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Record
of Proceedings
Minutes of West Lafayette Village
Council Regular Meeting on May 20, 2002
West Lafayette Village Council met in regular session at 7:00 P.M., in the
municipal building with Mayor Jack Patterson presiding.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Dave Rogers, Roger Warne, Kelly Gossett, Ron Lusk, Jan
Shannon and
Steve Bordenkircher (5 members present)
A motion was made and seconded to excuse council member Warne from the meeting.
(RC 5 yes)
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2002,
council meeting. (RC 5 yes)
Citizens’ Comments
Tara Dolick, West Lafayette Mills Manager, was present to offer
a rebuttal to complaints offered by Ms. Ellen Blair the last two council meetings.
Ms. Dolick reported this was the first problem caused by the retention basin
in 3 years, and the reason was the abnormal amount of rain this season. Wallick
Properties, complex owner, does perform regular maintenance on the basin and
a larvicide is scheduled to be applied this week. The fact that there has
been so much rain lately has prevented any effort to clean the basin drain
to date, but that would be done as soon as the water level recedes. Ms. Dolick
felt that the one sided stories presented by the Coshocton Tribune, and Channel
10 News were unfair to Wallick Properties and to her as manager of the complex.
The Village Administrator reported that he had contacted Mr. Lonsinger, Coshocton
County Health Dept., inquiring about the report by the Licking County Health
Dept. Ms. Blair had offered to council. Mr. Lonsinger stated he was not familiar
with the report but Licking County would not have any authority or jurisdiction
to conduct an investigation in Coshocton County or issue a report.
Mr. Dan Eggan with Mr. Don Brown, Mr. Ed Meyers, and Commissioner
Grant Daugherty were present to inform council of the details of the wetlands
project and answer any questions that might arise. The existence of this project
is the result of Waste Management Inc being required by law to replace some
wetlands that the company will be destroying due to proposed expansion at
the Coshocton facility. The options open to Waste Management are to purchase
the required 1 or 2 acres from a wetland mitigating bank such as the Ohio
Wetlands Foundation to use as a replacement or to actually develop a wetlands
area. The purchase of the required credits from a mitigating bank releases
Waste Management from all other obligations. However Mr. Dave Gallagher of
Waste Management felt it would be more responsible to commit the company’s
resources to developing an area locally, even thought the cost to them would
be significantly higher. The bottomland next to the new Ridgewood High School,
owned by Mr. Ed Myers, has been a problem area for several years in regards
to drainage, but would be an excellent location to develop a wetlands area.
The study and plan has actually been ongoing for a couple of years and is
to the point where it can come to fruition. The property has to be given to
someone or entity five years after the start of the project. That entity will
then be responsible for maintaining the area as a wetland. Originally it was
thought that the Ridgewood School District might be that entity, but the board
has been hesitant to commit to the project. The prospect had been presented
to a couple of village council members who felt the village would be interested
in the project and felt the group should bring it to council. The plan would
be for Waste Management to commit their resources along with any donations
and/or available grants to develop the area, which at this time could range
from 1.5 to 6 acres. The high school would have access to the area to be used
as an environmental classroom for the biology and agricultural departments.
In return and as part of the educational experience the students and faculty
would undertake the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining the area.
The area would be come the property of the village after 5 years. The project
would also help in the correction of the long time drainage problem in the
area. Mr. Brown and Commissioner Daugherty explained some of the work that
has been towards replacing an 18” drain line with a 24” sometime in the future.
After the council concluded it regular business, a general discussion followed
regarding the following topics. What liability would the village be exposed
to if they accept this property? It was the opinion of Mr. Eggan and council
member Bordenkircher that the exposure would be the same as any village owned
park. What maintenance expenses would the village incur when it took possession
of the property? Wetland maintenance is minimal because of the nature of the
area. It is meant to be an ecosystem and more or less self-sustaining. However
it was felt that as part of the educational experience the high school students
would be involved in the monitoring and maintenance of the area and the cost
of maintaining the drains would be born by those who benefit from the drains.
Will this create an insect (mosquito) problem? Again, being an ecosystem,
this environmental area will be self-regulating in regards to insect, animal,
and plant populations. The animals present will feed on the mosquito larvae
thus reducing the potential population. There will probably be less of a potential
problem there then in normal residential areas. Council member Bordenkircher
was the first to voice his approval of the participation by the village, followed
by council president Rogers and the rest of the members present. Council member
Warne had expressed his preliminary approval at the last meeting. It was the
consensus of council that the minutes reflect the intentions of council by
approving this participation. That this is to be a public area for the benefit
of the entire community. That this would be an environmentally positive action
to solve a long standing drainage problem, to create a needed wetland area,
to provide an educational opportunity to our local schools and residents,
and to create a beautiful natural setting that would be for the pleasure of
the community as well as the pride of the community. That elected officials
in the future recognize that this was a responsibility taken on by the village
as a long-term commitment to the preservation of this wetland area for the
benefit of the entire community. A motion was made and seconded to commit
to the acceptance of ownership of the proposed wetlands in five years as provided
for in an appropriate resolution or ordinance at the next regular council
meeting. (RC 5 yes)
Resolutions & Ordinances
Resolution 2002-07 was given a second reading. A motion was made
and seconded to suspend the 3 reading rule. (RC 5 yes) A motion was made and
seconded to adopt resolution 2002-07. (RC 5 yes)
Resolution 2002-08 was given a second reading. A motion was made
and seconded to suspend the 3 reading rule. (RC 5 yes) A motion was made and
seconded to adopt Resolution 2002-08. (RC 5 yes)
Ordinance 2002-09 was given a second reading.
Resolution 2002-10, a resolution to amend the permanent appropriations
ordinance 2001-46 by adding $11,651 to the Capital improvements fund and $28,250
to the water fund, was given a first reading. A motion was made and seconded
to suspend the 3 reading rule. (RC 5 yes) A motion was made and seconded to
adopt resolution 2002-10. (RC 5 yes)
Reports:
Village Administrator – A new paint-stripping machine was purchased
and is doing an excellent job. The traffic markings look considerably better
and will save money in the long run. GM Baker company will be pulling well
#3 pump and inspecting the well casing this week. The final meeting was held
for the phase 3 project and we have received a one-year warranty. The final
payment is being made and the retainage released.
Police (Chief) – Monthly report for April was presented.
Complaints filed: 24 Traffic Arrest: 8
Criminal Arrest: 7
Felony Cases: 0 Accident Reports: 0
Miles Driven: 3034
Total No of calls: 275
Grant (Lusk) – Both Issue II grant requests had been denied.
Pool (Rogers) – The opening has been postponed due to the weather. The painting
of the interior walls cannot be painted in the rain and needs to cure for
7 days prior to filling the pool with water. The earliest opening now would
be June 1, but that is yet to be confirmed. Council member Lusk attended a
meeting regarding the county wide operating levy for park operating expenses.
A levy of ¾ mils would generate a little over $500,000 per year. The West
Lafayette Park District would receive approximately $86, 000 per year to operate
the pool and parks and to perform general maintenance or improvements.
Committee Meetings: Fire 5:30 PM
5-22-02 Council Chambers
Finance 6:00 PM
5-23-02 “
Ordinance 6:00 PM
5-30-02 “
A motion was made and seconded to approve payment of the bills as presented
by the clerk / treasurer. (RC 5 yes)
At 8:37 PM a motion was made and seconded to move into executive session
to discuss a personnel matter. (RC 5 yes)
At 9:15 PM a motion was made and seconded to return to regular session with
no action to be taken. (RC 5 yes)
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn until the next regularly schedule
meeting on June 10, 2002, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. (RC 5 yes)
___________________________________
Jack L. Patterson, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Bruce E. Fouch
Clerk/Treasurer
Village of West Lafayette
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