Village Council Meeting Jan. 2, 2019
By Sue Miklovic
The evening began with prayer from Pastor Phillip Park-Thomas of St. James Church who suggested we pray for the welfare of the common good. After the pledge of allegiance, followed by the roll call, the Village of North Baltimore Council reorganized for 2019 with the election of Matt Beegle as new president of council.
Mayor Goldner also made an assignment to standing committees for the council members and announced boards and commissions for 2019. See separate story for a list of those committees and commissions.
Village resident Mark Senecal participated in public participation at the council meeting citing his concern for the safety of handicap residents who use the street while scootering around town. “I’ve lived here for 30 years, he said “ and we need we need to have concern for the welfare of the common good, like the pastor just prayed for” He continued, “We need to be educating our citizens of their responsibilities.” His concerns were focused on the need for sidewalks throughout the community.
Some items of interest discussed at the meeting included:
~ a report from the Interim Finance Officer that corrections are being made to the 2018 expenditures- getting things put into the proper categories
~ discussed the sidewalk ordinance for the village
~the number of EMS runs made in 2018 was 619, with 14.7% of those taking place in Henry Township.
~ The Village Administrator Michael Brillhart announced he was working on a five-year capital improvement plan. “We have several projects already funded (which he is preparing to administer)but we need to continue with a plan for the next 4 years that follow the initial projects.” He announced that he was meeting with both TMACOG and Poggemyer Design Group this week.
~Other things continuing to be discussed included the need for cameras, personnel issues for weekend work and fill in schedules, the need for an economic and community development plan that offered a CRA (Community Reinvestment Area-abatements) and sharing the recently updated village brush policy.
There will be a special meeting immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday January 8th, which begins at 5:30pm.
