Garrettsville – Village officials present at the September village council meeting, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins. The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Mayor Rick Patrick.
The meeting opened with motions made to approve the minutes of the August meeting. Bills were reviewed and paid as presented. Council also reviewed the financial, expenditure, and income tax reports, without comment.
Representatives from Community EMS and the Garrettsville Police department were present for officer Jennifer Deaton’s swearing in by Mayor Patrick.
Following the swearing in of Garrettsville’s newest officer, the council reviewed the following resolutions:
Resolution 2018-36 an ordinance amending the zoning maps by changing an area or property from Commercial Business District to Residential Commercial. This was the second reading of the ordinance. A public hearing is scheduled and advertised for the October meeting.
Resolution 2018-39 an ordinance setting forth compensation rates for employees of the village and trustees of the Board of Public Affairs (BPA). This repeals prior, inconsistent ordinances. The ordinance establishes rates for part-time journeymen. This resolution was approved as presented.
Resolution 2018-40 ratifies an application for the Serve Ohio Make a Difference Day Grant. This grant is related to work the village is doing in the the parks. The resolution was approved as presented.
Resolution 2018-41 authorizes the allocation of funds, not to exceed $250, for purchase of coffee, bottled water, and snacks for the village employees and public. The resolution was approved as presented.
Resolution 2018-42 a resolution approving, accepting, an alternative method of apportioning and distributing the local government funding. Requesting the Portage County apportion the fund in accordance with the alternative format. Stuck explained that the local government fund that was in place for the past ten-years is expiring, and all the villages and townships have gotten together to propose a new format—which would be in effect for five-years. The resolution was approved as read.
Resolution 2018-43 a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission. It also authorizes the necessary tax levies and certifies them to the county auditor. Stuck explained that the resolution is for the village’s annual property tax. The resolution was approved as presented.
Resolution 2018-44 an ordinance accepting rainwater right-of-way on Ray Atwood’s property. The village will be installing catch basins and running storm water via drainage pipe to the creek. Three trees will also be removed in the process. The resolution was approved as presented.
Resolution 2018-45 a resolution honoring Michael Heyd for his many years of outstanding service to the village of Garrettsville and the community as a whole. The resolution was approved as presented.
Council then reviewed written input from a resident regarding proposed changes to traffic flow on Water Street. As discussed before at council, and safety committee, the police will look at the situation, and talk about possible legislation next month. The resident’s letter was taken under advisement.
Wordell and Hardesty will be working on documenting a credit card policy beyond what is currently in the handbook. Knop agreed to serve as Wordell’s “alternate” if she is not available to work on this with Hardesty.
A resident of the Garfield Drive development was present to make council aware of an issue he is having with a neighbor. According to the resident, a group of individuals has been living out of a camper parked in his neighbor’s driveway for over a month.
Discussion followed about possible solutions, however there is no legislation on the books to handle the situation—there was proposed legislation at one point but it was struck down. Planning will have to propose legislation to council to enact. Council recommended that the resident look into the deed restrictions on the property and try to enforce those civilly.
Scott Eberly was present to ask if the village could put up a sign at the park recognizing the Garfield Giants as state champions. Council gave permission for the organization to have a sign made, and to hang it at the fields.
A resident inquired about the possibility of curbside recycling. Council has looked into the subject three-times in the past and the general consensus is to not implement it. The village already maintains a recycling area on Water Street that is well-used. The resident also asked what the village has been doing to increase business and residential growth in the community. Patrick explained that while it is difficult to develop industry in the area, over the last eighteen years housing has gone up and several new commercial businesses have come to town.
Discussion on the Euclid YMCA equipment continued and it was ultimately decided to talk with Kim Curry and see how quickly they need to act.
Knop informed council that he would be meeting with the fire alarm company and looking at the Village Hall, Police Station, and Garage the following day.
Hardesty shared that the Freedom Street paving project is underway, and that the tentative start date for paving is September 24th. The job has been modified to include full depth repair on the north and south sides of the road. Originally $160,000 was allocated for the project and the bid came in at $111,000. The added work would put the total at $155,000. Council approved the modifications and the increase.
Sidewalks on Center and South Streets were discussed. In prior years the village would receive authorization from the homeowners before beginning work. This was a good-will gesture, not a requirement, so they can forgo obtaining signatures for the sake of getting the project done.
A drainage issue was discovered between High Street and the 82/88 intersection. The storm drain is completely plugged or collapsed. Once an analysis and cost is determined the village can apply for Issue 1 funding to remedy the situation.
Kaiser reported that Community EMS’ 2911 unit is being sent out for a full refurbishment. The box will be removed, repainted as needed, then mounted onto a new chassis.
Collins informed council that the boardwalk is about 50% stained. He asked the rest of council to consider coming out to help stain the boardwalk.
Police Chief Tim Christopher was present to ask for permission to move Officers Deaton and Vecchio to paid status. Officer Deaton was approved and Officer Vecchio can be moved to paid status pending successful completion of psychological and physical exams.
The meeting was adjourned.
