Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes

1 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013 Mayor Strauss called the regular scheduled Council Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. After the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken with Honer, Price, Gregory, Strauss, Kincannon, Dill and Karpinski present. Administrator Sukey and Solicitor Clark were also present.

Motion by Kincannon, seconded by Dill to approve the minutes of April 25, 2013 as presented; 6 yeas; motion passed.

Public Participation:

1. Resident Elizabeth Driver requested permission and a location to plant a Community Vegetable Garden. Mrs. Driver indicated the produce would not be sold, it would be available to all residents to pick and share in the crops. Kincannon mentioned there were locations but no access to an available water and no vehicle access. Mr. Sukey suggested asking the Township if she could use the water at Lagrange Hall. She was referred back to Township Officials. Mr. Sukey explained how the Village pays for all its water; it is metered, so it can’t be given away. Solicitor Clark mentioned doing some research on Community Gardens such as how many people will be using it, will there be chemicals used, what happens to the garden if she were to leave. There was discussion of other communities who currently have Community Gardens.

2. Mr. Tom Horseman, Commercial and Residential Building Inspector for the Village, was invited by Mayor Strauss to answer any questions the Council might have regarding Building Inspections. Mayor Strauss questioned who was responsible for providing inspections and how does a resident know when completed work has been inspected. Mr. Horseman stated that per the State of Ohio, it was his responsibility to provide the inspection once the inspection is requested from the owner or the owner representative. The permit acquired expires one year from the date of purchase. If an inspection has not been provided and the permit expires, the resident could be fined $500.00. The State is working on a system which would require the inspector who issued the permit to send notice to the resident or representative of the resident in the eleventh and a half month after the permit was issued for completion of the process.

Currently there is no evidence that an inspector has provided the inspection once he is called. Mayor Strauss questioned if a door hanger could be hung on the residents door as notice of inspection. Mr. Horseman agreed; he will look into the door hangers. Page 2013 - 2 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013

Mayor Kim Strauss’ Report:

1. Mayor Strauss gave the Police report for April 2013: Department handled 8 Criminal charges, 1 juvenile charge, 18 Traffic charges, 80 Traffic warnings, 1 Traffic accident, 32 complaint calls, zero domestic violence calls, 5 thefts, and zero breaking and entering. Full time officers worked 1046 hours; part-time officers worked 64 hours.

2. Gross monthly receipts for Mayors Court April 2013 were $805.00 with $ 465.00 to the Village and $340.00 to State of Ohio. Gross receipts for the year to date were $1,845.00 with $1,131.00 to the Village and $714.00 to the State of Ohio.

Solicitor Jon Clark’s Report:

1. Solicitor Clark requested the minutes from April 25, 2013 be amend to state “a Summary Judgment has been granted in the favor of the Village in the Wriston vs. Lagrange Case.” Motioned by Kincannon, seconded by Gregory; 6 yeas, motion passed.

Village Administrator Walt Sukey’s Report:

1. Republic Services has given the Village a credit of $2.50 per residence for the inconvenience caused by the strike of the trash collector drivers.

2. Administrator Sukey received a letter from the county Engineer Ken Carney regarding engineering update cost on the 301 third lane project. The new estimate is $361,931.00. The old estimate for budget purposes was $325,000.00. The Village can either pay the full difference amount of $36,931.00 or we can amend the original agreement to pay overtime. A copy of the letter has been given to the Council members. Karpinski motioned to pay the $36,931.00, seconded by Kincannon; 6 yeas, motion passed.

3. Robert Hulec has received his Class 1 Water Operators License and will be able to sign reports starting with the May of 2013 report. Mr. Hulec has taken his Wastewater I Operator License test. The results from that test are not expected for 4 to 6 weeks.

4. The Columbia Gas Company contractor has come back and regraded and reseeded areas where the new gas line was installed on West Main Street. Page 2013 - 3 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013 5. Administrator Sukey requested approval to purchase high intensity T-shirts for the employees at a cost of $510.00 for eight employees each receiving five shirts. Motion to approve purchase by Karpinski, seconded by Gregory; 6 yeas, motion passed.

6. The new water service lines have been installed on Dill Court. Next step in the process will be to abandon the old waterline and start on the storm sewer install.

7. A repair has been made on the three roof seams that seems to be where the leaks are coming from. If the new repair holds, a new roof won’t be necessary. However, quotes will still be received for a potential new roof.

8. The new aeration tank gear reducer and bearing have been installed and are operating correctly.

Fiscal Officer Linda Lowery’s Report:

1. Fiscal Officer Lowery requested approval for additional hours required for issues that have arisen since taking over the Fiscal Officer position. Ordinance 2013-2263 states that additional hours need to be approved by the Mayor above the maximum of 100 hours a month. Solicitor Clark will prepare an Ordinance to address the issue.

2. Fiscal Officer Lowery requested approval to purchase a new fire proof filing cabinet. The current cabinet that houses confidential payroll records, has a broken lock and needs replacing. She submitted several options. Motion to approve the purchase of a Fire Proof Filing Cabinet up to $1,800.00 by Kincannon, seconded by Price; 6 yeas, motion passed.

3. The minutes of April 11, 2013 omitted the 2nd reading of Resolution 2013—799; Lowery requested to amend minutes to include second reading. Motion to amend by Kincannon, seconded by Karpinski; 6 yeas, motion passed.

4. Lowery contacted the State auditor concerning the cost of a cash audit. The Auditor’s office has not returned her call at this time. However, in her conversation, she was informed that the Village’s regular audit should begin soon.

Unfinished Business:

1. Resolution 2013-800 FirstMerit Bank is still unresolved. Solicitor Clark is waiting for a response from First Merit. Page 2013 - 4 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013 2. According to Solicitor Clark an Ordinance for the adoption of Resolution 2013-801 from the Planning Commission is not prepared yet.

3. Mr. Clark is waiting on a response from RITA regarding residents who have outstanding balances for Municipal Income Tax and have requested reviews.

New Business:

1. Motion to approve to appoint Kimberly Fallon as a RITA Delegate by Kincannon, seconded by Karpinski; 6 yeas, motion passed.

2. Motion by Kincannon to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2013-2266, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND RESTATE ORDINANCE 2004-2034 TO PICK UP STATUTORILY REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION TO THE OHIO POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUND FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF LAGRANGE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2013-2266 and declaring an emergency by Kincannon seconded by Karpinski; 6 yeas; motion passed.

3. Motion by Kincannon to suspend the rules for Resolution 2013-802, A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR FIRE/ARSON INVESTIGATION MUTUAL AID ASSISTANCE IN LORAIN COUNTY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2013-802 and declaring an emergency by Kincannon seconded by Gregory; 6 yeas; motion passed.

4. Motion by Kincannon to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2013-2267, AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL RESOLUTION NUMBER 2013-797 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Page 2013 - 5 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2013-2267 and declaring an emergency by Kincannon seconded by Price; 6 yeas; motion passed.

5. Motion by Kincannon to suspend the rules for Resolution 2013-803, A RESOLUTION SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF THE VILLAGE OF LAGRANGE THE QUESTION OF A RENEWAL LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE TEN MILL LIMITATION FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5)YEARS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE VILLAGE OF LAGRANGE, OHIO PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE 5705.19 AMD DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Motion to adopt Resolution 2013-803 and declaring an emergency by Kincannon seconded by Dill; 6 yeas; motion passed.

Committee Reports:

1. The Planning Committee reported on the completion date for the new elementary school as being approximately the end of next year.

2. Kincannon announced the CIC Audit is complete. Currently the CIC is in need of someone to keep minutes.

3. Sukey mentioned the Village employees mowing grass on the vacant lots. Mayor Strauss questioned if hours were being tracked for the mowing. Sukey said he would take care of it.

Presentation of Bills:

4. The Fiscal Officer presented the following bills for payment as shown on the attached list for warrants 36323 through 36354 and Electronic Payments 174-2013 through 222- 2013 for a total of $89,715.10. Motion by Karpinski, seconded by Dill; 6 yeas, motion passed.

There being no further business, motion to adjourn by Karpinski, seconded by Dill; all aye; motion passed. Adjourned at 9:15 P.M. Page 2013 - 6 Village of Lagrange Council Meeting Minutes Record of Proceedings May 9, 2013

Attested by: ______Linda M. Lowery, Fiscal Officer

Signed: ______Kim E. Strauss, Mayor

Date: ______