Mayor Robert Benson called the 1st Regular Session of Council to order on January 16, 2017.  Mayor Benson began the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Members answering roll call were Derek Netzly, Daniel Rouse, Robin Keith, Gary Wilson, Ray Gallaher and Pat Winkhart.  Also attending the meeting were Clerk-Treasurer Anne Johnson, Village Administrator Jeff Seward, Village Solicitor Terry Seeberger, Navarre Police Chief Dennis Albaugh, Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Annen and board member Jim Urbach, Bobby Benson, Cassie Benson, Patsy Benson and Massillon Independent Reporter Mindy Linigan. 

Mayor Benson requested a moment of silence in tribute and honor of EMT and Firefighter Amy Cupples. 

On the first order of business Mayor Benson requested nominations for President Pro Temp for 2017.  Mr. Wilson nominated Pat Winkhart for President Pro Temp.  Mr. Netzly moved, Ms. Keith seconded to close nominations.  Ms. Keith moved, Mr. Wilson seconded to elect Pat Winkhart President Pro Temp.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes. 

Mr. Netzly moved, Ms. Winkhart seconded to approve Council Rules for 2017.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Council rules for 2017 approved. 

Ms. Winkhart moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of Council held on December 19, 2016.  Mr. Wilson seconded.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Minutes approved. 

SAFETY FIRE

Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Annen reviewed the monthly and yearly fire reports.  Chief Annen reported that fire inspections with business’s located in the Village of Navarre is ongoing. 

Chief Rick Annen stated that on February 18, 2017 there will be a fundraiser to help the family of Amy Cupples 

SAFETY POLCIE

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh presented the yearly police report along with the monthly report.  

Chief Albaugh appreciates the CPR training for the officers by the Fire Department.  Everyone is now certified. 

A new cruiser has been ordered.

Chief Albaugh reported that the continuing professional education require for all Police Officers has increased to twenty hours per year.  This training is reimbursed from the State.

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh requested that Mayor Robert Benson appoint the following officers to the Navarre Police Department Auxiliary Unit for 2017: Mark Weldon, Greg Dotson, Robert Durbin, Jeremy Lampley, Nolan Ritchie, Joshua Barrick, Dan Kirby and Jordan Starcher.  Mayor Benson appointed them to the Navarre Auxiliary Police Unit and requested council’s consent.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Consent given.

Chief Albaugh requested a meeting with the Safety Committee and a meeting was scheduled for January 30, 2017 at 9:30 A.M.

FINANCE

Clerk-Treasurer Anne Johnson gave council her December financial statements.

ORDINANCE 1-2017, an ordinance stating sources available for expenditures for 2017 and declared an emergency.  Mr. Netzly offered and moved to accept Ordinance 1-2017 and declaring same to be an emergency.  Ms. Winkhart seconded.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes. Motion carried.  Ordinance accepted.

Ordinance 1-2017, Mr. Gallaher moved, Ms. Winkhart seconded rules requiring three separate readings of Ordinance 1-2017 be suspended.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Rules requiring three separate readings suspended.

Ordinance 1-2017, Ms. Winkhart moved, Mr. Gallaher seconded Ordinance 1-2017 be placed in final passage.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Motion carried.  Ordinance 1-2017 duly adopted.

SOLICITOR

Attorney Terry Seeberger will continue to research statutes in regards to the Fire District selling or trading in unneeded fire and rescue equipment owned by the Village of Navarre.

MAYOR

Mayor Benson stated that all vehicle titles from Bethlehem Fire and Rescue were signed over to the JFD Board.  All equipment from Bethlehem Fire and Rescue, Inc. was signed over to the Board and Association.

Mayor Benson made the following appointments for 2017 and requested council’s consent.

Christopher Pittman, Cemetery Sexton.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Consent given.

Marcia Comer, Cemetery Clerk.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Consent given.

Clarence W. Cole, Navarre Zoning Inspector.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Consent given.

MAYOR’S STATE OF THE VILLAGE 2017

Mayor Robert Benson read the following 2017 State of the Village;

“2016 was a busy year for the Village of Navarre for several reasons. First the ownership of the previous Stark County Farm, also known as Prospect Park, changed from Bambini Company, Guy Cecchini’s property, to the Stark Board of Trade, LLC. Secondly the bidding out and implementing of the Navarre Water System Renovation Project, and finally the creation of the Navarre Bethlehem Joint Fire District and the Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Department.

The Stark Board of Trade is comprised of six area foundations; Stark Community Foundation, Hoover Foundation, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Massillon Development Foundation, DeHoff Family Foundation and the Gessner Family Foundation. 

The Foundation’s stated intent is to develop this 327 acre property located in Navarre, into a Class "A" Industrial Park, generating economic growth and job creation for our community.

Navarre has also bid out and contracted to renovate, expand and update our Water Treatment Plant and Distribution System. 

Bogner Construction Company has been awarded almost 3.3 million dollars to renovated our current Water Plant, Hungerford & Terry, Inc. is awarded almost $680,000 to update and replace our Water Filtration Equipment at the Water Plant. What will be most visible to our residents is that Maguire Iron, Inc. has been awarded almost 2.2 million dollars to build our new Elevated Water Tower. 

The base of the new water tower is already there, along with the lines going to the tower site. I am telling everyone to watch and see our new Tower grow. It should be completed by the end of the summer. 

A few years ago, I received much criticism because I made the statement that was published in the paper, about having various “piles of money”. I was saying that we couldn’t access that money then, because it was designated for other projects.

Now we are distributing these “piles of money”. “Piles of money”, like the USDA Loan Money, the USDA Grant Money, we also have moneys from our JEDD Job Ready Site Grant and our own 1.7 million dollar contribution. This whole Water System Improvement project cost is almost 8 million dollars. Our “piles of money” are dissipating. 

We complain about paying taxes but when I look at the tax money Navarre and the JEDD has been awarded through Grant money, for the development of the farm, i.e. building the road and bridge and then the Water System Improvement project, I can see the good that is being done. We are talking about six million dollars in grant money. Grant money, tax money, awarded to our Navarre/Perry area.

Even though I was distressed the last few years, because the water system project was taking so long, I think maybe divine intervention may have been in play. 

Had we started our water expansion project years ago when it was first approved, it would have cost almost one million dollars more. Because the interest rate on our loan is lower now, the total amount over our 40 years of repayment is almost one million dollars less than it would have been. 

I cannot adequately express the pure joy, satisfaction and contentment I feel because of the joining of our two Fire Departments into the one Superb “Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Department”. 

In November the residents of the Village of Navarre and Bethlehem Township demonstrated their agreement with me, when they overwhelmingly approved issue #48, which was the five year levy to fund the new Nav/Beth Fire District. 

Although the Navarre and Bethlehem Township Fire and Rescue Inc. departments were working together for a few months prior, the new Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Department didn’t officially begin operation until January 1st, 2016. 

With the establishment of the Joint Fire District, an EMS crew is on duty 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

Unlike previous years, when many calls had to be turned over by both Navarre and Bethlehem Fire Departments because of manning issues, during 2016 the Erie Valley Fire and Rescue responded to over 650 calls and only one call had to be turned over to another department for assistance. 

The department is currently maintaining a roster of around 36 members. 

The creation of the district/department could not have been undertaken without the input of Fire Chief Rick Annen. His knowledge and natural leadership ability instigated and developed the goal that would establish the merging of the two departments into our one, very fine, Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Department. 

The already good camaraderie and solidarity of the Erie Valley Fire and Rescue personal was intensified with the unfortunate death of Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Firefighter EMT, Amy Cupples.  Amy embodied the spirit of our new department. This was exhibited by the fact that, until Amy’s illness, she answered 80% of all the calls. 

Amy was the wife of Erie Valley’s Assistant Fire Chief Mike Cupples. Mike and Amy were both members of the previous Navarre Fire Department and like Chief Annen were positive voices and actors in the creation of Erie Valley Fire and Rescue. 

I speak for all the Officials, Employee’s and Residents of Navarre when I express our heartfelt appreciation for Amy’s service to our community and our deepest condolences to Mike and family, in Amy’s passing. 

I want to acknowledge:

Terry Seeberger, Village Solicitor, not only did splendid work associated with the merging of the Fire Departments and the preparing and bidding process of our Water System Project, he consistently takes it upon himself to be involved and lend guidance in every aspect of the Village’s operation. He makes himself available to not only me, but any and all associated with Navarre’s operation. 

Jeff Seward, Village Administrator, has been the person most involved with the development and implementation of our massive Water System Project and he is responsible for all day to day activities and duties of Navarre’s work force. His dedication and intelligent commitment to the village is greatly appreciated. 

People’s perception of Navarre is because of our employee’s contribution in providing our services. I am very proud of their enthusiasm. Our Police, Street, Water, Sewer Departments along with the Clerk-Treasurers Office, work very hard to fulfill the needed requirements to serve our residents. 

I want to acknowledge the Navarre Councilmembers. Navarre is fortunate to have six dedicated elected members who work hard to represent the citizens of Navarre. 2016 presented many demands that required Council action. This Council responded professionally and with appreciation of the issues. They educated themselves about the various items in order to render thoughtful assessments and I am confident they will continue to do the same this year. 

In closing, as I begin my 32nd year as an elected Official, and my 22nd year as Mayor, let me express how very honored I am to be your Mayor. We have a wonderful community and I pray for God’s continued Blessing on the Village of Navarre and all our Residents. 

God Bless this “Friendly Home Town at the Bend of the River.”

Thank you.”

The Mayor finished reading the State of the Village 2017 at this time.

STEETS AND ALLEYS

The yard waste pit at the Waste Water Treatment Plant is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. and on weekends and holidays from 8:30 A.M. through 11:00 A.M.

Christmas tree pick up will continue through Friday, January 20, 2017.  The Village’s tree at Rochester Square and lighted decorations were taken down.

A list of potholes is being generated for when the asphalt plants start up.

Mowers and the 6500 Dump were serviced, a security light was installed at the old cemetery and thirty more street signs were replaced.

UTILITIES

Quotes for the flat roofs and oxidation ditch work at the Waste Water Treatment Plant are being gathered by the Assistant Superintendent.

The annual sludge report will be completed and turned in to the OEPA.

The SWMP rewrite is in progress.

Water Plant Expansion Project:  A pay meeting was held on January 5, 2017.  Work on the project is expected to pick up again in February or when the weather allows.

MISCELLANEOUS

Upcoming reports and submittals include: JRS reimbursement, PERRP annual report, SWMP annual report, and annual sludge report.

The Soil and Water Conservation District would like to know if Navarre would be interested in hosting a rain garden workshop in April in conjunction with our SWMP.  It would tie in with the Village Clean Up Day.

The first monthly department head meeting with the Mayor has been delayed until February.

Village Administrator Jeff Seward appreciates the good working relationship with the Fire District and with Chief Annen.  

The Administrator is looking forward to getting a lot accomplished this year.

Ms. Keith reported that a bush is sticking out in the alley at Scott Kirby’s.  Mr. Urbach will talk to him and take care of it.

Mr. Netzly thanked the Administrator, Jeff Seward, the Solicitor, Attorney Terry Seeberger, the Mayor, Robert Benson and Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Annen for everything they have done this past year.

Mr. Wilson wanted to know if a property owner sells a commercial property does it stay commercial?  The answer is yes, if the property is used for a business within two years.

BILLS AND CLAIMS

Ms. Winkhart moved to approve bills and claims in the amount of $474,986.21.

Ms. Keith seconded.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Wilson yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Motion carried.  Bills and claims approved.

Mr. Netzly moved, Ms. Keith seconded to adjourn the meeting.  Netzly yes, Rouse yes, Keith yes, Gallaher yes, Winkhart yes.  Six yes votes.  Meeting adjourned.
_____________________________                  _____________________________

Anne L. Johnson, Clerk-Treasurer                        Robert L. Benson, Mayor

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 30……………………………….Safety Committee meeting at 9:30 A.M.

February 6……………………………… Council Meeting at 7:00 P.M.