December 19, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

December 19, 2011

The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at the Thomas Worthington High School, Worthington. The following Council members were present: Mayor Mary Jo Cusack, Jon L. Ankrom, Scott K. Gordon, Donald E. Griffith, Briggs W. Hamor, Eric A. MacGilvray and Kirk M. McHugh, President Pro-Tem. Also present were Pamela M. Colwell, Clerk-Treasurer, Steven W. Mershon, Solicitor, Lois Yoakam, Newsletter Editor, Karen McElmurray, Marshal, William P. Charles, Street Commissioner, Jody C. Jones, Web Manager, and Michael Jones, Planning Commissioner. Guests of Council were Jim Dippel (B&N) and Greg Bonk. At 7:08 pm the Mayor called the meeting to order.

Minutes

1. The minutes of the regular Council meeting of November 21, 2011 were not read since each member had received a copy. Griffith moved and McHugh seconded a motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).

Report of the Clerk-Treasurer

1. Hamor moved and Ankrom seconded a motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial report for November 2011, as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).

Report of the Mayor

1. The Mayor reported the Village’s police contract says we have the same service as Worthington for the removal of dead deer. The police maintain a list of people wanting the dead deer. Residents just need call the police and tell the dispatcher that they are aware of this list and would like someone to come out and collect the carcass. The Web Manager and Newsletter Editor will get this information posted for residents. The Clerk-Treasurer stated that Sharon Township will come out to dispose of the deer but will bill us for the tipping charge, which would be around $50.
2. The Mayor sadly announced that Bettie Surface passed away recently and she expressed her condolences to the family.
3. The State of the Village report is completed and published in the Newsletter.
4. She has pictures of the runoff from the house construction on Crescent Court if anyone is interested.

Report of the Solicitor

1. The Solicitor reported that there will be two vacancies on Council at the next meeting and he has distributed a memo to Council explaining how the vacancies can get filled. If anyone has any questions, they can contact him.

Report of the Planning Commissioner

1. The Planning Commissioner reported they approved one certificate of appropriateness application at 5809 Olentangy Boulevard for an addition in the back and an open front porch.
2. He asked Council to consider changing the code so that a more substantial bond would be required for construction in order to obtain more compliance. Council expressed their frustration of not having an easier recourse against residents who ignored or violated building and zoning codes.

Report of the Marshal

1. The Marshal reported there were 312 checks with no warnings or citations issued. There were 4 reports but nothing serious.

Report of the Street Commissioner

1. Jim Dippel, Burgess & Nipel, discussed the Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance Program Report (CMOM) that is required by the Directors Findings and Orders Agreement with the Ohio EPA. This is the last major portion of the Findings and Orders Agreement and ties together the SSES, overflow plan and future planning. He prepared a letter to the EPA to request a two month extension for this since it was delayed because of the annexation issue. MacGilvray asked about the cost of $26,500 and Dippel said it was a do not exceed amount but should be less. A lot of information is collected and a self-assessment checklist needs to be done and is very voluminous. They plan on 196 engineer and technician hours. A CMOM update will need to be done every two years. The SSES report is due at the end of January. The overflow report is due annually.
2. The Street Commissioner reported there was an overflow problem two weeks ago. He was in Newark at the time but was able to respond and correct it under 1.5 hours. The second pump did not kick in and there was no alarm from the second pump. This happened when the highest peak was recorded for all year. Maybe the float got hung up but it is operating fine now. He estimated the overflow at approximately 3000 gallons, which he said was an insubstantial addition to the river at that time, as the river had overflowed its normal boundary. He prepared a report for submission to the Ohio EPA.

Report of the Newsletter Editor

1. The Editor would like copy for the Newsletter by January 5th. She asked for suggestions to put in the Newsletter.
2. Ankrom suggested asking residents to clean up the leaves from the curbs in front of their homes. McHugh suggested a children’s corner for their contributions or have teens report on what is going on in their schools, etc.

Report of the Web Manager

1. The Web Manager reported there were lots of hits in November and that may have been due to the annexation issue. The meeting archives are most popular and she asked if more recent meeting information could go up on the web site. Currently the minutes are a month behind because they need approval before being posted. The Clerk-Treasurer said she could provide basic information from the meeting in a day or two.
2. The web site fits both mobile and ipad.

Report of Parks and Recreation

1. There was no report.

Comments from Residents on Agenda Items

1. There were no comments on agenda items.

Old Business

1. Ordinance No. 04-2011
   Ordinance No. 04-2011, Annual Appropriation Ordinance (Village) for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2012. The Ordinance was read by title for the third reading. McHugh moved to amend Ordinance 04-2011 by increasing Basic Utility Services 540-300 Sanitary Sewers and Sewage Contractual services from $40,000 to $75,000. The total for all appropriations is $314,220. The Clerk-Treasurer explained that the sewer increase is needed for current contracts that will be invoiced in 2012. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0). Hamor moved and MacGilvray seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance 04-2011. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
2. Resolution No. 2011-11
   Resolution No. 2011-11, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with the City of Columbus for Legal Representation in Certain Criminal and Traffic Cases. The Resolution was read by title for the second reading. McHugh moved and Ankrom seconded the motion to suspend the three readings. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0). Ankrom moved and Griffith seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011-11. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
3. Village Telephone
   The Clerk-Treasurer reported that Google Voice did not port land line phone numbers. Council decided to go with a new phone number with Google Voice since it was free and to cancel the AT&T phone service. If this does not work we can always go back to a land line.

New Business

1. Expenses
   McHugh moved and Gordon seconded the motion to authorize the following expenditures:
   W-2/1099 software $39.00
   EPA discharge fee $20.00
   Printer/copier toner $31.00
   Village crime policy $378.00
   The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
2. Ordinance 05-2011
   MacGilvray introduced Ordinance 05-2011, An Ordinance to Approve a Modification and Realignment of Ordinance 03-2010, the Annual Appropriation Ordinance (Village). The Clerk-Treasurer reported that salaries were increased due to less Social Security being taken out and, therefore, the Council salaries are around $16 over budget. This modification will correct that without adding to the General Fund. MacGilvray moved and Ankrom seconded the motion to suspend the three readings. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0). MacGilvray moved and Ankrom seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance 05-2011. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
3. Web Manager pay
   The Mayor reported that the Budget Committee discussed a possible increase in the Web Manager’s pay since the web site has grown in popularity and importance. McHugh said he thought the position should be paid the same as the Street Commissioner and Planning Commissioner ($1800 per year). Council decided to wait until the next Council meeting to discuss this.

   Council was given the Web Manager services agreement to review. They asked the Web Manager for her input also. The Village’s record retention policy needs to be addressed in this also.

4. Resolution No. 2011-16
   McHugh introduced Resolution No. 2011-16, A Resolution to Confirm the Appointment of Mike Jones as a Member of the Planning Commission. Gordon moved and McHugh seconded the motion to suspend the three readings of Resolution No. 2011-16. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0). McHugh said this position is needed January 1st and cannot wait until the next Council meeting. Gordon moved and McHugh seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011-16. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
5. Updating the Code of Ordinances
   The Clerk-Treasurer reported that in the past the Village has updated the code annually; however, the Village does not have any ordinances that need codification now. The State and Village ordinances are updated at the same time. To reduce costs, the traffic code is no longer updated. The Solicitor said there is probably little risk in waiting another 12 months to update the State laws. By that time there should be some Village ordinances. Council decided it was fine to wait.
6. Resolution No. 2011-15
   McHugh introduced Resolution No. 2011-15, A Resolution to Provide for Engineering Services to Support a Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance Program. The CMOM report must be completed by the end of February so three readings is not possible. McHugh moved and Ankrom seconded the motion to suspend the three readings of Resolution No. 2011-15. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0). Ankrom moved and McHugh moved to adopt Resolution No. 2011-15. The motion was approved unanimously (6-0).
7. Trash Increase
   Local Waste Services is increasing their fees from $13.04 to $14.28 per home due to SWACO landfill fee increases, which affects all trash companies. Council was pleased with their service and would like to continue as is.
8. Flag Pole
   The Clerk-Treasurer reported that the flag pole rope is frayed and a clip is broken. She removed the flags earlier this month. Griffith volunteered to look into replacing the rope.
9. Entrance Light
   The light at the Southington entrance is no longer working and an electrician may need to be consulted. The Street Commissioner said he will look into it and see what needs to be done.
10. Missing Street Sign
    The street sign at Southington and Crescent is gone. The Street Commissioner said he has a pole and the Southington sign but needs to order a Crescent sign along with the top finial.
11. Resolution No. 2011-14
    McHugh introduced Resolution No. 2011-14, A Resolution of Appreciation to Mary Jo Cusack for Her Service to the Residents of the Village of Riverlea, Ohio. McHugh moved and Gordon seconded the motion to suspend the three readings. McHugh moved and Gordon seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011-14. The Solicitor read the resolution and the Mayor was presented with a copy. McHugh presented her with a framed plat map of the Village of Riverlea. She thanked everyone.

Comments from Residents on Non-Agenda Items

Next Meeting Announcement

Adjournment

MARY JO CUSACK, MAYOR

M. COLWELL, CLERK OF COUNCIL