Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on April 10, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, and Tom Collins. Councilwoman Deb Wordell was absent from the meeting.
After approving the minutes of the previous meeting which were modified to reflect the scope of upcoming village projects, the bills and financial reports were reviewed by council.
Proposed ordinance 2018-49, which received a public hearing prior to the meeting, was approved and enacted unanimously by the councilpersons present. The ordinance adds section 1163.08 to the Village of Garrettsville’s codified ordinances. This allows the village to enforce regulations involving the use, parking and storage of recreational vehicles. The iteration of this ordinance, bounced between planning and council a few times, reads
1163.08 USE, PARKING AND STORAGE OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.
(a) In any zoning district, a recreational vehicle may not be used as a residential dwelling for more than 14 consecutive days, and no more than 28 days total per calendar year.
(b) in any residential district, any recreational vehicle parked or stored in the open must bear a current and valid registration. Unregistered recreational vehicles must be stored in an enclosed garage or:
1. parked or stored further back from the street right-of-way than the front face of the principal building on the lot, and
2. adequately screened from view from the street and neighboring properties.
Ordinance 2019-09, which is comprised of a number of minor changes to the village employee handbook, received a second reading and was enacted at the meeting
Ordinance 2019-13, authorizing the village to participate in the 2019 ODOT salt consortium. Under the agreement the village is required to purchase a minimum of 90% of their salt order during the 2019/2020 winter season. Discussion was had regarding whether it was worth looking into joining the Portage County consortium instead, but it was decided to look into that next year. 2019-13 was approved at the meeting
Four plots in Fox Hollow that were approved in the past were replanted with the passage of ordinance 2019-14. According to Stuck, the changes to the plot size are nearly imperceptible.
Council discussed a proposed lease extension from American Tower. If the village were to sign a contract locking in the lease (which expires in 2037) for an additional 40 years, it would receive a $2,500 signing bonus. According to Hardesty, companies like American Tower buy up tower leases in hope of capitalizing when demand hits a point that carriers will need to buy space from them. Knop asked what the current escalation rate is for the village’s tower. Baldwin informed the council that it is re-evaluated every five years. The Village currently makes $2,956 per month from the lease. It was decided that no action would be taken with American Tower’s request.
With the scheduled council business out of the way the floor was opened to the audience.
Two students at Garfield Middle School, were present to give a presentation on their vision for the Garrettsville Skate Park on Park Avenue. Their presentation explained the need for the park, a proposal of what it should contain, and a plan for how to accomplish construction. The team used the website DIYSkate.com to determine the optimal layout and obstacles for the skate park. The website generates building instructions and a material list for the project. According to their research, they needed to raise $2,000 ($1,495 in supplies for obstacle construction, with the balance going toward maintenance, signage, and other costs). Council approved spending $2,000 of the $3,000 raised by the now defunct GoFundMe page for the Skate Park. They also commended the students for their initiative and presentation.
Another resident shared information about a non-profit for canine handlers that would be starting soon.
Police Chief Tim Christopher was present to seek approval to move an officer off reserve and into a part-time position. He also requested that with Officer Vecchio’s probationary period coming to an end, he be made a full-time employee when the time comes. Both requests were approved.
Roundtable Wrap-up
Knop shared that the Dollar General’s contractors at the Windham Street construction site failed to install silt fencing around the catch basin — resulting in buildup of debris in the storm drain. It was decided to have the street crew document the issue and take photos. The contractor will be charged for any clearing/jetting of the drains that resulted from their negligence.
Hardesty stated that he wanted to get the budget certified so he can move forward with getting bids for the road projects. Baldwin told him that everything is certified, so he is now good to go. Hardesty and Stuck will work together to write the documents for the bid requests. The goal is to have everything approved at the May meeting. Hardesty also mentioned that the much-anticipated sidewalk projects on Liberty, Center, South will proceed this year.
A new truck for the street department was approved after Patrick informed council that Kepich Ford was able to meet state pricing. The purchase came in at $35,517.50 which is well below the $50,000 originally budgeted. The new truck will arrive in 6-8 weeks. He also shared that the water department purchased a new truck recently as well. Council also approved the purchase of a refurbished street sweeper for $39,500.
High Street is on its way toward becoming a one way street from Main toward Maple. The Village is getting a price for resealing and restriping the road. Discussion was had about Water Street, again. It was decided that Planning Commission would meet at Cellar Door Coffee Co. to look at the intersection and watch traffic for a while.
Kaiser shared that residents have asked about the possibility of a stoplight at the intersection of Windham and Liberty. The intersection is already well trafficked, and the new Dollar General is likely to compound the problem. He also asked Patrick when the Christmas street banners will be taken down, given that we’re coming up on Easter. Patrick told council that he has a list put together for Scotchman, but he is also going to look for a bucket truck for the village with council’s permission.
Collins, thinking about what resident Barb Bejger said last meeting, about enforcing maintenance codes, took a walk along the boardwalk and through the municipal lot. He noted that the dumpster behind Frontier’s building is not enclosed as it should be, and that there is fencing in poor repair. He questioned whether it was his job to notify Zoning Inspector Jan Boehm, or if she should have been issuing notices already. Patrick told Collins to make a list and give it to Jan as her schedule doesn’t give her time to be everywhere.
Collins also shared that the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary plans on making improvements to the landscaping at the trailhead connector on Windham Street. He added that the playground equipment order would be sent in soon as well.
The meeting went into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. It was adjourned afterward.
