Council Minutes: July 11, 2018

MINUTES

MAGNOLIA VILLAGE COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JULY 11TH, 2018

The Regular Meeting of Magnolia Village Council was called to order on July 11th, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at the Magnolia Village Hall by Mayor Robert Leach.  Members present were Jim Hunter, Jim Miller, Grant Downes, Claudia Rogers, Jessica Miller and Eric White.  Also present were Police Chief Jeff Hager and Solicitor Kevin L’Hommedieu.

Visitors

• Chris Smith informed council of an upcoming bicycle event on August 5th, 2018.  He is organizing a gravel road bicycle competition.  Contestants will register at the Village Park at 7:00 A.M. and be led out of Magnolia on State Route 542 to Imperial Road where the race will start.  There will be three different distances that contestants may ride, 25, 35 and 50 miles. They will return to Magnolia for awards and lunch.
• Members of the Board of Public Affairs presented council with the new water rates which will be effective 8/31/18 and billed on 10/1/18.  The new basic rate for village residents will be increased by $.50 and out of town residents will be increased by $.75.  The rates for usage over 3,000 gallons will increase 10 cents per thousand gallons for village residents and 30 cents for non-residents.  Rates have not been increased since 2016 and the BPA uses funds wisely.

Minutes – Rogers moved and Jessica Miller seconded to approve the minutes of the June 13th, 2018 meeting.  All ayes.

Clerk-Treasurer’s Report – Miller moved and Hunter seconded to approve the Clerk-Treasurer’s Report.  All ayes.

Village Worker Report – Mat Hawk reported that he worked at the new Fire Station cleaning up after a port-o-jon that had been tipped over and repairing the swings.  He will be repairing catch basins on Harrison Street soon. On Friday they will be doing asphalt; 2 large pot holes on Lynwood are full of water, should get the water out on Thursday and N. Cline Street.  Water problem at 143 Plum St. has been repaired. 285 Carrollton St. – Can not see on the west side of Carrollton St., South on Plum St.; a tree is blocking a clear view of traffic.

Old Business

• Blue Star Memorial – Council was reminded that the dedication of the Blue Star Memorial will be August 9th, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at the new fire station.  Jim Hunter will accept the certificate for the Village of Magnolia since he is a veteran.
• Clerk–Treasurer’s Position – Interviews for the position will be July 26th, 2018 at 6:00 P.M.
• Fire Station Building & Dedication – Fire Chief Don Nicholson, Jr. reported that the final inspections should be completed within the next couple of weeks and they will be able to move in.  Dedication will possibly be Sept. 23 or 30th, 2018.  The air conditioner is finished, the electrician must wire it outside and install the light on the flag pole.  The plumber has 2 more hours of work to do. Once their inspections are done then Chiavari can get the building inspected, hopefully by July 20th.  The phone and cable must be done yet.  Joe little must do the grading then Chris Fallot will do the landscaping.  The gear room floor is done.

New Business – Public Nuisance – Received a report from Don Nicholson, Jr. that a property on Elson Street should be declared a public nuisance due to its deteriorating condition.  The barn is in poor condition, open area on west side, it is a fire hazard, building is not secure. Solicitor Kevin L’Hommedieu will send the property owner, David Miller a letter instructing him to abate the nuisance or council will take action to raze the building.   

Committee Reports

• Safety Chairman Hunter reported that East Sparta had 202.5 hrs. = $5,362.50, 268 hrs. in Magnolia and 9.5 OVI Grant hrs. with 1 agency assists.  The dodge needs new tires in a month or so. Hager will obtain prices.
• Cemetery Chairperson Rogers thanked Jessica for serving as cemetery clerk until a replacement was found.  Rogers reported that $1,900.00 was received for grave services in the month of June. Cemetery clerk Tim Costello is looking into federal grants to restore veteran’s grave stones.  Jessica questioned the cost of cremain burials for residents or out of town residents. She also questioned the extra $150.00 fee charged by Sonny for an over size burial. The Cemetery Committee should look into all these situations when they have a meeting.  Jessica will then send a new price list and letter notifying the funeral homes that Tim Costello is now the cemetery clerk.
• Utilities Chairman Jessica Miller had no report.
• Finance Chairman Miller reported that the village received a refund from Workers’ Compensation in the amount of $2,135.20, part of which is the Water Departments.  Clerk will figure the amount. The Beck Designated Charitable Fund sent a check in the amount of $3,035.00 which was deposited into the Mausoleum Fund; balance being $3,139.00.  The audit has been completed and the cost was $10,339.30. Miler suggested an Executive Session after our meeting.
• Streets & Alleys Chairman Downes has been talking with Bo Hysong regarding the paving of streets, they will be looking at various streets this week.  Several catch basins need repaired; 2 on Harrison St., 2 on or near South Main St. and 2 on Levee Circle.
• Park Chairman White apologized about the vanity for the Village Hall rest room.  Joe Little will be dredging the mill pond this week, could village share the cost with the Canal Society, possibly close to $1,000.00.  Miller moved and Rogers seconded to pay ½ of the cost or up to $500.00. All ayes. Caleb Fornash will look at the Village Hall upstairs window.  White reported the equipment buildings at the ball field need new roofs. Village will purchase the shingles and will get volunteers to do the roof.  The Baseball Association is responsible for their upkeep. We have 2 dead ash trees and 2 oak trees that need limbs trimmed. Stewart’s quote was $3,560.00, White will obtain more estimates.  White explained that he has hounded the Baseball Assoc. for 3 years to get work done to their buildings. They haven’t done anything yet, such as shingles or painting. The Boy Scouts have not taken care of the flowers they planted at the Village Hall, Rogers will do it.  

Solicitor’s Report – No report.

Consideration of Ordinances

• Miller moved and Rogers seconded to pass Ord. #7-18-8 An Ordinance Combining the Duties of the Clerk and Treasurer into The Appointed Office of Fiscal Officer.  All ayes. Hunter moved and Miller seconded to suspend the statutory rules and pass on its first reading. All ayes.

Action on Bills

• Rogers moved and Hunter seconded to pay the bills as presented by the clerk.  All ayes.

Mayor’s Report

 

• Received notification from FEMA that no significant changes have been made to the flood hazard date on the Preliminary or revised Preliminary copies of the FIRM for Carroll County.  The grey paint on the Magnolia Mill is primer.

 

Executive Session

• Downes moved and White seconded to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:30 P.M.  All ayes.
• Miller moved and Rogers seconded to reconvene into Regular Session at 8:45 P.M.

All ayes.

Meeting adjourned at 8:46 P.M.

_______________________________ _________________________

ROBERT LEACH, MAYOR     Lorrie Clevenger, Clerk