Established gravel drive maintenance required by code
New Chief of Police to be sworn in January 9
4% employee raise approved
By Paula Scott
On Tuesday, December 20 the Village of Ada council met for the last regular session of 2022. A packet including the agenda is at https://www.adaoh.org/sites/default/files/board_meeting_minutes/12.20.22...
ATTENDANCE
The meeting was conducted by Mayor David Retterer and attended by a full contingent of councilors: Sean Beck, Sheila Coressel, Jason Campbell, Linda Mason, Jeff Oestreich and Bob Simmons. Three residents, the Kenton Times and the Ada icon were present.
STREETS COMMITTEE
At 6:30 p.m. a Streets Committee meeting was chaired by Jason Campbell to consider the predicament of Mary Trudgeon, who lives at 427 E. Lincoln. Trudgeon addressed council at the prior meeting about being ticketed for parking next to a paved driveway at her home, when she has done so for many years without issue.
In the interim, the mayor and others on council took a look at the property, where street widening has removed on-street parking. There is a double-width approach to the driveway but only one half is paved.
Village code requires that the first fifty feet of driveways be paved; however, there are gravel driveways in the village that pre-date the code (attachment p. 26-28). Parking on grass is not permitted.
After extensive discussion, the council ended the committee meeting and entered the regular session. A motion was made to allow the property owner to park to the right of the paved drive with the stipulation that she refresh the stone in the established parking space within six months. Approval was unanimous.
Any similar situations will be handled on a case by case basis.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Retterer noted that it was “A joy to be working with all of you. Council has made this village more fiscally sound. Proud of all of you.”
CLAIMS REGISTERS
During discussion it was noted that new tables and chairs were purchased for the Depot. The attached packet includes the claims registers on p. 7-11. https://www.adaoh.org/sites/default/files/board_meeting_minutes/12.20.22...
RESOLUTIONS
Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter Into an agreement with the Board of Hardin County Commissioners For Municipal Court indigent defendant representation reimbursement. This is an annual agreement.
ORDINANCES
Declaring an emergency, council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the annual appropriations of the Village of Ada, Ohio for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
Declaring an emergency, council unanimously approved passage on first reading of Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Appropriation Ordinance. Fiscal officer Patty Navin noted that this is an annual adjustment using actual costs.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Linda Mason noted that she was interested in making sure that council members who work during the day have opportunities to meet village employees. Discussion touched on whether after hours meetings would be paid and if casual lunch hour meetings would be a good option. No action was taken.
COMMITTEES
Safety Services - Jeff Oestreich: The councilor made a motion to hire Alec Cooper as chief of police beginning January 9. The motion included:
A starting salary of $64K with review and negotiation after a 6-month probationary period.
A vacation allowance of 128 hours based on Cooper’s 11 years of police service.
Credit of 5 years towards Longevity Service
Waiver of the residency requirement unless Cooper moves from his current residence (which is 5.5 miles from Ada).
It was noted that Cooper was the unanimous choice of the hiring committee.
Personnel - Bob Simmons: The councilor noted that evaluations for Police Chief Michael Harnishfeger, Legal Council Jane Napier and Fiscal Officer Patty Navin would be presented to each employee after Christmas in a meeting with the mayor.
Council unanimously approved a motion to make a 4% pay rate increase for 17 employees (attachment p. 17).
Utilities - Sean Beck: The councilor presented request for reduction in a water bill due to a leak at a Simon St. property. The leak has been fixed and was considered a reasonable request. Council approved the request.
STAFF REPORTS
Fiscal Officer - Patty Navin: Navin noted that the village is wrapping up a Bureau of Workers Compensation audit.
Chief of Police - Michael Harnishfeger:
An internal evidence audit showed that “guns and drugs are still where they should be.”
The department has had several absences due to flu.
Calls have included an emergency medical commitment, criminal damage, domestic violence, informational reports.
The department will meet on January 9 to swear in new police chief Alec Cooper. He will also have a ceremonial swearing in on Tuesday, January 10 at the council meeting.
Village Administrator - Jamie Hall:
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Phil Epley will be issuing a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System public notice on December 21 on the village website.
- Village offices will be closed on December 26 and January 2.
- The third Neighborhood Revitalization meeting for residents to discuss priorities and community resources for a grant application will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 14 at the Depot.
- A Grandview pre-construction meeting will be held on December 28, the official start to the project.
- With a major storm predicted–with a big drop in temp and dangerous wind chills, snow amounts unknown–the Village is buttoning up hose bibs, etc.
- If property owners have tenants who have left for the holiday break, he recommends checking for potential freezing problems, water leaks.
Discussion: The EMA has warming shelters in Kenton. ONU has opened up for major winter storm events in the past. Nothing is pre-arranged in the village for a warming center. The Restore can be used when they are open.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
The next village council meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10. Note: both January council meetings have been shifted ahead one week.
