West Union Village Council met in regular session at the Municipal Building, with Mayor Ted Grooms presiding. Call to order, pledge to the flag and roll call: John Lafferty – present, Mark Brewer – present, Benny McCarty – present, Jason Buda – present, Randy Brewer – present, Steve Rothwell – present; also in attendance: Tanya Johnson – clerk, Shelley Gifford – treasurer, Jerry Kirker – Village Administrator/Fire Chief, Roy Stricklett – Police Chief. Visitors: Robyn Ekstrand – tax administrator, Terri J. Motil – West Union Life Squad.
Motion by Mark Brewer to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on May 12, 2015 as distributed, second by Benny McCarty, roll call vote: all yea, motion passed.
Motion by Steve Rothwell to approve payment of bills as submitted, seconded by Randy Brewer, roll call vote: all yea, motion passed.
Robyn Ekstrand, tax administrator spoke to council on the progress of the tax returns for 2013 and 2014.
Motion by Benny McCarty to have the community yard sale, June 5, 6, and 7, second by Mark Brewer, roll call vote: all yea, motion passed.
Terri J. Motil, West Union Life Squad, informed the council the Life Squad has been very busy with just under 1,000 runs, but everything else seems to be running good.
The council discussed a house at 504 West South Street subject to be taken down; and other homes that need clean-up and mowed.
Report from Jerry Kirker, Village Administrator/Fire Chief
1. Kirker had a discussion with our engineering firm on communication; the village had not received word from the contractor, Caldwell Tanks on the development of the new water tower project. This problem has been resolved, the first stage, legs for the water tower are up. There is a water line issue; a six-inch line will be needed to tie into the 10-inch line to supply the valley.
2. Good month for the meter reading for the Water/Sewer Department, some people came from Kentucky and helped the employees with bad meters and other issues.
3. The Sewer Department is still having some issues with the lift stations.
Roy Stricklett, Police Chief, discussed some issues with drugs being sold and requested $1,000 for drug purchasing, motion by Benny McCarty for this money, second by John Lafferty, roll call vote: three yea, Jason Buda, Randy Brewer and Steve Rothwell – nay; the mayor broke the tie with a nay vote; motion failed. The police chief discussed cruiser repair and a part-time police officer, no action was taken.
Council member Mark Brewer wanted to know if the auxiliary officer could help with the Freedom Festival at the fairgrounds on the 4th of July, Stricklett will check with him.
Council member Steve Rothwell informed council on the recommendation of the Finance Committee with the problems at the various lift stations, the flow meter at the wastewater plant and the debt for the Sewer Department. Motion by Steve Rothwell for Resolution 2015-7 for the Clerk to make a new line item in the General Fund for all of these problems with the Sewer Department in the amount of: $150,000, second by Benny McCarty, roll call vote: all yea, motion passed.
The mayor wants to thank the West Union Lions Club for the donations of the new flags for the village.
Motion by Benny McCarty to adjourn, second by Steve Rothwell, roll call vote: all yea, motion passed.
