Council Meeting Minutes - August 12, 2015

The Regular Council Meeting of the Village of Moreland Hills was called to order by Mayor Renda at 6:32pm, in the Village Council Chambers.

PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
ABSENT: Ms. Sturgis


Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Richman to go into Executive Session at 6:32pm to discuss employment and compensation of personnel.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to come out of Executive Session at 7:35pm and go into regular session.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Also Present: Margaret Cannon, Law Director, Prashant Shah, Treasurer, Rick Loconti, Building Commissioner, Sherri Arrietta, Clerk of Council

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 8, 2015.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Facilities Committee
Mr. Sherck reported that the Facilities Committee met on August 4. He stated that Mrs. Uzell, a resident of Heathermore, was at the meeting regarding concerns about the sewerage rates. Mr. Sherck explained that Mrs. Uzell had a letter written by the Mayor in 2012 when the Village switched from using the sewage treatment plant to the pumping station. He stated that Mrs. Uzell interpreted, from the letter, that there was a 20% reduction when the changeover occurred and that the Village would further study it and get back to them with a further reduction in the cost. Mr. Sherck stated that Mrs. Uzell kept using the term “usage” which is not the correct term because what is being paid for ($800) is actually for capital & operations, not their usage. The residents are also paying NEORSD a fee for sewage treatment, based on their water usage. Mr. Filarski will do an evaluation of the sewerage rates in the next 2 to 3 months. Other items discussed were the replacement of 4 hydrants on Skyline, the damage to the bridges in Forest Ridge; Mr. Filarski gave 4 options on what can be done with them, and the Historical Society discussed their Open House with public officials, which occurred today.

Roads & Safety Committee
Mr. Buczek reported that the Roads & Safety Committee met on August 4. He stated that Mr. DeWater reported on needles found on Giles Road. It was assumed that they were buried years ago, but were uncovered with the recent sliding. The Service Department brought in a company to remove them and dispose of them property, for an amount of just over $3000. Chief Wyant informed the committee that the Police Department will participate in the “Meet the Trucks” program on August 22 with the Chagrin Falls Fire Department. Mr. Buczek stated that Chief Wyant also discussed hiring 2 more part time officers to help fill in for vacations, sick time, etc. Other items discussed were the completion of the tank removal on Greentree, the Service Department is already working on snow plows to prepare for the winter, as well as possibly replacing tires on the large dump trucks and using the ones removed that still have tread, on other vehicles, and the recycle contract is being reviewed and the outcome may be that the Village will use BFI for solid waste disposal and Kimble for recycle disposal, through the County bid.

BZA
Mr. Stanard reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals met on July 27. Mr. Rick Loconti was introduced that night as the Village’s new Building Commissioner. Mr. Hodgson on Berkeley was back again proposing an 880 sq. ft. area variance to build a 1200 sq. ft. barn to house the equipment necessary to maintain his large parcel; the variance was approved.

Planning Commission
Mr. Stanard reported that the Planning Commission met on July 27 immediately after the BZA Meeting. Mr. Hodgson’s barn was approved contingent upon minor changes to window locations as recommended by the Village Architect. Mr. Wheatt on Ellendale, returned with a reworked plan for his 3 season room. He made the requested changes from the Village Architect to have a foundation installed of a crawl space; it was approved. Finally, there was a long preliminary discussion regarding a single car garage on Willow Wood. The resident wanted to place it in the front yard, which is not allowed and would require a variance. There is a pond in his yard that prevents him from being able to put the garage further back on his lot. The Commission explained to him why they do not like it in the front and discussed with him, other possibilities for placement of the garage in order to overcome the need for a variance. Mr. Loconti informed Council that the resident on Willow Wood has rescinded his application at this time. The next meeting will be on August 24th.


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Ordinance 2015-65 - Introduced by Mr. Richman
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PEPPER PIKE FOR THE PROVISION OF BUILDING DEPARTMENT SERVICES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Mr. Richman stated that in the wake of the acquisition of MBIS, Mayor Renda and Pepper Pike Mayor Bain, came together to share in Building Department personnel in the spirit of regionalism, cooperation, and cost sharing. The Moreland Hills building department will not only have employees, but ones who know the Village well; Rick Loconti and Mark Kavaris.

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2015-65.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Richman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2015-65. Mr. Fritz stated that he thinks it is a great opportunity for both communities to work together and he looks forward to working with both Mr. Loconti and Mr. Kavaris. Council members agreed.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Renda informed Mr. Loconti that Mrs. Cannon suggested waiting to swear him in until Pepper Pike approvals the deal, which will be sometime before September 1st.

Mr. Loconti informed Council that it is an honor to be back as an employee of the Village. He stated that he worked many years under Bob Potts as a contractor and alongside Greg Potts as an inspector. Mr. Loconti is also a former resident of Moreland Hills, so he stated that he is happy to be in the Village again.


Ordinance 2015-66 – Introduced by Mr. Stanard
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PURCHASE A 2015 JEEP PATRIOT AWD VEHICLE FOR THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FROM KEY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE THROUGH THE STATE OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM; WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Mr. Stanard stated that this ordinance allows the Village to purchase a vehicle for the new Building Commissioner, Rick Loconti. It is a brand new vehicle for an amount not to exceed $19,686.56, as negotiated by the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Mr. Stanard read the list of standard features on the vehicle.

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2015-66.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2015-66.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Ordinance 2015-67 – Introduced by Mr. Fritz
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS, TRANSFERRING ITEMS ALREADY APPROPRIATED AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Mr. Fritz read the three transfers, which are as follows: Engineer Study in the amount of $3200 is for an invoice that was overlooked for the the 2014 Culvert and Drainage Program; Capital in the amount of $4900.00 was for the Greentree pump station replacement; and the Muni MV License tax in the amount of $4600.00 is money used to supplement the Culvert and Drainage program; several months ago, the money was repaid to the Muni MV License Tax fund from the General Fund and this transfer is a continuation of that process.

Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2015-67.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard for passage of Ordinance 2015-67.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED


Miscellaneous
Mayor Renda stated that she just wanted to explain to Council the reason for the absence of some our Department Heads; Mr. Filarski is on vacation, Mr. DeWater had an event to go to with his wife, and she stated that she told Chief Wyant that he did not need to come, as he has lot going on right now, to which he was grateful for.

Mr. Richman asked Mr. Shah if he could come to the next Committee of the Whole Meeting to present his mid-year financial summary. Mr. Shah stated that he will do that.

Mr. Fritz made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to pay an invoice to PC Alternatives in the amount of $5,879.93, for computer related issues as well as the digital sign for the Community Building. Mr. Shah explained that the reason for the need for Council’s approval of this invoice is because it is over $3,000.00.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Buczek asked if the Roads & Safety and Facilities Committee Meetings will be held later since they were just held last week. Mayor Renda stated that she will ask Mr. DeWater and Mr. Filarski whether or not they will have items for the agenda.

Mrs. Cannon informed Council that she will not be at the September Council Meeting; Mrs. Lane will be here in her place.

Mayor Renda informed Council that Mrs. Cannon’s daughter just got married. Mrs. Cannon told Council that her daughter was married two Saturday’s ago in her backyard and everything was beautiful. Council members congratulated Mrs. Cannon.

At this time, Mr. Fritz gave a brief update on the Master Plan Review Committee. Mr. Fritz stated that as of now, the first meeting with McKenna (first of the 4 outlined in the contract) will be on August 26th at 7:00pm. He stated that he and the Mayor have a conference call set up with McKenna tomorrow morning at 10:00am to discuss with them the process and to encourage good communication with them. Mr. Fritz will keep Council updated as he has more information.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to adjourn the Regular Council Meeting at 8:21pm.

ROLL CALL:
AYES: Mr. Buczek, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Richman, Mr. Sherck, Mr. Stanard
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 8:21pm.

Attest: 

Sherri Arrietta, Clerk of Council 

Steve Richman, Council President