NEW BOSTON OHIO VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

NEW BOSTON OHIO VILLAGE COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2014

Regular session of New Boston Village Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  James Warren, Jr., President of Council, presided over the meeting.  The roll was called with the following members of council being present:  Mr. Fetty, Mr. Williams, Mr. Payton, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Imes.

Mr. Williams made a motion to excuse the absent member, Mr. Salyers.  Mr. Imes seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.

Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer

Mr. Payton stated the minutes from February 4 would need to reflect his report for the Utilities Committee meeting.  Mr. Williams made a motion to amend the minutes for the corrections.  Mr. Imes seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.  Also Mr. Fetty asked the minutes reflect the meeting was adjourned due to bad weather and not because of further business.  Mr. Mills made the motion for the amendment.  Mr. Williams seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.  After the amendment, Mr. Williams made a motion to accept and file the minutes from December 7, 2013 and December 9, 2013.  Mr. Mills seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.


Reports from Visitors:

Mike Bell, Daymar College - introduced Mark Frazee, who is over the Hooks for Books program.  Mr. Bell reported the event will be held at New Boston School on March 14th and 15th.  The first night will be military appreciation night.  The second night will be Gene Bennett appreciation night.  Reported there could be a parking problem and is working with Steve about the parking.  Mr. Frazee explained the veterans are honored on stage for what they do.  Mayor asked if security will be provided.  Mark stated that the SWAT from Lucasville will be there.  Mr. Bell stated they will hire one fulltime police officer.  All high school students from around the area will be there and insurance will be provided for each participant.  Two students will also be honored for scoring their 1000th points in basketball and on Thursday, March 13, two teachers will be presented with plaques for being Hometown Heroes, which will take place at Gatti's Pizza.  Mr. Bell also reported on May 17, the First Responder's parade is at 11:00 a.m.  Brad Wenstrup, Terry Johnson and hopefully the governor will be here to honor oldest combat veteran in the county.  Also other veterans will be honored.  Last game of the Challenger League will be this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the New Boston High School.  He also reported tickets are on sale for Portsmouth Day, April, 13, at the Cincinnati Reds game and reported he will be throwing out the first pitch beside his son.


Representatives from Southern Ohio Sustainability Alliance spoke to council about their new non-profit organization in the area.  They are dedicated to clean-up and environmental efforts.  Have also met with Portsmouth council and will be a part of their clean-up efforts.  They are working on recycling programs for the community and schools.  There will be several events in April including Earth Day.  Currently they are working on Green Initiative Incentive Programs, which they will be accepting nominations for businesses that are implementing green practices in their everyday operations.  Would like to hear of any businesses in New Boston that are participating.

There have multiple programs within communities that will bring solutions to help with the problems that currently plague our communities.  These programs include agriculture, compost, recycle, cleanup, improvement, training and support, involvement and security.  This has been fashioned after the Community Block Watch Program.  He presented materials and did explain each one of the programs.  He explained they had just started the 1st of January and these programs have not started in any area but hopes to implement these programs within the Village of New Boston and asked for mayor and council support.  He is working with others to help them implement some of the programs.  He introduced Will Bailey and Tyler Hodge who supports the program.  He did explain all his qualifications to council.  Mayor asked if anyone had any further questions and thanked them for coming.


No presenting and acting on petitions:  None


Reports of:

James Warren, Mayor - 1. Met with David Helmlick with the New Boston Shopping Center and he reported that Ollie's will be moving in one end of the old Walmart building next to Tractor Supply.   Their applications are on line.  Tudor's are getting close to opening.

Lana Loper, Clerk - presented report for January, 2014.  Mr. Mills made a motion to accept and file the report.  Mr. Fetty seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.

Kathy Bender, Treasurer - no report

Justin Blume, Legal Counsel - no report but asked executive session for litigation.

Steve Hamilton, Village Administrator - 1. Thanked service department for hand shoveling salt during the ice and snow since the truck was broke down.  2. Presented information from ODNR.  3. On February 14, J&H Erectors was given notice to proceed which means they have ten months from that day to get the sewer project completed.  They will start on Gallia Street in front of the American Restaurant.  4. Thanked also the fire department for help during the ice and the police officers helping with traffic.

Theda Aldridge, Income Tax Director - absent

Darrold Clark, Chief of Police - presented report dated February 13, 2014.  Mr. Payton made a motion to accept and file the report.  Mr. Mills seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.  Mr. Fetty asked about Chief Bender's comments on his goals for 2014.  Chris stated fire gear was taken care of, Knox box program is in its place and would like to see fire department get back to full staff.  Mr. Payton asked if all businesses would have to use the Knox Box program.  Chief Bender stated that only the businesses mandatory that have an automated system and any other business can use.


Reports of Chairman of Committees:

Junior Williams, Laws and Finances - reported the committee met on February 13, 2014, to discuss review of 2013 revenues and expenses, opt-out insurance for employees, purchase of new updated phone system, the purchasing of garbage truck and salt/dump truck, police dispatcher room renovations and recommends council's approval for several purchases in each department.  At the meeting other discussions were held with Mr. Hamilton wanting to wait until 2015 for possible grant monies for paving, Chief Bender reported Jaws of Life and hoses will be purchased through FEMA grant, and Mr. Fetty discussing whether to pay .75% OP&F pension fund pickup, health insurance rates increasing to 85% for employees and combining the elected clerk and treasurer position into one elected position.  Mr. Payton made a motion to accept and file the report.  Mr. Imes seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.  Discussion was held regarding the purchases for each department and Mr. Williams stated the money way there but this does not include the cost of the phone system.  Mr. Payton made a motion to bring in an ordinance to appropriate the $30,735 for the requested purchases from the finance report.  Mr. Mills seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.  Further discussion was held regarding the costs of the new phone system.  Council would like further quotes in writing.

Ralph Imes, Streets & Alleys - reported the committee met on February 13, 2014 to discuss:
1. vacating the alley behind the north side of Gallia Street between Harrisonville Avenue and Hill Street and to vacate the alley behind the houses on the east side of Hill Street which would enable the SCESC to construct additional parking for their employees.  Mayor and Village Administrator stated this would not land-lock the said property. 2. The committee also discussed accepting Sturgill's Way, which would mean the village would be responsible to the upkeep.  Mr. Blume stated this would mean the property would have to be signed over to the village.  3. Getting pricing on the resurfacing of all of Maple Street and alley between Rhodes Avenue and Gallia running from Park Avenue to Lakeview Avenue.  The committee is recommending further research for the properties discussed.  Mr. Williams made a motion to accept and file the report.  Mr. Mills seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren, declared the motion carried. 5-0.

Mike Payton, Utilities and Communications - still waiting on letter from AEP for approval to change electrical systems

Jon Mills, Flood & Sewage - no report

Terry Salyers, Wage & Salary Study - absent

Dan Fetty, Land & Buildings - none


At 7:45 p.m. Mr. Mills made a motion for the executive session for pending litigation.  Mr. Williams seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the motion carried 5-0.

Regular session was called back to order at 8:40 p.m.  All members from regular meeting were present. 

Mr. Williams made a motion to allow Mr. Blume to work with insurance on pending litigation through negotiations within the perimeters of the agreement between the village and insurance company.  The roll was called.  The voting results are as follows:  ayes-5.


No reading of Ordinances or Resolutions


New Business

Mr. Williams - thanked the council for the appointment of president pro-tem

Mr. Imes - none

Mr. Mills - none

Mr. Salyers - absent

Mr. Fetty - 1. Asked Mr. Hamilton to discuss the sales price of the property located at 3818 Stanton.  He reported the price would include the cost of advertisement.  2. Asked if anything was happening with the drain line.  Steve reported nothing was happening.  3. Asked about Portsmouth Floodwall certification update.  Steve stated he talked to Mr. Duncan.  They are waiting on a permit to dig wells.  Steve also stated he has been talking to Mr. Sutherland about missing water meter lids.  4. Records retention meeting on Friday.  Discussed cleaning out the records and storage units.  5. Would like to see a farmer's market at the Cartee parking lot.  Mayor stated he had discussed with the church.  6. Thanked service department for their hard work during the snow and ice.

Mr. Payton - 1. Reported the Stanton School received an award from the Department of Education as a school of promise and he, mayor, Steve and Dan had the pleasure of attending.  2. Cone is missing near Daymar College.  3. We need a game plan for the parking for Hooks for Books.   4. Thanked the service department for their help, congratulated the police department for doing a good job for the drug busts and congratulated the fire department on the grant.

There being no further business, Mr. Payton moved the meeting be adjourned.  Mr. Mills seconded the motion.  All members concurring, Mr. Warren declared the meeting be adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

______________________________________
President of Council

Passed:__________________________,2014

Attest: ________________________________
            Village Clerk