February 17 Council Meeting

The meeting opened with the Call To Order, the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll call was taken with all council people present along with F.O. Dale Davis, Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Village Solicitor Andy Beech.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.

Under Public Speaking a Wood Street resident related the story of a loose dog dragging a chain showing up at her residence the night of the storm with high winds last week. She said it was a large dog and fortunately it was friendly. She said she attempted to contact the Village Animal Control three different times starting at 10:30 and only got her voice mail. Finally at 12:30 the WPD referred her to the St. Francis Animal Shelter folks and they promptly came and got the dog. She asked if there was an alternate contact and what the ACO hours were. Randy Allmon advised there are not set hours. The ACO is on call at anytime. He also said he couldn't speak for the ACO but would check into it. I'm wondering if the weather had anything to do with the phone?

Eric (hootch2) Shephard representing the Riverside Reunion Committee asked for permission to once again block off two blocks of Riverside for this year's reunion. That would be from 7th to 9th Street and a portion of 8th Street. This year's reunion is scheduled for July 2, 3 & 4. Joe Soldano made the motion to approve that request and with Don Brown's second the motion was approved. This is a fun event that is held annually, for what four years now, with entertainment, food & beverages, and just getting together with old friends. The folks from the Wellsville Elks on that committee go all out to guarantee a good time. As plans develop and announcements are made I'm sure we'll have more on this event in the future.

Bobbi Holt, Co-chair of the SFAS, read a prepared statement formally advising council of their decision to separate themselves from the Village Pound. See the related story on here earlier this week. She thanked council for their past support but said she felt the SFAS mission was different from the pound operation. As soon as another location can be found they look forward to once again serving Wellsville. Randy Allmon thanked the group and offered any assistance he can to help them to find another location. Joe Soldano agreed with what Allmon said and additionally thanked them for going beyond. He too offered any assistance he could as did Tony Cataldo and John McMahon.

A tanned Jim Saracco was the only village administrator present and having just returned from a few weeks in Florida had nothing under Administration Reports. Personally speaking I think Rick Williams did an admirable job filling in for Saracco while he was gone.

Mayor Joe Surace has been on medical leave following surgery. Speaking to him earlier in the week Joe said he goes for a follow up visit tomorrow, Friday, and hopefully the doctor will give him the green light to get back into the full swing of things. Under the Mayor's Report Council Pro-Tem John McMahon appointed Joe Soldano to replace him on the Tree Board. John said with his work schedule and other obligations he just doesn't have the time for it.

Under Committee Reports Tony Cataldo had nothing from the Finance Committee. Under the Streets, Lights & Parking Joe Soldano said we have more cold patch coming. The left overs from last year has been all used up. McMahon added that they have been trying to get to the major holes first. He asked that we be mindful that it is still winter, to be careful and try to be patient. Soldano also mentioned the Eagles donation for the new lights at the 18th Street playground. He brought up the usual hiring of a temporary part-timer for the Street crew and referred that to the Personnel Committee. Under Water, Sewage & Refuse Tony Cataldo said they are in receipt of a letter from United Water asking for some changes in the contract for the sewage plant operation. I think it was Allmon that advised the village has asked for a 90 day extension to renegotiate the contract. Under Property, Equipment & Cemetery the $21,000 bid to tear down six dilapidated buildings was brought up. They have had that bid for awhile now and was wondering if it is still good. Tony Cataldo said the first step is to get the buildings condemned. After that he wasn't sure what the next step would be. In a related newspaper article the Fire Chief was quoted as saying after the meeting the first step is for council to appropriate money for the project. When they do that he will then have to determine what he can do. The process includes title searches and going to court to get the tear-down order approved. Under Claims, Rules & Ordinances Rosie Goss made a motion under suspension of rules to adopt Resolution 09-01 to apply for funding assistance from the Ohio Nature Works. It we get rewarded that is the grant that is earmarked for the play ground equipment. That motion was passed without any nays.

Other than that there was no new legislation.

Under New Business Joe Soldano reported that he and F.O. Dale Davis met with a grant writer last Friday. Council decided last year to look for someone in that field. Soldano then made a motion to order legislation to engage the services of Grant Source Professionals for the village. According to Jo Ann Bobby Gilbert's report Soldano showed her copies where the application fees range from $450 to $1,000. She said Grant Source Professionals consist of a staff of four people and they work in four different states. She quote Soldano as saying "It's been a long time coming. I hope we can get some money". I hope you do too, Joe. Just don't neglect to consider what the village share will be.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:26. Next meeting is March 3. With all that you would think the meeting lasted longer than 26 minutes.

ole nib