Mayor Bryan Shock called the December 8, 2016 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:30pm. Roll call: Kirk Stanfield, Jeff Painter, Jeff Love, Nate Frisch, Gary Jordan and George Yakoubian. Others present: Police Chief Turner, residents Angela Williams, M/M Lance Drummond, Scott Dorris and Steve Holm, Ty Sims of Blue Line Solutions. Absent: V.A. Martin.
Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Painter to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Love, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to approve the minutes as presented. Vote: 4-0, with Councilmen Frisch and Jordan abstaining.
Written and Oral Communication: Resident Steve Holm discovered a leak and had it repaired. He asked Council for a reduction on his utility bill of $1,222 as the water did not flow thru the meter. Holm was asked to bring his bill to the next Council meeting for consideration. December 11, 1-4PM will be the annual kids Christmas event with Santa at the Fairgrounds.
Public Safety: Chief Turner received complaints of vehicles parked in the boulevard and having researched, found no infraction as the cars are parked in a residential extended paved area. Blue Line Solutions representative Ty Sims answered questions by Council on the photo lidar unit under consideration by Council for the Police Department. If ticket contested, no, the arbitrator does not have to be a lawyer, but it is preferred. A form is sent with each ticket issued as to how to contest the violation. If further appeal from local arbitrator, the case is taken to Tiffin Muni Court. If flat out won’t pay the fine, it is turned over to a collection agency (agency gets a fee), which is very rare according to Ty. It is not reported to a credit agency, nor allowed to go on a credit report. This is an additional tool for the Police Department to use, and no fine money is collected locally. Blue Line Solutions handles all the money. If a non-owner driver is guilty of an infraction, the vehicle owner can release the liability as to who was driving at the time, if contested it would go to Muni Court. Cost of a hearing officer will be minimal. The Contract can be voided after 30 days written notice at any time. Councilman Yakoubian asked Council to move forward with this photo lidar unit. Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Stanfield to enter into a contract with Blue Line Solutions for a photo lidar unit for the department, a contract to be drawn up, approved by Solicitor Palau and presented back to Council for approval. Vote:5-1, with Councilman Jordan voting no. Motion carried. A green traffic light signal was replaced. Angela Williams asked Council to consider the proposed dog ordinance from the previously held committee meetings. Discussion ensued and Scott Dorris left swearing at Council that they need to fix this so that he and others are not in violation of the current two dog limit ordinance. Motion by Councilman Jordan, seconded by Councilman Painter to bring up Ordinance 2016-17 (Four dog limit, and that two of the four must be spayed or neutered) for Council to consider. Councilman Yakoubian said no and asked why we were voting on this. With a motion and a second not withdrawn, a vote was taken. Vote: 4-2, with Councilmen Yakoubian and Stanfield voting no. First read of Ordinance 2016-17 (Four dog limit) was given.
Parks: Councilman Stanfield stated that ORC 3701.31-04 permits a surface area of -2,000 sq. ft. (or rope off an area, remove the diving board), then lifeguards are not needed. We need to find a way to open the pool for the kids in the area. Council said the Insurance Company will have something to say about that, and F.O. Krebs is to call and ask them.
Trees: Mr. Drummond asked what trees Council wanted planted, kind and height for the boulevards. Pine trees are not to be planted in the boulevard, and a list is available as to acceptable kinds. Drummond asked if a $10 discount could be given to residents who water the trees.
Fire: No meeting.
EMS: No meeting.
Cemetery: No meeting.
Personnel: -
Zoning Commission: -
Finance & Rule: Total all funds: $848,010.94. The Nov 30th bank reconciliation was reviewed and signed by Council. The Village joined the Upper Sandusky Chamber of Commerce to receive the -1.45% decrease on health insurance premiums. Annual cost: $145. (Seneca $195; Crawford $150; Huron $280). Work continues on the water operations appropriations for 2017.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Love reported on the w/s committee meeting discussions for the water operations 2017 appropriations to reduce the amount by $19,765 to bring it in line with anticipated revenue (including a 3% water/sewer rate increase). Raises were discussed and determined that no raises will be given. Vacation paid in lue of employee taking time off was determined that when established, it was necessary, but with recent employee and system changes, that is no longer the case and feels that this practice of pay in lue of taking not be approved. This practice costs the Village money to budgets. Asked that Greg be present when discussing this and the proper plant classification coverage needed when vacations are being taken. Time sheets are being asked by all to be filled out, stating that workers comp may dictate this for allowed coverage when incidents occur. Health insurance in the future will not be 100% covered by Council, the employee will have to pay a share, and discussed other businesses not covering spouses for health insurance. Uniform contract will be looked at as the cost is increasing from original expectations. It may be cheaper to buy the uniforms and have employees launder them . The committee is not trying to micro manage the departments, they feel that Gary Weis has done an excellent job in running the Utilities and budgeting. 2016 set back with $75,000+ in sand filter repairs has cost the water operations money, not saved for. Future goals will be a part of appropriations and the committee will continue to meet to get the 2017 appropriations in line with revenue. Councilman Stanfield asked when Council will have those figures. – when they are agreed upon by the w/s committee and given to the Fiscal Officer. Appropriations will have to be approved prior to Jan. 1, 2017 before any expenses can be made.
Village Web Site & IT: -
Unfinished, Old Business, New Business:
2nd read of Resolution 2016-16, Year 2017 Annual Appropriations plus 12-31-16 carry over balances was given ( $1,188,028.00 + c.o.).
Reporter Bonnie Daniel asked Councilman Frisch if AVR would receive some of the estimated $150,000 EMS grant money the others are talking about. He will look into that.
Next meeting: Thursday December 22, 2016 7:30PM.
Motion by Councilman Jordan, seconded by Councilman Love to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:03PM. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
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Mayor Bryan Shock Fiscal Officer Pat Krebs
