Continental Village Council met in regular session on July 16, 2024 with Council President Streicher presiding. Members present were Armey, Streicher, Williamson, Smith, Varner and Sullivan. Also, present were Administrator Prowant, Cindy Troyer, Clerk trainee and Fiscal Officer Darby. Visitor: Howard Shepard. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Varner made a motion and Smith seconded to approve minutes of previous meeting, five yeas, motion carried. Varner made a motion to approve payment of all the bills and Armey seconded, five yeas, motion carried. Smith made a motion and Varner seconded to approve the receipts since the last meeting, five yeas, motion carried. Then & Now Purchase Orders over $3,000: None.
Management Reports were circulated and approved by signature.
Budget: The Finance Committee reviewed the Budget for 2025 on July 10, with Mayor Miller, Mike Varner, Joe Smith and Fiscal Officer Darby in attendance. A public budget meeting was held on July 15 with no one in attendance. Smith recommended approving the budget and Armey seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Building Permits: 101 S. 3rd St., for a new home. Motion by Smith to approve and second by Armey, 5 yeas, motion carried.
Legion Alley: The American Legion asked for permission to close the alley next to the building for an outdoor band event on Thursday, July 18 from 6-10 pm. Armey made a motion to grant permission and Smith seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Block Party: Some neighbors are asking for permission to host a block party on Saturday August 24 with bands from 4-8 and 8-midnight. Discussion held on what the Village can do. The consensus is, this is a private party but if a noise complaint is issued, it is their responsibility to regulate. We thank the residents for the notice
Water Leak: Resident at 202 W. Rice had a toilet leaking and asked for a one-time reduction to an average bill of $210. The leak is repaired. Varner approved the one-time reduction and Armey seconded, five yeas, motion carried.
Maintenance Update: Well #6 pump has failed and has caused the water to have some iron in it. Well #7 is now being used and the water is clearer. For some residents it just has to go through the system to clear up. The water department is flushing hydrants through the Village to help pull it through the system. The water is completely safe, it just has more iron in it then normal.
Third Reading for Levy Renewals:
Smith made a motion to pass the third reading of the resolution for the renewal of the 1.2 mill Street Light is calculated to yield $18,000 or $25 for each $100,000 of appraised value, Armey seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Armey made a motion to approve the resolution for the renewal of the 3.0 mill Police Levy is calculated to yield $44,000 or $63 for each $100,000 of appraised value, Smith seconded, five yeas motion carried.
Armey made a motion to approve the resolution for the renewal of the .5 mill Street Construction Levy is calculated to yield $9,000 or $13 for each $100,000 of appraised value and Sullivan seconded, five yeas, motion carried.
Special Assessments: Darby asked Council if they want to place the structural engineer evaluation bill on the real estate taxes as a special assessment this year since the court case is over on the dilapidated/demolished building on Main Street. Smith approved the request and Williamson seconded the motion, five yeas, motion carried.
Misc. Information: Darby informed council, she had received notice that a resident had filed a complaint with the Health Department concerning her neighbor’s house. They referred her to the Village Council. She passed around a quote for a contract with Aqualine for leak detection services of $3895. Darby has also received the renewal notice for the employee health insurance. The increase is 8.09%, we are not sure how the change with the Police Chief position will affect the quote. No action was taken on any of these items.
Lakeland Update: Armey had a resident request the removal of the cul-de-sac islands and the fire hydrant moved during the construction of this project. Council does not see a problem with doing that.
Park Update: Armey had checked with the Village employees and there is a spare leaf blower, he has requested it be placed in the maintenance room of the park. He has also received some information concerning an internet connection in the park for the purpose of wireless security cameras. Metalink is willing to absorb the cost of putting a receiver for the camera in the park for the Village. At this time there is not a firm location for the placement.
Street Paving: The council reviewed the quotes again and decided to pave E Rice Street between Main and Sixth Street, 7th Street north of Rice Street and various utility patches for a total project of $89,745. Armey stated the storm sewer needs fixed prior to the paving. Williamson made a motion to approve the above-named areas for the paving and Smith seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Executive Session: Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the hiring of a public employee, Armey seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Armey – yea, Sullivan – yea, Streicher – presiding; Varner – yea; Smith – yea and Williamson – yea. Five yeas, motion carried.
Williamson made a motion to come out of Executive Session and Smith seconded, five yeas, motion carried. Let the record show, no action was taken.
Rehire Officer Dan Sullivan made a motion to make former Police Chief an offer to come back to the Village as Police Chief, at the same pay rate, reinstate his current vacation rate and allow him to request a pay out of sixty hours of Vacation time, he had banked. Smith seconded the motion, five yeas, motion carried.
The Council scheduled a Special Meeting on Monday, July 22 at 7 pm, to discuss Hiring a Public Employee.
Williamson made a motion to adjourn with no further business; Varner seconded it. Five yeas. Meeting adjourned.
