The Village of Hicksville, Ohio

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

May 7, 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, Mick Pocratsky, Ron Beverly, Mike Headley, Ron Jones and Mike Barth;  Clerk/Treasurer, Diane Collins;  Administrator, Kent Miller and Solicitor, Troy Essex. There were 25 visitors present.

Haver moved to approve the April 16, 2012 minutes.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.

Jones moved to pay the bills. Haver seconded.  All voted yes.

The Hicksville Township Trustees were present to hold the Annual Joint Meeting with the Hicksville Village Council as required by the Ohio Revised Code.  Mayor Haver called the meeting to order.  Present were:  Trustees, Greg Collins, Zane Zeedyk and Jeff Green.  Jones moved to appoint Trustee Zane Zeedyk to complete the unexpired term of Barry Finzer.  The term ends December 31, 2013.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes. Mayor Haver went on to other business.

Zoning Board of Appeals:  Notice of a hearing for a lot split 360 Meuse Argonne was in council packets. 

Trinity United Methodist Church representative, Jan Perry was present to present reasons that Brickhaus I should not be permitted to obtain a D2 Liquor License.  Some of the reasons being:  the church opposes alcohol, The Boy Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous meet there, the past history associated with The Palace Bar/Tremors where the Huber Opera House currently is, and the things that went on that made the KKK come to town.  Steph Mazur was present and rationalized that she didn’t think the analogy is correct as Tremors was a dance hall geared towards youth.  Church pastor, Jim Spears stated their Administrative Counsel met twice over the concern for the community.  Gade Pollock, part owner in Brickhaus I was present and explained to those present that the owners plan to keep things under control.   They plan to have a family oriented restaurant without liquor signs.  They intend to be responsible and do what is needed to keep the community in a good place.  They will not promote overconsumption.  As Gabe pointed out, he has a business in town and it would not be in his best interest for there to be problems at the establishment.  There were parking concerns.  Beverly pointed out that the liquor licenses are renewal annually and there would be an opportunity to voice objections to a renewal each year.  Pastor Spears asked if drinks will be allowed to be carried out.  Not open containers.  Closed containers would be.  It is unknown if there is a state law prohibiting alcohol within 300’ of a church.  It was pointed out that the liquor license transfer for a D1 and D3 already took place.  Gabe pointed out that they are not going to hide the fact that they have alcohol there and he was pleased that the community cared enough to bring up the matter.  Pastor Spears stated there are biblical quotes against being drunk.  Mayor Haver stated he is in favor of the restaurant and thanked everyone for coming. 

Park Board:  Minutes of the April meeting were in the council packets.  Park Board member Steph Mazur was present.  No questions were asked.

Water/Sewer/Refuse:   Pocratsky reported there was a committee meeting held on April 17 at 5:30 p.m.  RCAP helped prepare Requests for Technical Proposals that will go to five companies interested in doing a hydrology study for the Village.  The committee will then review the RTP’s and choose a company to use. 

Pocratsky stated his committee has received many complaints about the sewer line at Haver Drive.  The sewer has collapsed a couple times and another one is happening presently.  WWTP Superintendent, Ron Daniels was present and confirmed there is a lot of infiltration, bellies, suck holes etc.  $20,000 has already been spent on repairs.  The EPA has suggested a project be done at Haver Drive as there is a CSO issue there.   Beverly pointed out that the rear swale should be done also to do the job correctly. At one time Miller estimated it would cost $300,000 - $450,000 to fix the Haver Drive CSO problem.  This would include engineering and construction but not the replacement of water lines.  It was noted there are issues with the water lines also.  Pocratsky stated the committee is behind this project and he would like to know if the council is in support of it.   Headley feels Oak Park should be solved first.  It was noted there is a problem on the west side of Antwerp Drive but Pocratsky has been told a detention pond would not solve the problem of water running across the road.  There used to be a driveway out in the middle of a field west of Antwerp Drive that would hold the field water back.  It has been plowed over.  Miller was advised to crunch numbers again and call a “Study Session” when he has some costs. 

Finance Committee:  Jones reported the committee is going to meet on May  21 at 6:15 p.m. to audit the books. 

Administrator’s Report:    Miller reported the following:

• Bid results for the radio read meters follow:    EJ Prescott, Inc. - $21,365.43 for 60 meters.  There was a lengthy discussion on the need or lack of a need for radio read meters and where they would be placed.
• Jeff Rumple will be in Columbus May 9 to take his Class I sewer test.
• Miller will attend a OBWC meeting in Toledo on May 9. This will fulfill our BWC required yearly training hours for 2012.
• Miller will attend a Maumee River Basin Partnership of Local Governments meeting in Paulding on Thursday, May 10.
• The County Recycle Trailer has switched to summer hours. For May through August, the first Friday of each month it will be in town from 9:30 to 1:30 as usual. On the fourth Wednesday of the month hours will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Miscellaneous: 

Ordinance 2012-05 to establish a Law Enforcement Trust Fund was read by caption only for the third reading.  Beverly moved to approve.  Barth seconded.  All voted yes.

Resolution 2012-05 to approve the purchase of radio read meters from EJ Prescott was read by caption only for the first reading. 

Defiance County Economic Development director, Jerry Hayes was present to ask council for a resolution of support to give FWT LLC a tax abatement.  The exempted amount would be $4,000,000 at 80% for ten years.  FWT promises 200 jobs within three years.  Barth moved to approve.  Headley seconded.  All voted yes.

Police Report:  Chief Szabo did not have a report.

Fire/EMS:  Acting Fire Chief Scott Cramer went to Community Memorial Hospital on April 18 to evaluate a regional disaster drill.  He was very impressed. 

Clerk/Treasurer:  Collins passed out the MTD/YTD Cash Report and Income Tax Report.  She thanked the First Church of Christ for the National Day of Prayer service they held. She stated it was very nice. 

Mayor’s Report:    Mayor asked council to consider purchasing new banners for downtown.  He stated he feels it is a good reflection on the community to keep things looking good.   The April Mayor’s Court Report was in the packets. The tenth annual village wide garage sales will take place June 1 & 2.  Sign up through Mary Wann.  The Ball Fest is going to be held July 20 & 21^st. 

Beverly asked if we do anything to welcome new businesses.  It was noted that we do not.  Beverly felt we needed to do that in the future by sending a large plant or something.  Collins suggested that be included in the proposed Hospitality Policy the state auditors want us to write up. 

Charlie Bakle introduced himself as a candidate for County Commissioner. 

Beverly moved to adjourn. Barth seconded.  All voted yes.  (8:20 p.m.)

MAYOR  ________________________   CLERK/TREASURER___________________