Continental Village Council met in regular session on December 10, 2019 with Mayor Miller presiding. Members present were Bartley, Varner, Knipp, Streicher, Sullivan and Armey. Also present were Administrator Prowant, Solicitor Welch (entered late), Police Chief Hardy, Maintenance employee Thompson and Fiscal Officer Darby. Visitors: Al Griffiths & Brian Makara. Meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Council approved minutes of previous meeting, (Welch entered the meeting) Bills & Receipts since last meeting. Management Reports presented and approved by signature.
OLD BUSINESS:
Finalizing the Water Meter Replacement Grant – The Village had received a change order on the project but was not provided a detailed report on what this involved. The contractor met with Mayor Miller and Fiscal Officer Darby and explained the change order was for a few of the meter pits that required more labor to replace since they had to dig outside of the existing pit to stabilize the water line. Darby is filing the final disbursement papers with OPWC this week.
Vacant Council Seat – Miller reminded council that there would be a vacant council seat on 1/1/20. If anyone is interested, call the Mayor’s office at 419-596-3206.
NEW BUSINESS:
Building Permits:
Resident on S. Third St had a prebuilt shed brought in that exceeds 144 sq. foot allowance to be set directly on the ground. He was notified that he would need to put it on a footer or slab per Village Zoning Ordinance. He did not agree with council but Village Solicitor stated this requirement has never had a variance granted and it lines up with current building codes.
Water Leaks: Property owner on S. Fifth St. had a leak in June for a rental house. The village granted credit for $100 off sewer. His tenants were delinquent for two periods and then they abruptly left. There apparently was another leak and the village shut off the water. The owner did not know the bill had not been paid until he received notice that the amount was going to be put on his property tax. He asked council for leniency, he would like to settle with the village. Prowant recommended is a one-time reduction. Council approved.
Mayor suggested starting a registry of rental houses so the property owners can be notified when a bill has not been paid before it is put on the property taxes as a special assessment.
Amend Appropriations: Darby asked council to amend the appropriation ordinance by $500 from other fringe benefits to personal services for the Fire Dept. to pay wages.
Council suspended the rules requiring three readings and passed the emergency ordinance.
Temporary Appropriations – Council reviewed the temporary appropriations for the first three months of 2020. Council approved the appropriations at the fund level by motion.
General Fund $246,250.00
Street Maintenance Fund $31,700.00
Street Levy Fund $5,000.00
Highway Fund $2,200.00
Street Lights $11,000.00
Permissive License Tax $13,660.00
Police Fund $47,200.00
Fire Truck Loan Fund $33,000.00
Capital Improvement Fund $4,325.00
Water Operating Fund $115,500.00
Sewer Operating Fund $104,150.00
Sewer Loan Fund $28,000.00
Deposit Fund $5,000.00
Total $646,985.00
Maintenance Report: Last week the maintenance employees were putting in a new meter pit and tap and hit a previously installed tap that was installed vertically instead of diagonally. It caused a water leak, which dropped the pressure, and a boil alert notice was put in place. The water line was not damaged so a new yoke was installed in its place for the residence. The boil alert was lifted on Saturday. One of the priorities for 2020 will be to begin some valve replacements and purchase a valve exerciser.
Resolution for Solicitor Contract – Welch presented his contract resolution for the next year with a second year option at the PERS minimum yearly credit. Council suspended the rules and passed the resolution as an emergency.
Employee Reviews – The Mayor conducted employee reviews this month and he passed copies of his notes to council members.
Council held a 20 minutes Executive Session to discuss compensation of a public employee(s). They came out of executive session with no action taken.
Wage Resolutions: Council suspended the rules reqpuiring 3 readings and approved an Emergency Resolution to give the Police Chief, Village Administrator, Water Sewer Clerk, both full time maintenance workers and the Fiscal Officer a 5% increase in their wages.
Council then suspended the rules requiring three readings and approved an Emergency Resolution to give the part time maintenance employee and the part time police officers a $1.00/ hour increase in their hourly wages.
Last meeting of the year, scheduled for December 24 rescheduled to Thursday, December 26.
Meeting adjourned.
Susan Darby,
Fiscal Officer
Village of Continental
