Regular session of the Village of Continental council meeting was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in the fire department meeting room. Present were: Mr. Armey, Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Knipp, Mr. Varner, Mr. Streicher and Mr. Bartley. Also in attendance were Mayor Miller, Administrator Prowant, Solicitor Welch, Police Chief Hardy, Trevor Leis & Tylor Thompson of the Water Department, and Fiscal Officer Darby. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes from the last meeting, Bills & Receipts received since the last meeting were approved.
Old Business:
– Storm sewer project on Ash Street between 1st & 3rd is completed. Everything looks good and the Village will reseed the area in the Fall after the soil has had a chance to settle out.
New Business:
– Building permit for an addition on Forrest Street was approved.
– County-wide recycling remains cancelled for the foreseeable future.
– First reading of an ordinance accepting an Annexation on East Rice Street was approved.
– The Village received notification that our water system recently violated the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TTHM. The average level over the last four quarters was .030 mg/L over the MCL. Letters will be sent to the residents.
– Mayor Miller stated that because of COVID-19 the grants/loans for OPWC Small Governments will not be on time. It is unclear whether or not this funding will be even made available now due to the pandemic. The village would not be able to spend any monies on a water tower project prior to receiving any grants or loans, so he recommends waiting for 30 days and play it by ear. Council agreed.
– Mayor also reviewed the dates to vote by absentee ballot. Deadline to request your ballot is April 25th and your ballot must be postmarked by April 27th to be counted. You may also request a ballot in person to be mailed to you via a self-serve station and drop it in a drop off box at the board of elections , located at 575 O-G Road, Suite 2 in Glandorf.
– Wage ordinance for part-time, seasonal employees was up dated as a retroactive emergency to change the amount for minimum wage.
– Maintenance update: The Mayor is trying to find paving contractors to come and look at some street projects for this coming year. Some of the phone numbers he has are no longer working. The workers are flushing hydrants and getting quotes for repair parts for some of the hydrants. They have also been working on updating the maps of the Village utilities.
– A resident had a leak and requested a reduction off of the sewer portion of the bill. Council granted the reduction.
– Fiscal Officer asked for a motion to amend the estimated resources for the Street fund and the Permissive License Fund to reflect money that has been received. Council granted.
– Council on Aging has asked for a list of elderly residents who would like to receive a food box. Administrator Prowant gave them a list and the boxes will be dropped off on Thursday and Police Chief Hardy will deliver them to the addresses.
Mayor Miller had a bullet list of items he wants to remind residents of:
• The Playground equipment at Sparling Park has been roped off to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
• Burning trash is not permitted! However, recreational burning in a covered receptacles is allowed. He asks that these contained fires be held at dusk and after so everyone can enjoy the nice weather when it comes without having to deal with smoke.
• He is going to contact S&S Sanitation about the possibility of a Town Clean-up in May. This will be monitored closely to make sure this isn’t used for normal garbage and to prevent items that do not belong in the landfill. More information will be following.
Since it is unknown at this time how long the Stay-at-Home Order will be in effect, Mayor Miller asked Council to continue to grant permission to allow the Fiscal Officer to pay any regular bills up to $5,000, any bills with open purchase orders and payroll in the event that we have to cancel the next council meeting which is scheduled for April 28th. Council granted permission.
– Council adjourned.
From the Mayor: The one thing I want to continue to reiterate is everything is being done for the common good of everyone. I have heard that phrase being used lately and it is has been utilized throughout our nation’s history. I understand those who are frustrated by all of this and am sympathetic to the economic impact these changes are having on everyone but we must find a way to unite with what we have in common and continue to make the best of the current situation. Our resolve is determined by how we respond in the tough times and the reality is you can’t have and appreciate the high notes of life without experiencing the low ones too. I continue to appeal to everyone to please be considerate to one another, check up on your neighbors, and be mindful that this too will pass in time. — Matt
Susan Darby,
Fiscal Officer
Village of Continental
