Village of Chippewa Lake

P.O.  Box  25

Chippewa Lake,   Ohio  44215-0025

Clerk’s phone:  330-769-9600

Fax:  330-769-9600

                                                                                                                                  

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

 

The Village of Chippewa Lake Council met in regular session on Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Church at the Lake located at 7824 Lake Road.  The Honorable Mayor Joanne Dodaro called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

 

All in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Present:  Mayor Joanne Dodaro, Clerk-Treasurer Cathy Osborn, Law Director Allan M. Michelson, Council President Keith Riedel, Council Members Katrina Sommers, Debbie Bican, Barb Hunter, Alan Robbins and Brent Osborn. 

 

Motion made by Robbins to accept the minutes from the October 12, 2009 Council meeting.  Osborn seconded. 

6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

 

The Clerk-Treasurer reported the following bills to Council:

 

Ohio Edison                                                                                 1,224.52

Joanne Dodaro                                                                                             218.45

Cathy Osborn                                                                                          1,120.18

Allan M. Michelson                                                                            706.56

Robert Locher, Jr.                                                                             409.83

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 2

 

Bills (Continued):

Time Warner Cable                                                                            89.25

Columbia Gas                                                                                                 32.03

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System                                  731.68

Engineering Associates                                                                   330.34

The Gazette                                                                                         18.46

Bill Zweifel                                                                                    2,250.00

Tracy Easterday                                                                                  17.62

Ohio Municipal League                                                                    359.00

Pro Touch Lawn Care                                                                                  775.00

Medina County Sheriff’s Office                                  1,965.92

 

Total Of All Bills                                                                  $10.248.84

 

Motion made by Riedel to pay the bills from their proper funds.  Robbins seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

 

Mayor Dodaro asked if anyone was present concerning four vehicle violations brought before Council this evening.  No one was present.  The vehicle violations were against John Alvey at 90 Clover Cliff, Phillip Matzelle & Martha Herbst-Matzelle at

125 Rockridge, Lanny Lingenfelter at 258 Rustic Rook and Norman & Patricia Placek at 236 Circle Crest.    Motion made by Osborn to give all violations seven days (November 17, 2009) to remove or correct the violations.  Robbins seconded. 

6 Ayes.  Motion approved.  Zoning Inspector Bob Locher will notify by posting a notice on the door or in person of Council’s deadline date to correct.

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 3 

 

The Law Director said that the sheriff’s department will not participate in towing vehicles off of private property.  The village will, however, cite the violations into Medina Municipal Court instead.  If the violations mentioned above are not corrected by the deadline date then the owners will receive a citation to go to Medina Municipal Court.

 

Mayor Dodaro thanked everyone who voted on Election Day.  She said unfortunately our Streets Levy didn’t quite make it, but Council may decide to try that again.  She gave her congratulations to all that were re-elected for another term.  She congratulated Tom Melter on his election to Council.  He will be sworn in at the January 11, 2010 Council meeting. 

 

Jerry from the Medina County Auditor’s office reports that the Habitat for Humanity is holding an application evening this coming week for people who are interested in becoming partner families.   If you know of anyone who is interested in owning their own home, but is not capable of doing so right now.  Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications at the Parkview Federal Savings Bank on Medina Road on Thursday, November 12th from 5:30-7:30 PM. 

 

Mayor Dodaro thanked the Lafayette Fireman, the Rescue Squad, Deputy Tracy Easterday, The Sheriff’s Department and the Mounted Police that were present in the village on Halloween evening. 

 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 4

 

Committee Reports

 

Chief Jeff Hall distributed the Activity Report for the month of September to Council.  There were five fire calls and five EMS calls in the village for the month.  The year to date totals for the village are 20 fire calls and 37 EMS calls.  (See attached)

     Chief Hall asks that between now and spring to please keep the fire hydrants clear of leaves and snow. 

     Robbins asks about the training and what the total count of fire people they have.  Jeff said the count presently is forty-three on the roster.  Hunter asked if that included cadets.  Jeff said no and that they had about 7 or 8 cadets. 

 

Safety:  Hunter said that a meeting on October 19th  was held with Sheriff Hassinger and she felt it went real well.  She said they were able to work out a lot of concerns and issues that the village had with the department.  She said Deputy Easterday is doing a great job of reorganizing the shifts and working with the other village deputies.  He does a good job with all the paperwork that is turned in.  He does an excellent job of communicating with everyone and we appreciate his efforts.  Deputy Easterday has made the deputy’s schedules available to Mayor, Clerk and members of Council through internet access.   Hunter said one issue the village had was the amount of hours being turned in.  She said with Deputy Easterday’s help the hours are now down to a more workable level at 73.5 hours for the month of October.

 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 5

 

Safety (Continued):  (See attached patrol report) Hunter read the patrol report for the month of October as follows:  6 calls assigned by dispatch, 4 self-initiated calls, 1 written report taken, 39 vacations watches, 91 citizen contacts/citizen assists, 3 traffic stops, 3 citations issued, 2 warnings issued, 4 suspicious persons, 7 assists to other police departments and 2 presences at fire-rescue calls.  The deputies worked a total of 73.5 hours.  They logged 419.6 miles on the cruiser using 44.2 gallons of gasoline.

     Deputy Easterday brought up to Mayor Dodaro about eliminating the uniform allowance and increase the hourly wage for all village deputies.  Cathy said the deputies are paid $22.50 per hour currently.  The Law Director said that the deputies have been paid this amount for about three years.   Mayor Dodaro asks Hunter to have a conversation with Cathy during the month and see how increasing the hourly rate would work out.  She asks for a report in December. 

 

Mayor Dodaro announces that tonight’s meeting is also a public hearing for Ordinance #685-09. 

 

Zoning:  Osborn said that this month there was no Zoning Board Workshop.  Zoning Administrator, Cyndy Naragon is working on a comprehensive plan for the village.  As soon as this plan is completed she will schedule a workshop meeting.

     Osborn reports that the Zoning Board held their meeting on November 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM.  (See attached minutes)  

   

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 6

 

 Zoning (Continued):  Under new business, Ryan Andrews was present to ask about the procedure for putting an addition on to his home on Clover Cliff.  He was told it would require a variance due to the closeness to the property line.  Locher explained the procedure and location of the necessary documents. 

     Mr. Vidra was present and he is building a new house on Shorefield.  He was there to get information about the zoning laws and he was informed that he would need a variance for his steps if they encroached in the twenty foot setback.   He also informed the Board that he would be removing four large Maple trees and storing the wood on the property.  He was informed about how to property store the wood on his property. 

     At 37 Circle Crest there is a shed that is too close to the property line.  The owner is planning to move the shed this past weekend and Locher will check on that.

    Under old business, the retaining walls at 90 Longacre have been moved, completed and satisfies the Zoning Board. 

     The Zoning Board is waiting for the dumpster ordinance to take effect and then the Kuric dumpster on Lake Road will be addressed. 

     Osborn said that towing of vehicles within the village is apparently out of the question, so the village will continue to cite violators into Medina Municipal Court instead. 

     The boulders on Northvale were looked at again.  Photos taken two years ago were looked at again and it appears that the boulders are in the same location as before.  No further discussion. 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 7

 

 

Zoning (Continued):  There were complaints about parking at 117 Clover Cliff and Locher is checking into this.  Locher and Deputy Easterday will monitor the parking in this area.

     Ordinance #685-09 “An ordinance amending the village zoning code to add the definitions of a dumpster and a swimming pool and provide regulations for dumpsters within the village.” had its third and final reading.  Motion made by Osborn to adopt Ordinance #685-09 as an emergency.  Riedel seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.  This ordinance is effective immediately.

     Ordinance #686-09 “An ordinance establishing an administrative fee to be charged to the property owner when the village must correct hazardous conditions, cut weeds and other growth and remove litter, rubbish and debris from private property within the village and charge the same to the private owner.” had its third and final reading.  Motion made by Robbins to adopt Ordinance #686-09.  Sommers seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.    This ordinance will take effect in thirty days.

     Mayor Dodaro said for those of you that have not been going to the Zoning Board meetings or reading the Zoning minutes she said that the Zoning Board, the Zoning Inspector and the Zoning Administrator have been doing a great job this year.  They have cleaned up a lot of properties in the village. 

 

 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 8

 

Finance:  Cathy reviews the bank statement and the accounting reconciliation ending October 30th.  She said there were no adjustments and the balances are reconciled.  She asks Council to please sign her copy showing they have seen this document.

   Cathy said she reviewed the third quarter reports with Council last month.  Tonight she goes over the Cash Summary by Fund monthly report.  This report reflects figures from October 1st through November 9th.   The funds reported are the General, Streets, Permissive, Pochedley Trust and Parking Violations Bureau.  She said the balances in all fund as of October 1st were $219,630.97.  She reports the revenue collected and deposited were $17,580.21 and the expenditures were $33,267.80.  She said the Star Ohio account presently has an investment balance of $12,277.55.  The checking balance before the approved bills are paid is $191,665.83.

     Cathy made a copy of Ordinance #483-99 which is the ordinance that gives $10.00 per vehicle out of your vehicle registration fee back to the village to help with road repairs.  This ordinance was passed in April of 1999.  It has been mentioned that it is important to mention that you live in the Village of Chippewa Lake when renewing your stickers. 

     Cathy said she did forward to the county auditor’s office Resolution #428-09 which accepted the rates and amounts as determined by the budget commission. 

     The State Auditor has sent Cathy a letter accepting Varney, Fink & Associates as the IPA accountant firm that will be doing the 2008-2009 state audit.  The state has approved that contract so work is in order to begin in early spring.

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 9

 

Finance (Continued): Cathy said she did attend the continuing education seminar in Hudson, Ohio on October 29th.  She has received her certification for another year.

  Cathy said that this is not finance, but she does take care of making arrangements to have the water meters pulled and stored for the winter.  This has been done and Brent has winterized the drinking fountain in the Bungalow Bay Park. 

     Mayor Dodaro reported that the village got turned down on our Phase Five application and we were turned over to the Small Government Funding committee.  We will continue to apply for Phase Five funding.  In the meantime, the village will begin the Phase Four (Craggy Creek) project in the spring of 2010.

     Cathy has forwarded an agreement from Engineering Associates for easement work on Craggy Creek to the Law Director to review before tonight’s meeting.  The Law Director thought that Engineering Associate’s proposal for this service was very high in cost.  He said he can do this work for the village much cheaper.  He will contact Kent Baker at Engineering Associates to make sure he understands what needs to be done and will report back to Council at their December Council meeting.  The signing of this agreement is put on hold pending the Law Director’s conversation with Engineering Associates. 

 

Buildings:  Sommers said that the village has received only one proposal for heating and cooling for the building from Jeff Thacker.  His proposal seems to be a fair price.  Sommers left a message for Webster Services for electrical work and asked him to contact Keith Riedel.  Keith said he has not heard from him.  

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 10

 

 

Buildings (Continued):  Littman Electric does have a copy of our plans, but Keith has not heard back from him yet. 

Mayor Dodaro said just so Council knows that in January Tom Melter will be replacing Sommers on the Buildings Committee.  She asked Sommers to share anything she feels is important with Tom.   

 

 

Community Relations:  (See attached agenda) Robbins said that Sommers continues to update the village’s community calendar. 

     The Neighborhood Watch Committee will meet this coming Thursday, November 12th at the fire station on Heather Hedge.  Claire adds that the DrugTask Force officer will be present at this meeting to answer any questions.

     The Lions Club has been fairly active.  They had a Fall Festival on October 17, 2009 at the Point Park.  They raised about $1,000.00 in donations.   The Lions Club holiday fruit sale will wrap up orders on November 30th.   The collection of Toys for Tots will wrap up on November 17th.  The donation box is located at the Village Inn.

     On April 1, 2010 wherever you live that is where you will be counted for the census.  Robbins did attend a “Complete Count” committee meeting on October 28th.  At the meeting they discussed recommended communications strategies that communities could do. 

 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 11

 

Community Relations (Continued):  Several ideas are: put the census logo on the village website, the Neighborhood Watch email list could put the logo out and reminders a few times before the April 1st date to remind residents that the census is coming up, and making those with PO boxes aware that those notices from the Census Bureau will bounce back and not be included in the count.   Robbins stated this is a mandatory count and it involves answering only ten questions.  The questionnaire will be sent out twice and if you don’t respond then someone from the Census Bureau will knock on your door to get the needed information.

       Robbins said in the Neighborhood Watch’s recent email bulletin she made the residents aware of a scam where people where posing as census workers.  They were knocking on doors asking for donations or social security numbers.  Legitimate census workers will have a badge, handheld device, canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.  Always ask for identification and never allow anyone into your home.  Census workers will only verify address information and will never ask for personal information or a social security number.  For further information please go to www.2010census.gov or www.bbb.org. 

     Robbins said he attended a meeting on the Upper Chippewa Creek Watershed, the Balance Growth Program.  The letter was sent showing the village’s cooperation with them as they go forward.  Robbins plans to attend future meetings.

     He said Lafayette Township has rolled out a long term plan that was presented at an October 22nd meeting. 

 

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 12

 

 

 

Community Relations (Continued):  He said it was a well done activity with ideas for schools, growth, conservation, activities, history and education.  Robbins urged more collaboration with the Village of Chippewa Lake in the future.  Tom James of the Medina County Parks District was present and told about the Parks District acquiring the Westfield Landing property.  He said he has received a grant for a boat ramp and is considering the Westfield Landing area for the boat ramp.  This is a change in location from the original plan of using the old Palmer farm as the location for the boat ramp.  Robbins vocalized some concern to Tom James about the Westfield Landing location. 

     Robbins voiced his concerns about representation on lake boat and dock decisions.  He also spoke with Bill Stager who is with the Division of Watercraft to better understand some of the issues concerning how rules are made. 

     On December 8, 2009 at 3 PM the Medina County Planning Commission will hold a meeting at the Oaks Lodge.  Mayor Dodaro and Alan Robbins will attend this meeting.  The Planning Commission has concerns about the potential explosive growth in our area without proper planning.  Robbins understands this meeting to be an initial organizational meeting.

     Robbins said that the Parks District has renovated the old Krabill house into a nice rentable shelter.  It looks like it has a full kitchen and plenty of room.  Visit the Parks District website to check this rental out further.

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 13

 

Parks:  Bican said that Randy Baird has asked for permission to irrigate the little piece of village owned property in front of his house on Bungalow Bay.  Mayor Dodaro said to clarify this more; the original irrigation system was put in by Randy by his house.  He was told by one of the former mayors that this would be fine to do.  This motion is to allow him to hook onto the original system.   Motion made by Bican to allow Randy Baird to irrigate at his expense the little piece of village owned property in front of his Bungalow Bay home.  Riedel seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

     Bican said that Bill Zweifel did an “awesome job” clearing the Reese’s Pond area recently.  Bican would like to organize a volunteer clean up day to continue the clean up of the Reese’s Pond area.  She would like to call upon residents and members of the local organizations to help in this effort.  Motion made by Bican to encumber up to $500.00 for this clean up day to cover the cost of a dumpster and refreshments.  Riedel seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

     Bill Zweifel has started the village leaf pick up.  Cathy asks Debbie to scan and email her a copy of Zweifel’s leaf pick up proposal so she can attach that to the check. 

 

Streets:  Riedel said he has spoken to John Rice of Engineering Associates and a final plan will need to be approved with some of the changes necessary on Craggy Creek.  Riedel said the road will be flared at both ends to allow drivers to turn in either direction more easily.  The tentative schedule is that the end of January all of the engineering work will be done. 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 14

 

Streets (Continued):  We will then have a meeting to accept the proposal.  The bids will be turned out in March and as soon as the weather breaks in the spring we should be ready to begin the Phase Four project.   

     Riedel said as Joanne told you we were turned down for Phase Five and turned over to Small Government Funding.  The village will continue its effort to apply again for funding for Phase Five. 

     The Law Director will check into the needed easement by talking with Kent Baker of Engineering Associates.  A decision will be made at the December meeting whether or not to sign the proposed agreement proposed by Engineering Associates for easement work.

     Hunter added it was unfortunate that the street levy failed.  Cathy said it didn’t fail by much.  She said she wrote an article to get some information out about the levy before Election Day.  Katrina Sommers helped Cathy get the word out by posting the article on the website for her.  It would have cost about $46.00 a year for the 1.5 mil/5year street levy, maybe Council will decide to put it back on ballot in the future.

 

Law Director:  The Law Director said he has two cases to report on this month.  The first case is a charge for driving under a suspended license.  The defendant decided to change his plea to no contest and was found guilty by the court with sentencing pending.  The second case is a charge of criminal trespassing.  The case was set for jury trial tomorrow.  The defendant has a public defender as his attorney. 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 15

 

Law Director (Continued):  The attorney quit today and he now has a new attorney.  His new attorney says that one day isn’t considered adequate preparation time.  

     Resolution #430-09  “A resolution authorizing the transfer by gift of lot number 601 in the Village of Gloria Glens Park, Medina County, Ohio from the Village of Chippewa Lake to the Village of Gloria Glens Park.” was read by title only.  Motion made by Hunter to waive the three reading requirement for Resolution #430-09.  Osborn seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.  Motion made by Sommers to adopt Resolution #430-09 as an emergency.  Hunter seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

     The Law Director said he can get the new criminal and traffic code from Walter Drane Company for $95.00 in PDF form.  He said that rate only applies if you buy three of them.  He said that Gloria Glens ask him to find out how much it would cost if they only bought one.  He will find out the cost for one and report back next month. 

 

Old Business:  None

 

New Business:  Tom Melter asked when the Lafayette Trustees meet.  Mayor Dodaro thought it was the first and third Monday of each month. 

     Bob Williams asks if it would be possible to have an electric outlet added to the Point Park area.  Mayor Dodaro will contact Ohio Edison to get more information.

 

Village of Chippewa Lake

Council Meeting Minutes

November 9, 2009

Page 16

 

New Business (Continued):  Jerry from the Medina County Auditor’s office said they have started their annual collection of new construction projects.  He said he has done all of Homer Township and half of Spencer Township.  He thought he should be in the village sometime next week. 

     Mayor Dodaro reported that the Medina County Mayor’s Association appoints different people to be on different committees in the county.  Conrad Sarnowski who is not the Mayor of Seville anymore is remaining on as village representative to the Medina County Transportation Improvement District.

 

At 9:05 PM, Motion made by Riedel that the meeting be adjourned.  Bican seconded.  6 Ayes.  Motion approved.

 

Next Meeting:  Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM at the Church at the Lake. 

 

 

                                                            ____________________________

                                                            Joanne Dodaro, Mayor

 

 

 

 

                                                            ____________________________

                                                            Cathy Osborn, Clerk-Treasurer