Mayor Robert Benson called the 3rd Regular Session of Council to order on Monday, February 4, 2019. Mayor Benson began the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members answering roll call were Pat Winkhart, Don Berkey, Randy Hattery, Robin Keith, Daniel Rouse and Derek Netzly. Also attending the meeting were Village Administrator Zachary Wisselgren, Clerk-Treasurer Anne Johnson, Navarre Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger, Navarre Police Chief Dennis Albaugh, VONBA President Adam Marcelli, Navarre Zoning Inspector Jim Neely, Independent Reporter Arezou Vakili, Alivia Albaugh, Tom Diehl and Aiden Winkhart.

Aiden Winkhart was in attendance to observe a council meeting for Boyscouts.

Mr. Berkey moved to approve the minutes of the 2nd Regular Session of Council held on January 21, 2019. Ms. Keith seconded. Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Netzly yes, Rouse yes. Ms. Winkhart abstained. Five yes votes. Minutes approved.

SAFETY POLICE
Police Chief Dennis Albaugh distributed the monthly police report to council along with the speed reports for Center Street and Park Street.

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh reported NV5 is back in service.

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh advised that Clarence Cole is doing work at the new police department at no charge to the Village.

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh said that the new MARCS radios are in service.

Police Chief Dennis Albaugh reported that the police department has joined the Ohio Small Police Department Association (OSPDA).

FINANCE
Clerk-Treasurer Anne Johnson gave council a copy of today’s check register, the bills and claims, and the January financial statements.

ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance 2-2019, an ordinance of 2019 Permanent Appropriations $5,717,268.55 was given a second reading by title only.

Ordinance 3-2019, an ordinance regulating Itinerant Retailers, repealing Ordinance 10-2018 and 23-2018. Mr. Netzly motioned to approve Ordinance 3-2019. Ms. Winkhart seconded to approve Ordinance 3-2019. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Motion carried. The first reading was given.

Ordinance 24-2018, an ordinance regulating the use of the Village streets and alleys by heavy vehicles and hours of operation of collectors and haulers on streets and alleys, was given a third and final reading after Council revision. Mr. Berkey motioned to accept Ordinance 24-2018. Ms. Keith seconded. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Motion Carried. Ordinance 24-2018 duly adopted.

Ordinance 28-2018, an ordinance licensing collectors of solid waste and recyclables, was given a second reading by title only with Council revision.
Ordinance 4-2019, an ordinance amending property maintenance code, to be passed as an emergency. Mr. Netzly offered and moved to accept Ordinance 4-2019 and declared same to be an emergency. Mr. Berkey seconded. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Motion carried. Ordinance accepted.
Ordinance 4-2019, Ms. Keith moved, Ms. Winkhart seconded rules requiring three separate readings of Ordinance 4-2019 be suspended. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Rules requiring three separate readings suspended.

Ordinance 1-2019, Mr. Berkey moved, Ms. Winkhart seconded Ordinance 1-2019 be placed in final passage. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Ordinance 4-2019 duly adopted.

SOLICITOR
Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger reported a hearing date will be set for the AT&T claim.

Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger advised a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be set up regarding the property at 47 Canal Street West.

MAYOR
Mayor Robert Benson stated the past Village Solicitor Bob Shedlarz requested to thank Street Department employees Scott Baker and Chris Pittman for assisting him in getting his stuck car out of the snow. The mayor said Navarre is blessed with responsible and caring employees.

Mayor Robert Benson said that Robert Gessner sent his yearly franchise gift of $2500.00 to be used as Council sees fit. In the past Council has used this gift by distributing it in supporting local youth organizations. Navarre would like to thank MCTV and Bob Gessner in particular.

MAYOR’S STATE OF THE VILLAGE 2019
Mayor Robert Benson read the following 2019 State of the Village:

“This year as in my past 23 State of the Village addresses I again present this one by saying that Navarre’s State of the Village is financially sound because State Law requires us to be so.

In my last State of the Village I talked about the past, present and future.
This year I want to talk about what we have accomplished this past year and what we are doing presently.

Just last month I had the privilege of being invited to speak at an event by the Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Affairs Committee, and this panel discussion was hosted by Ted Herncane of the Chamber. The panel discussion was piloted by Stark County Commissioner, Richard Regula. I along with the mayors of Massillon, Canal Fulton and Brewster had the opportunity to highlight some of our 2019 projects.

I mentioned Navarre’s new Police Station and the new Erie Valley Emergency Medical Services Annex that is being constructed next to the Ohio Street Fire Station. I also gave an update on Navarre’s long awaited new Water Tower and the renovating of the Navarre Water Plant.

Navarre’s Chief Dennis Albaugh, in his Annual report to Council, stated that their activity has been increasing significantly because of the added territory of our Village and because of new technology: we have the advantage of better policing.

We had 391 Arrest Offenses; we conducted 1,701 Traffic Stops, 1,400 of which were given verbal warnings. We have had 55 Accidents in the Village, 28 of which were cleared with a citation.

The Police had almost 2,000 calls for service in 2018.

Navarre Police work with the community in over 15 programs or events. They work with the U.S. Marshal Violent Fugitive Task Force, O.V.I task Force and in the village provide security for St. Clement Festival, Memorial Day Parade and Garage Sale Days. They work with the Historical Society’s Car Show and the Village of Navarre business Association’s Christmas in the Village. The Police also do vacation checks for residents and businesses, provide funeral escorts, and assist with vehicle lockouts. During the annual Navarre Baseball and Softball Association’s “Battle of the Bats” Tournament, our police provide security during the 3 day event, along with the Erie Valley Fire and Rescue medical stand by unit.

Our Police have long ago outgrown the current area in the basement of Village Hall.

I also spoke about the combining of the Village of Navarre Fire Department and the Bethlehem Township Fire and Rescue Fire Department into the New Erie Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Department, under the Navarre Bethlehem Township Joint Fire District. The New Erie Valley Fire and Rescue has been in operation since 2016.

Prior to joining forces the Navarre Fire Department could only respond to 30% of their calls and Bethlehem Fire and Rescue could only respond to 60% of their calls. Now with Erie Valley Fire and Rescue, of all their 2018 832 calls their response was 99.7% and the 3 turned over were due to multiple calls. We have always had dedicated and skilled people, but now they are combined into our Erie Valley Fire and Rescue giving 100% effectiveness.

I have to mention and give credit to Erie Valley FD Chief Rick Annen and our Navarre Village Solicitor, Terry Seeberger. Chief Annen had the knowledge and experience to see and know what was wrong and had the answer to correct this dangerous situation. He along with Navarre Solicitor Terry Seeberger worked on the legalities required to form the NavBeth Joint Fire District. Because of the Elected Officials of Bethlehem Township and the Village of Navarre working together for this cause and most importantly the 100% compliance of the Fire Personnel of both Departments, our community is better protected and much safer.

The last Navarre Water System update was in 1968 and at that time we had the edition of a 300,000 gallon water tower.
In October of 2016 work started on the new 500,000 gallon water tower and water line to feed it. In February of 2017 we commenced work at the water plant.

At the water plant there was four additions: Restroom/Lab, Generator Building, 250,000 gallon Clear Well, Backwash Holding Tank and Clear Well Pump Room.

New equipment includes new well Pumps, 5 greensand filters, generator, chemical feed equipment, PLC, dehumidification and clear well.
The new water tower gives us more capacity, but most importantly gives the residents more pressure at their homes.
The addition of the clear well gives us finished water capacity, but mainly serve as chorine contact time.

The stand by generator gives us the assurance of continued service in the event of a power outage.

With these upgrades our capacity is 1,440,000 gal. Our current daily usage is 300,000 gal that leaves a residual of 1,140,000 gal to serve Navarre’s Prospect Industrial Park’s future growth.

This whole project was started and the groundwork done by our past Village Administrator, Jeff Seward and was taken over at construction by our current Village Administrator/Water Superintendent, Zack Wisselgren.
I have to mention that Mr. Wisselgren has impressed all involved with this project. His knowledge and attention to details and most of all his dedication during the project must be and is commended.

Lastly, speaking of Navarre’s Prospect Industrial Park, as I have always said, the development of this Industrial Park is the future of our village.
Because of the location, as it is developed, the location gives it the ability to have access to rail service and an interstate highway system, but by the location being northeast of the village area, will do little to hamper the character of our historic and quaint village.

The current owner of the Prospect Park is a local foundation known as The Stark Board of Trade. Six different foundations make up this board. Their common intent as is the interest of the Perry Navarre Joint Economic District’s (JEDD) is to develop the land into a Class "A" Industrial Park, generating economic growth and job creation for our community.

I close with my ongoing prayer that the good Lord continues to bless our Village of Navarre. I am honored to be the Mayor of this great community. I have stated in the past that I want to hang on to this job until I feel that Navarre has a safe future, a future that in its prosperity does not change this “Friendly Hometown at the Bend of the River”.

I am feeling very confident, but I believe, God Willing, I can walk away at the end of my next term with the dream and job completed. 24 years as Mayor hopefully 28 with the additional 10 years on Council as training has shown that sometimes government moves kind of slow, but because I truly believe in divine intervention, I’m thinking it wasn’t the government’s time frame we were working under.”

God Bless Navarre and the wonderful citizens and businesses of Navarre.”


The Mayor finished reading the State of the Village 2019 at this time.


STREETS AND ALLEYS
The Street Department patched potholes today.

Our engineer is getting a cost estimate ready for the Municipal Road Fund for Canal Street.

The street sweep schedule has been set for this year.


UTILITIES
Nickles had its back-up water line off Canal Street burst today and the flea market had a water leak also.

Our engineer is also starting the preliminary drawings for ultra-violet light at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.


MISCELLANEOUS
Mayor Benson reminded council members to present reports when a committee meets.

Ms. Winkhart noted that a letter needs written to send to the residents regarding the income tax issue and town hall meetings.

There will be a Utility Committee Meeting on February 27th at 1:00 pm.

Bender Street needs work between Market Street and State Route 21.

Ms. Keith has pictures of the damage to Ruth Moore’s yard from her neighbors plowing snow.

Mr. Rouse wondered if there were any plans for the fishing hole by the Water Treatment Plant.

Mr. Netzly would like the Street Committee to look at the snow bans.

BILLS AND CLAIMS
Mr. Netzly moved to approve bills and claims in the amount of $168,446.57. Ms. Winkhart seconded. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Bills and claims approved.



Mr. Berkey moved. Mr. Netzly seconded to adjourn the meeting. Winkhart yes, Berkey yes, Hattery yes, Keith yes, Rouse yes, Netzly yes. Six yes votes. Meeting adjourned.
____________________________ ____________________________
Anne L. Johnson, Clerk-Treasurer Robert L. Benson, Mayor

UPCOMING EVENTS
February 18..............…………………………………………..Council Meeting 7:00 pm