Record of Proceedings

Minutes of West Lafayette Village Council Regular Meeting on January 10, 2005

West Lafayette Village Council met in regular session at 7:00 P.M., in the municipal building with Mayor Jack L. Patterson presiding.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call:          Dave Rogers, Kelly Gossett, Ron Lusk, Christie Maurer and Stephen Bordenkircher were present.

A motion was made and seconded to excuse member Roger Warne from the meeting. (RC 5 yes)

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2004 council meeting. (RC 5 yes)

Mayor’s Correspondence – Report from Solid Waste (Carol Phillips) regarding recycling

Committee are the same as last with the addition of a Village Solicitor Review Committee.  Lists were passed to all members and press.

Citizens’ comments – James Waymer, Mid- East Ohio Building Department.  Received letter rescinding ordinance that gave jurisdiction. Mid-East Ohio Building Dept. started in West Lafayette 12, 2000 and covers all structures excepting residential and Ag.  He is limited by State Board Building Standards.  Concerns of the village were liability issues and contradictions between his Dept and village ordinance and Planning and Zoning Book. Mr. Waymer explained that 3% of fees collected went to State Building Standards and 97% went to Muskingum County General Fund.  He is paid through Muskingum County. He also stated that no village has been sued over incidents in his office.  Council stated there needs to be better communication between Village, Mid-East Ohio Building Dept and general public regarding what is needed to comply with regulations.  Referred matter back to ordinance committee and Planning Commission for further discussion.

                        Wayne Carnes -  Problems with neighbors and 4-wheelers.  People are riding them in alleys, streets and through yards.  He complained to the police department and now neighbors are yelling obscenities at him.  Also questioned council about a motorcycle repair shop being operated within village limits.  VA/Police Chief to investigate.

                        Gene Flinn  - Requesting gravel for alley.

                        Michelle & Dave McHenry – Questions regarding Planning and Zoning Commission.  Wants to move a house trailer in on the lot beside their house they own.  Moved a trailer out 1-2 years ago.  Regulations state that a trailer can’t be moved in if a trailer was moved out over 90 days ago.  Question council when these regulations went into affect and if the public was notified. Council answered it has been about 10-12 years in effect and that public hearing notices were published in the paper.  Advised to apply to Zoning Board of Appeals.

Introduction to ordinances and resolutions:

Resolution 2005-01. Resolution declaring necessary to levy a tax in excess of  the ten mill limitation.  A motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules (RC 5 yes) A motion was made and seconded to adopt resolution 2005-01. (RC 5 yes)

Reports:

Village Administrator:  WWTP 2 contracts completing punch list and last basin was repaired.  Project almost complete.  Received from GGC yearly request for retainer.  VA was questioned if there had been any problems regarding extra water.  None reported.  Brownfield updates; none to report.

Police:  Report from December  2004

  Complaints                   25                    Traffic arrests              8

  Criminal Arrests 10                    Felony Cases               1

  Accident reports 5                      Number of Calls            161

Report from Year  2004

  Complaints                   317                  Traffic arrests              175

  Criminal Arrests 104                  Felony Cases               10

  Accident reports 53                    Number of Calls            2381

Annexation:   N/A

Community Service:   Newsletter information requested

Finance:   N/A

Fire:   Fire Department has been very busy with fires and pumping flood waters

Fire Dependency Board:   N/A

Grant Applications:   Only project is 6^th street paving project.

Insurance:  N/A

Ordinance:  N/A

Planning Commission:  N/A

Pool:  N/A

Rep to Chamber of Commerce:   Chamber meeting was held and new officers were elected.  Planning annual dinner for Feb 17^th @ 7:00 pm. Also events set for 2005.  Yellow Flag sales – May 6^th –7^th, Homecoming  - July 20^th-23^rd. Also chamber is planning on continuing to buy flowers for planters

Utility:  N/A

Zoning:  N/A

Clerk’s report:  Year end is progressing.  All employees should have received W-2’s.  Tax forms should be in by the end of week, first of next week to be mailed.  Clerk passed out questionnaires requested by audit firm to be completed by council.

Other Business:   State of the Village presented by the Mayor.

Steve Bordenkircher stated his business should be open for business by the end of this week and beginning of next week.

                               Christi Maurer thanked village employees for putting up and taking    down Christmas decorations.

                        Village received donations of flags and flagpoles.   (Annin’s)

Committee Meetings:  Pool            January 20^th @ 6:00 pm

A motion was made and seconded to approve the payment of bills as presented.

(RC 5 yes)

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn until the next regular meeting on January 24, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. (RC 6 yes)

                                                                                    ____________________________

Jack L. Patterson, Mayor

Attest:

_________________________

Dru A. Prater, Clerk