Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

May 5, 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: Mayor Larry Haver; Council members, Ron Jones, Ed Foster, Ron Beverly, Amy Haver, Mick Pocratsky and Bruce Hart; Solicitor, Troy Essex; Administrator, Kent Miller and Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins.

Foster moved to approve the April 21 minutes. Haver seconded. All voted yes.
Beverly moved to approve the bills. Hart seconded. All voted yes.

Isaac Lee of the Defiance County Economic Development office explained to council that the school has dropped the idea of a road from S.R. 2 TO S.R. 18 for now. The Business and Industry Committee wants to back off the road project which would run a road from S.R. 18 to Meuse Argonne The hospital, however, is still interested in a medical corridor from Columbus Street North to Industrial Drive. Mr. Lee plans to have a time line done by October for a strategic plan to do the medical corridor and a roadway from Industrial park to S.R. 49. He said the Ec. Dev. Office is working diligently on a couple projects that he can’t name at this time. A proposed ”Village of Hicksville Investment in Job Program” was explained. Possible incentive award scenarios were given. It would redirect future income. Criteria would involve amount of payroll generated, income tax rate, number of years involved and the percentage of local income tax a company would receive back. Gordon Creek Granite is having an open house on Saturday.

Susan Mack of the Hicksville Beautification Committee was present to explain local projects taking place.

Water/Sewer/Refuse Committee: Pocratsky reported the committee is still looking at the long term control plan. They will meet again soon.

Sidewalk Committee: Beverly reminded council about the walk around town Wednesday morning. It is necessary to begin working on the “Safe Routes to School” grant that may be applied for.

Cable TV Committee: The monthly meeting will be Saturday, May 10 at 8 a.m. We received Notification of Franchise Renewal from Mediacom. Essex explained this is simply a notice of intention to renew. The Mediacom Statement of Franchise Fee Payment was in the packets.

Police/Fire/EMS Committee: Foster called a meeting for May 7 at 5 p.m. The committee considered the expense of moving the PD and EMS departments to 111 South Main Street. It was noted when Worline did the layout, they quoted a cost of $220,000 to remodel. Many council members voiced concerns that it could be closer to $300,000. Hart would like the EMS here but leave PD where they are. Haver is looking at major expenses that could be needed for the proposed sewer separation project. Several were in agreement with her. Beverly moved we put this on the back burner for one year. Pocratsky seconded. Beverly, Haver, Foster, Jones & Pocratsky voted yes. Hart voted no.

Administrator’s Report: Miller reported the following:

• Mosquito season is approaching. Residents are reminded to keep grass and weeds cut, remove tires from the premises and clean up junk piles. Several notices are being sent to violators.
• Jared Stark has been hired at $21.50 per hour for mowing.

Miscellaneous:

• The liability waiver on fire equipment is not done. If nearby fire departments are not interested, Mayor Haver will make arrangements for the equipment to go to Medical Equipment South America (MESA).
• The bleacher waiver was passed out.
• The Section 125 paper work has been completed.
• The ordinance committee will consider methods of collecting for yards the Village has to mow.
• Essex worked on the Cable TV agreement draft some more.
• The railroad easements and Edgerton Street alley are in the same state
• Essex contacted the county engineers office about the industrial park property being in the CAUV program. Currently the industrial park is an unrecorded plat. They will allow us to split the property as long as the planning commission is satisfied. The engineers do not intend to do anything. Without being in the CAUV the 40 plus acres would have an valuation of $104,000 and property taxes of $1,700 per year. In the CAUV program the valuation is reduced to $18,000 and property taxes of $363 per year. Council was quick to decide to leave it as it is. These facts will be put in the Clerk’s industrial park file so this information will be seen anytime the file is looked at.

Clerk’s Report: Collins MTD/YTD Cash Report was passed out. A brief explanation of April’s income tax collection was given. A report will be provided at the next meeting. Collins explained that our utility bills were taken to Hicksville post office on April 30 and were lost for a few days. Some council members said they still did not have theirs. Collins said residents could call the utility office or come in and we would look up the amount they owe.

Police Report: Ballinger did not have a report.

Fire Department: Doug Miller reported that three out of four new recruits passed their test. One will be retaking it in June.

EMS Department: In Harris’ absence, Collins asked to have Ellen Wilson approved to run as a Basic EMT. Physical and Drug screens are passed. Mayor Haver recommended Ellen Wilson for EMS department . Jones moved to approve. Pocratsky seconded. All voted yes.

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Haver had an April court report in the packets. He also reminded parents to speak to their children about bicycle safety issues.

Beverly moved to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation. Jones seconded. All voted yes.(8:15 p.m. – 8:33 p.m.) Returned to regular session. Beverly moved to go back into regular session. Pocratsky seconded. All voted yes.

A motion was made to adjourn.

MAYOR
CLERK