REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP
DECEMBER 21, 2020

 

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: DEAN RISTER, RUDIE REEB, KENNETH REINHART, MIKE ROHRS, AND KEITH WEST.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR, ADMINISTRATOR SARA KEERAN, FISCAL OFFICER AIMEE LICHTY, AND POLICE CHIEF GEORGE CLEMENS. VISITORS: NONE.

MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 16, 2020, WERE REVIEWED.

  •  MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 16, 2020, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THE NOVEMBER DISBURSEMENTS WERE REVIEWED. DISCUSSION ON EXPENSES.

  •  MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER RECONCILIATION REPORT. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

VISITORS
NONE.

POLICE REPORT
POLICE CHIEF CLEMENS PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 84 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER WITH 32 OFFENSES.

EMS REPORT
EMS COORDINATOR-CLERK ASHLEY MCDOUGALL WAS ABSENT DUE TO TRAVEL.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-12: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2021

  •  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-12. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAST YEAR’S PRACTICE, THE 2020 RATES WILL BE USED TO COMPENSATE FOR HOURS WORKED IN 2020 BUT PAID IN 2021.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-13: 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 2021

  •  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-13. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-14: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE PERSONNEL MANUAL FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO, SPECIFICALLY, AMENDMENTS TO ADD A NEW SECTION XXVII ENTITLED “PROHIBITION AGAINST TEXT-BASED COMMUNICATIONS WHILE DRIVING (ORC § 4511.204)” AND RE-NUMBER ALL EXISTING SECTIONS THEREAFTER

  •  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-14. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FINAL READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2020-07: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS VILLAGE PROPERTY BY INTERNET AUCTION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2021

  •  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-07. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-16: APPROVAL AND GRANTING CONSENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO, APPLY, MAINTAIN AND REPAIR STANDARD LONGITUDINAL PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND ERECT REGULATORY AND WARNING SIGNS ON STATE HIGHWAYS INSIDE VILLAGE CORPORATE LIMITS, AND
GIVING CONSENT OF THE VILLAGE FOR THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO REMOVE SNOW AND ICE AND USE SNOW AND ICE CONTROL MATERIAL ON STATE HIGHWAYS INSIDE THE VILLAGE CORPORATE LIMITS, AND
GIVING CONSENT OF THE VILLAGE FOR THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE AND/OR REPAIR ON STATE HIGHWAYS INSIDE THE VILLAGE CORPORATION

  •  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY REEB, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-16. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-17: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $38,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE POLICE FUND, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

  •  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2020-17. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
  •  MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY REEB, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-17. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-18: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $25,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE FIRE FUND, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

  •  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY WEST, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2020-18. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
  •  MOTION MADE BY REEB, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-18. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-19: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE AND DIRECTING THE ADVERTISEMENT TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO TO PURCHASE FIRE GEAR TO AID IN THE PROVISION OF FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE § 737.24; AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

  •  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2020-19. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
  •  MOTION MADE BY REEB, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-19. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

RITA TAX COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, PAID IN DECEMBER, WAS $23,093.94.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
DISCUSSION ON REAL WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACT AND THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CONTRACT ON MARCH 31, 2021. THE ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS NO COMPLAINTS AND ASKS THAT COUNCIL MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE AGREEMENT FOR ONE YEAR TERM SO AN ORDINANCE CAN BE PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY MEETING TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN ADDENDUM TO THE AGREEMENT MEMORIALIZING THE ONE YEAR EXTENSION.

  •  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO SEND NOTICE OF INTENTION TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH REAL WASTE DISPOSAL, LLC FOR ONE YEAR TERM BEGINNING ON APRIL 1, 2021, AND ENDING ON MARCH 31, 2022. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

GENERAL PLAN FOR WATER PLANT TO BE DEVELOPED IN 2021:
DUE TO THE CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS THE VILLAGE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH THE WATER PLANT THIS SUMMER AND IN PRECEDING YEARS, THE ADMINISTRATOR IS PROPOSING THAT THE VILLAGE HAVE A GENERAL PLAN DEVELOPED TO SEE WHAT THE COSTS OF REPLACING MAJOR FEATURES OF WHAT PRODUCES OUR DRINKING WATER. THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE HIGH SERVICE PUMPS, FILTRATION, AERATION, CLEAR WELL, ETC.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE WATER PLANT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE 50’S WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PLANT OVER THE YEARS. DUE TO THE CAUSTIC NATURE OF SULFUR WATER, MOST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS DO NOT LAST AND IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE TO PRODUCE A HIGH QUALITY WATER PRODUCT ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. EVERY YEAR THE VILLAGE HAS HAD TO REPLACE PIPING AND/OR TO REBUILD THE HIGH SERVICE PUMPS, REPLACE CHLORINATORS THAT REGULATE THE AMOUNT OF CHLORINE THAT IS MIXED WITH THE WELL WATER, PARTS AND MOTOR FOR THE AERATOR, ETC. NO MATTER HOW MUCH IS SET ASIDE IN THE WATER BUDGET FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IT IS NEVER ENOUGH. COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN HIGH FROM THE COMMUNITY AS THE WATER EITHER HAS TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH CHLORINE IN THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

THE GENERAL PLAN WILL CONTINUE WHAT WAS STARTED WITH THE EPA REQUIRED WATER ASSESSMENT PLAN ON WHAT WOULD BRING THE WATER PLANT UP-TO-DATE AND WHAT IT WOULD COST TO UPGRADE THE PLANT THE PLAN IS REQUIRED BY EPA ON A WATER PLANT UPGRADE AND IT WOULD ALSO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FUNDING. AS YOU RECALL WITH THE SEWER PLANT UPGRADE OF THE LIFT STATIONS, THIS PLAN AND ACCESSING THE FUNDING TOOK APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE. THE ADMINISTRATOR ASKS THAT THE VILLAGE START THIS PROCESS AS IT IS COSTING MORE AND MORE EVERY YEAR TO TRY TO KEEP THE PLANT OPERATING.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE WATER GENERAL PLAN WOULD COST $4,100.00. DISCUSSION ON REQUESTING ENGINEERS TO SUBMIT QUALIFICATIONS PRIOR TO SELECTING AN ENGINEER TO PREPARE THE WATER GENERAL PLAN.

  •  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY WEST, TO AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR TO REQUEST ENGINEER QUALIFICATIONS ON PREPARING A WATER GENERAL PLAN. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

VACATION OF BUFFALO STREET EXTENDED:
JOHN HILTON AND MASON GERKEN, PROPERTY OWNERS CONTIGUOUS TO BUFFALO STREET EXTENSION, ARE GOING FORWARD WITH THEIR REQUEST TO VACATE THIS UNDEVELOPED SECTION OF STREET. A SURVEY OF THE AREA TO BE VACATED HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY BOCKRATH ENGINEERS AND WAS PROVIDED TO COUNCIL FOR REVIEW. THE VACATION WILL SPLIT ROADWAY EASEMENT EQUALLY BETWEEN MR. HILTON AND MR. GERKEN AND IT AMOUNTS TO 25 FEET FOR EACH PROPERTY OWNER. A FORM WAS DEVELOPED BY THE SOLICITOR TO APPLY FOR THE VACATION OF AN ALLEY OR STREET. THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL WORK WITH THE PETITIONERS ON THE APPLICATION. NO PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED SINCE THIS ONLY AFFECTS THOSE PETITIONING FOR THE VACATION OF THE STREET EXTENSION.

HOME TOWN PANTRY BUILDING SALE INCHING CLOSER:
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH JEFF COOK WHO INTENDS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE HOME TOWN PANTRY BUILDINGS LOCATED ON S. MAIN AND RAILROAD STREET VERY SOON. HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE BUILDING TO SECURE IT AND ALSO HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATION ON HOW TO GET A LARGER WATER SERVICE TO THE BUILDINGS. HE PLANS ON DEVELOPING 4 APARTMENTS AND 3 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS STORE FRONTS. IT IS ANTICIPATED WHEN RAILROAD STREET, BETWEEN CLEVELAND AND MAIN STREET, IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO ADD PARKING SPACES, THE VILLAGE MAY BE ABLE TO RUN A ONE INCH NEW SERVICE TAP FROM THE WATER MAIN ON CLEVELAND STREET TO THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOME TOWN PANTRY BUILDING. AS IT STANDS NOW, THE PANTRY BUILDING IS SERVED WITH A ¾ INCH SERVICE TAP THAT RUNS FROM W. DAGGETT NORTH IN THE ALLEY WAY TO THE BUILDING. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR A BACKHOE TO BE ABLE TO DIG UP THE EXISTING LINE. THIS WILL TAKE SOME THOUGHT ON WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS PROPERTY OWNER A LARGER SERVICE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH MR. COOK AND COORDINATE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SPRING.

RE-ZONING OF S. ERIE STREET:
IT HAS COME TO THE ADMINISTRATOR’S ATTENTION THAT S. ERIE STREET WAS AT ONE TIME ZONED B-1 (BUSINESS) AND R-1 (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW FOR BUSINESS LOCATED ON S. ERIE STREET AND ALSO THE RESIDENTIAL HOMES. WITHOUT THE JOINT DESIGNATION, RESIDENCES THAT MIGHT BE DAMAGED BY WEATHER, FIRE, ETC., WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECONSTRUCT THEIR HOMES IF THE AREA ZONED ALL B-1. AT THE PRESENT TIME THERE ARE FOUR BUSINESSES LOCATED IN THIS AREA AND THE ZONING WAS REVERTED BACK TO R-1 IN THE AREA THAT ENCOMPASSES HOP’S PLACE AND ERIE RECYCLING. ZONING INSPECTOR GABE OBERLIN AND THE ADMINISTRATOR ARE GOING TO MEET SHORTLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS AND LOOK AT THIS AREA AND WILL NO DOUBT REQUEST A ZONING CHANGE SO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES WILL ALL BE COVERED.

FAMILY DOLLAR TREE DEVELOPMENT:
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY THAT WORKS WITH FAMILY DOLLAR AND DOLLAR TREE FRANCHISES AND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT ANTWERP FOR A NEW STORE. THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL KEEP COUNCIL UP-TO-DATE ON WHERE THEY INTEND TO BUILD AND ANY ZONING VARIANCES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR PROJECT.

JUNK VIOLATION FILED IN COUNTY COURT:
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED WITH COUNTY COURT A VILLAGE JUNK VIOLATION AT THE ADMINISTRATOR’S REQUEST. BOB TROWBRIDGE OF 210 BUFFALO STREET HAD BEEN GIVEN NOTICES TO CLEAN UP HIS PROPERTY AND FAILED TO DO SO. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE PROPERTY, THE ADMINISTRATOR FELT THIS SHOULD BE FILED IN COUNTY COURT. HE WILL HAVE HIS FIRST HEARING ON JANUARY 11, 2021.

THE VILLAGE HAS HAD NUMEROUS WATER PLANT ISSUES. THE AERATOR FAN BROKE APART, WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE EAST HIGH SERVICE PUMP IS CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR BY LAYMAN WELL DRILLING, WHICH REQUIRED THE PUMP AND MOTOR TO BE PULLED. THE VILLAGE IS ALSO READING METERS FOR THE JANUARY 2021 MAILING, SO IT HAS BEEN HECTIC FOR ALL OF US THIS FALL AND WINTER.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE ROHRS REQUESTED THAT AN AD BE PUT IN THE NEWSPAPER AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021 LETTING RESIDENTS KNOW THAT BILLS ARE DUE ON THE 15TH OF THE MONTH IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST AND NOVEMBER, REGARDLESS IF IT FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY AND TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY EARLY IN THESE CASES OR BILLS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE DROPBOX AT TOWN HALL OR NIGHT DEPOSIT AT ANTWERP EXCHANGE BANK ANYTIME INCLUDING HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS.

KEITH WEST ASKED KEERAN TO CHECK TO SEE IF OUR VILLAGE INSPECTOR HAS LICENSE UP TO DATE.

MAYOR’S REPORT
MAYOR’S COURT BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF $2,245.00 IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2020 WITH $1,640.00 GOING TO THE VILLAGE, $582.50 GOING TO THE STATE, AND $22.50 GOING TO THE INDIGENT DRIVER’S FUND.

MAYOR INFORMED COUNCIL THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO CROSS TRAIN APRIL LITZENBERG AS BACK-UP FOR FISCAL OFFICER POSITION IN CASE AN EMERGENCY SHOULD ARISE. FISCAL OFFICER LICHTY WILL START TRAINING LITZENBERG IN FEBRUARY. FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS HOURS AND PAY FOR TRAINING SESSIONS.

FISCAL OFFICER LICHTY INFORMED COUNCIL THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL MEETING YET THIS YEAR TO PASS RE-APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2020 AND BUDGET FOR 2021. TIME AND DATE WILL BE DECIDED AFTER FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, AT 9:00 AM.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021, AT 7:00 AM DUE TO NORMAL MEETING DATE BEING A HOLIDAY.

 MOTION MADE BY REEB, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAY. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:39 P.M.

MAYOR_________________________________________

FISCAL OFFICER___________________________________ DATE________________