Mayor Bryan Shock called the August 15, 2019 Village of Attica Council meeting to order at 7:40 PM.
Roll Call: Nate Frisch, George Yakoubian, Justin VanAlstine, Louie Sanders, Ed Treft, and Kirk Stanfield
Others present: Village Administrator Greg Martin, Solicitor Rick Palau
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Yakoubian, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to approve the warrants for payment. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to approve the minutes. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Solicitor Rick Palau advised that an email had been sent requesting a public record for something located in the dormant police department. The request was for a criminal complaint against the Village, but Palau advised while it was a complaint, it was not a criminal complaint. He also advised that the Village is going to connect with Keith Turner to locate the document when he is available, and that is reasonable given the circumstances. Palau also asked that Village officials be civil with employees, as it could open up the Village to lawsuits. He reiterated that communications must remain civil. Reporter Bonnie Daniel asked for clarification on what he meant by that. Palau advised basically, be civil with employees, and don’t send letters that are threatening in nature. It can create a hostile work environment, especially when sent to employees, and this can open up the Village to lawsuits. Mayor Bryan Shock confirmed he would be contacting Turner to coordinate locating the requested information.
Public Safety: none
Streets & Properties: VA Greg Martin stated that he has a meeting with a representative from PEP Insurance, risk management assessment department, on Monday. They will drive around the Village to assess possible risk and give any recommendations if needed.
Parks: VA Martin stated the pool is shut down for the season. Water service will be left on at the park just a little long, because of an upcoming cross country event. Councilman Frisch asked if a leak finder was called in for the pool. Martin advised the Village crew was able to find it and believes they were able to fix it.
Trees: none
Fire: Councilman Sanders asked if there is a contract with Spectrum to get free service for the Village, the fire and police. Councilman Yakoubian advised he was not aware of such contract. The only thing he was aware of was wireless internet service with Bright. Anything for the fire department would have to be worked out separately with them.
EMS: none
Cemetery: none
Personnel: none
Zoning Commission: none
Finance & Rule: Cash balance of all funds $ 1,084,799.94.
Water & Sewer: VA Greg Martin announced that earlier that day the water/sewer employees had lab certification and all three passed.
Village Website & IT: Councilman Yakoubian wanted to update on the IT checkup that will be taking place. FO Michelle Gullett advised that the service would take place on Tuesday. The IT consultant had a question regarding the police computers. Since the program they are running is not yet certified for Windows 10, they could be upgraded in anticipation of the program being compatible later or simply shut down the computers at this time and purchase new if and when a department would be operational in the future. Yakoubian advised to go ahead and shut down the police computers at this time. He also reminded that the IT consultant might need access to that side of the building if he needed to check the router since it’s located on that side.
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: 2nd read of ORD 2019-10: An ordinance to certify accounts for the collection with the county for auditor for the Village of Attica, OH.
Mayor Shock questioned whether or not the committee has met or any discussion was had on the 1% tax. Councilman Sanders advised that nothing had been discussed at this time. Councilman Yakoubian advised that he does not wish the income tax discussions to be attached to the police department, as it wouldn’t be specifically dedicated to that and should be considered as a way to build the general fund and help the Village overall. Resident Lynn Love asked whether or not a committee has been formed to make a discussion on the tax, but Mayor Shock advised that the only discussion so far was in open council. Resident Lance Drummond asked whether or not there was a competitor to the RITA option or even administering the tax on our own. Some further discussion was had that although there is an option for others or self-administered, there are benefits to using RITA. Councilman Treft asked if there would be a possibility to drop some of the levies after we start seeing funds come in from the tax. What would we do with all of that money? Yakoubian advised that there are several things around the Village that would benefit from the income tax, including streets, delinquent properties, and other improvements. He also stated that the prospect of asking for less in the future is a possibility, depending on what the Village sees from the tax and what needs attention. We could also have the possibility of civic improvements.
Next meeting: Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 7:30PM.
*Note: August meetings are 3rd & 5th Thursday, due to the Attica Fair.
Motion by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman VanAlstine to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:05 PM. Vote: 6-0. Motion carried.
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Mayor Bryan Shock Fiscal Officer Michelle Gullett
