By Leigh Ann Rutledge
FPS Reporter
August 26, 2008
Carrollton Council members began Monday night’s meeting with an executive session.
The half hour session resulted in no outcome for imminent litigation and termination or discipline of a public employee. However, Village Administrator Clark E. Battista was ordered to draw up an ordinance to create a part time water department position.
The person hired to fill this position will by directed by Mike Leslie, superintendent of the water and sewer department. This person would do whatever is needed to help the water department, including but not limited to working in the sewer plant and painting hydrants. Village Administrator Robert Fowler explained this person will not have set hours but then said they will be guaranteed 20 hours per week. Full time positions require a person to work 35 hours per week.
This new position will be separate from the water meter job currently held by Ron Gotschall. Gotschall’s date of employment with the village is Oct. 1, 2002. He was hired without a job description by council not by ordinance since hiring was not done that way at that time.
In correspondence provided to the FPS, Gotschall was provided with a job description for the water meter reader position in May 2008 at which time Gotschall stated he felt the job entailed more details than prescribed in the adopted legislation. Correspondence dated June 24, 2008, further stated Gotschall had “until July 31, 2008, to sign the job description and return it to the office of the Village Administrator or your employment with the village of Carrollton will be terminated.” Gotschall is required to perform the duties whether or not he is in agreement with them.
Other correspondence of Aug. 12, 2008, informs Gotschall “that effective immediately you are on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of your disciplinary hearing for insubordination” for not signing and returning his job description. After council adjourned, Fowler acknowledged that Gotschall is on unpaid administrative leave. He was questioned as to Gotschall’s status with the village and Fowler said he is an employee.
A notice of eligibility issue letter shows Gotschall applied for unemployment on Aug. 6, 2008, and at least one issue has been raised which could stop his unemployment. A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 18. Fowler would not comment further.
In an unrelated matter, council was split on a decision to allow the Mercy Medical Life Share bus to park the wrong way on 3rd St., N.E. Apparently if a vehicle is parked the wrong way on a street and it is struck, it becomes a liability issue. Mercy Medical want to park the bus the wrong way so participants can exit the bus toward the sidewalk instead of onto the roadway after donating blood.
Council members Bob Dunlap, John Yeager and Sharon Ott voted no and Wilma Lambert, Lynn Poplin and Mary Ann Miller voted yes. Mayor Flanary broke the tie by voting yes to allow the bus to park the wrong way. Village officials feel if there is a liability issue it would fall the owner of the bus.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, Council:
-LEARNED the Legislative Committee will review all village employee job descriptions.
-APPROVED the rate of pay for part time village police officers at $12 per hour retroactive to the Feb. 18, 2008, pay period.
-HEARD about two complaints involving an untrimmed hedge at Butler and 2nd St. blocking the walkway and vision for traffic.
-GRANTED approval for the east side of public square to be closed Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the west side of public square closed from 12-4 p.m. for Scarecrows on the Square.
-APPROVED an ordinance for participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation Salt Purchasing Program for the 2008-09 season.
-WAS told the Planning Commission recommended the split of 3.17 acres at 450 S. Lisbon into five sections. A preliminary plat would be drawn up and presented to the Planning Commission for review. If they approve, then it would be presented to council for approval.
-HEARD that the Mayor and Street Superintendent Bill Grimes looked into the water problem behind Rite Aid. They will continue to work with the issue to find a solution. The options at the present time would be to get permission from Rite Aid to install a curb and divert the water into the parking lot or to curb the entire length of the alley.
-GAVE approval to the Ashton Foundation to dump supplies in the alley behind the property for landscaping. The mulch and topsoil would be dumped one truckload at a time and spread before another load would arrive. No one will be restricted access to his or her property during this process.
-APPROVED a request from the Personnel Committee to advertise for part time police officers Aug. 31 in The Canton Repository.
-ALLOWED the Red Cross to use the Safety Building for first aid and CPR classes on the following dates: Nov. 5, 12, 19 and in 2009 - March 4, 11, 18 and May 6, 13, 20.
-LEARNED Second St., south and the square will have crack sealing done by Lyndco. This work will be done at night and residents will be asked all cars to be removed from the street when those dates are announced. Fowler noted the village is trying this preventative maintenance program, which usually lasts 4-5 years.
-HEARD the back corner of the Municipal Building roof is leaking again. It is under warranty and the contractor will fix it.
-WAS told by the Water and Sewer Committee, a temporary metered tap will be placed on the hydrant at the school practice field located on SR 332 until Sept. 9 to prevent student injuries. The fields were not being watered due to the village not have a connection or way to meter the hydrant. The school previously would not sign an annexation agreement with the village in order to have a permanent tap installed.
-LEARNED the salt bin roof repair will cost $3,000. The roof has been on seven years.
-APPROVED a request from the Agricultural Natural Resource Conservation Expo to place a sign on the square with dates to be decided by Mayor Dave Flanary.
-HEARD the village was approached by the Ohio National Guard to place an ad on the water tower located on Garfield Ave.
-SCHEDULED a Street & Alley Committee meeting Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss leaf disposal. Water and Sewer Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8.
-APPROVED payment of bills totaling $142,454.03 for vendors and $58,508.10 for payroll. |
