Continental Village Council met in regular session on September 24, 2019 with Mayor Miller presiding. Members present were Bartley, Varner, Knipp, Streicher, Sullivan and Armey. Also present were Mayor Miller, Solicitor Welch, Administrator Prowant and Fiscal Officer Darby. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Council approved the minutes of the previous meeting, approved bills and approved the receipts since the last meeting
NEW BUSINESS:
Building Permits:
Resident submitted a building permit to replace the siding on First Street was approved by council.
Two residents on Lakeland Drive requested a building permit for replacement of concrete drives that had been replaced once but the concrete did not hold up so the contractor is replacing it. Council approved both requests.
Mayor Miller was approached by a young man about placing a bike rack in Sparling Park. Miller says it would be about $550-700 for a 7- bike rack. Council approved the purchase. Miller also stated that we should hear in a week or so on the status of our NatureWorks grant so that we can begin Phase 2 on the Park.
Miller also received a quote on the drainage work for the southwest quadrant of the Village. The contractor will be putting in a 12 inch drainage pipe and three catch basins along Ash Street from First Street to Second Street. Council approved the work for $26,950.
OLD BUSINESS:
Review Board Report: The Review Board met prior to the regular meeting with a village property owner. They discussed the conditions of two of his properties in the Village. At this point, the Village will hire a state certified building inspector to inspect the properties and the village will abide by the inspectors’ recommendation.
Water Billing: Mayor Miller asked Council if they had received any feedback concerning in the future going to monthly billing. Council had not heard from anybody, but Prowant said some residents are for it and others are against it. These changes will not be approved until all the water meters are radio-read because it would take too long to do monthly readings at this point.
Water & Sewer Rate Ordinances: Council discussed including the raising of the Water Cost of Operation (WCOP) charge from $29/quarter to $35/quarter and putting that money aside for capital improvements such as the water tower and waterline upgrades. The current water and sewer rate ordinances will be redone and passed before the end of the year and will include a twenty-five cent ($.25) per thousand gallon increase on both the water and the sewer for 2020 and again in 2021. The change in the WCOP flat rate will also be included in the ordinance. Council moved to approve the first reading of both ordinances.
Maintenance Department Update: Hydrant flushing is scheduled to begin early in October, weather permitting. Council was also reminded that Trevor Leis’ one year anniversary is October 1. Tylor Thompson has passed his mosquito spraying and pesticide use licenses. As per his wage ordinance he has received a fifty cent ($.50) raise. Darby questioned if there should be a raise associated with passing the pesticide use licenses as well. Welch reviewed Thompson’s wage ordinance and stated that a raise could be passed by motion. Council moved to give him an additional raise of twenty-five cents ($.25) per hour.
Water Leak: Prowant presented a letter from a resident that had a water leak and is requesting a reduction on the sewer portion of her bill. Prowant recommended a $70 reduction on the sewer and council approved her recommendation.
Investment Update: Darby gave each council member a report with the balances of all checking and investment balances and the current interest rates available at the two banks the village has depository agreements with and with STAR Ohio. Council discussed the options and decided to divide the balance of the Huntington Bank checking account between a certificate of deposit with Fort Jennings State Bank and the remaining balance to STAR Ohio.
Personnel Procedure and Policy: First Reading was approved on the Ordinance to implement the policy manual written for us by Clemans, Nelson & Associates.
Trick-or-Treat date & times: The Lions Club has set the Trick-or-Treat for Thursday, October 31st from 5 – 6:30 p.m. with the costume judging at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.
Council went into a short Executive Session for consideration for purchase or sale of property. Council came out of Executive Session with no action taken.
Council adjourned.
Susan Darby, Fiscal Officer Village of Continental