by Sue Miklovic
The Village Council met at their chambers for the September 17th meeting, beginning at 5:30pm. Council Member Art Patterson was absent.
During Public Participation, resident Shirley Hutchison inquired on the current status of the water drainage issue at her property. This on-going problem has involved not only the mayor, administrator, council, and Public Works department, and appointed legal counsel, but other elected officials who are trying to find a way to get CSX to correct the drainage issue they are believed to have caused. The latest to take a look at the situation was the Wood County Drainage Engineer who suggested (according to Village Administrator Michael Brillhart) that CSX install a 24-inch line from the property/area in question to Mitchell Road. The County Engineer’s opinion is that when CSX added the third rail line, it caused the area to not drain properly. The county is looking for a cost estimate. All attempts to get a response from the railroad appear to have been unsuccessful.
Also, during Public Participation Mrs. Theresa Kim from Toledo was present to request an appeal to a decision of the Planning Commission to not allow 3 parcels that she owns to be re-zoned from residential to general business. She wants to sell the property and her prospective buyer wants to use the property for a commercial purpose. A zoning appeal Public Hearing will be held at 5:00pm on November 5th.
Other topics of interest and discussions at the meeting included:
- Finance Officer Tony Swartz reported the On-line bill pay option (for water bills) is getting close to being ready for implementation.
- Swartz also commented that new village utility clerk Paula Steen is on board and doing well.
- Swartz also reported that the Weed ordinance which allows the fee charged for the village to mow the properties in violation, will be assessed and collected via the Wood County Auditor, following the passage of emergency ordinance.
- EMS Chief Walter asked for the hiring of additional EMT trainer -Brad Stott. Approved by Council.
- Village Legal Counsel explained their fees have been higher the last few months because they have spent time involved with prosecutions. Joel Kuhlman also talked about the investigating of the “Bridge Ownership” situation that the County Commissioners intend to change. Kuhlman says, “There are issues with the definition of ‘ownership’ “
- Village Administrator Michael Brillhart gave an update of the current 100 Block of N. Main Street project. Concrete work should be done the first week of October. Traffic light poles are on order. There seems to be a problem, that is being worked out, with the placement of those poles, so that they don’t interfere with ADA compliance on the ramps and sidewalks on the corners.
- Brillhart shared that the wording was updated in the bulk water rate/new commercial customer ordinance effective 1/1/2020 (ordinance 2019-32) Mr. Patterson asked to have a clause added that made it clear that if a situation were to arise where there was a shortage of available water, that the needs of the residents would be met first.
- Councilman Matt Beegle reported that he will write up his notes to share from the recent special meeting that was held regarding sidewalks. “We had a good meeting,” he said.
- Mayor Goldner reported that she had attended a recent Area Mayors meeting. She said she was encouraged to find out that most communities share the same list of needs. They met with Senator Brown who shared that $1 trillion was supposed to be released by the federal government for infrastructure needs.
