Council Meeting - Tuesday - 6/2/09

The regular council meeting was called to order promptly at 6:01 last night by Mayor Joe Surace. All council members were present except the ailing Tony Cataldo. Also present were ACO Officer Leslie Dean, Village Solicitor Andy Beech, WFD Chief Bill Smith, Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Fiscal Officer Dale Davis.

In the Public Speaking portion a Broadway resident addressed Council in regards to the American Legion proposed Mill St. repair project stating he hoped council would look favorably on it. All the pros & cons were discussed at a Street Committee meeting last week. At that meeting Andy Beech advised the committee on just about everything they had to consider with this project. Jack Cataldo, representing the Legion, advised that Post 70 would be willing to cover any potential problems. The members of the Legion working on the project are all experienced construction workers. Cataldo also vouched that all safety precautions would be strictly adhered to. The Broadway resident stated that with the lack of stimulus money and the high cost of paving it would benefit the village to allow this project proceed. It won't cost the village a penny and it would be a vast improvement on that street.

Also under Public Speaking Nunzio Lombardozzi addressed council on three items. The first two concerned the Fix-up/Clean-up Committee. He first thanked Kate & Bob Moore and the residents of Youth With A Purpose foster home in Salineville for donating time & help last Saturday helping to clean up the planters at the 4th St. Square and getting a good start on cleaning up the Welcome to Wellsville site at 17th & Main. There were 13 Youth With A Purpose residents and three sponsors lending the ville a hand. The Moores are members of Wellsville's First Christian Church.

Second on Nunzi's list was the lot at 12th & Main across from Village Hall that has become unsightly being over grown with weeds and grass. He said the committee is willing to cut it with council's permission. That property was foreclosed on by a bank and is soon to be put up for sale in the Sheriff's Auction. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed council's approval wasn't needed but it was advisable to check with the bank and the Sheriff's Office. No one could foresee any problem cleaning it up. It would certainly be an improvement.

Third on Nunzi's list was to clarify that the permission to block off the street's for the Italian Festival was still okay. That was okayed at the last meeting. FO Dale Davis said any unintended confusion may be due to the fact that minutes of the last meeting can't be released until approved by council. The minutes of the last meeting were read & approved last night as is the procedure. There was no problem with that request.

Under Administration Reports, Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean reported that until last month she has been averaging 30 calls per month. Last month those calls jumped up to 48. Last month there were six dogs brought to the village pound with three being transferred to the county and three were returned to their owners.

Mrs. Dean also asked Council to consider an ordinance to cite dog owners for unlicensed dogs. From what she has been able to determine there is no village ordinance to cover this. Consequently she can only cite them under county laws and any fine revenue goes to the county. With a village ordinance violations would be heard in the Village Magistrates Court. That matter was turned over to committee.

Dean also recognized Kerry Patterson of 3 Jacks Grooming for donating a washer, dryer and floor dryer for the pound. She also thanked Calcutta Wal-Mart for the donation of a $50 gift card. I think I mentioned it before but previously the Alley Cat Aid Brigade donated a window air conditioner for the pound.

WFD Chief Smith reported that fire calls were up this past month. The Fire Dept. is planning a flood wall exercise for later in the month. We'll have more on that later. Smith also reported he has been getting hints that money to demolish dilapidated houses in the village will be soon coming. Councilman McMahon inquired about the status of the truck being donated from ODNR. Smith advised all the paperwork has been filled out and submitted.

Administrator Jim Saracco announced the new lights at the 18th St. Playground have been installed and the electrical wiring should be completed this week. After that they will have to be inspected by the State and should be good to go. A pilfered sign for the rules will have to be replaced.

Under the Mayor's Report Surace thanked Jamie McMahon and the ville's Volunteer Fire Dept. for an outstanding job they did with last week's Festival Homecoming. He said the entertainment was nicely expanded, the parade was bigger & better and the return of the fire works was spectacular. He noted the firefighters did the village proud.

Surace also reminded dog walkers of their responsibilities to clean up after their dogs. There's an ordinance to cover this and walker's can be cited and fined if found not to be in compliance with it. He noted that village residents can help by visually checking to see if the dog walkers are carrying a bag or scooper with them. He said he found this to be very effective.

Under Committee Reports, Street Committee Chairman Joe Soldano asked council to approve a simple form for street closure requests to be filled out prior to getting council's approval. The form has to be signed by those requesting the action, the WFD Chief, the WPD Chief, the Mayor and the Village Administrator. In addition to pertinent information the form will have one line simply stating that all rules, regulations and laws shall be obeyed. Those making the request will also have to be present at a meeting to ask council's approval. The motion for the form was approved with Councilman John McMahon abstaining.

Soldano made a motion that the American Legion be given permission to proceed with their street repair project provided they do it under village supervision. That motion was approved.

Soldano also announced that Bench Electric is suppose to repair the decorative street lights around village hall and replace the broken globes.

Randy Allmon, for Water, Sewage & Refuse, reported that the new five year contract for the sewage plant is completed, done, finished... we're good to go.

Under Property, Equipment & Cemetery, John McMahon stated the cemetery really looked nice for the Memorial Day holiday. He said he toured the cemetery and was proud of its appearance. He also recognized the Memorial Council on the good job placing flags on all the veteran's graves. Joe Soldano offer a "hats off" to Cemetery Superintendent Mike Lombardozzi and his crew.

McMahon also announced the 9th & Commerce St. property has to be surveyed and appraised. Andy Beech added that there is some possible interest in that property requiring that the survey and appraisal be done. Surace hinted that interest may be for a commercial resale facility. No one committed to anything being set in stone.

For Claims, Rules & Ordinances, Councilwoman Rosie Goss announced she will be calling for a committee meeting in the next week or two to address an amusement tax and possibly the dog license ordinance. She doesn't have a firm date yet.

Being no new legislation or new business to consider the meeting was adjourned at 6:35. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16.

ole nib