Burton Village Council

September 19, 2005

 

Mayor Fischbach called the meeting to order at 7:00PM

 

Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, No. Joe Hernandez, Yes. Jeff Coleman, Yes. Dan

Thoreson, Yes. Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne Lillibridge, Yes.

 

Visitors: Edna Davis, Dennis Nichols, Rick Smigelski, David Ondrey, Chip Hess, Mike Sestak, Bill Morgan, Tom Clark, Chad Osmond

 

Police Report: Chief Nichols

Officer Smigelski reported on the training class at the Expo Center.  Officer Smigelski found a program by GM and Dodge where local police departments can use a fully equipped Chevrolet Impala and/or a fully equipped Dodge Magnum with unlimited mileage on both for a week at a time.  Since the Village is looking to purchase a new patrol in Fiscal Year 2006, Officer Smigelski felt that it would be a good idea to test drive these vehicles, especially since the Impala is cheaper and to purchase and maintain than the Crown Victoria.  The Council approved of the idea and directed the Chief and Officer Smigelski to proceed to get the use of the vehicles.

Chief Nichols reported that 3900 miles were put on the cruisers last month.  There were 5 arrests, 62 traffic stops, and 111 activity calls.  Chief put out a reminder to all Village residents, lock your cars.  There has been recent upsurge in the number of residents complaining of loss of items from unlocked cars.   Chief Nichols is still pursuing all leads in the Berkshire High School break-in.  The Chief reminded Council that the school had once before been broken into by the same entry point as the current break-in.  At that time and again now, Chief Nichols urges the school to increase security at that point with cameras and/or alarms.  The Police check for unlocked doors but do not patrol the roof.

 

Fire Department Report; Chief Sestak

Chief Sestak reported 94 calls this month, 57 EMS and 5 fire in the Village and 16 EMS and 8 Fire in the Township.  Most of the EMS calls this month were Fair related.

Chief Sestak introduced the subject of the Fire Department Property next door to fire station. The Department wants to tear down the building and add a three bay expansion.  The building is not on the historical register according to the Chief, and repair costs to the roof and building walls would be almost as much as the building and land cost to purchase.  Current plans have Ronyak Bros. removing the building and taking the sandstone as payment.   Chief Sestak had planned to come before Council tonight and introduce the idea but was surprised to read in the paper that word of the removal was well known.  The Chief stated that it was always the intention of the Fire Department to remove or tear down the building in the future but the bowing roof and structural damage have rendered the repairs too expensive.  As far as Helen Davis, the person who has a lifetime lease in the current building, the Fire Department has made a commitment to provide her with quarters in the new building and see to it that she is properly cared for.  Mayor Fischbach asked to be introduced to the other members of the Fire Department at the meeting.  Chief Sestak introduced Bill Morgan, Tom Clark, and Chad Osmond as members of the Fire Department Board of Trustees.  Two other Trustees, Jerry Brown and Tom Lincoln, were unable to attend.  Mayor Fischbach asked who the architect was that inspected the building.  Chief Sestak answered that his name was Rivera.  Mayor Fischbach wanted to know if the Century Village had been contacted about taking the building.  Chief Sestak stated that the past administrator had said that the Century Village was not interested.  The Fire Department would ask them again.  The cost to rebuild the roof in the short term is $70,000.  The cost of three bays and paying off the existing mortgage would be around $300,000.  The expansion would be paid for with donations and fundraiser; no taxpayer operating funds would be used.  Mrs. Beaumier and Mr. Thoreson recommended a sign be placed in front of the building explaining this fact.  Good Public Relations will be an absolute necessity.

Chief Sestak also thanked the Village for contributing to the Geauga County Fire Chiefs.  The Burton Volunteer Fire Department is on call for one engine and one EMS squad to go south to help with the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

 

Engineers Report: Hess and Associates

Construction work on the Evergreen Street project is complete.  All that is left is to correct a drainage problem.  Mr. Hernandez and Lynn Rose will meet with Mr. Hess on 20 September to determine a solution.

 

Solicitors Report: Thrasher, Dinsmore, and Dolan

Mr. Ondrey provided the Council with a copy of a proposed easement settlement ordinance for the storm water drainage onto Century Village property from Evergreen Street.  The Geauga County Historical Society (Century Village) is agreeable to the proposal as long as the Village maintains the drainage sight and pays a one-time fee for the easement.  Mr. Hernandez introduced Ordinance 2118-05 authorizing easement agreement with Geauga County Historical Society and stipulating a one-time payment of $2000. Placed on first reading.

 

The Mayor left the meeting and turned over the gavel to Mr. Coleman.

 

Ordinances and Resolutions:

Judy Beaumier introduced Resolution 2005-13, authorizing the transfer of budgeted funds between the General Fund and Cemetery and Street Operating Funds and declaring an emergency.  Judy Beaumier moved to waive readings.  Jeff Coleman seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Jeff Coleman – Yes, Joe Hernandez – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Dan Thoreson – Yes.

 

Dan Thoreson moved to adopt Resolution 2005-13.  Judy Beaumier seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Dan Thoreson – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Jeff Coleman – Yes, Joe Hernandez – Yes.

Resolution 2005-13 passed.

 

Fiscal Officers Report: C. Paquette

Dan Thoreson moved to approve bills for payment.  Judy Beaumier seconded the motion.  By voice vote all approved.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to adopt August 15 Council minutes as written.  Jeff Coleman seconded the motion.  By voice vote all approved.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to adopt September 6 Joint BPA Committee minutes as written.  Jeff Coleman seconded the motion.  By voice vote all approved.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to adopt September 12 Committee minutes as written. Jeff Coleman seconded the motion.  By voice vote all approved.

 

Committee Reports;

 

Streets; Joe Hernandez

Mr. Hernandez investigated the citizen complaint of poor curbing and drainage at 14448 North Cheshire.  In summary, Mr. Hernandez stated that the slope of the driveway and the lack of proper lip between the street and the apron was contributing to the problem.  A long-term solution will have to wait until North Cheshire is repaved.  In the interim, the Street Department will fix the curbs around driveway.

 

Brush pickup is tentatively scheduled for October 3 and 4.  Mr. Rose will get quotes.

 

In regards to the street painting problem brought up at the last meeting, all crosswalks and stop lines around the park were painted this year.  Traffic flow is responsible for the extra wear at the Route 87 and CITGO location.  A more durable paint could be applied around the Village at roughly double the cost or better.

 

Finance; Jeff Coleman

Nothing to Report.

 

Parks and Trees; Sandy Humbert

Not Available. 

 

Board of Public Affairs; Judy Beaumier

Mrs. Beaumier reported that Mr. Kleve and Mr. Ward would both be at the Rural Community Assistance Program meeting on October 4.  In answer to Mr. Hernandez’s question, the water tower is expected to be painted in July or August of 2006.

 

Local Government; Dianne Lillibridge

Nothing to Report

 

Schools and Fire Department – Dan Thoreson

Mr. Thoreson deferred to Mrs. Beaumier concerning the Fire Department.  Mrs. Beaumier added to Chief Sestak’s report that the Fire Department collected $1800 for relief of Hurricane Katrina.

 

Old Business

Art, Antiques, and Autumn is scheduled for the 22nd through the 25th of September.

 

New Business

Mr. Ondrey suggested that the door-to-door solicitation ordinances of the Village be reviewed in light of recent court cases.

 

Mr. Coleman introduced a Resolution, 2005-14, to support the Lake Geauga Red Ribbon Campaign urging citizens to be drug free 24/7.

 

Dan Thoreson moved to waive readings of Resolution 2005-14.  Judy Beaumier seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Dan Thoreson – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Jeff Coleman – Yes, Joe Hernandez – Yes.

 

Dan Thoreson moved to adopt Resolution 2005-14.  Judy Beaumier seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Dan Thoreson – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Jeff Coleman – Yes, Joe Hernandez – Yes.

Resolution 2005-14 adopted.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation.  Dan Thoreson seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Dan Thoreson – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Jeff Coleman – Yes, Joe Hernandez – Yes.

Entered executive session at 8:15 PM.

 

Dan Thoreson moved to leave executive session and Judy Beaumier seconded the motion. Roll Call: Dan Thoreson – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Jeff Coleman – No, Joe Hernandez – Yes.

 

Dan Thoreson moved to adjourn the meeting and Jeff Coleman seconded.  Council adjourned at 8:45 PM