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Village Council Minutes 12-4-07
MINUTES

The Village of Evendale
Special Council Meeting
December 4, 2007


The Village of Evendale held a Special Council Meeting at 6:00 pm on December 4, 2007. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Don Apking. Upon roll call, the following members were present:   Mr. Bill Puthoff, Jr., Mr. Stiney Vonderhaar, Mrs. Carolyn Smiley-Robertson, and Mr. Jeff Albrinck. Mr. Doug Lohmeier was absent and excused.  Also present was the Police Chief, Gary Foust; Recreation Director; David Nichols; Economic Director, Linda Fitzgerald; Assistant to the Mayor, Jack Cameron; Chief Fiscal Officer, George Snyder and the Village Clerk, Michelle Ficke.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, there was a moment of silence for Elmer Lohmeier who passed away today. There was discussion on whether or not to vote on Vice Mayor and President of Council with council members Doug Lohmeier absent. Council decided to go ahead and see whether or not there was consensus on the first round of ballots. If they could not come to agreement they would wait and vote when Mr. Lohmeier could be present. Mr. Albrinck made a motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vonderhaar and council adjourned into Executive Session at 6:15 pm.

Council reconvened at 6:40 pm.

Mayor Apking presented Resolution #07-07, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING ELECTION BY MAJORITY VOTE OF VICE MAYOR AND PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  A motion to read Resolution #07-07 by title only was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of the resolution was made by Mr. Ranz, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Resolution #07-07 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Resolution #07-07 adopted as an emergency.

Mayor Apking announced the newly formed Council Committee Members.

Police-Finance-Admin Council Committee
Councilmembers Albrinck (Chair), Ranz and Puthoff

Fire-Rec-Service-Engineering-Gorman Heritage Farm Council Committee
Councilmembers Lohmeier (Chair), Smiley-Robertson, and Vonderhaar.

Hiring Committee
Councilmembers Smiley-Robertson, Ranz, Vonderhaar and Mayor Apking

Planning Commission Representative – Mr. Lohmeier

Council discussed the budget. Mayor Apking stated that the construction of the new shelter house that he hopes to build this year is not reflected in the budget. The money to tear down the hotel is allocated in the budget. Mr. Albrinck mentioned that the actual expenses for 2007 were less than budgeted. Mr. George Snyder said that the biggest income item for 2007 comes from earnings tax and is $11.9 million dollars. Mr. Albrinck said that the committees addressed budgets extensively. Mr. Ranz had a couple of questions. First, healthcare costs are increasing by 46% for 2008. Employee contributions will have to be discussed for health care. Mr. Albrinck said that the council committee has regular discussions on this issue.

Mr. Ranz’s second question was whether or not council sees an operating budget for Gorman Farm. Mrs. Smiley-Robertson and Mr. Vonderhaar confirmed that their council committee did receive and review a general operation budget in the past. After some discussion, Mayor Apking said that he is concerned with the money they are spending at Gorman Farm and wants council to look more closely at the Gorman Farm budgets and how they allocate their monies. Mr. Puthoff said that the goal was for the farm to be self-sufficient in seven years. We are now in the fifth year of a seven year contract. Mr. Albrinck said that council must scrutinize what the farm needs to be sufficient and hold the farm accountable for their expenses. In the past, there was some discussion that excess funds from the farm could be allocated to hire a person to solicit fund raising. That has not happened. Mrs. Smiley-Robertson said that council must insure that the GHF foundation is sticking to the contract. Mr. Ranz requested better communication between Gorman Farm and Council to better understand how the GHF Foundation plans to reach their goal of self-sufficiency.

Mr. George Snyder addressed council. He asked council if they would approve a new presentation for ordinances using the object code as the legal level of control. For example, the Police Department would still have thirty accounts but they would fall under approximately six object codes, thus reducing paperwork for the presentation of ordinances. Council agreed to this change. Mr. Snyder explained that using the legal level of control as the object code it eliminates detail and gives the Mayor the ability to move money around.  The budget would still appear by line item and monthly reports to council would reflect that.


Other items:

Mr. Vonderhaar said that ICRC can use our right of ways to run cable lines if they request to do so. The Village has ten days to respond according to Senate Bill 117 passed on September 24, 2007. He had a sample ordinance to pass regarding this issue. It was determined that Tim Burke, Solicitor, should take a look at this ordinance.

Mr. Puthoff asked about the cell tower that is proposed for Rest Haven Cemetery. Mr. Cameron said that they still have to come before Planning Commission before a tower could be erected.

There being no further business to come before council, Mayor Apking asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Vonderhaar seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved. Council adjourned at 7:19 pm.



                                                _______________________
                                                Mayor






Attest:

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Village Clerk