Burton Village Council Committee

13 February 2006

           

Meeting called to order by Mayor Fischbach at 6:30 PM

 

Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, Yes. Jeff Coleman, Yes. James Koster, Yes.

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

 

Visitors: Edna Davis, Jim Wohlken, Mike Sestak, Steve Roesser, Bob Provost, Jenny McKevitt, Lee Koroshes, Jane Koroshes, Jack Garner.

 

The Mayor recognized visitors.  Mr. Coleman introduced Mr. Provost and Mr. Roesser as members of Foresight Engineering Group.  Mr. Provost provided the firm’s credentials including the fact that they were currently the Village Engineer of Middlefield Village and Mr. Roesser is the Zoning Inspector of Middlefield Village.  Foresight Engineering has also done work for Geauga County Commissioners, Geauga County Department of Water Resources, Geauga County Fairgrounds, Geauga Park District and Chester Township.  Council and Mayor asked questions related to the firms qualifications and background, which were answered.  When asked about the wastewater treatment plant engineering in Middlefield, Mr. Provost replied that the firm Arcadis FPS handled that work.  Mr. Coleman asked for an hourly fee schedule from Mr. Provost, which he provided.

 

The Mayor recognized Mr. Jack Garner.  Mr. Garner was concerned about the impression he had of the Village Council rubber-stamping bills that might not be necessary.  Mr. Garner wondered if the Council should be checking more closely.  Specifically brought up was the Geauga County Community Improvement Committee.  Council answered that that bill was withdrawn and not paid and that Council would continue to look closely at all bills.

Mr. Garner also had a question about the cost of the wastewater treatment plant expansion, specifically the surcharge as reported in a local newspaper.  Mr. Wohlken had similarly concerns, especially as they related to encouraging more construction and the actual need to expand. A discussion ensued.

 

The Mayor recognized Mr. James Wohlken.  Mr. Wohlken had a question about the Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Burton Developers for the Chittle property.  Mr. Wohlken wanted to know why, after the Council repeatedly stated that the ordinance was not being passed as an emergency measure, the ordinance was passed as an emergency.  Council agreed to get him an answer.

 

Mr. Lee Koroshes asked for permission to use the Park for this year's Easter Egg Hunt.  Council granted permission.

 

Fire Department Report;

Chief Sestak provided an abbreviated monthly fire report to Council members.  The department responded to 7 EMS and 4 fire calls in the Village and 13 EMS and 4 fire calls in Burton Township. 

 

The Chief then went on to update Council on the “Old School”.   The building was tested for asbestos in sixteen locations with 6 positive results.  This means that whether the building is rehabbed or torn down, the cost to remediate the asbestos will be about $20,000 to $30,000. At this point, the Fire Department has decided to stop trying to accommodate life lease tenant Helen Davis in another location.  A letter will be sent to Mrs. Davis and family’s attorney stating that she is free to move back in but under the strict terms of the life lease she becomes responsible for all upkeep of the building, including maintenance, repair of the roof, and utilities. Council discussed the situation with Chief Sestak. 

Chief Sestak also reported that inspections were going well.

 

Zoning Inspector: Joe Hernandez

Not present

 

Committees:

Local Government and BPA; Dianne Lillibridge

Mrs. Lillibridge reported that Burton Township was still working on procuring land for a cemetery problem.  Mrs. Lillibridge also reported that Mr. Preston of Preston Chevy, Ford, Kia came before the trustees and asked for a change of zoning on the property adjoining his in the Township.  Mr. Preston stated that he would have to leave the area if he did not receive zoning that would allow him to expand.

No change in BPA from what was already discussed.  The Berkshire Community Planning Association met with McKenna and Associates, the consultant hired to do the planning study.  Mrs. Lillibridge reported on what was discussed.  The next BCPA committee meeting is on 16 February and the next public meeting is 25 February in Troy.

 

Parks and Forestry and Cemetery; Sandy Humbert

Arbor Day is 13 May.  Ms. Humbert noted that the Cemetery Board has issued a purchase order to fix monuments to Norman Monument Company for $25,000.    In addition, CEI is trimming trees around power lines in the area. If anyone has a tree that needs trimming with regard to a power line, please let Ms. Humbert know.

 

Streets; James Koster

Mr. Koster reported a concern of the Street Commissioner that some equipment, in particular the Sewer Jet, is not being maintained.  Mr. Koster asked Mrs. Lillibridge to bring up the subject of instituting a preventative maintenance plan for Water and Sewer equipment.  Jeff Coleman asked if Mrs. Lillibridge would ask a BPA representative to attend a Council meeting.  On the subject of parking bumpers at the south end of the Village municipal lot, Mr. Koster and Mr. Rose asked for some kind of resolution to the situation.  The Mayor asked for the consensus of Council.  After discussing the issue, Council felt that the bumpers should be replaced as they were before.  The Mayor stated that he wanted the job done correctly and would have the Street Department do it.  A discussion regarding charges for material and time to replace the bumpers was briefly held.  Mr. Koster then went on to brief Council on the remainder of activity planned by the Street Department including installing a lift station for the other salt box and running conduit through the Street garage for the storage trailer.  Upcoming spring contracts were for street sweeping, spring cleanup, and brush pickup were discussed.  Mrs. Beaumier called for a cross walk to be painted at the school crossing on Carlton.  

 

Finance; Jeff Coleman

Mr. Coleman will be going through Finances with the Fiscal Officer possibly as early as Thursday of this week.  Mr. Coleman will try to coordinate the visit with the newly formed Audit Review Board. 

Ms. Gingerich mentioned that at this time she had gotten three members for the Audit Review Board, Bill Clark, Bob McCullough, and Sue Fisher.  The Board intends to meet sometime this week but no firm date was set.

 

Fire Department; Judy Beaumier

Mrs. Beaumier will be attending the next Fire Department meeting.  Mr. Koster asked if the call log for the Fire Department could be further broken down.  For instance, break out the multi unit calls into Burton Village and the nursing home EMS calls.  Mr. Koroshes suggested splitting out residential calls versus non-residential.

 

Audit Review Board/Grants; Sharon Gingerich

Ms. Gingerich wanted to know why the letter from the Zoning Inspector to all Burton businesses and singling out The Gunrunner went out before Council saw it.  The question was deferred to Mr. Hernandez. 

Ms. Gingerich reported on her progress with the web site.  Ms. Gingerich asked the Fiscal Officer if the Village had a DUNN’s number.  The Village does not at this time as far as the Fiscal Officer is aware.  Ms. Gingerich asked the Fiscal Officer to obtain one and provided the instructions for doing so.  Ms. Gingerich asked for input for the web site.  Mrs. Lillibridge asked about posting something noting the local citizens with family in the service stationed overseas.   Mrs. Beaumier suggested they contact the USO.

 

Mayor’s Report;

The Mayor reported that per the Insurance agent, a recommendation has been made to do a driver’s license check on all employees in the Village.  The Fiscal Officer provided three alternatives for consideration.  Mr. Koster suggested a fourth method, through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles directly.  Mr. Koster will supply the information to the Fiscal Officer.

 

The Planning Commission is meeting to discuss an ordinance on adult entertainment.  Currently no ordinance is in effect in the Village.  A discussion followed.

 

Old Business;

Nothing to Report.

 

New Business;

Ms. Gingerich brought up a complaint from a resident on Seco about a recurring problem with an abandoned property and an unsafe pool.  Ms. Humbert remembered the problem and will follow up.

 

Mrs. Beaumier made a plug for the American Legion Fish Fry.

 

A question was raised about the gas line going through the Village and possible gaslights.  The Mayor stated that Mr. Hess was talking to the company doing the work about their time frame and easements.  The Fiscal Officer clarified with the Mayor that the gas line work would be handled with an Engineers Permit, and that the company would have to file with the Village, including paying the $50 fee and a bond.

 

Jeff Coleman moved to adjourn the meeting, Judy Beaumier seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM