Following are the notes for the January 8, 2019 Regular Session of the Village of Continental Council. Five members were present and also the Village Mayor, Administrator, Solicitor and Fiscal Officer and a Village resident, Dorse Crum. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
The first order of business was nominations for Council President. Jordan Streicher was nominated and voted in as President. Minutes, bills and receipts were approved by motion and the management reports were approved by signature.
Old business:
Neighborhood Revitalization Grant Update: The Mayor and Neil Horstman of Poggemeyer Design walked the sidewalk project and noted some concerns to take to the contractor for correction.
New Business:
Building Permits: one for a new garage on East Rice Street and one for a new structure to be used by the Fort Jennings State Bank on Benton Road (S.R. 613 West) were both approved by motion.
The Mayor appointed the council members to the same committees as 2018. They are as follows:
INFRASTRUCTURE
(STREET, STREET LIGHTS AND WATER & SEWER)
Jordan Streicher & Dan Sullivan
ZONING & REVIEW
(ZONING, REVIEW BOARD, CRA REP, SUBDIVISION & INDUSTRIAL PARK)
Tom Armey & Mike Varner
FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY
(FINANCE, AUDIT, WEBSITE & TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL)
Todd Bartley & Roxie Knipp
RECREATION & RESPONSE
(Parks, Police & Fire)
Tom Armey & Dan Sullivan
INCOME TAX REVIEW BOARD
Kathy Prowant, Scott Welch – Counsel,
Roxie Knipp & Todd Bartley
The Mayor kept the appointments of the Village Administrator – Kathy Prowant, Fire Chief – Steve Elkins and Police Chief – Arnie Hardy, the same, these were approved by motion.
Village resident, Dorse Crum addressed Council about the water laying in his yard. This has been an issue for a while now and he would like to have it fixed. Since there used to be a trailer court where he lives, the village asked permission from Mr. Crum to have Aqualine (leak detector) walk his yard to see if maybe there are still old waterlines or meter pits buried in his yard that are still connected. There is an old meter pit in his yard which the maintenance men will be removing, weather permitting. If no leak is found, the Village will looking into installing drainage in this area. The Mayor has talked to some of the residents in that area of town to see what has changed over the years that would affect the drainage and a number of residents mentioned that when the installation of the metal power poles was happening a trench was filled in.
Council heard that Trevor Leis has fulfilled his probationary period and by all reports is doing a great job. Council moved to give him his approved raise upon the successful completion of his probationary period starting with his next pay check.
The Mayor would like to purchase a forklift platform, harnesses and lanyard for the maintenance department so they can safely change bulbs in the street lights and do any other work that requires ladders or bucket trucks. Council approved spending $1200 for the platform and necessary equipment.
The potassium permanganate tank that was approved by EPA was not big enough to handle the water treatment so a new tank has been purchased and Verhoff Manufacturing has made a containment tank for support of the new tank, the total upgrade was $600. Now waiting for EPA approval before it is installed.
Council was informed that the Village has experienced a number of water leaks due to the ground heaving with the warm winter weather. Some of these leaks were found after the meter read and residents asked for relief, including: a reduction on sewer to a normal bill for a home on North Sixth Street; a one-time reduction to a normal bill for two residences on West Rice Street and on East Sugar Street. Council approved all of the requests.
Darby asked for an emergency retroactive amendment to the Appropriation Ordinance for a transfer between contractual services and personal service in the General Fund to complete payroll for 2018. Council approved suspending the rules requiring three readings and moved to approve the amendment.
Darby also requested permission for her and Council President Streicher to sign a Depository Agreement for Fort Jennings State Bank and asked council for permission to start transferring money out of Huntington Bank and into Fort Jennings State Bank to get accounts opened. Council approved both requests.
Fire Department AFG update: The fire department is looking to get a grant with the help of a grant writer for new equipment, including hoses, fittings and nozzles and also a grant for turnout gear. The grant writer will charge the fire department a $2500 fee for each of the grants and then if the grant is awarded, he will then have a 5% commission on the total of the grant. There is also a 10% local match on the grant so if the fire department would receive both grants there would be a local outlay of $35,000. Council moved to proceed.
The Fiscal Officer received word that the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Safety Intervention Grant money should be deposited tomorrow. Once the money is received, the Village will take the 2015 Chevrolet truck to have the new service bed, lift gate and crane installed at Kalida Truck Equipment. The truck will be out of commission for a few weeks while the install takes place.
The next meeting of the Village Council will be January 22, 2019.
Susan Darby,
Fiscal Officer
Village of Continental
