Continental Village Council met in regular session in the Council Meeting Room on November 23, 2021 with Mayor Miller presiding. Members present were Armey, Bartley, Knipp and Streicher. Administrator Prowant, Police Chief Hardy, Fire Chief Williamson and Fiscal Officer Darby were also present. Visitors: None Absent: Varner & Sullivan. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
Council reviewed and passed a motion approving the minutes of previous regular session meeting, bills as presented, receipts since the last meeting, and a Then & Now Purchase Order over $3000 for Interdyne Corp. $4765. And ML Tech for $6403.80, both for the greensand filter redo. Management Reports presented, approved by signature.
OLD BUSINESS:
Water Tower Update: The pressure test will take place once we verify the mixer is operational.
High Service Pump: Buckeye Pump has the pump in the shop for repairs. Still unsure if it is covered by warranty. Discussion held and Council approved getting it repaired either way and have it back in service.
Well Rehab Update: Moody’s has installed the pitless adapter and pump and hope to get the motor installed tomorrow and then get Well 6 back online.
Clearwell Inspection & Cleaning: The clearwell has been inspected and everything appeared good. We have not received the report yet.
Greensand Filter Update: One of the manway doors has been completed and work has begun to replace the media. Leis is pleased with the work. We have also received the 300 gal. holding tank for Chlorine for the water system. It was discovered that the 500 gal. tank was allowing the chlorine to get diluted in the system and made it hard to regulate.
Review Board Update: The review board had a short meeting prior to this meeting and spoke by phone with a property owner about an ongoing dispute on the status of his property. The board is going to make a list of specific items with a specific time frame for some critical items to be completed for a property on Rice Street. A home that had been under the purview of the board on Oak Street has sold during an Auditor Sale to Habitat for Humanity recently. They will be cleaning up the property as weather allows.
Building Permits: Request for a renewal on a building permit originally issued 5/25/21 for a resident on 6th St. for porch railings, gutters and fence was reviewed and approved. A resident on Third requests a permit to replace front porch and eaves spouts approved.
New Business:
Bid Opening: The sealed bid opening for the SCBAs for the American Firefighters Grant was held. The bid notice was published for two weeks in the Putnam County Sentinel but only one bid package was returned. Fire Chief Williamson also had sent out some messages to other companies that handle air packs but they did not respond. The bid package was opened by Fiscal Officer Darby and read aloud. A proposal for 13-Pro Air Packs, 26-45-minute cylinders and 25-Facepieces for a total of $96,170.00 by Atlantic Emergency Solutions. Council approved the bid proposal as presented on behalf of the Fire Department and approved to pay the Fire Department’s portion of the project with the fire department’s money within the general fund.
Fire Department Update: Chief Williamson stated that two firemen will be leaving the department this year and he expects more retirements in the next couple of years. He would like to keep the number of active firemen at 25 and so they have interviewed for two replacements, Ross Siefker and Spencer Ordway. Council approved a motion to accept the Chief’s recommendation and add these two to the rooster. There are not any training classes until May of 2022 so they cannot ride in the fire truck or do any active fire operations but he would like to have them to carry pagers and drive their vehicles to the scene and observe.
Copier: Perry ProTech offered a quote to replace our obsolete copier with a leased unit. It would cost $108/month for 60 months. Council approved leasing the copier.
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance: Recently, a number of area villages have been contacted about allowing a dispensary to operate within their corporation limits. Welch drafted an ordinance to prohibit this within the Village of Continental. Discussion held and with no one disagreeing with prohibiting, Council approved the first reading.
Solicitor Contract Resolution: Approved the first reading of a resolution for a two-year renewal of the solicitor’s contract with his one-year option.
Letter from Resident: A letter from a resident asking for reimbursement was reviewed. Since a close family member is on council and cannot vote on the issue cause there not to be a quorum, the issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Norfolk & Southern Lease Update: Solicitor Welch sent a letter terminating the village’s lease for the old railbed property.
Govdeals.com: The Impala has been relisted on the site and the auction will end on December 13th.
Year-End Debt Report: Darby presented the debt report for the village. She let council know that the Fire Chief and she had discussed paying off the fire truck loan in 2022 and then apply that payment to the fire station loan in 2023 and continue until the loan is paid off. Those are the only loans with interest the village currently has. The Water Tower loan payments will begin in January 2022.
Mayor Miller wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Next Meeting: Next meeting is Tuesday, December 14th in Council Chambers at 7 p.m. With no other business for the good of the village, Council adjourned.