beamer to inquire about Councilman Legron and express thoughts on using Facebook to inform about meetings. Councilman Legron has decided to vacate his seat. Per the solicitor, Facebook does not fulfill the meeting notice requirements because it’s not official. She suggested the Village website would be best. Councilman Yakoubian stated that he could put meetings on the website when he is aware, and he will be training someone new to update the website soon.
Public Safety: Councilman Yakoubian inquired about the current contract with the sheriff’s office. Mayor Frisch advised that we are covered through all of next year with the trade that was made earlier.
Streets & Properties: It was asked if Greg was able to look at a tree on N Main. Follow up will be done. Resident Ed Beamer asked about a grant for street signs. Mayor Frisch advised he didn’t have the details but there was a joint grant with the township within the last year or so in which the Village received sign posts.
Parks: none
Trees: none
Fire: Councilman Bulger reported: had meeting, paid bills, had 20 service calls. The siren is still an issue and a new one would be around $5K. Some discussion was had about whether or not a new siren was needed, as residents can hear the siren from the fire station. There are also other ways of emergency communications in place. It was agreed that we should pay the Sound Systems invoice so that they are squared away and we can continue with service, if needed.
EMS: Councilman Love reported: meeting was moved to Tue, 11/30 at 7:00pm.
Cemetery: none
Personnel: Councilman Love stated there was a candidate interested in the upcoming vacancy for Fiscal Officer, as FO Gullett is leaving the end of January. Isaac Phillips currently works for fire/EMS doing fiscal work and would like to do so at at the Village. Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to enter into executive session at 8:12pm to discuss the hiring of a new fiscal officer. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to exit from executive session at 8:26pm. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried. An ordinance to hire Phillips could not be passed due to having less than 5 Council members present. The solicitor stated that if Council would like, she can prepare legislation for the next meeting. Council said to move forward. FO Gullett advised that employee Gary Weis has requested a payout for his unused vacation time of 120 hours. He won’t be able to take vacation when VA Martin retires and it expires on 12/31. The handbook does state that vacation pay can be taken at the same time an employee works in unusual situations and with the approval of Council. Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to pay out Gary Weis 120 hours of unused vacation time. Vote: 3-1, with Councilman Love voting no. Motion carried.
Zoning Commission: none
Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $ 1,367,711.86. All funds includes CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. The October Bank Reconciliation was passed for review and approval. Insurance Renewal rates were given for Council to review. The 2019-2020 audit has been completed and released. It was a clean audit. The Veterans Park Grant will be wrapping up soon. 1 st Read: RES 2021-11, 2022 Permanent Appropriations for 2022.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Love inquired where we stand on selling water operations. There have been rumors that Gary Weis is interviewing with other entities, Greg is leaving, and we don’t know where we stand on the sale. Mayor Frisch advised there is a Water/Sewer Committee meeting Monday night at 6:30pm to give information to Rural Water. Love also expressed that she was not happy with the vacation payout that was approved, given the timing of his vacation reset and his possible departure that could be after the 1st of the year.
Village Website & IT: none
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: none
Next meeting: Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:08 PM. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
____________________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Nathan Frisch Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett
