Burton Village Council Committee
Special Council
10 July 2006
Meeting called to order by Mayor Fischbach at 6:30 PM
Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, Yes. James Koster, Yes. Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne
Lillibridge, Yes. Sharon Gingerich, Yes. Linda Swaney, Yes.
Visitors: Edna Davis, Lee Koroshes, Jane Koroshes, Mike Sestak, Ken Kleve, David Salmen, Joe Hernandez, Jack Garner, James Wohlken.
The Mayor recognized visitors.
Mr. Garner commented upon the Council’s consideration of the Spring Street Office Building for a Village Hall. He asked that the Village take into consideration the age of the building, time on the market and cost to upkeep when making an offer.
Mr. Garner also asked for an explanation of the Ordinance requesting a Levy in excess of the 10-mill limitation. Mr. Koster and Mr. Paquette explained that the Village was asking for a Levy of 4.75 mills and the 10-mill limit was in place to cover those rates levied by the County. The Village is not asking for 14.75 mills for the Fire Levy.
The Mayor recognized Mr. Dave Salmen. Mr. Salmen is a part time Police Officer for the Village. Mr. Salmen explained that he is working with Ms. Gingerich to design a web site for the Village. Mr. Salmen gave a summary of the type of content and layout that would be on the website. The Council and visitors left the meeting hall and moved to the Village Office to view a sample of the website on the Village computer. The site is currently hosted by C.Boss.com for $5.00 per month. Both Mr. Salmen and Ms. Gingerich have purchased domain names for the use of the Village.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Sandy Humbert moved to adopt Ordinance 2131-06 2007 Tax Budget. Judy Beaumier seconded the motion. Roll Call: Sandy Humbert – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, James Koster – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes.
Ordinance 2131-06 passed
Ordinance 2132-06 placed on second reading.
Fire Department: Chief Mike Sestak
For the period Jun 12 to July 10, there were 12 calls to residents and none to Burton Health Care. A total of 324 calls this year. Fireworks went well. The Department will be holding a Craft and Clutter Sale on July 29 from 10AM to 5PM. The Department will host an ice cream social on July 23, sponsored by the Geauga Credit Union. The next Fire Department meeting will be held on July 19. A current Audit is being performed and a copy will be presented to the Village when it is completed. The Mayor and Council asked a number of questions concerning EMT training and staffing which were answered by Chief Sestak.
Zoning Inspector: Joe Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez reported that 14 permits were issued for the year with one pending. Regarding Harlow’s Maple Corn, Mr. Hernandez will observe the maple corn making operation in the next few days.
Committees:
Local Government and BPA; Dianne Lillibridge
Mrs. Lillibridge reported that Burton Township discussed their 2007 tax budget and water runoff issues at the last meeting. Mr. Mucci, when informed of the Village’s interest in annexation to the north, was resoundingly against the idea. Mrs. Gingerich presented three possible dates for a joint meeting with Burton Township to learn more about a possible JEDD. The dates are August 10, 14, or 16. Geauga County Auditor Tracy Jemison and a representative from the State of Ohio will be present. The Board of Public Affairs is also invited to attend.
Historic Review Board/Grants; Sharon Gingerich
Ms. Gingerich and the Historic Review Board received a request from some of the downtown business owners who wanted to know if they could paint the information kiosks on Main Street. Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Wayman did the painting and added a flower box to one.
Parks and Forestry and Cemetery; Sandy Humbert
Nothing to report. A question came up about the water fountain in the Park. The fountain in the well is not operating correctly. Repairs would be expensive and to make it ADA approved would take away from the fact that it is a well. A suggestion was made to put a fountain near the gazebo utilizing existing sidewalks and leave the well alone. A discussion ensued. Mary Turner contacted a Council member and asked if grills would be allowed in the Park. The Mayor and several Council members felt that allowing open fires of any kind in the Park would be too dangerous. A discussion of fire restrictions ensued.
Streets; James Koster
Mr. Koster had nothing to report. Mr. Koster talked about several villages he saw on vacation in Alaska. Mr. Rose is taking care of the crosswalk on Carlton street. Mosquito spraying was discussed.
Finance; open seat
Mr. Paquette asked Council about using a lease purchase agreement with GMAC Finance to purchase two Chevrolet Impala police cars for the Village. The cost would be approximately $12000.00 per year for three years with an option to buy for $1.00 at the end of the third year. A savings of $2000.00 per year in fuel costs may be realized. The Mayor wanted more time to discuss the idea with the Police Department and review the lease agreement. The Mayor also wanted to find out if all the officers were in favor of Impalas vice the Crown Victoria by Ford.
Mr. Paquette asked Council for permission to pay Norman Monument for the work completed in Welton Cemetery straightening monuments. Sandy Humbert moved to pay Norman Monument and Sharon Gingerich seconded the motion. Roll Call: Sandy Humbert – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, James Koster – Yes.
Fire Department; Judy Beaumier
Mrs. Beaumier spoke about her attendance at a meeting of the Geauga County Commissioners. The NRP Group presented an idea for the development of senior living community planning. It is NRP Group’s contention that many seniors would like to remain in the community they are living in but cannot afford to or are physically unable to. The NRP Group builds senior living housing at 10 units per acre. Current zoning throughout much of Geauga County precludes these buildings, forcing seniors out of the County. Mrs. Beaumier felt that this was something the Council should consider in future planning.
Mayor’s Report;
The Mayor told Council members that the Oberle-Finnerty lawsuit would probably become an issue for the Village but that he could not discuss the issue any further at this time. Overall, the Mayor expressed his happiness with the Council and looked forward to working with them.
Old Business;
Mr. Koster wanted to discuss a new Village hall but felt that because purchase price was involved the Council should go into executive session just before the end of this meeting.
Annexation was discussed in terms of the recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling favoring municipalities who seek to annex water and sewer customers outside of the municipal limits.
Mr. Paquette asked the Mayor for clarification of the Planning Commission conditional use permit given to Burton Developers for Seabury Ridge Development. The Mayor explained that the developers asked and were given permission to proceed to the next step in the subdivision process, from Improvement Plan to Final Plat. Mr. Paquette asked for a copy of any documents or forms relating to the improvement plan for inclusion in the Village files. The Mayor indicated that he would have Mr. Hess forward copies of all the forms to Mr. Paquette.
New Business;
Mrs. Gingerich relayed a resident complaint about a problem at the east end of Seco. Apparently, an old metal storm drain is collapsing. Mr. Rose will be informed.
On the subject of the website, the cost for a domain name is approximately $20.00 annually in addition to the monthly fee for hosting. Ms. Gingerich requested that the Village reimburse Mr. Salmen. Mr. Koster recommended that a letter of agreement be drafted that effectively transferred the rights of the domain name purchased by Mr. Salmen to the Village of Burton upon payment to Mr. Salem. Mr. Paquette will draft the letter.
Ms. Andrea Wilson, a pre-med college student, found the missing “Welcome to Burton Village” sign in a dumpster in Hiram. She graciously drove the sign back to Burton where it was restored to its original site. The Mayor sent her a formal thank you letter and invited her to attend the next Council meeting.
Sandy Humbert moved to enter executive session to discuss purchasing land at 8:10PM. Sharon Gingerich seconded the motion. Roll Call: Sandy Humbert – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, James Koster – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Judy Beaumier – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.
Judy Beaumier moved to leave executive session at 8:32PM. Sandy Humbert seconded the motion. Roll Call: Judy Beaumier – Yes, Sandy Humbert – Yes, Sharon Gingerich – Yes, James Koster – Yes, Dianne Lillibridge – Yes, Linda Swaney – Yes.
A brief discussion of previous attempts to purchase a building for use as a Village hall ensued.
James Koster moved to adjourn the meeting, Judy Beaumier seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM