Continental Village Council met in regular session on November 14, 2023 with Mayor Miller presiding. Members present were Knipp, Bartley, Armey, Streicher and Sullivan. Also, present were Mayor Miller, Administrator Prowant and Fiscal Officer Darby. Visitors: Toby Sullivan, Jim Fry, Joseph Smith and Jennifer Momenee. Mayor Miller opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance.
Armey made a motion to accept the minutes from the regular session meeting and Streicher seconded to approve minutes of the meeting, five yeas, motion carried. Armey made a motion to pay all the bills and Knipp seconded, five yeas, motion carried. Bartley made a motion and Streicher seconded to approve the receipts since the last meeting, five yeas, motion carried. Then & Now PO over $3,000, EJP $ 8,814.96 to upgrade water meters to radio reads, Streicher moved to approve and Bartley seconded, five yeas, motion carried. Management reports were approved by signature.
OPWC Loan: The District meeting to approve projects for OPWC was held today and the Village was awarded a $420,000 loan guarantee. The Lakeland Project is estimated at $498,107. The $78,107 balance can be paid out of the General Fund since it will involve some storm sewer work as well as street paving. There is the possibility that we could get some more funding if other entities decline to proceed with their projects. The money will be available on July 1, 2024 and the goal is to have the project bid out and under contract by then with the understanding the project must be completed by October 2024.
Well # 7 Issues: The Utility workers have noticed there have been some fluctuations in the output from the wells. This week while doing rounds Westin found a wet area, so J & M was called and upon further inspection found a leak. It was repaired and they will monitor the well to make sure it is cycling correctly. This was indirectly the cause of the recent color in the water. Since the output from the well was fluctuating there was not the correct ratio of Potassium Permanganate in the water. If this ever happens to the residents, they are encouraged to run their taps for 5 minutes to flush your lines.
Water Distribution Capital Improvement Plan: Mayor Miller sought an estimate from Kleinfelder’s to come up with a capital improvement plan that would designate the most needed projects for planning and funding opportunities. Their estimate is $13,000. It was suggested to check with RCAP to see if they could draft a plan for us at a lower cost.
Aggregation: The ballot issue for Electric Aggregation was passed so our next step in the process is to hold two public meetings which can be held on the same day. Council decided on Tuesday, December 13th, with the first meeting at 4:30 and the second at 5:30. Darby will confirm this works with our agents at Aspen Energy.
Second Reading on Municipal Income Tax Ordinance: Armey motion to approve the second reading on the Municipal Income Tax Ordinance and Bartley seconded the motion, five yeas, motion carried.
Pending Litigation on Prowant Building: Our outside counsel has been exchanging emails and photographs with the opposing counsel concerning the foundation removal from the demolished building.
Transfer: Darby asked council for permission to transfer $20,000 from the General Fund to the Police Fund. Bartley moved to allow and Sullivan seconded, five yeas, motion carried.
Firewall & Software Upgrades for Cyber Security: There has been an increase of cyberattacks on small villages in recent months so Mayor Miller would like to upgrade the village’s security through firewall and software upgrades. Depending on how many programs the Village will have to have, it will be less than $7,500. Streicher moved to approve spending up to $7,500 on cyber security and Armey seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Ohio Municipal League Dues: Darby asked council if they would like to renew the membership due for 2024. Streicher moved to renew and Bartley seconded. Five yeas, motion carried.
Zoning Board Meeting: Mayor Miller would like to convene a zoning board meeting on November 28th prior to the regular meeting to discuss a possible request to change zoning on a parcel from residential to commercial, to finalize the language on the Solar Ordinance and to discuss the outbuilding issue.
Annexation: An annexation in exchange for paving in a subdivision contract date has expired. Discussion on how to proceed was held and then Bartley moved to table the issue until our solicitor could be present to advise how to proceed and Armey seconded the motion, five yeas, motion carried.
Hydrant Flushing: Hydrants are being flushed now to move the water through the system. Residents are urged to use Iron Out when washing white clothes.
Pond Bank Clean-up: Mayor Miller received one quote on cleaning up the bank and lining it with stone. He will be checking with other contracts prior to the next meeting.
December Meeting Change: The final meeting of the year lands on December 26th. With Christmas on Monday it will be very difficult for the Fiscal Officer to have everything ready so she requested a date change to Thursday, December 28th at 7 p.m.
The next meeting will be November 28, 2023.
Bartley made a motion to adjourn with no further business; Armey seconded it. Five yeas. Meeting adjourned.
