Session 11, June 3, 2024

Mayor Justin Cline called the 11th Regular Session of Council to order on Monday, June 3, 2024.  Mayor Cline began the meeting by asking Councilman Josh Smith to say a prayer, then lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.  This public meeting is being recorded.  Members answering roll call were Carla Carl, Abigail Caldwell, Daniel Rouse, Josh Smith and Molly Lehman (arrived a little late at 7:05 pm). Joe Kammer absent. Also attending the meeting were Fiscal Officer Kim Meek-Obed, Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger, Village Administrator Blake Dibell and Zoning Inspector Michael Turner, Courtney Myers from Stark County Health Department, Marcia Comer & Mary Mackey from the Cemetery and residents Shyloah Rogers & Chauni Skirtich. 

 Mr. Smith noted that there was a mistake in the minutes that needed to be changed, he then made the motion to approve the minutes of the 10th session of council held on May 20, 2024, with the noted correction and Ms. Carl seconded. Smith yes, Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes. Four yes votes.  Motion carried.  Minutes approved.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Shyloah Rogers reported that 425 Market Street has aggressive dogs and she wants to know what she should do to prevent the dogs from coming after her and her family when they are walking the dogs.  Chief Shetler and resident Chauni Skirtich both commented that this has been a problem.  Chief Shetler said they can address the people about it.  Mr. Seeberger stated that it can be sent to City of Massillon for prosecution.  Mr. Seeberger stated that it is something that the Safety Committee should talk about.

Courtney Myers from the Stark County Health Department Environmental Health Services, just wanted to introduce the Environmental Services and provide their contact information.

CEMETERY

Marcia Comer, Cemetery Clerk and Mary Mackey, Cemetery Board member reported that the cemetery board has had discussions about raising the prices for cemetery services because the last time the prices were raised was in 2011.  Marcia reported that she called around other cemeteries to get prices and we are lower than those others.  She presented the proposed new prices to council and asked for council’s approval to raise the prices.  Mr. Seeberger said he would prepare a resolution to change the prices and it could have three readings in June and July so the new prices would go into effect the 1st of August.

 Ms. Comer also asked about indigent burials that the village is responsible for burying or cremating.  Mr. Seeberger said that the village is responsible for that.  Ms. Meek-Obed stated that she has done some research and was told that some funeral homes would contract with the village and do these cremations at a lower rate than we have been paying.  Mary Mackey stated that the cemetery board will look into finding a funeral home that will do this.

ZONING

Mike Turner reported that he has not got any response to his letter sent to the residents at 26 Basin Street, so it is up to council to decide what they want to do about that property.  Council said to pass it on to Massillon to take legal action.

Mr. Turner reported that there is another property at 42 Ohio Street that is a problem and he has been trying to get a hold of someone but hasn’t been able to get a hold of anyone, so his suggestion would be for the village to mow it or pay to have it mowed and then access the cost to property taxes.  Mr. Seeberger stated that he will check to see if he can find out who the lender is.  Mr. Smith said that Mr. Turner should send a letter and if there is no response, then it can be passed on to Massillon for legal action also.

SAFETY

Police Chief Chad Shetler presented a letter from the Stark County Sheriff’s office commending Sgt. Alec Hall for his apprehension of an individual recently. 

Chief Shetler also presented a report of the speed signs and stated that they are doing a good job of keeping the speed down.

Fire Chief Rick Annen was also present but had nothing to report at this meeting.

FINANCE

Kim Meek-Obed reported that she is working on figuring what reports to give to council now that she has entered the appropriations into the system.  We can discuss it at the next Finance Committee meeting to determine what reports council wants to receive on a regular basis.

Ms. Meek-Obed reported that she has not had a chance to contact any copier companies to get quotes for a new color copier but she will get something scheduled to look into getting a new copier/printer. 

Ms. Meek-Obed reported that she has talked to Andrew Marcelli and he is working on getting it set up so that if any email comes to the old Clerk-Treas email address the sender will get a response telling them of the new email address.

SOLICITOR

Mr. Terry Seeberger presented for a first reading, an ordinance that will combine the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Mr. Smith made a motion to have first reading of Ordinance 10-2024, an ordinance enacting new village municipal regulation 151.76, creating a combined Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals. Ms. Lehman seconded.  Carl yes, Caldwell yes, Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes.  Five yes votes. This is the first reading.

Mr. Smith made a motion to have the third and final reading and pass Resolution 2024-11, a Resolution authorizing participation in the Gas Aggregation Contract with the assistance of Buckeye Energy Broker Inc.  Ms. Carl seconded. Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes, Smith yes, Lehman yes.  Five yes votes.  Resolution passed.

Mr. Smith made a motion to have the third and final reading and pass Resolution 2024-14, a resolution to enter into a Tax Increment Financing Cooperative Agreement.  Ms. Carl seconded. Caldwell yes, Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes, Carl yes.  Five yes votes.  Resolution passed.

Mr. Seeberger stated that Chief Shetler has inquired as to what amount he is allowed to spend without getting council’s approval.  Mr. Seeberger stated that he feels a resolution would be beneficial to set the amounts that the police chief and the village administrator can spend.  This amount will be discussed at the next Finance Committee meeting.

MAYOR

Mayor Justin Cline thanked Joe Kammer and Abigail Caldwell for their work on the Memorial Day parade and program.

ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Blake Dibell reported that Barbicas started the paving project last week and got one catch basin installed and when they got to the second one there is a gas line in the way.  He reported that we are working with Columbia Gas and their engineers as quickly as possible so that the project can get back on track.

Mr. Dibell also reported that he found some water totes for the community garden on Facebook Marketplace but new ones are much more expensive. Carla Carl stated that we don’t really need that right now because Daniel Rouse got some barrels for the water.  Mr. Dibell said he would just get the spouting for the water to fill the barrels.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ms. Carl reported that she finished planting the rest of the garden yesterday.  She will be posting something on Facebook that people can come and help with weeding the garden.  Ms. Carl asked if Molly had heard anything about the website and she said she has not but she will make contact again.

Mr. Rouse reported that the Pet Adoption Day that he was trying to organize hasn’t had enough interest right now so he will try again next spring.

Ms. Lehman reported that she had talked to someone that had concern about the intersection at Market and Canal by the Define building because people are rolling the stop sign.  She asked if someone could check to make sure the location of the stop line was at the proper place because it seems to be pretty far back from the stop sign.

Mr. Smith gave an update on Keeferview, that the street department did fill the holes and fill in the driveway aprons.  He asked Mr. Dibell if he had talked to the engineer yet about it, and Mr. Dibell reported that he had called a couple times and got voicemail.

Mr. Smith asked if council wants to support the trucking coalition that he sent info to all about.  He said he will work with the mayor to draft a letter of support.

Mr. Smith stated that the Street Committee should get together soon to discuss the next projects.  He also stated that the Safety Committee needs to meet and that there is a Finance Committee meeting already scheduled on June 24th at 6:30 pm.  After some discussion it was decided to have the Street Committee meeting on June 10th at 6:00 pm and the Safety Committee meeting on June 10th at 6:30 pm.

BILLS AND CLAIMS

Ms. Lehman made a motion to pay the Bills & Claims. Mr. Smith seconded. Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes.   Five yes votes.  Motion passed. 

Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Lehman seconded. Lehman yes, Caldwell yes, Rouse yes, Carl yes, Smith yes. Five yes votes. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm.

 

______________________________                        __________________________   

Kim L. Meek-Obed, Fiscal Officer                             Justin G. Cline, Mayor