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WINTERSVILLE -- The police department was a recurring subject at Thursday's Wintersville Council meeting, which included the appointment of a new police chief and the tabling of proposed raises for its officers.
Council unanimously supported Mayor Mike Petrella's choice for the chief's position: Capt. Lou Vandeborne, whose entire career in law enforcement has been based in the village.
A native of nearby Belvedere, Vandeborne graduated from Wintersville High School in 1990 and became an auxiliary patrolman for the village in 1993.
Petrella noted he became a full-time patrolman in 1998, detective and sergeant in 2000, and captain in 2008.
"He's the most familiar with how the department is run. I think he'll do an excellent job. He's very dedicated to the village," the mayor said following the meeting.
Vandeborne's appointment received applause from many attending the meeting.
The new chief thanked council members for their support, adding it's "a pleasure and privilege to work with the dedicated men and women of the Wintersville Police Department."
Vandeborne's appointment follows the recent resignation of Art Fowler, who had served the village for 21 years.
In related business, council tabled an ordinance raising the starting hourly wage for the village's full-time officers from $16 to $17, following six months of probation; and for part-time officers, who don't receive benefits, from $16 to $19.
Councilwoman Gael Damron said raises also have been proposed for current officers.
Petrella had intended for the pay hikes to be effective immediately, but there was no language establishing it as an emergency measure that doesn't require three readings.
Following the meeting, he said he plans to re-introduce the ordinance as an emergency measure at council's April 21 meeting so the raises can be implemented before May.
He said there are two vacancies in the department he would like to fill in the near future, and the higher pay will help to attract good candidates.
Councilman Jason Mattern said the officers deserve raises but he's concerned about their financial impact.
"We've just got to be aware we're taking a bite out of the general fund," he said.
Village Administrator Walter Ziemba advised state legislators are considering a substantial increase to the pension fund for police and firefighters that also will affect the village.
The raises were referred to council's finance committee, which is expected to meet within the next two weeks.
Petrella asked council members "to take a hard look" at the raises.
"We need to make public safety a top priority. It (the raises) should have been done a long time ago," he said.
Mattern had questioned whether raises were considered for clerks in the police department.
Ziemba told him pay for the clerks doesn't come from the general fund and explained later that it comes out of a levy for the police department.
In other business:
≤ Council approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting pets from being kept outside in temperatures below 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees, even when shelter is available.
≤ Council agreed to hire Kalkreuth Roofing of Wheeling to repair the roof of the Municipal Building. Petrella said A.J. Cochran, owner of Cochrun Contracting Co., has offered to pay $5,175 needed for the repairs in honor of his grandfather, former mayor Robert Cochrun.
≤ Mattern asked the status of a proposed ordinance addressing air bed and breakfasts in the village.
Village Solicitor Jake Lynn said he's recommended tabling such an ordinance while state legislators consider a bill that would prohibit municipalities from banning or imposing regulations on short-term rental properties they don't require of others.
Supporters of the bill have argued such bans or regulations infringe on residents' rights to use their properties.
Mattern said the village should reach out to state legislators supporting the bill, including state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, to explain concerns surrounding them.
He said neighbors have complained of bed and breakfasts creating parking problems and disturbances.
"It's our responsibility to protect our residents, and a lot of residents don't want this in their areas," said Mattern.
≤ Council members heard from Larry Taylor of Trebel Energy, an energy consulting company, who discussed proposed aggregate agreements aimed at lower electricity and natural gas rates for residents.