Mayor Nathan Frisch called the May 12, 2022 Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:39 PM.
Roll Call: Tim Bulger, Kirk Stanfield, Lynn Love, Ed Beamer, Jim Phillips
Others Present:
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Beamer to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Love to approve the minutes. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: none
Public Safety: none
Streets & Properties: Councilman Beamer stated that he is still compiling a list of streets that need addressed or fixed. The worst he’s found is North Woodwind. Beamer also stated that he followed up on the email from the last meeting, and the signs coming into town are in really bad shape. Mayor Frisch stated that the signs have been discussed in another organization’s meeting. Perfection Landscaping is pricing some new signs. FO Gullett suggested going to the organizations in town and asking if they would like to participate in funding the signs.
Parks: Councilman Love stated that the Community Parks Grant application has been submitted, and we should hear something mid-July.
FO Gullett advised that the insurance company is asking about whether or not the pool will be open for this year. The general discussion was that the state of the pool and filter are unknown, and attendance has not been good for several years. Some research needs to be done on our options for repairs or replacement.
Motion by: Councilman Love, seconded by Councilman Phillips to close the pool for the 2022 season. Vote: 4-0, with Councilman Stanfield abstaining. Motion carried.
Mayor Frisch stated that the dedication for the Veterans Memorial Park next door is scheduled for Saturday, May 21st at 3pm. There will be a tent in the parking lot with seating planned for approximately 200 people. Frisch also asked if anyone had a problem with Village Hall being open during the ceremony for public restroom use. No objections. Councilman Love stated she could come and sit at the billing clerk’s desk during that time for security of items and information.
Trees: Tree Commission Member Lance Drummond stated that he did get a map of the Village, and he is going to start marking where to cut and trim. Drummond also asked if the $1M insurance bond had to be for tree trimming or just removal. FO Gullett will follow up with PEP to be sure.
Councilman Beamer stated that he has a meeting with Stephanie at ODNR on 5/25 to look at the trees around the Village.
Fire: Councilman Bulger reported: meeting is next week.
EMS: Councilman Love reported: there was a meeting in Tiffin on Thursday, Councilman Sanders also attended, and the board is looking at other land options for a station that are more East.
Cemetery: none
Personnel: none
Zoning Commission: none
Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $ 1,502,802.70. All funds includes CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. April Bank Reconciliation was passed for review and approval. FO Gullett advised that while Greg added her to the bank as a signer in the past, they would need a different method without him here. Sutton is looking for a motion from Council to add Natasha as a signer on the account, and the solicitor suggested the mayor as making the most sense.
Motion by: Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Beamer to add Natasha Hatfield to the Sutton Bank account as a signer as the new fiscal officer, and also Nathan Frisch as Mayor for a second signer. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
FO Gullett reminded that the PEP Insurance renewal would be coming soon, as the policy expires the end of June.
FO Gullett also asked if Council would be open to having the minutes and/or reports sent out to Council via email a day or two before the meeting, to cut down on time spent before the meeting and use of so much paper. Council present was all in favor, but Councilman Stanfield would still like a printed copy provided to him.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Beamer stated that he has some time scheduled with Gary on the 25th to get more familiar with the water/sewer operations at the plant.
FO Gullett stated that we received an email from a sales rep who handles our billing software account. There are some modules or upgrades that may be available to allow online access to billing info. After speaking with Gary, she will schedule a call just to see what it’s about, cost, etc.
Village Website & IT: none
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business:
Councilman Bulger stated that he would like to get things going on the Employee Handbook again so that it could be finalized and passed.
Resident Lance Drummond asked about an open/close sign for the billing clerk’s office. FO Gullett advised one hasn’t been purchased yet but will be.
Councilman Bulger asked if anyone would be interested in getting more information on the electronic speed signs to place on the edges of the Village. He stated that it’s been a positive change for the Village of Republic.
Councilman Stanfield would like to see the Schedule of Outstanding Debt Report updated with fund numbers, original amounts and payments per year.
Councilman Beamer would like to know how much money has been spent on legal fees overall to deal with lawsuits from Councilman Stanfield. FO Gullett stated that most recently it’s been about $12K and maybe around $15K overall. Beamer feels that residents should know, and that money could have been better spent on other things. Stanfield rebutted that more money was wasted on Arcadis.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Bulger to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:43 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
