Mayor Nathan Frisch called the September 19, 2022 Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:37 PM.
Roll Call: Tim Bulger, Kirk Stanfield, Louis Sanders, Ed Beamer, Lynn Love
Others Present: Billing Clerk, Robin Bulger
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Love, seconded by Councilman Sanders to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Beamer, seconded by Councilman Bulger to approve the minutes. Vote: 5-0.
Written & Oral Communication: Billy Gayheart of 104 Ash Drive was present due to a high usage bill. He stated he normally uses 3 units per month but his current bill was for 27 units. The residents requested a new meter. Billing Clerk, Robin Bulger was present and confirmed the usual usage of 3 units. Councilman Sanders made a motion to charge Mr. Gayheart 3 units for each month billed without penalties and request that maintenance personnel follow up next month, Councilman Bulger seconded.
Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Public Safety: None
Streets & Properties: None
Parks: Councilman Beamer asked what the $1802 expense out of the pool fund was. FO Hatfield agreed to check and report back.
Trees: None
Fire: Councilman Bulger reported a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
EMS: Councilman Love reported there will be a meeting next Wednesday.
Cemetery: Councilman Sanders stated there was a meeting last week and they paid bills.
Personnel: Councilman Bulger asked if Gary was in fact retiring. Mayor Frisch explained, yes, October 31, 2022. Mayor Frisch reported he plans to take over the hiring of a water superintendent and intends to receive the resumes for the position with the assistance of Councilman Beamer. Councilman Love questioned the Mayor’s decision. Mayor Frisch stated he was only taking over for this position due to the need to move hastily to find a replacement.
Zoning Commission: None
Finance and rule: Cash balance: $1,539,511.11 All funds includes CDs and reserved or restricted funds, and debt reserve funds. The bank reconciliation was presented for council’s review.
FO Hatfield explained the need for the various appropriations which included: the water superintendent’s retirement payout, increased billing clerk hours, supplies purchased out of the streets fund without proper appropriations, as well as the increased cost of natural gas and unleaded fuel.
ORD 2022-13 Amended Appropriations
Councilman Beamer made the motion to suspend the three-read rule, Councilman Sanders seconded. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Sanders made the motion to declare an emergency on ORD 2022-13, Councilman Beamer seconded. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Sanders made the motion to adopt ORD 2022-13, Councilman Beamer seconded. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Beamer stated he heard back from the Solicitor regarding preparing the water and sewer treatment facilities for bid.
Village Website & IT: none
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business:
Unfinished Business
Councilman Beamer asked Council if they had any thoughts on using the American Rescue Funds. Councilman Beamer stated he would be hesitant to use the money on water meters to turn around and sell the plant. Mayor Frisch stated replacing lead lines would not help the sell of the plant, but would help the residents.
Old Business
Councilman Sanders asked if there was any update on the “Attica” signs. Councilman Love also stated she received calls from Dana Lever concerning the signs.
New Business
Robin Bulger stated she received a call from Don Okonskie who also received a high use utility bill. Don’s bill was 19 units when it is normally 3 units. Councilman Bulger made the motion to charge 3 units per month and have water personnel monitor the usage, Councilman Beamer seconded. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried. Councilman Beamer wondered why all of the sudden we have several citizens complaining of increased usage.
Robin had a request from Debbie Knauss. Ms. Knauss wishes to rent 25 Eden St. from Melissa George but there is a past balance due owed by George. Council expressed the past balance must be paid before turning on the service.
Robin alerted to Council to an issue she encountered when doing some research in the billing system. She found 46 accounts who were not being billed for metered water for over a year. Council asked if there was any rhyme or reason that could explain how those accounts were missed. From her research, Robin couldn’t find an explanation.
Next meeting: Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilman Bulger, seconded by Councilman Sanders to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:45 PM. Vote: 5-0. Motion carried.
