Burton Village Council

July 24, 2006

 

Mayor Fischbach called the meeting to order at 6:35PM. 

 

Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, No. James Koster, Yes. Linda Swaney, Yes.

Sharon Gingerich, Yes. Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne Lillibridge, Yes.

 

Visitors: Todd Hicks, Ken Kleve, Jack Garner, Joe Kozial, J. McKevitt, Edna Davis, Lee Koroshes, Jane Koroshes, Josh Echt, Keith Steele, Richard Smigelski.

 

The Mayor recognized Mr. Steele who wanted a brief word to Council.  Mr. Steele thanked the Police Department for quickly apprehending a suspect and recovering $2800 worth of stolen merchandise.  Mr. Steele then went on to comment on a safety issue; vehicles traveling south from Main Street onto West Park routinely roll through the stop sign.   Significantly, Mr. Steele commented upon the fact that the Burton Fire Department Rescue vehicle traveled the wrong way on Spring Street to turn north on Main Street almost becoming involved in a head on collision.  Mr. Steele asked what could be done.  The Mayor and Police Department noted the information and will be on the lookout.

 

Police Report:

Officer Smigelski stood in for Chief Nichols.  Officer Smigelski reported that 3605 miles were put on the cruisers last month with 41 traffic stops, 4 arrests, and 140 calls.   Mr. Steele asked the Police to watch for underage drinking along the Main Street area after hours.  The Department was aware of the situation.   Officer Smigelski recommended that the Village lease to purchase two Chevrolet Impala police cruisers as an economical alternative to direct purchase.  The cost of the Impala is approximately $16000 versus the $18000 for the Ford Crown Victoria and $22000 for the Dodge Charger.  Front wheel drive Impala’s should perform better in snow and may realize a 30% fuel savings over the Crown Victoria’s.  The Geauga Sheriff’s Department uses Impala and reports a good service history.  The cost for each car would be $6652 per year for three years with a one dollar buy out.

The Mayor recommended that Council go with the lease.  Judy Beaumier moved to enter into a lease agreement with GMAC financing for two Chevrolet Impala for three years.  Jim Koster seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Jim Koster – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.

 

Engineer’s Report:

Mr. Hess was not available to report.  Mr. Paquette reported that while Mr. Hess had billed the Village for services performed on the Orwell Gas Project, Orwell gas has not yet put that additional amount of money on deposit.  Nor has Orwell Gas paid the $6000 agreed upon with the Mayor prior to the start of the project.  Mr. Paquette will send a letter asking for necessary deposit and the additional agreed upon funds.  Mr. Paquette asked if the Geauga Credit Union was coming back before the Planning Commission to submit plans and whether they needed to put up the usual $500 deposit.  Mr. Hess has already charged the Village $75 for review of some of there plans.  The Mayor and Mr. Hicks indicated that Mr. Paquette should obtain the deposit from the Geauga Credit Union.

 

Solicitor’s Report:

Mr. Hicks informed Council that the Village has been made a party to the Oberle v Finnerty lawsuit regarding production of Harlow’s Maple Corn.  Mr. Hicks recommended executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss this pending litigation.

 

Regarding the petition being filed by backers of the idea to paint pancakes on the water tower.  If enough signatures are collected and turned into the Fiscal Officer in a timely fashion, the petition is held for ten days public comment and then forwarded to the Board of Elections for review and, if everything is in order, inclusion on the November ballot.  Some options were discussed.  The Mayor referred the whole matter to the Board of Public Affairs and Thrasher Dinsmore and Dolan.

 

Resolutions and Ordinances:

Judy Beaumier moved to adopt ordinance 2132-06 declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation.  Jim Koster seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Jim Koster – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.

 

The Mayor requested that Council approve the payment of all approved invoices.  Ms. Gingerich had a question about the invoice from Midwest Claims.  Mr. Hicks and the Mayor explained that while no claim has been filed, our contract with the insurance company allows an incident investigation to help in any future possible lawsuits/claims.  Judy Beaumier moved to approve paying of approved invoices and Sharon Gingerich seconded the motion.  By voice vote, motion passed.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to approve the June 26, 2006 Council meeting minutes as written.  Dianne Lillibridge seconded the motion.  By voice vote, motion passed.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to approve the July 10, 2006 Committee minutes with the following correction. On page two, the first paragraph, the Fire Department meeting was on 18 July.  Linda Swaney seconded the motion.  By voice vote, motion passed.

 

Committee Reports:

Street Committee- James Koster

Mr. Koster brought up the issue of emergency call list procedures.  This past weekend Lynn Rose was called in for a water break because the Police Department could not reach anyone in the Water Department.  Mr. Koster wants to be sure that in the future the Police Department contact the water dispatcher after hours for those circumstances dealing with water or sewer.   Mr. Koster mentioned the need for a specific plan for construction projects in the Village.   Mr. Koster would like to see Baird Street widened in phases.  Mr. Koster also would like to see better bid specifications drafted by the Engineer in the future to facilitate the bid process and make it easier to compare bids.

Mr. Koster then brought up the idea of installing a new ADA approved drinking fountain in front of the existing well and maybe one down by the Log Cabin.  A discussion ensued.

 

Finance Committee –

Nothing to Report. 

 

Forestry and Parks – Sandy Humbert

Not available to report.

 

BPA and Local Government – Dianne Lillibridge

Mrs. Lillibridge reported that LC United, the company painting the water tower, has asked for a two week extension to complete painting but the BPA has turned them down.  BURTON will be painted on the north side of the water tower.

The Berkshire Community Planning Commission will be at the 14 August Council meeting to make a thirty-minute presentation on the results of the McKenna study.

Mr. Kevin O’Reilly would also like to address Council on 14 August regarding a possible leased building.   The Mayor informed Council that he had met with Ken Kleve of BPA and now the words “Welcome to Burton” will be painted on the tower.

Mrs. Lillibridge opened a discussion of leasing a building versus buying.

Mr. Koster invited the Planning Commission to the BCPA presentation also.

 

Fire Department– Judy Beaumier

Mrs. Beaumier reported that she attended the Fire Department meeting and found out that the new truck was modified to fit in the existing bays.  The audit will be done this week. In addition, the Fire Department bought Helen Davison’s life lease for $10000.

Mrs. Beaumier will attend the Geauga County Economic Committee meeting on Thursday, if able.

 

Grants and Historic Review Board – Sharon Gingerich

Ms. Gingerich presented some photographs of types of crosswalks used in other cities and villages. 

 

Schools Chamber of Commerce - Mayor Fischbach

The Mayor brought up the subject of a possible new Historic District Map to be placed on the display board in front of the Log Cabin.  All Matters Gallery has offered to make the new map, a sample of which is on file in the Village office.  Mr. Steele volunteered to have Hill Hardware furnish the plexiglass for the project.  Judy Beaumier moved to have All Matters create a color map in the scheme shown and Sharon Gingerich seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, Jim Koster – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.  Mr. Koster suggested the cost to update the map come from a portion of the permits from zoning signs. 

 

Mr. Steele addressed Council and stated that he will be taking a more active role in the Chamber of Commerce in the future and wants to work to put aside the differences in the community and get everyone working toward a common goal.

 

Old Business:

Mrs. Beaumier asked the Mayor about the Mission Statement and the Personnel Manual.  The Mayor assured her that he was working on them.

 

New Business:

Mr. Koster would like to establish procedures for emergencies in the Village.  Mr. Koster felt that the Village should look into purchasing an electrical generator for emergencies.  A suggestion was made that we make arrangements with a supplier to have one on call in an emergency.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to enter into executive session to discuss pending litigation.  Jim Koster seconded the motion.  Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Jim Koster – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.  Entered executive session at 8:15 PM.

 

Judy Beaumier moved to leave executive session, seconded by Jim Koster.  By voice vote, all agreed.  Left executive session at 8:55 PM.

 

A short discussion was held to discuss the pancake issue.   The Mayor introduced the Council to the idea of Main Street USA project.  The Mayor tried to relate what he had seen in other cities and villages around the area who were already participating in the Main Street Program.  Sharon Gingerich and Linda Swaney were already quite involved in the project.  A vigorous discussion of the potential of the project ensued.

 

Linda Swaney moved to adjourn the meeting and Jim Koster seconded.  Council adjourned at 9:15 PM