Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on June 9th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. In-person attendees present were representatives of the Portage County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri, Tech Supervisor Dan Young, and Ryan Shackleford, the Emergency Management Director for Portage County. Also present were Dr. Michael Carlson, Trish Danku, and Roger Angel of the Garrettsville Cemetery committee, and their guest Larry Conti from Portage Marble and Granite. The meeting was open to the public as the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, but the meeting was streamed to Facebook to accommodate those still abiding by COVID-19 social-distancing. Beginning with the July meeting livestreaming service has been discontinued.
Prior to the regular meeting, the floor was open for public comment on proposed Ordinance 2021-09. As a reminder, the ordinance amends chapter 1199 of the codified ordinances of the village and permits the village to undertake and assess fees for the correction of exterior maintenance violations (garbage, debris, unmaintained yards, etc.). There were no comments made by those present in the audience virtually or in-person. The public hearing was closed, and the regular meeting called to order.
At the start of the regular meeting the minutes of the April meeting were reviewed and accepted as written. Following the approval of the minutes, council reviewed the financial reports and income tax receipts. Stuck shared that she was waiting on a long list of income tax delinquencies before they go to court. The reports were accepted as presented.
Sheriff Zuchowski was invited by Mayor Patrick and the Safety Committee to present information on county-level dispatch service available through his department. Zuchowski shared that the department is actively trying to build a service that can support the entire county, taking a “if we build it, they will come approach” to the project. Chief Deputy Spidalieri explained that he was active in the development of Geauga County’s countywide dispatch – taking what was 50% coverage in 2012 to nearly full-dispatch coverage (South Russell being the only hold-out due to their use of Chagrin Falls emergency services). Spidalieri shared that in Geauga County there is zero cost for dispatch services as they are funded by a 0.25 percent sales tax, then going a little off-topic mentioning the Portage County commissioners did not renew a similar sales tax last year; referring to the five-year sales-tax that provided funds for the county jail – not dispatch services. Spidalieri shared that the sales tax (0.25 percent tax) may head back to the voters soon. It is worth noting that statements made at prior county commissioner meetings indicate that the proposed tax would again largely fund the jail (allowing the hiring of 13 corrections officers), and not necessarily specific dispatch services being proposed:
During his presentation Spidalieri went on to say that the department is very close to adding two new marcs radio towers in the county, and relocating others, to expand into communities with signal issues to alleviate radio problems in rural communities like Nelson Township. He then went on to explain the pricing-structure of the county dispatch service, sharing that it is entirely population-based and the Sheriff’s department which is responsible for the entire county population would always have largest share of expenses. Under the proposal, Garrettsville’s share would be about $43,590/year for three years. While prices may increase, it will never exceed 5% at each renewal period and may actually drop as more communities join the program.
From a technology perspective moving to the county dispatch service would not require new radio equipment. Any marcs radio capable of broadcasting on the frequency will work. Shackleford also shared that growing the county dispatch program also provides the opportunity to move the radio equipment to a simulcast setup which will have all towers in-range working together to transmit instead of competing for transmission carriage between multiple towers.
On the safety side of things, Spidalieri shared that a central dispatch also improves officer safety. Dispatchers will be able to dispatch additional officers from surrounding communities should situations require it. Kaiser mentioned that the Garrettsville Freedom Nelson Joint Fire District and Community EMS already dispatch through the county. Hardesty asked about the number of other communities planning to onboard into the county system. Spidalieri informed council that the pricing provided to the village was calculated on 15 communities using the service.
After the Sheriff’s Department’s presentation Carlson took the floor on behalf of the Cemetery Board. With cremation becoming an increasingly popular post-life option in the community (about 53% in Garrettsville – up from 18% a few years ago) the board feels that it is time for the village to explore the addition of one or more columbariums – above-ground multi-unit receptacles for burial urns.
The cemetery board has identified a section of Park Cemetery perfect (logistically for construction, and locationally for families paying their respects). The proposed columbariums would replace the former veterans memorial (which was relocated to the spot now utilized) and features a new accessible concrete walkway, pad and two white granite columbariums. Carlson shared that Portage Marble & Granite would contribute benches to the project that would accent the space and shared that the upfront expenditure of the project could easily be recouped by pre-selling spots in the units. He also shared that space for traditional burials is not an issue as there are still plenty of plots available for purchase in Section C. Carlson then turned the presentation over to Conti so that the logistics of the structures could be discussed. Each columbarium can accommodate 96 urns and features black faceplates suitable for engraving (either before – a more costly way to reserve your spot – or after).
Carlson, on behalf of the board, requested funding for one columbarium ($34,000). Conti recommended a few price-points for unit sales (ranging from $450-$1,000/ea.) and suggested a pre-sale or volume discount (family-suites anyone?) to secure sales. Kaiser suggested council look at ordering two to start with as it would look more balanced. Hardesty reminded council that the project and the columbarium itself would need to go out to bid, as purchasing two columbariums would exceed the $50,000 limit. Conti suggested that council commit to two columbariums, and split the expenses between one fiscal year, and schedule payment on the second unit for the following fiscal year. The issue has been scheduled for further discussion in July.
Moving on, Ordinance 2021-09 received its final reading and was approved and enacted. Patrick asked Stuck if the village could now fine Michelle Ward Clayton. Stuck informed council that the village cannot assess fines (those are determined by the courts) but can assess fees for village workers cleaning up the property. Stuck shared that the list of things Clayton needs to get done will be shared with her at the pre-trial in July. Hardesty asked if the road crew can be asked to mow the property and bill Clayton. Stuck reminded council that the ordinance does not go into effect until 30 days after passage. “This is ridiculous, we have been fighting with [Clayton] for so long – since 1997 when she owned the Irwin’s building.” said Patrick.
Ordinance 2021-28 was approved and enacted on second reading at the meeting. The ordinance modifies the annual appropriations.
Resolution 2021-29 was approved and enacted, enabling the Fiscal Officer to track and report all recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (CARES act). The resolution allows filing documents and setting up accounts for tracking the funding.
Resolution 2021-30 was approved and enacted. It authorizes construction of an additional 100 feet of curbing on Garfield Drive, replacing failing curbing that was causing a retention basin to fail.
Round Table Wrap-Up
Hardesty shared that he has submitted a grant application for the Hardesty Park facility.
Patrick shared that John Fudella, a part-time police officer, has been working on repairing the clocktower in his off-hours. He has been tinkering and was able to get the clockfaces working (and displaying the correct time) and most recently repaired a broken tooth in the gear for the chimes – getting those working again. Sergeant Whan said that they “don’t let Fudella forget that the clocks and chimes are still 30 seconds off”.
In park news, Patrick would like to see council rename the village park on Park Avenue after former Mayor Craig Moser. Collins shared that he would like to see the village develop the waterfront area behind Village Hall as a picnic park with some tables for families to use. Council voted to approve renaming the Park Avenue Park.
Wordell informed council that over the past few months the village had been under an audit which is now complete. She asked if council would like to have an “exit audit” meeting. The meeting will be private as the findings are confidential until released by the state. She also shared that the new trees for Main Street are being donated by Davey Tree thanks to advocacy by a local woman (our apologies as council did not share her name).
Collins talked about the recent paving project at headwaters trail that was sponsored by the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary. The trail connection at Windham Street is now paved to the trailhead in Phelps Park. He is also researching grants available for LED streetlighting.
Hardesty informed council that he will be requesting an executive session for employee compensation talks in July.
Police chief Tim Christopher talked about Mantua’s counteroffer for dispatch services. Council acknowledged the work Mantua has done and their offer but voted to pursue county dispatching through the Sheriff’s Office pending review of the contract, final rate and the terms and conditions of the service. Christopher also shared that the software (New World) they will need to move onto in order to integrate with county dispatching is more expensive – but allows every department to see active officers and pull information on suspects between departments. Whan provided an example where it would be beneficial for Garrettsville to be able to pull information on “John Smith” from Kent PD and other departments, so they know who and what they are dealing with. With the current system they only have access to Mantua and Hiram records.
