Mayor Bryan Shock called the March 8, 2018 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
Roll Call: Ed Treft, George Yakoubian, Louis Sanders, Jeff Love, Nate Frisch and Kirk Stanfield. Others present: V.A. Martin, Chief Turner, resident’s M/M/ Lance Drummond, and Fiscal Officer(s) Pat Krebs and Amber Coontz, and Chief Turner’s granddaughter.
Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Love to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Frisch, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to approve the minutes as presented. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: -
Public Safety: No Report.
Streets & Properties: V.A. Martin asked if anyone has heard anything with regards to “next door?” Councilman Love commented during a meeting a few weeks ago there was discussion about an Ordinance that had been passed last year to take care of the places that are a nuisance. Councilman Love asked Chief Turner if “we will be getting on this?” Councilman Love also questioned the process and how council would know about who was issued a citation. Chief Turner indicated that he would report the list to council. Chief Turner indicated that the village resident(s) would receive a written 30 days’ notice and then they would go out and give them a citation. Councilman Love requested to know who’s been informed that they have 30 days and also who didn’t comply and has been cited.
Parks: Bonnie asked about pricing/grants for ballfield pertaining to lights, electrical, fencing improvements. Councilman Frisch indicated discussions about painting the bottom of the pool and diving board. He mentioned that the money typically comes in late and it’s difficult to estimate what can be done.
Trees: -
Fire: -
EMS: No Meeting.
Cemetery: No Meeting.
Personnel: No Meeting.
Zoning Commission: -
Finance & Rule: Total of all Funds $974,344.79. February 2018 Bank Reconciliation was completed for review and signatures by Council. February 2018 Utility Adjustment Report was completed for review and signature by Council. Councilman Stanfield mentioned that he got ahold of the Code System (UAN) 1) Fund, 2) Dept. 3) Object within each dept. He wants it noted of the various departments within the accounts. He indicated that we are spending money here and he feels things are missing. He would like the reports to reflect daily activities, he defined the Chart of Accounts to the new Fiscal Officer, in training, and asked Pat if we have that and Fiscal Officer Krebs indicated that we have the Chart of Accounts.
Water & Sewer: V.A. Martin gave Council Mary Bolen’s billing history to review. Mayor Shock asked about her normal sewer bill and what it would be. Councilman Yakoubian requested to receive an A/R Aging report to be ran on these accounts. V.A. Martin mentioned that he wasn’t positive when she was shut off. Councilman Stanfield wondered when she was shut off, as well as, he questioned was it shut off for an entire month, were there flat fees, the dates are important as to when her pipes froze and when it was off and turned back on. Councilman Treft touched on an Ordinance being put into place for these types of situations. The Ordinance was discussed during Council, previously, however the members could not come to an agreement for final approval. Councilman Treft feels that she shouldn’t have to pay. Mayor Shock indicated that Ms. Bolen hadn’t fixed her shut off valve which was part of her original agreement the last time an incident like this occurred. Councilman Love mentioned that the circumstances the previous time were different because it leaked down the toilet. Councilman Yakoubian felt that if she had her own shut off valve working correctly this matter would have been prevented. Resident Drummond suggested a reminder notice, perhaps, a checklist for the elderly or those with memory issues. Councilman Yakoubian did not favor the village having to be a “nanny.” He said that it was in previous minutes that she needed to fix the shut off valve. Councilman Treft would like to five a one-time deal, “forgiveness,” for water if it goes into the ground rather than into the sewer; the sewer portion shouldn’t have to be paid. Councilman Frisch and Mayor Shock disagree based upon other residents that they did not give “forgiveness” to, therefore it wouldn’t be fair/balanced/ethical. They both agreed of the possibilities that residents could fabricate stories and the Village could be taken advantage of. It was also noted that Mary Bolen did not come to the Council meeting again. Councilman Stanfield mentioned 2 hidden flat rates not discussed and feels it is a conspiracy. Councilman Love noted that there were no conspiracies.
Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman Love to: Forgive the sewer portion of Mary Bolen’s bill after she has fixed her shut-off valve and it has been verified by V.A. Martin. The portion of her bill that she will need to pay in full is $326.05. Voted: 6-0. Motion carried.
Village Website & IT: Regular maintenance scheduled and to be done.
Unfinished, Old Business, New Business: Second read of ordinance 2018-4, appointing Richard Palau as Village Solicitor was read. Councilman Stanfield doesn’t want him and feels the village doesn’t need him. He feels Palau doesn’t understand the law and is “goofy” with Ordinances. Councilman Stanfield mentioned that he is paid $300 and only attends one meeting per month. He felt we could simply use the Townships County Prosecutor or hire our own that isn’t overpaid. Mayor Shock stated that the discussion could take place at the next meeting during the third read. Councilman Stanfield went on to mention that it is tyranny regarding the purchase of a particular piece of land. Mayor Shock mentions that no land was stolen and the seller was compensated greatly, Councilman Yakoubian agreed with the mayor and took note of the misuse of verbiage that Councilman Stanfield used. Councilman Love requests for Councilman Stanfield to find a different solicitor. Councilman Yakoubian feels that Councilman Stanfield could go look for candidates. Councilman Stanfield stated that he didn’t like the guy and told the Fiscal Officer to write down that Councilman Yakoubian and Councilman Love killed the subject. He said, “I will write the Ordinances and we will get the Prosecutor to sprinkle Holy Water on it.”
Councilman Sanders mentioned that that there are a couple of street lights; the corner of High St. & Baptist Church that is flickering and the one on Mill & High St. is flickering as well. V.A. Martin indicated that they do not get fixed immediately. Chief Turner took note and mentioned that upon reporting light issues it would be nice to have the poll number.
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 7:30 P.M.
Motion by Councilman Frisch, seconded by Councilman Yakoubian to adjourn the meeting. Time 8:24 P.M. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
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Mayor Bryan Shock Fiscal Officer Amber Coontz
