Session 7, April 1, 2024

Mayor Justin Cline called the 7th Regular Session of Council to order on Monday, April 1, 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, Joshua Smith, and Molly Lehman. Council person Joseph Kammer was absent from the meeting.  Also attending the meeting were Fiscal Officer Kim Meek-Obed, Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger, Interim Village Administrator Blake Dibell, Zoning Inspector Michael Turner, residents Chauni Skirtich. 

Mr. Smith made the motion to approve the minutes of the 6th session of council held on March 18, 2024 and Ms. Lehman seconded. Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes, Smith yes, Lehman yes. Five yes votes.  Motion carried.  Minutes approved.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Nothing from the public.

FINANCE

Fiscal Officer Kim Meek-Obed reported that the annual financial reports were submitted today to the State with the assistance of the software company. She will be contacting the County Auditor’s office to find out what the next step is that needs to be done. She will be working on the Permanent Appropriations.

ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Ordinance 3-2024, Enacting New Section 30.08, Permitting purchase of vehicles without public bid from other political subdivisions,  to the Village Municipal Regulations after three readings. Ms. Carl seconded.  Caldwell yes, Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes, Carl yes. Five yes votes.  Ordinance adopted.

Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Ordinance 5-2024, Enacting New Village Municipal Regulation 76.11, Limiting Parking on Canal Street West after three readings. Ms. Lehman seconded.  Smith yes, Lehman yes, Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes.  Five yes votes. Ordinance adopted.

SOLICITOR

Mr. Seeberger reported that the TIF reports were submitted to the Dept of Development.  He also reported that the West Stark Mayor’s breakfast will be on April 19th at 7:30am in Massillon.  Mr. Seeberger reported that the bid opening for the Fohl-Sterilite project will be on April 22nd, with a pre-bid meeting on April 15th.  He reported that the county engineer asked that the lanes be widened by a foot, which is a safety issue and shouldn’t change the plans.  Mr. Seeberger stated that the Stark Board of Trade continues to market the industrial park.

MAYOR

Mayor Justin Cline reported that there is a meeting for the community garden on Wednesday April 3, at 7:00pm and Ms. Carl is going to lead that.

ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Blake Dibell reported that he contacted Pond Wiser regarding the fountain at Rochester Square and is waiting for them to get back with him, but they only do consultations on Fridays.  Mr. Dibell said that we have 2 swings that are individual and one that is a dual swing for a child and adult for the park and we have chains for the swings.  He stated that we also have two park benches for at the YMCA and he has relayed that information to Beth Alban at the ”Y” so she can decide where she wants them.  Mr. Dibell reported that he received the estimate for the extra work on the street project and he has discussed it with the engineer and they both feel it is outrageous.  After some discussion about the street work it was decided that Mr. Dibell will contact Barbicas to see if there is any way to come down on this price.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ms. Carl reported that the Easter egg hunt at Navarre-Bethlehem Park went well on Saturday.

Mr. Rouse asked about the traffic light by Nickles Bakery due to traffic backing up.  Mayor Cline reported that the Safety committee had talked about that previously and that Chief Shetler would be at the next meeting and it could be discussed with him then.

Ms. Lehman asked if anyone had replied back to Mr. Karahuta that had come to a previous meeting to ask about a piece of property near his home.  Mayor Cline reported that he had responded back to the gentleman.  Ms. Lehman also asked if we have gotten anywhere with figuring out the JEDD, what it is or if there needs to be a meeting.  Mayor Cline responded that he did not.  Mr. Seeberger talked about the JEDD and when it was formed and that it is pretty much non-operational now and that the income taxes from the JEDD come into the village in a non-restrictive fund and that the property tax revenue goes to Perry Twp. in a non-restrictive fund.  Mr. Seeberger stated that he would get a copy of the JEDD agreement. 

Ms. Carl asked it there is any auto reply set up from the Clerk-Treasurer email address that says that there is a new email address.  There was discussion about this and what should be done.

Ms. Lehman asked if we got any response from Oster’s about whether they were going to donate the dirt for the ball fields.  Mr. Dibell reported that he had not yet heard anything.  Mr. Smith stated that there is dirt at the ball field.

Ms. Lehman asked what the timeline is for hiring a Village Administrator permanently.  Mayor Cline responded that he was going to meet with council members to discuss this over the next week and that he would like to make a recommendation by the next council meeting.

Ms. Lehman asked about the plaques for the donors for the YMCA and asked Mr. Dibell if he could get quotes for those plaques.

Ms. Lehman reported that there wasn’t a lot of interest from Bethlehem Twp. for the shared Historical Society employee.  She stated that the Historical Society has a meeting on April 10th at 10:00 am if anyone is interested in attending that.

Ms. Lehman also mentioned that there is a VONBA meeting on April 18th at 6:00 pm at the Civic Center.

Ms. Lehman reminded that there is “Coffee with Council” on April 20th from 9:00 – 11:00 am at Kremeland.

Mr. Smith reported that the Finance Committee meeting on the 8th is cancelled but will meet at another time.

Mr. Smith mentioned that Nature Works has a grant, that applications are due on June 1st.  He proposed that we try to get this Nature Works grant of up to $150,000 and we could do a lot of things at the park.  Council was in agreement that we should apply for it.

Ms. Caldwell asked if Mr. Dibell had talked to Beth Alban from the YMCA because she had mentioned that she wanted a safety for the walking path.  Mr. Dibell said that she had talked to him about it and he gave some suggestions of what could be done.  Mr. Dibell said that after the walking path is complete, we can look at what the best option would be.

BILLS AND CLAIMS

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

Ms. Lehman made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Carl seconded.  Lehman yes, Rouse yes, Caldwell yes, Carl yes, Smith yes.   Five yes votes.   Meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm.

_____________________________                        __________________________   

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

 Historical Society Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 10th @ 10:00am

Council Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15th @7:00pm

VONBA Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 18th @ 6:00pm

Coffee with Council at Kremeland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 20th 9:00-11:00am