Council Meeting - Tuesday - 4/21/09

Before the formal opening of last Tuesday's meeting Council Pro-Tem John McMahon announced that both Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Linda Surace were in the hospital. He was explaining why the Mayor & Jim were not present. No other details were available. God's speed for quick recovery to both.

All council people were present in addition to Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, Village Solictor Andy Beech, WFD Chief Bill Smith and Zoning Administrator Rick Williams.

After approval of the minutes on the previous meetings Chief Smith remarked that Senator George Voinovich's office has been in contact with him in regards to the flood wall projects. Smitty indicated that it was mostly a question & answer session. Maybe we might get some stimulus money to repair and rehabilitate the machinery & pumps. Lets hope.

Under the Public Speaking portion Mary Ann Cannon was there on behalf of the Wellsville Tree Board Committee. She announced that this year's Arbor Day commemoration will be held at Hammonds Park with a planting of a tree with the help of Garfield's third grade class. Ceremonies will begin at 9:30 Wednesday morning, April 29. They are also planning on having some games for the kids. Diane Dinch is the Project Manager for the Arbor Day events.

Mary Ann also passed out copies of the proposed brochure for the committee's programs this year. It includes information on what is being offered, costs and contact information along with an order form. For more information check out their web site at http://www.wellsvilletreeboard.com/.

ELO Council Members Sherrie Curtis and Brian Kerr presented a proclamation challenging the ville's officials to pass a resolution "declaring humble defeat & attest to the superior skill and dominance" of the ELO team if they win the Old Gray Mayor's Basketball game. The game is to be played May 1 at WHS to benefit the Floodwall Committee & the Alley Cat Aid Brigade. Cheerleaders and team players must be at least 50 years old. If the ELO team should lose the resolution will be put before their council. It will be posted for a month in the winner's home town. Word on the street yesterday was it's expected that the ELO team will be made up with a bunch of wrinkled ringers that get together every week to play b-ball.

Speaking of the game, former Mayor Nunzio Lombardozzi spoke on behalf of those involved with that fund raiser. He said that there are only 1,000 tickets available. Ticket sales are going well in the ville with 250 already being sold. They split the tickets with 500 going to ELO and 500 being sold in the ville. Tickets are available at Airwaves here in town, Coffee Fusion in ELO or from any committee members. Wellsville Legend Bevo Francis will be there to conduct the tip off to start the game. All his trophies will be on display and he has agreed to sign autographs. In addition to the game they are going to have food, entertainment and a 50/50 raffle.

Nunzio also announced this year's schedule for the Village Fix-up/Clean-up Committee. They will meet on the first Saturday of every month beginning May 2. The last session will be Sept. 5 and that will also be the date for their annual village wide yard sale. For more information you can contact Nunzio or Village Hall. If you got the time this is a great way to pitch in to make your home town a little more attractive.

Under Administrative Reports Chief Smith said that the old outside siren has been repair thanks mainly to the efforts of Greg Stanley. The motor for the siren was rebuilt at a huge savings to the village. I saw it yesterday. It's all painted up and will be re-installed tomorrow.

Under Committee Reports Finance Committee Chairman Tony Cataldo announced that there is a balance of $41,184 in the General Fund. He then made a motion to apply for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant for funding for the new proposed truck road they are hoping to be put in downtown. If awarded the grant amount will be a 50/50 deal with the ville's obligation being 50% of the amount. Cataldo also made a motion to send a letter to State Rep. Linda Bolen and State Senator Jason Wilson to propose legislation in Columbus to change the ville's Muncipal Court arrangement from Lisbon to ELO's. This is a cost saving move. Round trip to Lisbon is 46 miles versus around 10 miles to the 'pool. Last year it was estimated it cost us around $5,000 for mileage and over-time for WPD officers to testify in the County Municipal Court. If accomplished savings could be realized in both categories. Both motions were approved by vote of council. The court thing will be interesting. EL council not long ago passed a motion to abolish their Muncipal Court. That also requires state approval. Cataldo said he talked to both Mayor Swogger and Judge Byers-Emmerling and they have no problem with it. In this morning's paper County Judge Mark Frost was quoted as stating that he didn't think it would have much effect on the county court.

Under Streets, Lights & Parking Joe Soldano got a motion passed to request Ohio PUCO to eliminate a couple of unused railroad crossings at the request of school bus drivers. One is at 3rd & Commerce and the other at Anderson. Bus drivers are required to stop at all crossings and open the door for safety reasons. A Public Hearing will be required if the PUCO agrees to go ahead with it.

For Water, Sewage & Refuse Councilman Randy Allmon got approval to pay four invoices from our engineering firm GG&J for a total of $14540.63. Those invoice were for work performed dealing with the EPA on clearing up the problems with the STAG funds. The EPA wanted to be repaid $1.2 million and that has been brought down to a little over $12,000. Congressman Charlie Wilson has made a personal plea with the EPA to have that amount forgiven since there was no indication of anything being amiss. Allmon also advised he just got the finalized contract back from United Water for the operation of the sewage treatment plant. He also asked for a 30 day extension to operate under the old contract since they haven't had time to go over the new one yet. We've been working under an extension but that was due to expire April 29.

Under Personnel Allmon got approval to have an invoice for $5,260 paid to J.F. Lencewicz & Associates for work done on the police manual and negotiations with the village union. Fiscal Officer Dale Davis stated that should be it for the manual but negotiations for the new contract is still a work in progress.

John McMahon reported for the Property Committee that there hasn't been much movement on dealing with the FOP/FOPA on the Jim Kenney Center. That is where they are trying to get the Center back solely in the village's name to be eligible for grant money to make improvements. Randy Allmon remarked that we passed up nearly $1 million in grants last year for that and he thought the matter should be pushed ahead. At a meeting Thursday it was decided to inspect the premises this coming week and possibly audit their books. Both items are in the lease with the FOP/FOPA. As Allmon said getting out of that lease is for the benefit of the village. It's a technicality that would benefit all involved.

Under suspension of rules motions were passed to give the Ohio DOT village blessings to upgrade signs on Route 7, to agree to accept a generator on a trailer with telescoping lights and to take possession of a '94 two wheel drive GMC pick-up for fire department use. The equipment is from ODNR. We may still be in the running for another 4-wheel drive truck they hope to use for brush fires. The GMC has to be painted and lettered. Right now it's in camouflage colors.

Also under suspension of rules the ordinance to sign on with Grant Source Professionals was taken off the table and passed. It was tabled last month until some parts could get clarified and that has been done. Only grants that village officials request will be applied for.

There was $4,475 collected in back fines in March. There is still $58,869 outstanding. The Animal Control Officer had 31 calls last month. Three dogs were brought to the Village Pound, three dogs were transferred to the County and one was returned to the owner. Two of those calls were for Pitbull issues. Four calls were to investigate abuse and neglect of animals.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:29. Next meeting is May 5.

ole nib