Continental Village Council met in regular session on July 9, 2019 with Mayor Miller presiding. Members present were Todd Bartley, Mike Varner, Jordan Streicher and Tom Armey. Also present were Mayor Matt Miller, Administrator Kathy Prowant and Fiscal Officer Susan Darby. Roxie Knipp, Dan Sullivan & Solicitor Welch were absent. Visitor: Andrew Moreo. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Council heard the public Budget meeting was held at 6:30 pm with no input from the public.
Council approved minutes of previous meeting, bills, and the receipts since the last meeting. Management Mid-Year Distribution Summary presented and approved by signature.
OLD BUSINESS:
Income Surveys: The survey results are in and the Village’s LMI has reset to 53.43%. The Village now meets the 51% threshold for CDBG money. These results will be good for approximately 5 years.
Water Meter Replacement: The contractor will be in by the end of the month to complete replacing the twenty-five meter pits in the contract and is willing to replace the other 25 on the graded replacement list. The maintenance men will make sure all the supplies needed are here and ready to go for the additional twenty-five pits.
Insurance Update: Darby called the company the 2018 fire pumper was purchased from to see what the replacement cost would be on that truck. Midwest said it would be $265,000 so 80% of that total is $212,000 so the estimated replacement cost she had listed on the insurance of $250,000 is acceptable.
Gas Tax Increase: Darby received an estimate of what the new gas tax increase will garner the village and it could be an increase of $30,000 in 2020 and with the new increase in Registration fees put in place by the commissioners, the Street Fund should have balances available to do some paving next year.
Deferred Compensation Resolution: Third reading held on Resolution 06-2019 approved.
Police Levy Resolution: The second reading for the Renewal of the 3.0 Mill Police Levy was approved.
Street Light Levy Resolution: The second reading for the Renewal with a Reduction to 1.20 Mill Street Light Levy approved
Street Levy Resolution: The second reading for an Additional .5 Mill Street Construction & Maintenance Levy approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Building Permits: Request for a permit on Sugar Street for a new Garage and Mud Room addition approved.
Possible Annexation: A current water customer who lives outside the village corporation asked council for the pros and cons of and process to annexation into the Village. He was informed that his water rates would go down and if he wants to tap into the sewer, the cost would be $400 versus $800 for outside the corporation. He would have to pay 1% income tax and he would begin paying the Villages’ property taxes. He was advised that his first step would be to write a formal request to the village asking to annex and then he can go through either the Village’s Solicitor or his own attorney to begin the legal process. He was told that once his request was approved he could tap in to the sewer at the $400 rate.
RITA Fees: RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency) has informed the village that the fees could increase the percentage of the amount of the fee being charged to the village to avoid a large deduction in the August settlement for next year. Council tabled to gather more information.
Credit Card Update: The village has been trying to find a credit card for Village use through banks that it already utilizes but there are not any available. Darby asked other villages what card they use and Kalida’s Fiscal Officer informed her that Union Bank has a Business VISA Card. The Village does not have to have an account there to have the card. Darby asked for permission to apply for the VISA card. Varner approved and Bartley seconded. Four yeas, motion carried.
Transfer: Darby asked council to approve a transfer from the General Fund to the Fire Debt Service Fund to make an additional principal payment on the 2006 Spartan Fire Truck loan approved
Amend Appropriations Ordinance: Then Darby asked to amend the appropriation ordinance to make the additional payment which was approved as an emergency.
2020 Budget: Council reviewed the Budget numbers and as there was no comment from the public, council approved.
Water Leak: Prowant provided a letter to council from a resident on Sixth Street who had a large leak that was repaired after the meter was read. The resident asked for a reduction and council approved Prowant’s recommendation.
Mayor Miller reported that the Village has been granted an extension from the EOA on the management plan to reduce the TTHM until October 2019.
Meeting was adjourned with no other business. Next meeting will be July 23, 2019 at 7 pm.
Susan Darby, Fiscal Officer Village of Continental
