The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the

Wellman Municipal Building at 7:00pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with the City Attorney, City Administrator, City Clerk and following Council Members: Steve Slaubaugh, Doug Powell, Fern Bontrager and Johnny Schwartz; absent: Marc Pennington. Also present were: Elizabeth Rhodes from the news media, and two Washington County Sheriff’s deputies. The Consent Agenda was approved upon motion by Bontrager, second by Schwartz and all aye votes. The Consent Agenda includes the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, Freeman Foods liquor license renewal and the following claims:

Deputy Zach Shepherd reported on the calls of service for the month of November. The Council received a detail written report of the calls and commented on them, specifically a dog bite call and recent break-ins in town. Shepherd indicated increased patrols and implementing other security options are being done. Administrator Baker asked about ticketing cars parked on City right of way for extended periods. The deputy stated if they are called in the tires will be marked and then ticketed.

Resolution No. 11-44 to approve plans and specifications on the 2011 Infrastructure Project was introduced and caused to be read. Powell moved to adopt Resolution No. 11-44, Schwartz seconded and upon roll call the vote was four ayes, Pennington absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Ordinance No. 218 to amend the Storm Water Drainage Utility Ordinance, Chapter 100 was introduced for its first consideration. Following the lengthy discussion at the last meeting on certain storm water issues, Baker drafted this amendment with review by Attorney Kitchen. It provides for the Council to allow, when deemed appropriate, work to be done on private properties where storm water issues present a real burden to the property owner. After discussing the wording in the ordinance that stated requirement of an engineering analysis and recommendation from the Public Works Director, it was decided to change this phrase to read “Where it is deemed appropriate by the Council, funds may be expended to construct or establish storm water management facilities….”. With that Bontrager moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 218, Schwartz seconded and upon roll call the vote was four ayes, Pennington absent.

Ordinance No. 219 to amend the Municipal Infraction Ordinance, Chapter 3 was introduced for its first consideration. Baker explained this will allow minimum and maximum fines for nuisance abatements and other infractions. Currently there is no minimum which might result in a judge setting $50 to $100 fine for the infraction. Because the City must pay to prosecute these infractions, this amount would not cover that expense. This amendment will set the minimum for the first offense at $250 and the maximum at $2,500. For repeat offenses the minimum will be $750 and maximum $4,500. Schwartz moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 219, Powell seconded and upon roll call the vote was four ayes, Pennington absent.

The skate rink sound system has not been working properly. It was determined the problem is in the amplifiers. They are twenty-five years old. The cost to replace one is $993. The second amplifier is as old and will be in need of replacement soon as well. Option #2 from Humphreys Sound is to replace the whole system at a cost of $2,034.40.  Mayor Miller recommended Option 2, to do it right the first time as a quality sound system is important to the operation of the rink. Slaubaugh moved to approve Option 2, Bontrager seconded and all present voted aye.

Baker presented renewal request for the Plan-It software. This is a capital improvement plan software Ross had purchased. Baker indicated he has used the software and it has many useful features. The annual fee for the software is $250. Bontrager moved to renew the license, Powell seconded and all voted aye.

LL Pelling submitted their annual rates for 2012 seal coat work. The cost per square yard has increased by ten cents over 2011. The cold mix material has increased by five dollars a ton. Powell moved to approve the bid for 2012 work, Schwartz seconded and all voted aye.

Baker reported the storm water work at the skate rink has been amended to extend work in the state highway right of way that will include widening the driveway from 18feet to 30feet. To do this, the state requires a permit. Baker indicated the engineer has not reviewed this recommendation from Boyse Dozing. The state has been out and has approved it. Slaubaugh moved to approve the work and authorize submission of the permit to the State. Powell seconded and all present voted aye.

There has been a request for use of the kitchen for an upcoming fundraiser. The group has rented the gym and would like to serve concessions out of the kitchen. This issue has not come up before so discussion was held on how to handle some of these unusual requests. Baker reported he and the Mayor are working on rewriting the rental agreement and establishing consistent rental fees. The Council discussed various issues. Bontrager voiced concerns of the kitchen being kept clean, i.e. refrigerator and freezer cleared of food items, etc. Baker stated these problems will be addressed. After further discussion Schwartz moved to charge $30 for use of the kitchen to cover the cost to the City for YMCA utilities. Slaubaugh seconded and all present voted aye.

The Council discussed the interview process for the Deputy Clerk position. It was agreed to have the Mayor, City Administrator, City Clerk and one or two council members conduct the interviews. Four or five resumes have been received so far. Interviews could start as early as next week with approval in January and start date by February 1. Council members will receive the resumes to review and comment on before interviews begin.

As the first meeting in January falls on a City holiday, the Council set Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:00pm as the meeting date.

In other business, Schwartz stated the water leak at the south end of 8^th Avenue was given two weeks to repair and it still is not done. Baker talked with the Public Works Director about this and looked at the weather forecast for next week. He will schedule the work to be done then. Baker reported he is working on a list of policies for Public Works and will meet with them to implement the policies at the first of the year.

Powell asked about the Jordan well work and was told a test pump has pumped 350 gallons a minute and it is believed it can do better. Contractors are working on the well house now. There is a major cost overrun due to the well work.

With no further business Powell moved for adjournment at 8:10pm, Schwartz seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, December 19, 2011, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.