Mayor Bryan Shock called the March 14, 2019 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:27PM.
Roll Call: Nate Frisch, George Yakoubian, Justin VanAlstine, Louie Sanders, Ed Treft, and Kirk Stanfield
Others present: Village Administrator Greg Martin
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Frisch, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 6-0 Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman VanAlstine, seconded by Councilman Sanders to approve the minutes. Vote 6-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Resident Glenn Brooks came to discuss his utility bill. During a cold weather snap, a pipe broke and his sump pump quit working. This caused about a foot of water in his basement, which ran out into the yard and street. Brooks requested relief for sewer charges, citing roughly $150 in overages. Village Administrator Greg Martin verified that Brooks did have a problem and it was caught by the utility clerk.
Motion by Councilman Frisch, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to issue a sewer credit in the amount of $150 to Glenn Brooks. Vote 6-0. Motion carried.
Village Administrator Greg Martin to advise utility clerk to issue credit.
Members of the American Legion Victory Post #260 were present at the meeting to discuss the land recently purchased by the Legion for a Veterans Memorial. The agreement states that the land would be returned to the Village of Attica should the Legion ever fold or lose interest in owning the property. In that case, the property would come back to the Village and permanently be a memorial. Legion member Jim Schumacher spoke for the group, affirming that was their intent. The agreement was then signed by Mayor Shock, and Legion members Jim Schumacher and James Alt.
Legion Auxiliary member and owner of Perfection Landscaping, Laurie Risner, then discussed the ideas she had for the design of the memorial. Risner had printed pictures of her concept that she passed out to Council. Her plan is that the project is completed in two or three phases, has handicap access, is very unique, and shows the patriotic spirit she believes Attica has. There will be 8 flags, an arch reading, “Attica Veterans Memorial,” 2 picnic areas, 2 benches (made with limestone from the old Eagles building), a gazebo, and a Wall of Honor. The Wall of Honor would include sections for those Killed in Action, POW/MIA and active duty locals. She is also planning to contact a local artist to paint a mural above the wall.
A picture was taken with all Legion members present, along with the Council and Mayor to commemorate the agreement.
Public Safety: none
Streets & Properties: Councilman Treft asked if we had heard anything from the county on an old house. Village Administrator Greg Martin has not. He will check into it.
Mayor Shock also inquired about someone doing the sidewalks across the alley. Martin will also check into that, as the memorial being built does show sidewalks around it.
Village Administrator Greg Martin stated that a fire hydrant had to be replaced, due to a resident hitting it with her car. She “missed her driveway” and knocked the fire hydrant over. The replacement will be covered by the resident through her personal insurance. Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett stated that GEICO had already been in contact and one invoice from RA Bores was sent to them. Martin advised there should be another one coming from HD Supply for the actual hydrant that will need sent into GEICO. Martin will also get pictures of the accident.
It was also advised by Martin that the salt gear has been removed from the Village vehicles, brush pickup could possibly take place next weekend (weather dependent), and cold patch repairs would start as soon as the ground thaws. Martin also stated that DARS would be coming the next day to clear roots from a tile.
Parks: Glea Herr was present to discuss the upcoming pool season. She stated that she already had lifeguards lined up to work this summer – 4 returnees and 1 new. She also has one more with interest. Mayor Shock asked if anyone needs CPR recertified. Herr stated that we did that last year through the AVR. Councilman Frisch inquired about the lifeguards, if we were even as far as the ones that we paid to return. Herr stated that yes, we were even. As far as she knows, everything is covered.
Councilman Frisch and Village Administrator Greg Martin presented some information about a Pool Manager class that will be offered in Columbus. There is a $50 cost associated with the class and it appears to be a very good program for those who are in pool management. Mayor Shock advised that if Herr is interested in attending, the Village would pay for it; she just needs to bring her receipt for reimbursement. Herr stated she would be interested in attending.
Herr also announced that last year they held a Night Swim that brought in over 50 people. $5 admission was paid by everyone who attended, music was played and concessions were open. This year, Night Swims will be planned more often to give local kids something to do. Mayor Shock reminded Herr that if there was any trouble at the pool, she needs to remember to call 911 since there is no police presence in Attica at this time. Herr stated she only had trouble previously with one individual in the past and would know how to handle it if something came up again.
Due to the high cost for the filter for the pool, Herr is going to try and request a donation from North Central. She also stated that some fundraisers may be planned. Village Administrator Greg Martin also stated that the Attica Knights of Columbus would like a member present the following Tuesday for their meeting. They would like to donate money to the pool. An estimate from approximately 5 years ago was roughly $26,000 if it would need replaced.
Herr asked if there was anything that Council would want done differently. Mayor Shock stated that she has been doing a wonderful job and they didn’t request anything different at this time – continue to do what she’s doing.
Herr did have some questions on pool operating hours. She asked for clarification on whether or not she can send home staff if the pool opens and attendance is low. She also asked if she could close the pool early if they open and nobody shows up. Village Administrator Greg Martin advised that yes, she has done a pretty good job with that in the past and continue to make that judgement call.
Last year, Jared Ruffing rented the pool a few times for CrossFit sessions. He may do it again this year, opening in the morning or later at night.
Councilman Stanfield asked if Herr had made a report on how the pool did last year. She advised yes and offered it to him for review.
Trees: It was advised by Village Administrator Greg Martin that a resident was looking to add a garage on their property. While looking into their property lines, there is a tree that actually sits on property owned by the resident and the Village. The Village owns half the tree, so the resident has asked that the Village pays for half of the removal fees. The estimate she received was for a total of $450, and Oberlander is already in contract to remove it. Councilman Stanfield inquired as to who planted the tree, but that is not known.
Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to pay for half of the tree removal, on the basis of $450 for the total project cost. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Martin also advised that an insurance claim was filed with PEP for wind damage to an old storage building. We have a $1000 deductible, and he is getting a quote from Republic Lumber to do the repairs.
Fire: had meeting paid bills
EMS: had meeting paid bills
Cemetery: had meeting paid bills
Personnel: none
Zoning Commission: Village Administrator Greg Martin issued a zoning permit for the construction of 14 free standing solar panels to be put in a resident’s yard. As the current zoning regulations of the Village do not specifically address solar panels on the ground, he treated it the same as a free standing building/foundation. He did state that solar panels on a roof are OK.
Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $1,024,441.44. The February Bank Reconciliation was passed around for review and approval. Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett advised the auditing firm would be picking up records on March 25th.
Water & Sewer: none
Village Website & IT: Councilman Yakoubian advised that the domain registration was being renewed for the year and he would forward invoices from GoDaddy.com to the Fiscal Officer.
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business:
3rd read on Ordinance 2019-5: An Ordinance approving, adopting, and enacting American Legal Publishing’s Ohio Basic Code, 2019 Edition, as the Code of Ordinances for the municipality of Attica, OH, and declaring an emergency.
Councilman Stanfield opposed the purchase of the books and questions why we are buying them if there is no one who will enforce the Code. Some discussion was had on how many books we actually need to buy, given that we need to have copies for the Solicitor, the library and send to county judges. Councilman Yakoubian inquired whether or not we could get an electronic version. Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett stated that two CD versions came with our books, but she was not aware if that was something we ordered specifically or if it was automatic with our order. Gullett stated that she would look into what is actually required of us and the availability of buying a CD version for next year’s order. This order has already been placed and paid.
Motion by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine adopt Ordinance 2019-05, An Ordinance approving, adopting, and enacting American Legal Publishing’s Ohio Basic Code, 2019 Edition, as the Code of Ordinances for the municipality of Attica, OH. Vote: 5-1. with Councilman Stanfield voting No. Motion carried.
Next meeting: Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 7:30PM.
Motion by Councilman Frisch, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:26 PM. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
____________________________________ ______________________________
Mayor Bryan Shock Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett
