The Village of Hicksville, Ohio

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

February 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larry Haver.

The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated by all present. 

Present were:, Council members, Mark Haver, Ron Jones, Mick Pocratsky, Ron Beverly, Mike Barth and Mike Headley;  Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins; and  Administrator, Kent Miller and Solicitor, Troy Essex.   There were 16 visitors present.

Haver moved to approve the January 16 minutes.  Jones seconded.  All voted yes.

Beverly moved to approve the bills.  Pocratsky seconded.    All voted yes.  

Ian McGregory, Board member of the Defiance Public Library was present to do a presentation about the upcoming .75 mil library levy that will be voted on.  Questions from council followed.  Council was informed that Carma Rowe’s money willed to the library is held by a Foundation and is being used to maintain the Hicksville library building.  Each library is leased according to Library Director, Marilyn Hite, who was in attendance with Mr. McGregory.   Collins had asked in advance to be told how much money was collected from Hicksville Township and Hicksville Village in 2011 and what the Hicksville library’s budget is.  Ms. Hite said those figures were not available at this time. It was mentioned that Hicksville was promised a person from Hicksville would be appointed to the board the last time there was an opening but that did not happen.  They denied any knowledge about that.  McGregory and Hite were asked if Susan Mack’s name was presented the last time there was an opening.  The answer was yes.  The Defiance Mayor appointed a person from Sherwood instead.  Hicksville co-chairs Mike and Kay Cleland were introduced.

Local landlord, Greg Slattery was present to question council about the method of billing for sewer on his triplex on West Cornelia Street.  He doesn’t interpret Ordinance 2010-16 the way he is being billed.    Essex and Pocratsky explained the thought behind such billing.  Mark Haver voiced his agreement with Slattery on the billing process and the need to keep things economical in Hicksville.

County Commissioner, Otto Nicely was present.  He thanked council for their involvement in getting FWT LLC to come to Hicksville.  He stated they are in need of a turn lane and we need to see if the County Engineer will work with the State in getting grant funds to do the project. 

Mr. Nicely informed council the County Commissioners are offering a free lot on the corner of North Main and West Arthur Street to the Village.  They originally purchased the property and tore a house down with State funds.  We simply need to put in writing what we would use the property for and when that would happen.   Ideas briefly mentioned were a war memorial, a gazebo with sitting area, and community gardens.  Pocratsky moved to accept the property.  Beverly seconded.  All voted yes. 

Mr. Nicely also reported there is $150,000 in USDA funds available to use for water retention in Hicksville.  The paperwork needs to be done.  Mayor Haver stated Roberta (RCAP) is working on that.  Mr. Nicely reported the county is estimating it will lose $1.7 million in revenue in 2012.

Park Board:  The minutes of the January meeting were in council packets.  Board member Brent Neidhardt was present.

Cable TV Committee:  The 4^th quarter franchise fee report was in council packets.

Cemetery Board:  The 2011 Financial Report was in packets.

Water/Sewer/Refuse:   Pocratsky reported the committee met on January 23, 2012.  They will meet again on February 20 with RCAP.  They will also discuss Ed Foster’s request to make sure Building Permit language requires a plan to cover displaced water.

Administrator’s Report:    Miller reported the following: 

• Sewer camera bid opening was February 3.  The only bid was from Dreier & Maller, Inc. for $47,685.60.
• The storm line in Oak Park has been completed. All that remains is restoration work (yards and paving) when spring arrives.
• Zoning inspector, Mike Bailey started on January 30.  Miller is teaching him the ropes.
• Miller wanted everyone to know that it was not the Village snowplow that tore up yards in the Perry/Ogen Street area over the weekend. He noted that sometimes happens but we take credit for it when we do it.

Miscellaneous:

Resolution 2012-01 to pay the Green family for a negative easement was read by caption only for the second reading.   Headley moved to suspend the rules.  Barth seconded.  All voted yes.  Resolution 2012-01 was read by caption only for the third reading.  Jones moved to approve.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.

Resolution 2012 – 02  Acknowledging participation in the BORMA Health program was read by caption only for the first reading.  Beverly moved to suspend the rules.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.  Resolution 2012-02 was read by caption only for the second and third reading.  Barth moved to approve.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes. 

Resolution 2012 – 03 to purchase sewer camera was read by caption only for the first reading.  Pocratsky moved to suspend the rules.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.  Resolution 2012-03 was read by caption only for the second and third reading.  Jones moved to approve.  Pocratsky seconded.  All voted yes. 

Ordinance 2012 – 02 to amend the bond schedule was read by caption only for the first reading. Jones moved to suspend the rules.  Beverly seconded.  All voted yes.  Resolution 2012-01 was read by caption only for the second and third reading.  Jones moved to approve.  Barth seconded.  All voted yes. 

Pocratsky asked Essex if he was making any progress on amending the meter tampering legislation. 

Beverly moved to go into executive session for personnel issues, specifically hiring.  Jones seconded.  All voted yes.  (8 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.)  Pocratsky moved to return to regular session.  Beverly seconded.  All voted yes. 

EMS:  Doug Miller asked council to hire Ashley McDougall as a part time EMT pending good physical and drug screen.  Pay will be $10 per hour. The start date will be February 13, 2012.  Probation will be for one year.  Mayor Haver made the recommendation.  Beverly moved to approve.  Barth seconded.  All voted yes.

Clerk’s Report:  Collins passed out the MTD/YTD Cash Report and Income Tax Report and the year end Utility Report and EMS billing reports.

Mayor’s Report:    Mayor Haver shared the January court report, thanked Apex for the picnic tables donated to the park and mentioned there are tickets available to attend the school GALA coming up. The Relay For Life committee is looking at an alternate location and is awaiting a response from the park board. The Tax Incentive Review Board needs two representatives from Hicksville to meet on April 25 at 6 p.m.  Mayor Haver said he would attend.  Mark Haver volunteered to attend also. 

Jones moved to adjourn.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.  (8:30 p.m.)

MAYOR  ________________________         CLERK/TREASURER  _____________________

                        Larry Haver                                                                             Diane Collins