Hicksville, Ohio - February 18, 2008 Council Minutes

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

February 18, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Ron Jones.

The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated by all present. Present were: Council members, Amy Haver, Ron Jones , Ed Foster , Ron Beverly , and Bruce Hart ; Solicitor, Troy Essex; Administrator, Kent Miller; and Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins. Others present were County Commissioners , County Engineer , school board member & superintendent. Mayor, Larry Haver and Councilmember, Mick Pocratsky were absent.

Foster moved to approve the February 4 minutes. Haver seconded. All voted yes.

Beverly moved to approve the bills. Hart seconded. All voted yes.

Isaac Lee of the Defiance County Ec, Dev, office was present to explain a proposed public drive from S.R 18 E to Industrial Park. This would change the original plan the school had. The cost of Phases I & II could range from $450,000 to $700,000. This would be a county road. The County Commissioners and Engineer are supportive of the idea. The question was asked if Village funds could be used for such a project that is not in the Village limits. Essex stated we would be walking a fine line. Superintendent Miller stated he felt the school board feels it could hold back their road while making this happen. The County Engineer said we need to decide what we envision this road doing and does it have to be done all at once. The cost will be dependent on whether we do it all at once or in phases, whose money it is and if there are any strings attached. Nothing is expected to change with traffic signals as a recent study proved each highway handles about 2000 vehicles per day, 200 of which are trucks. The Dept. of Transportation states this does not warrant any signals. Every entity involved needs to look at approving a strategic plan. Pre-planning needs done along with some zoning issues. The County does not generally fund new roads but do supply engineering. The land needs to get locked up. It was clearly stated there are no state funds available to help. At this time the school would like a Letter of Commitment from the Village.

Resident Jim Slight was present to ask council to do something about a problem he has at his home on East Cornelia Street . Raw sewage is backing up in the basement. He recently did some plumbing work in hopes that it would help. Miller has a sewer separation project planned for 2009.

Cable TV Committee: Foster reported the committee met February 9. He mentioned we need to make an agreement with the school to share HIXTV equipment. Mediacom is going to upgrade the milli-hurtz. Our current cable contract runs through 2010. Foster has spoken to Joe Poffenburger to get a commitment. Foster stated locally Mediacom is willing to continue to collect franchise fees but corporate may not. Foster asked Essex to draw up an agreement between the school and the Village.

Water/Sewer Committee: Pocratsky was not present. Beverly had the finished Stormwater Management Rules and Regulations. It was decided to reference the guidelines in the codified ordinances instead of including it in its entirety. An electronic version will be put on line. Essex will bring the legislation to add the regulations to the codified ordnances.

Police/Fire/EMS Committee: Foster and committee met prior to this meeting. They reviewed the cost of operating the departments. They discussed rotating police shifts.

Personnel Committee: Haver reported the committee will meet on March 3 at 6 p.m. to go over job descriptions and FMLA.

Street/Light/Property Committee: Beverly said the committee decided the Village will not be grading alleys.

Administrator’s Report: Miller reported the following:

The recycling lot hours will change.
Miller will be at a conference next week.

Miscellaneous: A letter from landlord, Del Elder, was in council packets. She wished to respectfully remind council of a few facts regarding property owners having to pay tenants unpaid utility bills. Beverly moved to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation. Foster seconded. All voted yes. (8:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.) Hart moved to go back into executive session. Foster seconded. All voted yes.

Collins asked for a completely signed copy of the EMS agreement of which Essex stated he has one and will mail a copy to her.