Continental Village Council met in regular session on December 30, 2024 with Mayor Miller officiating. Members present were: Armey, Smith, Sullivan, & Williamson. Also, present were Mayor Miller, Administrator Prowant, Fiscal Officer Darby, Trainee Cindy Troyer, Trevor Leis, Parliamentarian Welch & Police Chief Weller. Visitors: Derrick McDougal. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Minutes: Williamson moved to accept the minutes and Armey seconded. Four yeas, motion carried.
Bills: Armey motioned to approve the payments and Smith seconded. Four yeas, motion carried.
Then & Now PO Over $3000: G.H Bierly, Inc. $4000 for work completed on well near railroad tracks. Motion to approve made by Smith and seconded by Sullivan, four yeas, motion carried.
Receipts: Smith made a motion to approve and Sullivan seconded. Four yeas, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
State House Bills: Mayor updated everyone that the HB 296/OP&F Proposed Contribution Increase did not go through.
Water Rate Ordinance: Council reviewed the new rate ordinance which will be in effect for one year. The biggest changes are an increase to the Water Cost of Operations with an increase from $40 to $45, and an increase of $.25 per 1000 gallons of water used. Armey approved the third read of the ordinance and Smith seconded. Roll call vote: Smith – Yea; Williamson – Yea; Armey – Yea; Sullivan – Yea; Varner – Absent; Streicher – Absent. Four yeas, motion carried.
Sewer Rate Ordinance: The normal increase of $.25 per 1000 gallons of water used. Smith moved to approve the third read of the ordinance and Armey seconded. Roll call vote: Williamson – yea; Smith – Yea; Armey – Yea; Sullivan – Yea; Varner – Absent; Streicher – Absent. Four yeas, motion carried.
2025 Temporary Appropriations Adjustment: Susan reported that when she submitted temporary appropriations for 2025, she had encumbered the ARPA funds twice; therefore, an adjustment of ($42,703.74) is needed to bring the total 2025 temporary appropriations to $570,529.94. A motion was made by Armey to approve the adjustment and it was seconded by Smith. Four yeas, motion carried.
ARPA Funds: Susan reported that after some research, we found that the ARPA funds had to be under contract. The funds were encumbered in a BC for the Lakeland project and with the uncertainty of when and who will be doing the project, we reallocated the funds to cover for two high service pumps and the supplies for the St Rt 634 Waterline Project, putting $42,703.74 back into the water fund. Motion was made by Sullivan to approve the reallocation and use of the ARPA funds for the high service pumps and waterline supplies and it was seconded by Smith. Four yeas, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Aggregation: Aggregation went into effect June, 2024 with Aspen Energy/AEP. Not knowing who will officially be the Fiscal Officer at that time, Susan asked for the council’s approval to allow Mayor Miller to sign the documents regarding the 2025 aggregation. A motion was made by Armey to approve Mayor Miller to sign the Aggregation documents and Sullivan seconded it. Four yeas, motion carried.
CRA Application: The completed CRA application from Derrick McDougal was passed around for approval. If approved, he will receive a 50% tax abatement for 5 years. A motion was made by Sullivan to approve the application and it was seconded by Smith. Four yeas, motion carried.
One Time Reduction: A letter was received from Brian Bennett requesting a one-time reduction to his account for a leak from back in October. Kathy reported that it has since been repaired and that she had applied his deposit to his account and that Brian did pay $150 towards the balance. She would like the council to approve a one-time bill reduction to $150. A motion to reduce the bill to $150 was made by Smith and seconded by Armey. Four yeas, motion carried.
Police Department Updates: Chief Weller reported that all is going well.
Maintenance Department Updates: Trevor Leis passed around a quote from G.H Bierly, Inc. for work to be completed on well near the railroad tracks. $4000 is estimated price for 16 hours labor & equipment. Motion by Smith to approve the quote and seconded by Armey. Four yeas, motion carried.
Also, discussion about pump #7 took place. It hasn’t been running properly and it will be looked into more closely with the possibility of contacting the Moody’s. They rehabilitated well #7 in 2022. Invoice will be pulled for detail of work completed.
Trailer Court update: Mayor Miller updated everyone that he has been in contact with the previous owners of the court and it sounds like a positive outlook on payment is coming.
A motion to go into Executive Session was made by Smith to discuss pending litigation. Motion was seconded by Armey. Roll call vote: Smith – Yea; Williamson – Yea; Armey – Yea; Sullivan – Yea; Varner – Absent; Streicher – Absent. Four yeas, motion carried. A motion to come out of Executive Session was made by Armey. Motion was seconded by Sullivan. Four yeas, motion carried. No action taken.
Williamson motioned to go into Executive Session with only Mayor Miller, Parliamentarian Welch & Council present to discuss wage review. Roll call vote: Smith – Yea; Williamson – Yea; Armey – Yea; Sullivan – Yea; Varner – Absent; Streicher – Absent. Four yeas, motion carried. A motion to come out of Executive Session was made by Armey. Motion was seconded by Smith. Four yeas, motion carried. No action taken.
A motion by Williamson to approve a Cost of Living increase of 2.5% for all full time & part time excluding part-time police & part-time firemen to be effective the first full pay period in 2025. The motion was seconded by Smith. Four yeas, motion carried.
A motion by Williamson to approve Trevor Leis as Operator of Record the 2.5% COLA of $.69 plus a $4.00 raise for a total of $32.50 per an hour to be effective the first full pay period in 2025. The motion was seconded by Sullivan. Four yeas, motion carried.
With future changes in positions coming up, further review will be carried out as these changes occur. Also, discussion on the requirement of formal letters from those who have or are planning on retiring from the employment of the village. It was agreed that it would be nice to have to put in their files.
With no other business for the good of the village, Armey made a motion to adjourn and Williamson seconded. Four yeas, motion carried.
