VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:29 p.m. by Mayor Aaron Kaufman. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees Amy Reinshagen, Kayla Mason, Jim Quarino, Gordy Key (late), Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Cody Hager, Daisy McMullen and Don Thomases.
The Board reviewed the July 2020 and August 2020 Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept the July 2020 report with the following changes was made by Trustee Mason with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $1461.36 from 3410.2 to 3410.4. Transfer $547.98 from 4540.2 to 4540.4. A motion to accept the August 2020 report with the following changes was made by Trustee Mason with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $308.18 from 3410.4-6 to 4540.4. In the Water Fund, transfer $ 448.97 from 1990 to 1910.1; transfer $1.01 from 1990 to 1910.3. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $313.58 from 1990 to 1910-3; transfer $11.76 from 1990 to 1910-5. A motion to accept the minutes of the July meeting was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen reported to the Board that since the last Board meeting Maple Avenue and River Street had been paved. It was hard work and he thought the paving company did a good job. The radon tank at the water plant had to be turned offline as it is leaking and is going to be welded this week. He also stated Dena Fiscus has concerns of her side yard sinking which looks like it may be where a main water line comes up through her property. He stated he would be able to put top soil down and seed if that was determined to be the cause. The Board agreed to have this done if it is the cause.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that they had the generator checked, the EQ pump was repaired and reinstalled and the press was pressure washed. The lift station and a few pits at the plant were pumped out. She stated the industrial user made a batch from their liquid line incorrectly and asked if they could dump it down the drain. She told them no, so they had it contained in barrels and taken off site. They also had a mechanical failure that put chemical down the plant. She said they turned the furnace back on at the plant since it’s been quite cold recently and the stairs going down to the EQ room were painted.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. Regarding the water plant upgrade, he said one bid was received for drilling the well (Layne Christensen Co.) and one bid was received for the upgrades to the water plant (Alpha Geoscience). Jason Preisner from Lamont Engineers is still waiting to hear back from the state. He said the project could now begin if the Village could put the money up front instead of waiting to hear back from the state. The Board agreed to move forward and use Village funds to get the ball rolling. Regarding the policy and procedures, Mayor Kaufman said he would have that out by Monday. Regarding annual physicals, he said he spoke with Dr. Khouzam in Delhi and beginning next week all employees get a physical at her office. In regard to HAC updates, Head Start is still moving forward with getting moved in and ready for all inspections needed. They will begin setting up their classroom on Friday of this week. Regarding the Maple Avenue culvert, there is one property owner out of the 4 that does not wish to have the survey so Delaware County Soil and Water will do the survey without going on that property owner’s property. This will keep the project moving forward.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman gave the floor to Don Thomases, representing the Hobart Business Alliance. Thomases stated the alliance was created a few years ago and they were the group that had the kiosks put up located on the trail. He stated they wanted to connect with the Village to help out and/or improve the area. He said one project the alliance had discussed was placing a mural on the side of Don Dales apartment building next to the Coffee Pot parking lot. Mayor Kaufman asked Thomases if he would be interested in collaborating the alliance with economic development. Thomases agreed to this. In regard to the Covid-19 waiver, the Board discussed using it for all who would like to rent and/or participate at functions at the Community Center and Activity Center. A motion to approve the waiver was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Quarino, with all in favor, carried. Regarding Dollars for Scholars, the committee has asked for permission to hold a Mail A Thon at the Community Center on September 30th. It would not include students this year due to Covid-19. They would also like to hold their meetings at the Community Center now that the reading room is no longer available. The Board unanimously agreed yes to both requests. In regard to the landscaping/excavation at a property on Main Street, Mayor Kaufman stated Code Enforcement officer Tom Little had been contacted and spoke with the property owner and looked at what he was doing. He is not doing anything wrong or in violation of anything at this point. Regarding the tree incident, Mayor Kaufman stated he had been informed that there was a report of ABC Tree Experts having a beer on site on Friday on River Street. Because of this, the Village will not have that tree company do any more trees. Regarding the abandoned van at the HAC parking lot, Andrew Flach has been contacted and he said it will be towed. In regard to the trailer parked on Main Street with the tire out on Route 10, Mayor Kaufman said he was going to speak to the owner and it was no longer parked there. Regarding the tractor and wagon parked on the sidewalk, Mayor Kaufman said he has received a few complaints of people having to step out into the road to get around this obstruction. It was agreed to contact Don Dales as this is one of his tenants that owns the tractor and wagon.
Mayor Kaufman opened the floor to community participation. Trustee Reinshagen asked about the sidewalk in front of Hanley’s on Main Street. Superintendent McMullen said it was going to get fixed. She also asked about risers for Maple Avenue and McMullen stated they were going to be getting more. She also asked if anyone thought they should make Pine Street a one-way street. Mayor Kaufman said there are additional items in the rec room and gym at the Activity Center that need to be addressed. The Board discussed having the crew go through it and anything not worth keeping, would go in a dumpster. The Board went into executive session due to employee issues by a motion from Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Key at 7:25 p.m. The Board came out of executive session at 7:50 p.m. by a motion from Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Mason. The Board then went to the water plant, sewer plant, shop and Activity Center. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
