March 13, 2007

Record of Proceedings

Millersport Village Council met in regular session on Tuesday March 13, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building.  In attendance were Mayor Dean Severance, Sandra Lines, President Pro Tem, David Levacy, Charles Mesko, Gary Matheny, James Wright and Fiscal Officer Madeline Utley.  Also present were Vincent Popo, Charles Prince, Matthew Bergum, Michael Bergum, Karen Bergum, Paul Detty, John Benson, William Yates and Jennifer Emerick. Kenneth Brotherton was absent.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said and roll call was taken. 

Minutes of February 20, 2007 were read.  A motion to accept the minutes made by Councilman Gary Matheny and seconded by Councilman Charles Mesko.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.

Jennifer Emerick from GGC gave a progress report on the Water Plant construction project.  Crace Construction completed the well water and finished after lines, completed the basin excavation, finished the mud mat for the clear well base slab, resteele base installation and set the wall forms for the clear well.  They have also dug the foundation and footers.  Pictures of project were handed to council and the mayor.  They have a 300 day construction time frame and are behind schedule because of the weather.  They plan to make up the time once the weather breaks.  Council and the mayor were also given minutes from the progress meeting on Wednesday March 7, 2007 between Crace Construction, GGC Engineering and The Village of Millersport.

The contract between the village and GGC has expired and is up for renewal.  It is a one year contract with a $350.00 retainer fee that is used for CDBG applications and attendance at Board of Public Affairs and Council Meetings. 

Committee Reports 

The Safety Committee has received an application for the police department and any application will go to the mayor and given to Police Chief Ed Arledge and the Safety Committee.  Council agreed to place an ad in the Buckeye Beacon, Newark Advocate and Lancaster Eagle Gazette advertising for police officers.

The Finance Committee met with on Friday March 2, 2007 with Johanna Gladman from the state auditor’s office to review the audit.  Ms. Gladman explained in detail the problems that the village has had the last two years.  The Finance Committee re-met on Wednesday March 7, 2007 to respond to the citations and recommendations.  The Finance committee agreed to correct the problems and Council needs to do a better job of checking appropriations and spending.  Resolutions need to be in place to insure that the legality of measures taken is properly recorded.  The finance committee will begin to meet at 6:30 before council meetings.  The meeting will be advertised and begin during April.  Council needs to keep on top of the Water Plant Construction Project because of the large amount of money involved with the plant.

Old Business

The Cingular One agreement is on hold and Mayor Dean Severance contacted them.  AT&T has bought Cingular but the project with Millersport is still approved.  A project meeting for 2007 will take place on Wednesday March 21, 2007 and the contract with the village is on the agenda.

The village contract with Nextel will be changed and the village will receive new phones, unlimited long distance calls and an increase from 1,000 to 3,000 minutes with nighttime minutes starting at 7:00 pm instead of 9:00pm.  The cost to the village will go down with the new rate.

The dock applications are being processed and the village is beginning to take phone calls from residents for dock spaces.  Past dock holders will be contacted by the village and given priority for dock spaces.  The dock rental will be $250.00 for the season.  Dock spaces need to be paid by April 30, 2007.

Swimming pool passes are on sale and so far there have been only two sales.  The village will discount family passes at a cost of $125.00 if purchased before April 1, 2007 and then $150.00 until May 1, 2007 then the cost of passes will be $175.00.  A cash register is needed

Council discussed the positive and negative aspects of using credit cards.  It was determined that the village needs to investigate the possibility of using credit cards and a dedicated phone line.

The discussion of time clocks began and the fire and police departments will be the first departments to use them.  Chief Yates is investigating the use of a finger print type of scan for the computer that will keep track of time in and time out.

New Business

Resolution 1012-The rehiring of Dale Walter.  A motion to suspend the three readings was made by Councilman David Levacy and seconded by Councilman Charles Mesko.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.  A motion to pass the resolution was made by Councilman Charles Mesko and seconded by Councilman James Wright.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 1013-The contract with GGC Engineering and The Village of Millersport.  A motion to suspend the three readings was made by Councilman Charles Mesko and seconded by Councilman Gary Matheny.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.  A motion to pass the resolution was made by Councilman Gary Matheny and seconded by Councilman Charles Mesko.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0Chief William Yates gave an update on the fire contract.  The township hired a private attorney and Chief Yates contacted a fire attorney named Larry Bennett from Cincinnati and put him on retainer.  The township and the village have agreed to let the attorneys talk directly to each other and that is viewed as a positive step.  The discussion revolved around the issues with fire protection and what is in the best interests of all the township residents.  The station is still being manned 24 hours per day and will be until funds become too tight.

Mayor Severance received a franchise fee check from Time-Warner cable for $4,376.46 for the current year.  The discussion revolved around the issue of whether the village has any voice in rate increases.  A decision is needed.

The Census for 2010 is beginning now and the village has a number of options to participate.  The village will examine all options before a decision will be made.

Council went into executive session to discuss personnel at 8:00 pm.  A motion to go into executive session was made by Councilman Gary Matheny and seconded by Councilman Charles Mesko.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.

A motion to come out of executive session at 8:30 pm was made by Councilman Gary Matheny and seconded by Councilman James Wright.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.

Bills were presented for payment as attached.  A motion to pay the bills was made by Councilman James Wright and seconded by Councilman Charles Mesko.  All voted yes and the motion carried 5-0.