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Session 22, November 20, 2023
Mayor Robert Benson called the 22nd Regular Session of Council to order on Monday, November 20, 2023. Mayor Benson began the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. This public meeting is being recorded. Members answering roll call were Carla Carl, Justin Cline, Daniel Rouse, Molly Lehman and Josh Smith. Also attending the meeting were Fiscal Officer Kim Meek-Obed, Village Solicitor Attorney Terry Seeberger, Village Administrator Zachary Wisselgren, Ernie and Debbie Lehman from Massillon Area Greenways, Inc., residents Samantha Speicher, Chauni Skirtich and Rhonda Nicewander.
Mr. Smith made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2023 meeting and Mr. Cline seconded. Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes, Carl yes, Cline yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Minutes approved. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Ernie Lehman (and wife Debbie) wanted to introduce MAGI, Massillon Area Greenways Inc. and what they do. Wanted to discuss the MAGI kiosk that is located at the Water Plant. They would like to get the kiosk moved because it is very hidden. They would also like to put a bench and a bike rack at the location of the kiosk. MAGI builds the kiosks as well as maintain them. Ms. Lehman reported that we had a quote of $1,200.00 to move it that she presented at a previous meeting. After some discussion: Ms. Lehman made a motion to get the kiosk moved by Dirty Hands at a cost of $1,274.00 per the quote we have and Ms. Carl seconded. Smith yes, Rouse yes, Carl yes, Cline yes, Lehman yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Mr. Wisselgren and Mr. Lehman agreed to meet to determine where the kiosk can be moved to. Debbie Lehman reported that a few months ago she had completed a grant application for the Ohio Nature Works Grant and we received notice that we have been awarded $44,000.00 for a walking trail at the Market Street Park. FINANCE Fiscal Officer Kim Meek-Obed reported that she has completed everything and sent it back to the State Auditor’s LGS office, but she has not heard anything back yet, so she doesn’t have anything to report as far as our numbers go. She also reported that she will be out of the office the next couple days due to a death in the family. She explained that once they go over the responses that I gave they will give us our year end numbers for 2022 so that we can plug those in for 2023. ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS Resolution 2023-37, second reading of a resolution to increase water reconnection fees. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-38, a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the City of Massillon Law Director for prosecutor services for 2024, Ms. Lehman seconded. Rouse yes, Carl yes, Lehman yes, Cline yes and Smith yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-39, a Resolution to ratify the police department transactions that were approved at the previous meeting and Ms. Carl seconded. Carl yes, Lehman yes, Cline yes, Josh yes, Rouse yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-40, a resolution authorizing submission of Ohio Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program and Ms. Carl seconded. Cline yes, Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes, Carl yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve Ordinance 16-2023, an ordinance establishing zoning of the Blough Annexation Territory as an emergency measure and Ms. Lehman seconded. Rouse yes, Cline yes, Smith yes, Lehman yes, Carl yes. Five yes votes. Ordinance approved as emergency. Ms. Lehman made a motion for first reading of Ordinance 17-2023, an ordinance amending Section 137.09 of Municipal Regulations and Mr. Smith seconded. Cline yes, Lehman yes, carl yes, Smith yes, Rouse yes. Five yes votes. First reading accepted. SOLICITOR Updated council on the Sterilite/Fohl intersection project. Mr. Seeberger reminded council that we will now have three open positions at the first of the year. He suggested that the three remaining council members can interview prospective people to fill those seats prior to January 1st, that way the candidate(s) can be sworn in at the first meeting of 2024. The first meeting is supposed to be the first Monday of January but that falls on the New Year’s holiday, so the suggestion is that we move the first meeting to the 8th of January. Ms. Lehman made a motion to move the January meetings to the 8th and 22nd due to the New Year’s holiday and Martin Luther King Day holiday and Mr. Smith seconded. Carl yes, Cline yes, Rouse yes, Lehman yes, Smith yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. MAYOR Mayor Benson reported that he passed around a thank you note from the Navarre Food Cupboard for all to see. He stated that Justin Cline told him that Mikey Turner said that he would be interested in the Zoning Inspector position. He is the only person that has expressed interest in the position at this point. Mayor Benson wants to appoint Ralph Burleson to replace Julie Stantz on the cemetery board. Council approved that appointment. Mayor Benson stated that the only vacancies that we have now are a couple of spots on the Board of Zoning Appeals, that will need to be filled. Mayor Benson reported that he got a resignation letter from Patrick Corrigan, that he is retiring at the end of the year so we will need to find a replacement for our I.T. services. Council gave the okay for Zack and/or Kim to get quotes from I.T. providers to take over when Patrick Corrigan retires. Mr. Seeberger stated that some small villages that have a hard time finding people willing to serve on boards have combined Planning Commissions with Board of Zoning Appeals and that is something that could be considered if we can’t find people to fill the positions on the Board of Zoning Appeals. ADMINISTATOR Mr. Wisselgren reported that we will have the bids for the 2024 paving projects before the next meeting. The wastewater plant had the triannual inspection with the EPA. We are going to be working on the grant. MISCELLANEOUS Carla Carl complimented the committee on the Navarre Christmas in Bethlehem and stated that she heard a lot of good things about it. She also asked if council could donate some money to the accident victims from the Tusky Valley bus accident. Mr. Smith made a motion to donate $2,000.00 to the Tusky Valley Foundation for the bus accident victims and Ms. Lehman seconded. Smith yes, Lehman yes, Rouse yes, Cline yes, Carl yes. Five yes votes. Motion approved. Daniel Rouse reported that he might be late or may not make it to the next meeting because he has to go to his child’s kindergarten program. Molly Lehman reported that she was really pleased with the parade and program and she has heard a lot of compliments on it. She also presented some info about a zoning course that will take place after the first of the year. Mr. Smith made a motion that any council member or the future zoning inspector can attend the course and the village will cover the cost of it. Ms. Carl seconded. Council agreed. Ms. Lehman also reported that there is a meeting of the Navarre Bethlehem Historical Society to see what roll the village could play in what direction they are going on December 1st at 6:00 pm at Village Hall. There is coffee with council on January 20, 2024 at Rise Up Café from 9:00 -11:00 am. BILLS AND CLAIMS Ms. Carl moved to approve bills and claims in the amount of $143,585.36. Mr. Cline seconded. Cline yes, Carl yes, Smith yes, Lehman yes, Rouse yes. Five yes votes. Motion carried. Ms. Lehman moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Smith seconded. Lehman yes, Smith yes, Carl yes, Cline yes, Rouse yes. Five yes votes. Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm. ______________________________ __________________________ Kim L. Meek-Obed, Fiscal Officer Robert L. Benson, Mayor |
