Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

 

 

 

May 21, 2001 at 7: 30 p.m.

 

 

The meeting was called to order by President of Council Tom Haase.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated by all present.  Present were: Council members, Tom Haase, Ed Foster, Amy Haver, Max McDonald, Mick Pocratsky and Ron Jones; Administrator, Hal Osmun; and Solicitor, Stan Yoder. Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins and Mayor Janis Meyer were absent. 

Ed Foster moved to approve the minutes with one exception, under Miscellaneous, the addition of the statement at all council members voted yes.   Jones seconded.  All voted yes.

 

Jones moved to approve the bills. Haver seconded.  All voted yes. 

 

Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals: Nothing to report.

 

Rick Weaver addressed the council concerning the bids received for the Downtown Revitalization Project.  The bids were tabulated.  The totals for parts A&B were $863,822.00 and $1,722,146.00 the lowest below estimate.  The totals for parts A&C were $857,312.00 and $1,094,861.00, the lowest .03% above estimate.  Mr. Weaver recommended tabling the bids until the next meeting due to the difference in the two bids and the acceptability of the “like kind” items bid.  Rick explained that the bids are good for 60 days.

 

Foster questioned why only two bids were received.  Mr. Weaver stated that a number of contractors took out plans but only two bid.  He felt this was due to the contractors current workload.  Mr. Weaver explained the cost of street sign poles and was surprised at the cost of $7,500 per pole, totaling $30,000 for the project; he thought the council should consider not going with sign poles due to the high cost.  He will bring back more information to the next meeting.

 

Mr. Foster questioned if we could legally change the bid specifications after the bids were received.  Mr. Yoder explained they could be changed.

 

Mr. Haase requested that Mr. Weaver make available any new information he receives for their Saturday, May 26th Street and Light Committee meeting.

 

Police/Fire Committee: Pocratsky did not have a report.

 

Insurance Committee: Jones did not have a report.

 

Finance/Audit Committee: Jones did not have a report. He informed council that the State Auditors were in this week and close to finishing their audit of 1999 and 2000.

 

Street/Light/Property: Haase stated that the committee will meet Saturday, May 26, 2001 at 8:30AM.

 

Personnel Committee: Foster stated that the committee would meet Saturday, May 26, 2001 at 9:00 AM. 

 

Water & Sewer Committee: McDonald did not have a report.

 

Ordinance Committee: Haver did not have anything to report. 

 

Cable TV Committee: Foster did not have anything to report. 

 

Cemetery Committee: Haase did not have a report.

 

Park Board: April minutes were in packets.  Mr. Pocratsky met with the playground committee and they reached a consensus on where to place the new play ground equipment.  It will replace the old equipment, except the swings, and be located between the Hix TV station (old water works building) and the football field.  Construction is to begin in July.   

 

Administrator’s Report: Hal Osmun reported the following:

 

Note that the "free" appliance drop off at the recycling lot on Elm St. has been discontinued and we are no longer accepting appliances at that location. Customers may contact and make payment to the Water Clerks office @ 542-8224 for future appliance pick-up.

 

A new "Toro" Z-150 / 52" cut lawn mower has been purchased for the maintenance of "Village" properties. At a list price of $8,099.00, "Speeds Repair" of Defiance sold it to the Village for $6,074.25. This model will expedite our mowing procedures with excellent results as well as retain an excellent trade-in value. The old mower was retained due to low trade-in value, and will continue to be used for various "rough cut" areas (where applicable).


 

 

In an effort to clean-up the Village prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the monthly "brush" pick-up will run throughout this week, when personnel is available.

 

Interior Channels, Inc. of Fort Wayne has satisfactorily completed the waterproofing in the closet area of the Municipal bldg. basement for $980.00.

 

Part time Village employee Dave Timbrook has announced his resignation in Lawn & Grounds Maintenance. The Village is now accepting applications for this position

 

Mr. Osmun ask if a decision had been made concerning the building next to the City Garage; is it to be demolished?  Mr. Foster stated that in order to make that decision he would like to know the replacement cost versus remodeling cost for the building.  Mr. Osmun was requested to obtain an estimate of the cost of refinishing the three exterior sides.

 

Mr. Foster also requested an update on the demolishing of the Smith Street property.  Mr. Osmun stated that estimates have been requested and are due by May 31, 2001. 

 

Miscellaneous: Mr. Yoder read Resolution 2001-02 License agreement with CSX Transportation for placing a water pipeline under their property.  McDonald moved to suspend the rules. Foster seconded.  All voted yes. Resolution 2001-02 was read by caption only for the second and third reading.  McDonald moved to approve. Pocratsky seconded.  All voted yes.

 

Ordinance 2001-05 Increasing the flat sewage rate per month to $13.00 was read for the first time..

 

Ordinance 2001-06 Authorizing the Village Administrator to enter into a management agreement with Industrial Fluid Management, Inc. for three years was read.  McDonald moved to suspend the rules.  Pocratsky seconded.  All voted yes.  Ordinance 2001-06 was read by caption only for the second and third reading.  McDonald moved to approve.  Foster seconded.  All voted yes.

 

The Ordinance for the Downtown Revitalization Project was placed on hold.

  

Police Report: Chief Szabo on the recommendation left by Mayor Meyer requested that Part time Officer Steve Elwood be moved to Auxiliary Officer, due to his employment with the Adult Parole Authority, and Auxiliary Officer Victoria Hartman be made a Part time Officer pending her passing the standard village physical.  Foster moved to approve.  McDonald seconded.  All voted yes.

 

McDonald moved to adjourn.

 

MAYOR                                                                                              CLERK