Mayor Nathan Frisch called the April 28, 2022 Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
Roll Call: Tim Bulger, Louie Sanders, Kirk Stanfield, Lynn Love, Ed Beamer, Jim Phillips
Others Present: Solicitor Heather Niedermeier Heyman
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders 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 Ryan Price was present to see if Council had yet made a decision on his bill from when the outside spigot failed. Per the paperwork from the billing clerk, Price’s average usage is 8 units. This bill had 27 units. The overage of sewer on the bill is $183.29.
Motion by: Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Bulger to adjust off $183.29 of sewer charges for Ryan Price’s bill from the failed faucet leak. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Resident Lou Hoyles was present to discuss a repair bill from Jeff Berger for a line repair at his home. Hoyles had water in his basement and it was found that his line was partially plugged and that the tap on the main line was not done properly at some point in the past. It could have been an error by whoever put in the sewer lines years ago, but there is no way to tell and that was a long time ago, making it hard to determine responsibility. Mayor Frisch stated that he spoke with Mr. Berger regarding the billing. W/WW Super Gary Weis had agreed to pay for the tap piece. We really can’t tell who was responsible for the problem. Frisch suggested a compromise and his recommendation would be to split the bill 50/50 with Hoyles. Each party would pay $1,238.20. Hoyles agreed to that solution. He has already paid for work up by his house and work done by Darr’s.
Motion by: Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Bulger to pay half of Hoyles’ bill, which would be $1,238.20, for the line repairs. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Seneca County Judge Kelbly was present to visit and say thank you, as he will be retiring soon. Damon Alt and Ken Egbert Jr were both present to introduce themselves as candidates running for Kelbly’s seat on the ballot.
Public Safety: none
Streets & Properties: Councilman Beamer stated that he has been driving around and looking at streets, noting potholes and a lot of improvement that needs to happen. Councilman Stanfield noted there is a low spot by his house that needs fixed.
Parks: Councilman Love explained that she has been working with FO Gullett on the Community Parks Grant application. She has priced out new bleachers for the ballfield at Myers Park. The cost estimate came in at $10,385. FO Gullett advised that the application would be submitted, and could be denied, approved in total or approved in partial. In order to continue the application, Council needs to pass a resolution to enter into the agreement. It would need to be passed this evening to meet the application deadline.
1st Read: RES 2022-5 Resolution Agreeing to Cooperate for the Purpose of Providing Park Improvements.
Motion by: Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Bulger to suspend the three-read rule on RES 2022-5. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Motion by: Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Bulger to declare an emergency on RES 2022-5. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Motion by: Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Bulger to adopt RES 2022-5. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
FO Gullett advised that one of the parks levies would be up for renewal next year and that the process should be started in September/October to get it on the May ballot.
Trees: Tree Commission Member Lance Drummond stated that he is having a map made up so he can plan out where trees should be planted. Councilman Beamer stated that he has been in touch with Stephanie from Urban Forestry and will be checking with her regarding grant money and Tree City USA requirements.
Fire: Councilman Love reported: replaced 4 tires at an approximate cost of $4,000, the county is going into digital radios in the next 4 years, and Lowes donated money for lights. Councilman Bulger wondered what Council’s opinion on the siren at the fairgrounds is. The consensus was that the Village area is adequately covered by the siren in the Village, so the township can do with it what they would like. Councilman Phillips suggested that maybe the township can place another siren somewhere else away from the tracks.
EMS: Councilman Love reported: there is a countywide EMS meeting on 5/5 at 7pm in Tiffin, she has received some phone calls regarding concerns over response times
Cemetery: none
Personnel: Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to enter into executive session at 8:43pm to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official. Vote: 5-0, with Councilman Love abstaining. Motion carried.
Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to exit executive session at 8:49pm. Vote: 5-0, with Councilman Love abstaining. Motion carried.
After interviews conducted by Councilman Bulger and W/WW Super Weis, they have chosen Jaden Love as their top candidate for a general maintenance worker. Summer is coming, and there will need to be more mowing and other maintenance needed.
Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to hire Jaden Love as a general maintenance worker, $15/hour, fulltime status, effective 04/28/2022. Vote: 5-0, with Councilman Love abstaining. Motion carried.
Love’s exact start date will be determined.
Zoning Commission: Mayor Frisch reported that he handled a request from a resident about a fence.
Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $ 1,479,952.32. All funds includes CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. March Bank Reconciliation was passed for review and approval.
Water & Sewer: Mayor Frisch advised that there was an issue at the water plant recently after a power blip, and the programming lost memory. There was a tech who could come and fix it, but he couldn’t be there until 3pm the following day. In the meantime, the guys had to make water manually. They did a great job with the extra workload.
Village Website & IT: FO Gullett advised that some of the website has been updated, but they didn’t get to the financial page yet. It has a lot more updating needed.
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business:
Councilman Bulger stated that he would like to take a look at the tabled handbook ordinance in the near future. For confirmation, Solicitor Heyman advised that if it is tabled, it would just need moved off the table.
Councilman Stanfield stated that there is someone interested in the old pull-behind roller that the Village has. Mayor Frisch advised he would need to check with W/WW Super Weis to see if that was still something used or needed. .
FO Gullett advised that she has passed along an email from a resident regarding several questions on streets and properties, among other things. She asked for someone to follow up.
Mayor Frisch advised that an executive session would be needed and excused Councilman Stanfield from the rest of the meeting, as no other business would be conducted after.
Motion by: Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Bulger to enter into executive session at 9:06pm to conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to exit executive session at 9:21pm. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Beamer to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:22 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
