Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

June 2, 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, Ron Beverly , Amy Haver , Mick Pocratsky and Bruce Hart ; Solicitor, Troy Essex; Administrator, Kent Miller; Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins. Councilmember Ed Foster was absent.

Jones moved to approve the May 19 minutes with a couple corrections. They are as follows: Water/Sewer/Refuse Committee: Pocratsky wanted Essex to look into the legalities of the Village being able to help everyone with the expense of running a new line to the sanitary sewer if one is put in. Finance Committee: Jones just wants to keep the ball rolling with the Investment in Jobs program. The committee is not ready to make a recommendation yet. Pocratsky seconded. All voted yes.

Hart moved to pay the bills. Pocratsky seconded. All voted yes.

Isaac Lee of the Defiance County Economic Development office was present to update council on the popularity of the Job Creation Tax Credit that is sweeping the nation. It was noted we have the best price for land in the county and the county has a strong workforce. He is trying to get a major heating/cooling facility to locate in Hicksville/Defiance County. The web site is updated and linked to several area websites. It is also submitted to a nationally known web site that gets a lot of international attention. Lee said he continues to work with the Strategic Plan and will be visiting 26 landowners before presenting it to council in October.

Finance Committee: Jones reported the committee met with Tax Administrator, Cheryl Miller , and Defiance County Economic employee, Isaac Lee, to discuss a proposed Job Creation Tax Incentive Program. The committee is not ready to make a recommendation to council.

Water/Sewer/Refuse Committee: Pocratsky reported his committee did not meet to discuss the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) for sewer separation. It would appear the committee has recommended Total separation as the preferred plan. With that decision made, Rick Weaver told Miller the LTCP could be changed with very little effort if the Village wants to state that the total separation will be done as one project and completed at one time. If the Village wants Poggemeyer Design Group (PDG) to complete the LTCP in a phased approach over a number of years we will need to pay PDG $4,700. Beverly strongly objected to paying PDG more money as he felt this work should be covered under the present contract. Pocratsky will call a meeting to have PDG explain why we need to pay more for this work.

Park Board: Bruce Hart briefed council on the May park board meeting which did not have a quorum. Notes about future topics of discussion were presented. There has been a lot of damage done at the park recently, Miller inquired about the cost to see if we should turn it in to the insurance company. Hart will check on it and will also get Park Director, Ron Bauer at the next council meeting to update council on his plans to sell wooden park bleachers.

Administrator’s Report: Kent Miller reported the following:

• An update on the basement flooding. The mold man stopped in and things appeared pretty good. Letisha cleaned a few mold spots and mopped all the floor area with a bleach solution. A new sump and back-up sump were also installed.
• Bonar Group will be opening bids for the Spencerville Street sewer replacement (Issue II project) on June 4 and for the S. Bryan-Fountain Street water main replacement (CDBG project) on June 19. The Whitten Avenue sewer is being reviewed by OEPA and the N. Main-Clearview water main loop is in the pre-design stage. Sidewalk & curbing needs to be discussed.
• Both sewer department employees will be taking the Class I license exam later in the fall.
• The Division of Forestry and Master Gardeners are going to do some work on the downtown trees on Thursday, June 5. Stephanie Miller will be overseeing the work which not only helps us out, but will serve as a training class for the gardeners. Plans are for Stephanie to trim the trees (and hold another training session) when cold weather returns.
• Miller will be attending a FEMA meeting in Wauseon on June 4. This involves the flood management process and flood mapping updates required by entities.
• Miller has counted roughly 60 bad panels in the downtown area. The sidewalks may need to be torn up if the downtown businesses will need to tie their sump pumps into the existing storm sewer. Council does not want to replace the sidewalks until that work is done.

Miscellaneous: Essex reported the following:

• The Edgerton Street alley - waiting on survey
• Railroad Easements-drafting easements
• HIXTV-agreement sent to the school for approval
• Liability Waiver for Fire Equipment – Waiting to see if there is something for him to review. It was noted the Mayor of Melrose would take anything Hicksville has to offer and would gladly sign a waiver.
• Source Water Protection Plan – Some substance has been written. It was passed out to the committee to review.

Mayor Haver asked council to consider amending Ordinance 2007-14 to allow us to bill for EMS calls where we treated the patient and then they refused transport. Council was agreeable and Essex is to bring the legislation to the next meeting.

Clerk’s Report: The MTD/YTD Cash Report and Income Tax reports were shared. Jones wants Cheryl Smith thanked for doing a good job on the council minutes last meeting.

Police Report: Willis did not have a report.

Fire Department: The May report was in the packets.

EMS Department: No report was given.

Mayor’s Report: The May Court Report was passed out. Mayor reminded everyone they are invited to the Hickory Creek fish fry Friday night.

A motion was made to adjourn

MAYOR
CLERK