Council
Meeting Minutes
November
11, 2004
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Barber. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll call: Robert
Ortman – Present
Warren Simpson – Present
Ed Vanek - Present
Kevin Ety – Present
Rita Leiendecker - Present
Mary Barber – Present
Aaron Reedy – Present
Final
Terry Prather was present.
He said the contractors were taking up the survey pins where they are
putting in the storm sewer along Long and Wilson Streets. He wants to know if they will be put back
in. Diana Derringer from ME Companies
was present. She said they will be put
back in. Terry said the storm sewer is
also going on private property, but that there are no easements. Diane said they had checked, and there were
in the right-of-way. Terry said they need to get easements. Diane said she will double-check and get
easements in they need to.
Rita made a motion to approve the October 2004 minutes.
Ed made a motion to approve the October 2004 financial
statement. Robert second. All yea.
Diana Derringer presented the status for projects to
Council. She said Long/Wilson Streets
should be done next week. Lowell Hite
was present and asked about the catch basin on
Also, on the north side of
Billy Phillips was present at the request of council to
discuss a possible property maintenance code for the Village. He shared his background and experience. He is currently the zoning administrator
Walnut & Liberty Twp., and fire inspector for the Walnut Twp. In general, he said the Village would have to
create a property maintenance department, create a board of appeals, and have a
qualified person to be the inspector.
Billy spoke for several minutes regarding the pros/cons of the issue.
Report
from Fire Chief - Mike Jackson was present. Mike said the Christmas Dinner will be on
December 11th @ 6:00 p.m. at the firehouse. He invited members of council &
officials. Mike said to bring covered
dish/dessert. He said Santa will be at
the firehouse on December 19, 2004 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Mike said they’ve done some emergency vehicle driver
training – a full day. They plan on
having a hazmat class in the spring. He
said they have an EMT Refresher course starting tomorrow. Jan is teaching it. They will have an EMT Basic class after the
first of the year.
Mike asked Aaron to post a legal ad in the paper regarding
hydrant flushing. They want to do it on
November 18th from 9 am – 4 pm.
Residents may experience discoloration in water, and to let the water
run until it clears. Also, Mike
suggested they don’t do laundry during that time.
Mike presented his budget for 2005. The total budget is for $119,181. He’s like to change to a point system for
payroll. Mike suggested paying right
before Christmas so the pay can be extra money for Christmas next year. Aaron also suggested raising some
utilities. Robert made a motion to
approve the 2005 Fire Department budget as presented by Mike Jackson, pending
approval from the Walnut Township Trustees.
Ed second. All yea.
Mike said they are still looking into all options for the
pending proposed fire dept merger. He
said the consolidation proposal from the chiefs is a short-term proposal. Mike wants to know how Council stands on it,
and if they’ve heard feedback from anyone else.
Mary said she’s heard people are for a fire district. Aaron agreed.
Rita agreed. Mike wants to know
if they change the wording in the chief’s proposal so it’s acceptable to all
entities, would Council support consolidation as a short-term solution until a
long-term solution can be implemented.
Aaron asked what the Walnut Twp. Trustees want. Mike said they want a Township
Department. Billy Phillips said they
want what’s in the best interest of the community. They said they would be willing to continue
with the current contract until a joint fire district can be created. They feel a consolidation is beneficial. Council members shared their opinions. Council members feel Village residents should
have their input.
Mike said that, per the last executive session, the person
apologized for his absence and hopes to come back at the first part of the year
to do his part. He asked for a
leave-of-absence for now, but is coming back next spring.
Report
from the Service Committee:
Robert said there were no visitors.
The committee discussed plans for re-designing the Council chambers area
next year.
Report
from the Safety Committee:
Rita said she was ill.
Report
from the Finance Committee: Didn’t meet.
Report
from the Rules Committee:
Didn’t meet.
Report
from the Regional Planning Representative: Robert said there was nothing of any concern
to the Village.
Old
Business
Kevin couldn’t make the contacts he wanted, so we need to do
something else about the tree-trimming.
Council reviewed the bids again.
Kevin made a motion to accept the proposal from Beatty Lawn & Tree
Service @ $700 per day, not to exceed 3 days.
Rita second. All yea, with
New Business
Mary said Bob Black wanted the old school desk in the file
room for the museum. Everyone was okay
with it.
Ernie Harter said that in the cemetery, they’ve been burying
people too close, and there is no room to drive back. He wanted to know what type of
contract/right-of-way we had with the
Mr. Snyder left a note suggesting handrails at the front
stops of the Municipal building. Council
said we might have Bob Black look at that as he is fixing things up.
Aaron went over a letter from the
Respectfully Submitted,
_______________________________
Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk