Burton Village Council
December 19, 2005
Mayor Fischbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, Yes. Joe Hernandez, Yes. Jeff Coleman,
Yes.Dan Thoreson, Yes. Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne Lillibridge, Yes.
Visitors: David Ondrey, Chip Hess, Phil Brath, Lynn Rose, Bill George, Patrick McVey, Jack Garner, Sharon Gingerich, Robert Chunett, Joe Koziol, Tim Yokules, Doris Dufley, Dixie Richardson, James Wohlken, Ken Goskey, Ken Lewis, Brianna Bishop, Barbara Santillo, Bill Morgan, Edna Davis, M. Engle
Sandy Humbert moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel promotion. Judy Beaumier seconded the motion. Roll call: Sandy Humbert Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes. Adjourned to executive session at 7:01 PM.
Returned to regular session at 7:08 PM
The Mayor asked Council to promote Lynn Rose to the position of Street Commissioner. Jeff Coleman moved to promote Lynn Rose to the position of Street Commissioner. Sandy Humbert seconded the motion. Roll call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Sandy Humbert Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes.
The Mayor gave Lynn Rose the oath of office and Mr. Rose accepted.
Police Report: Chief Nichols
Chief Nichols reported that 3400 miles were put on the cruisers last month. There were 51 traffic stops, 18 citations and 98 activity calls. Chief Nichols reported that the suspect, Roger Watts, in the North Cheshire home break-in and assault was arrested at Meadow Lane Farms on Butternut Road by Chief Nichols and Geauga County Deputy(s).
The Mayor asked Chief Nichols to go over the recent High School bomb threat incident. The call was received at the High School by a student who was answering the telephone. All students were evacuated from the building at that time. Chief Nichols responded to the call from Chardon where he was processing another incident. Burton Police and Geauga Sheriff units were on scene and the Burton Fire Department was placed on standby. Chief Nichols and a deputy cleared the gymnasium and adjacent wrestling room. A determination was made to have the students wait in the gym until the rest of the building was searched because of the temperature outside. Dan Thoreson added that in the event of an emergency there are five locations in the Burton area for students to be evacuated to based on the level of the evaluated threat. The locations were not released for safety and security reasons. Chief Nichols and the Sheriff searched the school based on the nature of the call. After the event, telephone records determined that the call was placed from a pay telephone within the school. The Mayor commended the Police and Sheriff departments for their work. Chief Nichols stated that the school is reevaluating some of their procedures with regard to this emergency.
Mrs. Beaumier asked about rolling stop sign violations as reported by Keith Steele, a local business owner. Chief Nichols stated that his officers will continue to watch the corner as often as they can but so far had not noticed many violators. Mrs. Beaumier asked about fines and Chief Nichols informed her that all fines are set by the court.
Chief Nichols was asked to update Council regarding the break-in at the Berkshire Grade School. Entry was gained in same way as at the High School; through the roof. Mostly vandalism. This type of break-in has not been localized to Berkshire; other communities in the area have been struck also.
Engineers Report: Hess and Associates
Mr. Hess introduced Phillip Brath who will be heading the water tower repainting project. The tower will be painted this summer. Bids will go out in January. Mr. Hess is setting up a meeting with EPA for January to discuss the wastewater treatment plant expansion but has not yet reached a contact person there.
The Mayor asked the Council to start considering a renewal of Hess and Associates contract for two years.
Solicitors Report: Thrasher, Dinsmore, and Dolan
Mr. Ondrey also asked Council to consider a contract renewal for Village Solicitor for two years with his office.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Jeff Coleman moved to adopt Ordinance 2120-05, to require the Village Council bid out for independent engineering services. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. Roll call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Sandy Humbert No.
Ordinance 2120-05 passed.
Dan Thoreson moved to adopt Ordinance 2121-05, authorizing the Mayor to enter into settlement agreement with Burton Developers and declaring an emergency. Sandy Humbert seconded the motion. Mrs. Beaumier interjected that Mr. Thoreson was in no way fiscally tied to the Burton Developers and asked everyone to please note that. Roll call: Dan Thoreson Yes, Sandy Humbert Yes, Dianne Lillibridge No, Judy Beaumier No, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes. Ordinance 2121-05 passed as emergency legislation.
Sandy Humbert introduced Ordinance 2123-05, interim 2006 budget and declaring and emergency. Sandy Humbert moved to waive readings. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. Roll call: Sandy Humbert Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes.
Sandy Humbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2123-05. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. Roll call: Sandy Humbert Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes.
Ordinance 2123-05 passed.
Sandy Humbert moved to pay all approved bills. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. By voice vote all approved.
Judy Beaumier moved to adopt November 21 Council minutes as written. Joe Hernandez seconded the motion. By voice vote all approved.
Judy Beaumier moved to adopt December 12 Committee minutes as amended. Sandy Humbert seconded the motion. By voice vote all approved.
Committee Reports;
Streets; Joe Hernandez
Heavy snowfall was being handled by the Street Department. Mr. Thoreson thanked Mr. Hernandez for his hard work and dedication.
Finance; Jeff Coleman
Nothing to Report. Mr. Coleman plans on meeting with Mr. Paquette before the end of the month.
Parks and Trees; Sandy Humbert
Nothing to Report.
Board of Public Affairs; Judy Beaumier
As previously reported, bids for water tower painting are going out in January with an estimated completion date of August. All of Councils questions to the Board of Public Affairs are answered in the copies they received of minutes of the BPA meeting.
Local Government; Dianne Lillibridge
Berkshire Planning Commission has setup 4 open meetings with the consultant and encourages the public to attend. Topics to be discussed include conservation of rural areas and placement of industrial and business areas.
Schools and Fire Department Dan Thoreson
Mr. Thoreson stated that he felt confident that the Burton Police Department did the right thing in the handling of the bomb threat. Council asked Chief Nichols if an officer was on duty at the time of the Grade School break-in. The answer was no. The third shift is not covered two nights a week; the specific nights vary so as to not present a pattern.
Old Business
Council confirmed that pay raises would go into effect with the first full pay period in January 2006.
New Business
Jeff Coleman introduced Ordinance 2125-05, establishing a pay grade of Street Commissioner and base pay for that position of $20.20 per hour and declaring an emergency. Jeff Coleman moved to waive readings and Sandy Humbert seconded the motion. Roll call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Sandy Humbert Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes.
Sandy Humbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2125-05. Judy Beaumier seconded the motion. Roll call: Sandy Humbert Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes.
Ordinance 2125-05 passed.
Ms. Humbert asked about mission statements. A short discussion was held.
The Mayor scheduled an organizational meeting at 6:30PM on January 9, 2006 to start the New Year and swear in new Council members.
Dianne Lillibridge spoke to the need to find funding for the wastewater treatment plant expansion. To that end, Mrs. Lillibridge introduced Ordinance 2124-05, adding a flat seven-dollar surcharge to the basic amount of all sewer accounts. The Mayor recommended that further discussions on this matter be held with BPA.
Jeff Coleman expressed his thanks to Dan Thoreson and Joe Hernandez for their time and efforts on Council.
Sandy Humbert moved to adjourn the meeting and Judy Beaumier seconded. Council adjourned at 7:55 PM