April 2023 Meeting Minutes

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:30 P.M. BY MAYOR JAN REEB. COUNCIL PERSONS PRESENT: JASON FRANKS, STEVE JORDAN, KENNY REINHART, DEAN RISTER, BRYAN SMITH, AND BRYCE STEINER.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR, FISCAL OFFICER KEVIN HORNISH, AND POLICE CHIEF GEORGE CLEMENS. VISITORS: FIRE CHIEF BOB ADDIS, DOUG BRAGG. GAYLE RISTER, KAHLEA SHOOK, JAMIE LAWSON, SARA KEERAN, KRIS REINHART, SHERRY REINHART, AL MANILLA, AVA DUNHAM, ADAM PAPIN, MELINDA WALTERS, BILL BOYLAN, PEG BRIGG, HANNAH MOLITOR, AND BROOKE MOLITOR.

MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 20, 2023, WERE REVIEWED.

MOTION MADE BY STEINER, SECONDED BY FRANKS, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM MARCH 20, 2023, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THE MARCH DISBURSEMENTS WERE REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED.

MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ACCEPT THE MARCH RECONCILIATION REPORT. 5 YEAS, 1 ABSTENTION (BRYCE STEINER ABSTAINED DUE TO PAYMENT TO WEST-BEND NEWS). MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

VISITORS

FIRE CHIEF ADDIS ATTENDED TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL ON THE STATUS OF THE TORNADO SIREN. HE INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE EQUIPMENT WAS EXTREMELY OLD AND OUTDATED. THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND RADIO SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY TO SOUND THE ALARM DURING A RECENT STORM, BUTTHE SIREN HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING. RISTER ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE TO UPDATE THE TORNADO SIREN AND ADDIS MENTIONED THAT PAULDING COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR ED BOHN HAD INFORMED HIM THAT A NEW SIREN WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $30,000. THE COUNCIL WILL ASK ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS TO LOOK INTO FUNDING FOR A NEW SIREN. ADDIS ALSO INFORMED COUNCIL THAT HE IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HE HAD SAT THROUGH A MEETING WITH PAULDING COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR ED BOHN WHO HAD MENTIONED THE STATE IS CURRENTLY DISCUSSING INCENTIVES THAT MAY HELP ENTICE PEOPLE TO WORK AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER IN THE FUTURE INCLUDING A 2 YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAM SUBSIDY AND POSSIBILITY OF STATE INCOME TAX ABATEMENTS. CHIEF ADDIS ASKED COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF A LOCAL INCOME TAX ABATEMENT TO HELP WITH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT. COUNCIL BRIEFLY DISCUSSED AND WILL DEFER ISSUE TO VILLAGE SOLICITOR TO RESEARCH FURTHER.

DOUG BRAGG WAS IN AITENDANCE TO DISCUSS THE NOTICE HE HAD RECEIVED FROM ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS TO REMOVE A PORTION OF GRAVEL DRIVEWAY HE HAD WIDENED THAT WAS PARTIALLY ON VILLAGE PROPERTY. HE THOUGHT THAT HIS ATTORNEY HAD SPOKEN WITH SOLICITOR FARR ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS UNAWARE THE SITUATION HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED PRIOR TO WIDENING THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY IS NOW 75-FEET WIDE (WAS 25-FEET WIDE). FOLLOWING DISCUSSION, SOLICITOR FARR SUGGESTED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE AND MR. BRAGG IN REGARD TO THE DRIVEWAY AND ALLOWING IT TO REMAIN AS IS WITH NO PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS BUT PROVIDE THAT IT MUST BE REMOVED IF PROPERTY SOLD TO THIRD PARTY. MR. BRAGG REQUESTED THAT HE BE ALLOWED TO ASSIGN HIS RIGHTS UNDER THE MOU TO HIS SON, ROBERT BRAGG. SOLICITOR FARR WILL CONTACT MR. BRAGG’S ATTORNEY BRIAN GORRELL ON THE MOU FOR COUNCIL TO REVIEW AND APPROVE AT NEXT MONTH’S MEETING.

MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECOND BY JORDAN, TO HOLD THE REMOVAL DEADLINE IN ABEYANCE WHILE ATTORNEYS PREPARE THE MOU FOR COUNCIL TO APPROVE. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-11: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO RESIDE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-13: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 202223, AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE TIME AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, PAULDING COUNTY, OHIO, FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023, SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTION 2 FOR TIME OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS; AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY.

THE CHANGE IN MEETING TIME REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE NEW VILLAGE SOLICITOR AVAILABILITY TO ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS. SOLICITOR FARR ADVISED COUNCIL TO HAVE NEW MEETING DATES PUBLISHED ON VILLAGE’S WEBSITE.

MOTION MADE BY FRANKS, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2023-13. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MOTION MADE BY SMITH, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2023-13. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-14: AN ORDINANCE TO RETAIN THE SERVICES OF SHANE MICHAEL LEE AS SOLICITOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, PAULDING COUNTY, OHIO, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY.  THE NEW VILLAGE SOLICITOR’S APPOINTMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2023, FOR A 2-YEAR TERM.

MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY FRANKS, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2023-14. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MOTION MADE BY SMITH, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2023-14. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THIRD READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2023-02: A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY TO LEVY A TAX THAT IS A REPLACEMENT OF AN EXISTING LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE TEN-MIL LIMITATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING MOTOR VEHICLES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT USED DIRECTLY IN THE OPERATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PAYMENT OF SALARIES OF PERMANENT POLICE PERSONNEL (R.C. 55 5705.03, 5705.19(J), 5705.191, 5705.192, AND 5705.25)

MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-02. 6YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED

EMERGENCY READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2023-06: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LETTER OF INTENT WITH PAULDING COUNTY HOSPITAL FOR A DONATION TO THE SPLASH PAD PROJECT, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

THE PRIOR LETTER OF INTENT FROM PAULDING COUNTY HOSPITAL TO DONATE $10,000 FOR EITHER FITNESS TRAIL OR SPLASH PAD PROJECT IN PARK EXPIRED DECEMBER 31, 2022. PAULDING COUNTY HOSPITAL WISHES TO MAKE $10,000 DONATION FOR SPLASH PAD PROJECT, WHICH REQUIRES NEW LETTER OF INTENT. THIS NEW LETTER OF INTENT MUST BE SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE BY JUNE 1, 2023.

MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-06. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MOTION MADE BY FRANKS, SECONDED BY STEINER, TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-06.6 YEAS O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FIRST READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2023-07: A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NECESSITY OF CONSTRUCTING OR REPAIRING SIDEWALKS ON THE EAST SIDE OF SOUTH ERIE STREET IN THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO

SEVERAL VILLAGE RESIDENTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE TO DISCUSS THE RESOLUTION. MAYOR REEB INFORMED THEM THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE ON THE AGENDA AND THAT THE COUNCIL MEETING WAS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING. MAYOR REEB ALLOWED SARA KEERAN 3 MINUTES TO ADDRESS COUNCIL AS THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE GROUP TO DISCUSS THE SIDEWALK. SARA ASKED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF USING A “SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL” FOR GRANT FUNDING. FOLLOWING DISCUSSION, MAYOR REEB INFORMED THE VILLAGE RESIDENTS IF THEY WANTED TO DISCUSS THE SIDEWALK FURTHER, PLEASE CALL TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH’S COUNCIL MEETING.

POLICE REPORT

POLICE CHIEF CLEMENS PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 76 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH AND 12 OFFENSES FOR MAYOR’S COURT.

R.I.T.A. REPORT: FISCAL OFFICER HORNISH PRESENTED A REPORT TO COUNCIL MEMBERS WHICH SHOWED THE MONTHLY INCOME TAX RECEIVED TO DATE IN COMPARISON TO LAST YEAR.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

NO COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR THE MONTH.

NEW BUSINESS

FISCAL OFFICER HORNISH INFORMED COUNCIL THAT HE WOULD LIKE THEM TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SWITCHING THE ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE TO THE UNIFORM ACCOUNTING NETWORK (I-JAN) FROM THE AUDITOR KEITH FABER. HORNISH INFORMED COUNCIL OF THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND COSTS RELATED TO SWITCHING TO I-JAN AND ASKED FOR COUNCIL TO ACCEPT THE IJAN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT TO LOOK FURTHER INTO SWITCHING THE SOFTWARE.

MOTION MADE BY STEINER, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ACCEPT THE I-JAN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR IS RESIGNING AS THE VILLAGE SOLICITOR EFFECTIVE APRIL 30, 2023. MELANIE THANKED COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE VILLAGE FOR OVER 22 YEARS. COUNCIL ALSO THANKED MELANIE FOR HER TIME AND SERVICE.

MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY STEINER, TO ACCEPT MELANIE FARR’S RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE APRIL 30, 2023. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

OLD BUSINESS

FRANKS ASKED ABOUT THE STATUS ON WATERLINE REPLACEMENT THAT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO AND WOULD LIKE ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS TO GET A LIST OF THE TOP 10 WATERLINES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED TO DISCUSS AT NEXT MONTH’S MEETING.

RISTER ASKED ABOUT THE PROGRESS ON THE WATERFOWL EXHIBIT AND JOHN PAULDING HISTORICAL SOCIETY (PHS). STEINER INFORMED COUNCIL THAT JPHS DOES NOT ACCEPT EXHIBITS ON LOAN AND THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO DONATE THE EXHIBIT IF POSSIBLE. DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE ON WHETHER THE EXHIBIT COULD BE DONATED BASED ON OWNERSHIP AND THE CHEMICALS USED WHEN THE EXHIBIT WAS MADE. STEVE JORDAN SAID HE WAS WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE WILDLIFE OFFICER ON WHETHER OR NOT THE BALD EAGLES INCLUDED IN THE DISPLAY COULD BE DONATED OR NOT. THEY MAY HAVE TO BE DESTROYED. FARR WILL LOOK INTO WHAT SHE CAN FIND TO SEE IF THE EXHIBIT CAN BE DONATED (WHETHER ANY RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON GIFT TO VILLAGE) AND PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE FISCAL OFFICER AND THE MAYOR.

MAYOR’S REPORT

MAYOR’S COURT BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF $2,252.00 IN THE MONTH OF MARCH WITH $1,832.00 GOING TO THE VILLAGE, $405.00 GOING TO THE STATE, AND $15.00 GOING TO THE INDIGENT DRIVER’S FUND.

MAYOR REEB INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE DELEGATES FOR R.I.T.A NEED TO BE UPDATED. SHE HAD SPOKEN WITH STEVE JORDAN TO BE THE DELEGATE AND HE HAS ACCEPTED BUT AN ALTERNATE IS ALSO NEEDED. JASON FRANKS AGREED TO ACCEPT THE ALTERNATE POSITION.

REINHART MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO APPROVE STEVE JORDAN AS THE R.I.T.A. DELEGATE AND JASON FRANKS AS THE ALTERNATE. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MOTION MADE BY STEINER, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 6 YEAS, O NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AN APPROVED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:35 P.M.