Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2005

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Mayor Barber. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call: Robert Ortman – Present

Roger Aubery – Present

Warren Simpson – Present

Ed Vanek - Present

Kevin Ety – Present

Rita Leiendecker - Present

Mary Barber – Present

Aaron Reedy – Present

Mary gave the State of the Village Address. Mary listed accomplishments made in the Village over the last year, including; repair of various street problems, office upgrades, bathroom remodeling, hiring of Village Secretary, 2 grant-fund street projects 99% finished, and Village ended the year with more money in the bank than in the last five years.

Mary asked if any visitors wanted to speak. No one did.

Rita made a motion to approve the December 2004 minutes. Roger second. All yea.

Ed made a motion to approve the December 2004 financial statement. Roger second. All yea.

Roger made a motion to approve the January 3, 2005 Organizational Meeting minutes. Ed second. All yea.

Ed made a motion to adopt Resolution 2005-1, A Resolution Declaring it Necessary to Levy A Tax in Excess of the Ten Mill Limitation. Roger second. All yea.

Roger made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Resolution # 2005-3, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the declaration of an emergency. Robert second. All yeah.

Warren made the motion to adopt Resolution # 2005-3, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the declaration of an emergency. Ed second. All yeah.

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance # 2005-5, An Ordinance Establishing Guidelines and Procedures for the Billing and Collection of Water and Sewer Fees and the Declaration of an Emergency. Kevin second. All yeah.

Robert made the motion to adopt Ordinance # 2005-5, An Ordinance Establishing Guidelines and Procedures for the Billing and Collection of Water and Sewer Fees and the Declaration of an Emergency. Rita second. All yeah.

First Reading of Ordinance 2005-6, An Ordinance Establishing a Review Policy for the Hiring and Discharge of Fire Department Employees.

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance # 2005-7, An Ordinance Establishing an Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2005, and the Declaration of An Emergency. Roger second. All yeah.

Robert made the motion to adopt Ordinance # 2005-7, An Ordinance Establishing an Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2005, and the Declaration of An Emergency. Warren second. All yeah.

Report from Fire Chief - Mike Jackson was present. Mike gave Council a copy of the Standard Operations Procedures (SOP’s). Mike said the department had 213 EMS runs in 2004 and 123 fire runs in 2004. He said the attendance in making runs and training has increased tremendously.

Mike asked Aaron how much we would be able to put down on a new squad. Aaron said the Finance Committee had met and agreed that we could put down $20,000. Mike said that Walnut Township was expecting us to put down $40,000. They are looking at a couple of trucks and trying to get the best price.

Jamie said that Medic 622 wasn’t working, after spending several hours trying to get it to work. They would like to just get rid of it. After some discussion, Roger made a motion to declare Medic 622 junk inventory to be disposed of. Robert second. All yeah.

Mike said the Station Car is out at Bader’s for repair. The log is being kept up-to-date, everyone is signing it.

Mike gave his resignation in writing to Council. This is to be effective January 31, 2005. Mike sited personal reasons, including the need to spend more time with his family and added responsibilities at his full-time job in Gahanna. He doesn’t feel he can give the Chief’s position the time it deserves. Council shared their appreciation of his service as chief over the last nine years. Kevin made a motion to accept Mike Jackson’s resignation. Robert second. All yeah.

Roger commended all the department personnel who were on duty during the ice storm and the recent emergencies.

Report from the Service Committee: Robert said that Ernie Harter has been working tirelessly on the cemetery issues; easements, space, etc. Ernie said the pastor at the Primitive Baptist Church is leaving, so an easement should be obtained as soon as possible. Robert said Ernie has done a lot of work on this project. Rita suggested the Mayor send a letter of appreciation. Robert said Ernie is planning on checking the measurements and re-mapping the cemetery. Council discussed seeding the cemetery.

Robert said they also discussed the old firehouse (current street building). The roof is leaking but the furnace is working. Council asked that Michelle get current quotes for roof repair.

Robert said that there are clogged storm sewer drains that need cleared out on First Street. Mary said Mobile Power Wash (MPW) did a good job on the drains on High St, maybe we should have them do First St, too. Mary said there are two drains on Main Street that need rebuilt; one by Rita Leiendecker’s property and one by Lonnie Raver’s house. Mary said she would get quotes.

Robert said the residents of First Street want the street to be “One-Way”, going west only. Council advised Aaron to get with the Solicitor to have the legislation prepared.

Report from the Safety Committee: Rita said they talked about downed limbs from the storm They also talked about how the Village should start enforcing the “No Parking” on sidewalks law. She said that on Third St., people are blocking the sidewalks and alley. They are going to check into old ordinances for this issue. Rita said that all Council members should have a copy of the SOP’s that Mike handed Council. Michelle will copy. Mary said that we don’t have to have an ordinance for keeping people from blocking the sidewalks – that is by Ohio Revised Code that it is the Village’s responsibility for keeping sidewalks clear from being blocked. She asked if we should send flier to everyone. Ed suggested fliers, but we should have move in the fliers than just that issue.

It was decided that each committee would submit topics that are to be included in the fliers by the next Council meeting.

Report from the Finance Committee: Roger said that the Finance Committee discussed the budget for 2005 and went over the financial statements. They also discussed what they could afford to put down on a new squad. They also discussed taking half of the pay for the Village Secretary out of the Water Fund since half of her job involves that. Further investigation of her time is necessary before making any moves there.

Roger said they also discussed possibly buying the Primitive Baptist Church property by the Cemetery if it goes up for sale. Would could build a Village Office there. They discussed using the fire dept. Station Car as a policy cruiser in the future. They discussed the Street Building and the cost of putting a new roof on it. They discussed getting a grant writer to bring in more money for projects. They also discussed the possibility of an income tax for the Village. Though at this time, we would just investigate, but would put it on the ballot if we wanted to pursue.

Report from the Rules Committee: Didn’t meet.

Report from the Regional Planning Representative: Robert said the County Treasurer was at the last meeting. They discussed the county sales tax. If the levy passes, it will go up to 7.25% - the increase goes to the Sheriff’s department. If it fails, they will stop the DARE program, get rid of 1 dispatcher, and 30 deputies. He said that Walnut Twp Trustees were also there. They want to change name of “modular homes” to “industrialized units” for the purpose of zoning.

Old Business

Council discussed the alley around Ruckman’s property. Roger said it shouldn’t be closed, it needs to be opened up, but there’s a dirt pile there. Council discussed alley’s being maintained or non-maintained. No one saw the benefit of the alley – it hasn’t been maintained, so it’s abandoned – no need to open it.

Mary said she is going to the Walnut Creek Sewer District meeting about the land for the park.

New Business

Mary said that with Mike Jackson resigning, we need to get an acting Chief. Mary will check with Mike King to see if he’s interested. Roger said we should have job descriptions that list qualifications/certifications required for each position.

Michelle announced that she will have her notary stamp soon. She will be providing free notary service to the Village residents.

Michelle said that Peggy Wright on Third St. called – the job the contractors did in front of their house was sort of “shoddy” – needed gravel. Warren said they put in some gravel just today.

Michelle said Mr. Darst on Holt St. called – had a complaint about drainage problem. Mary said she would check on it.

Aaron brought up the Soliciting Ordinance. Safety Committee will review Baltimore’s ordinance for possible adoption.

Ed said we need to look into taking the fire car and using it for police or other use. Roger said we need auxiliary police officers. Mary is going to check with Bob Kalish in Baltimore over that subject.

Aaron presented Council with the UAN agreement and discussed the changes to the computer accounting system.

Council discussed raising water tap fees to $2,500. Aaron was asked to notify Solicitor to prepare the legislation.

Ed made a motion to adjourn. Rita second. All yea.

Respectfully Submitted,

_______________________________

Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk