January 2, 2001 at 7: 30 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Janis Meyer.

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

 Mayor Meyer asked for nominations for council president.  McDonald nominated Haase.  Haver seconded.  Foster moved the nominations be closed.  Haver seconded.  Foster,  Haver, Pocratsky, Jones, and McDonald voted yes to closed the nominations with Haase obstaining.   Foster,  Haver, Pocratsky, Jones, and McDonald moved to approve Haase as president.  Haase abstained.

 Foster moved to approve the December 18 minutes with an additional explanation under the Insurance Committee report.  The $57.76 is the premium for dental insurance only.  Jones  seconded.  All voted yes.

Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals:  No report was given.  The list of 2000 building permits issued was in council packets.  This amount is up from 1999.
 Police/Fire Committee:   Pocratsky gave a year end report mentioning the new police/EMS facility &  basement repairs.
Insurance Committee:     Jones mentioned the rate increase during 2000 and noted that BORMA’s new third party administrator, Coresource, took effect Jan. 1.
Finance/Audit Committee:    Jones feels the village is in great shape.  The big projects coming up will be curbs, WWTP expansion & waste water separation.   He thanked all the departments for keeping within their budgets.
Street/Light/Property:   Haase mentioned the street paving improvements, lighting issues and access to our downtown parking lot as progress for 2000. 
Personnel Committee:.  Foster  noted an active year with six month job reviews instituted.  We have hired a number of new people.
Water & Sewer Committee:    McDonald and committee are working had to find additional ground for the WWTP expansion.   He regularly observes work at the WWTP. 
Ordinance Committee:    Haver reported a quiet year.  The committee will look forward to dealing with junk vehicle issues in the new year.
Cable TV Committee:   Foster pointed out that the council meeting is live for the first time at this very meeting.  A station manager was hired in 2000.  Soon they will be purchasing three new VCRs which will improve programming.  Volunteers are still needed and will be a major area of concern in 2001.  It was agreed by council that Lloyd Turnbull will return to the Cable TV committee for a five year term.  Foster moved to approve split the cost of a $3,100 sound system between council and the cable TV station.  This will be primarily used by council.  Pocratsky seconded.  Jones, Haver & McDonald voted no.  Foster, Pocratsky & Haase voted yes.  Mayor Meyer broke the tie with a yes vote.  Motion carried.
Cemetery Committee:.   Haase reported the sharing agreement is signed by the Township Trustees and is in the hands of the Mayor for her signature.   2000 was busier that normal and a lot was accomplished.   A new sexton was hired full time.  Many improvements were made and new machinery was purchased.

Foster moved to go into executive session for personnel reasons.  Haver seconded.  All voted yes.   (7:50 – 8:05) Returned to regular session.

 Mayor Meyer announced the verbal resignation of Kent Gardam was given December 18.  He will be here until approximately Jan. 10.   Mayor Meyer recommended hiring Hal Osmun as administrator with a four month probationary period of which he has the opportunity to opt out if he doesn’t want the job. During the probationary period Osmun’s salary will be $2,000 less than the current administrator wages, however, it is the desire of council to pay Osmun $100 additional per month as long as he has to use his license to operate the water treatment plant. Foster moved to approve the Mayors recommendation.  Haase seconded.  All voted yes.

 Park Board:   There was nothing to report.
Administrator’s Report:  Kent Gardam reported the following:
The bid opening for the ambulance refurbishing and remounting on a new chassis was on December 27, 2000.  One bid was received from Life Star Rescue, Inc. of Van Wert, Ohio.   The bid package was prepared so that the Village had the option to retain the existing chassis if so desired for eventual resale.  The price bid by Life Star for refurbishment and remounting was $55,264.33.  The value of the chassis was bid at $575.  If Council decides to trade-in the chassis, a contract should be awarded to Life Star Rescue for $54,689.33. The bid is good for sixty days.  Council agreed to trade in the chassis.  Yoder will be asked to bring an ordinance back for the next meeting.

Kent Miller has successfully completed his six-month probationary period as a Grade I Laborer.  Gardam recommended that Kent's hourly rate be increased to $12.12, the full rate for Grade I, as of the beginning of the January 11, 2001 pay period.  Haase moved to approve.  Foster seconded.  All voted yes. 
Work on the basement waterproofing project began last week and is proceeding well.  It turns out steel mesh is in the floor.  The check valve will need to be installed from the outside next summer as there isn’t room to install the valve inside.

Refuse collection is on schedule.

 Gardam mentioned his appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Village of Hicksville.  Council thanked Gardam.

 Notified council that a prior employee, Roger Collins, has passed away.

 Miscellaneous:   Collins read the first reading of Ordinance 2001-01 authorizing the Mayor to purchase real estate in full.  McDonald moved to suspend the rules.  Haver seconded.  All voted yes.  Ord. 2001-01 was read by caption only for the second and third readings.  McDonald moved to approve.  Haase seconded.  All voted yes. 

 There was nothing new with the farm lease.

 Chief of Police:    Police Chief Szabo passed out the year end stats.
EMS Report:   Greg Zimmerman reported that they handled 232 runs in 2000.  They currently have 16 EMTs.  They were awarded a $936 grant to purchase a new computer to use to transmit reports to Columbus. 
Fire Chief:    Chief Stotler was  not present.
Clerk’s Report: Collins passed out the YTD/MTD Income tax report. $916,267.56 as collected for the year.  An invitation to a BWC seminar was passed out in the packets.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Meyer passed out the MTD/YTD court report.  She mentioned a severe weather spotter course that will be held on March 22 in case anyone is interested in attending.  HAZMAT training is coming up.  She complimented all the committees.

 McDonald moved to adjourn.

 MAYOR                                                                                              CLERK