Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

March 3, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Haver.

The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated by all present. Present were: Council members, Amy Haver, Ron Jones, Ed Foster, Ron Beverly, Mick Pocratsky and Bruce Hart; Solicitor, Troy Essex; Administrator, Kent Miller; and Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins. Others present were County Economic Dir. Jerry Hayes and Isaac Lee; Tony Wilhelm and Les Seitz.

Foster moved to approve the February 18 minutes with a correction to the Street/Light/Building Committee report. It should have read that the alleys will be graded as needed. Haver seconded. Haver, Beverly, Foster, Jones & Hart voted yes. Pocratsky abstained.

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

Isaac Lee of the Defiance County Ec, Dev, office was present. He told council the county economic development corporation has been on the Micropolitan List for eight consecutive years. The Dietrich building and the Industrial Park had ten project procurements on the state web site in January.

He explained changes to the proposed public drive from S.R. 18 E to Industrial Park. This would change the plan explained at the last council meeting. The hospital is willing to pay $3500 for a strategic plan. The State of Ohio has more interest in this plan though it remains that no State monies are available. Les Seitz and Tony Wilhelm were present and voiced concerns about the plans as they live near the proposed Route 18 entrance. Contrary to rumors, this project will not add any new taxes. It is not known if turn lanes will be added. A joint letter to the landowners may be drafted in the future.

Cable TV Committee: Foster reported the March meeting is cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The April meeting will be on the 12th.

Water/Sewer Committee: Pocratsky reported the committee met on February 21 to discuss flooding issues around town. They met again on February 28th to discuss a long term control plan for sewers with Dick Heiman of Poggemeyer Design Group. Option 2B at a cost of $4,500,000 was favored. If there were to be a complete separation, each landowner would need to put in a new sewer to their residence at their expense. A plan needs to be completed by July. Pocratsky wants to meet again to go over all the letters he has received in the mail.

Police/Fire/EMS Committee: Foster did not have a report.

Park Board: Minutes were in the packets. Pocratsky reported that he will accompany water superintendent, Mike Scranton to a park board meeting. They will ask the park board to refrain from applying weed killer and fertilizer at this time as there could potentially be a risk of contaminating our well field.

Personnel Committee: Haver reported the committee met prior to this meeting at 6 p.m. The committee decided that since we are not required to offer Family Medical Leave they want to strike that from the ordinance. Employees that need time off will be required to use up their sick leave and vacation leave first and then if necessary get permission from the Mayor for unpaid leave. The committee also recommended not earning sick leave credit while being paid for sick leave as happens now. They are considering changing accrued sick leave on 80 hours worked to 3.2 instead of the 4.6 hours it is currently.

Beverly moved to go into executive session. Haver seconded. All voted yes. (7:50 – 8:12) Returned to regular session, Jones moved to return to regular session. Foster seconded. All voted yes.

Administrator’s Report: Miller reported the following:

Miscellaneous: Essex has typed a rough draft of a Letter of Intent for the school regarding the proposed road. A Liquor License notice was received from the Board of Liquor Control. Chico’s restaurant at 106 East High is applying for a permit. Council will bring it up at the next meeting and give residents an opportunity to voice any objections in the meantime.

Mayor Haver received a letter from the Milan, Ohio mayor asking for support. The Ohio Department of Transportation is trying to make communities pay for road repairs to state highways running through such communities. Milan has been targeted at this time and is asking for statewide support with a letter writing campaign to Ohio Representatives. Council is willing to have a letter sent to our Representative objecting to communities having to pay for state highway repairs within their village limits.

Ordinance 2008-01 to adopt Storm Water Management Rules and Regulations was read by caption only for the first reading. Charges for copies will be added on to the permit fee.

Clerk’s Report: The MTD/YTD Income Tax Report was passed out.

Police Report: No report was given.

Fire Department: A monthly report was passed out.

EMS Department: No report was given.

Mayor’s Report: The February court report was passed out. Mayor Haver commended the village employees for their cooperation between departments during the winter storm clean ups.

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn.

MAYOR
CLERK