STRYKER: May 12, 2014-Mayor Hughes brought down the gavel and opened the Stryker Village Council Meeting on May 12 at the Stryker City Office. After the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken and Councilmen Joey Beck and Robert Sperling were not present. Council President Terry Wieland, along with Councilmen Mike Fox, Rex Blevins and Rick Wityk proceeded.
The first order of business was presentation and adoption of the monthly financial report, which was unanimously adapted on a 4-0 vote.
The main item on the agenda was once again legislative matters, and the council considered repeal and replacement of Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) of Ordinance #1997-11 for a third reading. Sub section (b) (1) as adopted states:
925.02 BILLINGS:
Bills for the rates and charges herein established by the Village shall be sent monthly. All bills shall be payable on the fifteenth day of the month following the reading of the meters and shall be paid at the office of the clerk. If any charge for the service of the system shall not be be paid by the thirtieth day of the month, except for February which shall be paid by the twenty-eighth day of the month in which it shall become due and payable, a delayed payment charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith. Shut-off notices will be delivered on the 9th day following the due date. If any bills for the service of the water system shall remain unpaid by 9:00 a.m. of the tenth day from the due date, the water supply for the lot, parcel of land or premises affected shall be shut off and shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefore, in addition to the non-payment charges. Refer to section 925.01 (i). Shut-off or turn on outside of normal working hours or on Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays shall be subject to a charge of ($20.00).
(b) Temporary Disconnection:
(1) Whenever a consumer is to be absent from his residence or business for an extended period of time he may, at option; request the utility shut off to his business. Unless this request is made in writing prior to his absence, a minimum charge will be made for both water and sewage.
Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) shall be repealed and replaced by:
Bills for the rates and charges herein established by the Village shall be sent monthly. All bills shall be payable on the fifteenth day of the month following the reading of the meters and shall be paid at the office of the clerk. If any charge for the service of the system shall not be be paid by the thirtieth day of the month, except for February which shall be paid by the twenty-eighth day of the month in which it shall become due and payable, a delayed payment charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith. Shut-off notices will be delivered on the 9th day following the due date. If any bills for the service of the water system shall remain unpaid by 9:00 a.m. of the tenth day from the due date, the water supply for the lot, parcel of land or premises affected shall be shut off and shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefore, in addition to the non-payment charges. Refer to section 925.01 (i). Shut-off or turn on will not occur outside of normal business hours unless it is deemed an emergency situation by appropriate Village personnel.
(b) Temporary Disconnection:
(1) Whenever a consumer is to be absent from his residence or business for an extended period of time he may, at his or her option; request the utility shut off to his business.
(2) After the first occurrence, a consumer requires the village to have his or her service temporarily disconnected (not excluding water leaks, home repairs or any unforeseen actions) there shall be a ($25.00) turn-on fee.
After passing the third reading of Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) (2) by a 4-0 vote, the Council next addressed an ordinance to repeal and replace section 925.01 (i) of Ordinance #1997-11, which reads as follows:
(i) Any customer for reason of non-payment of monthly charges or whose service has been disconnected shall be subject to the following charges-First time non-payment shut off fee will be ($20.00), second time non-payment shut off fee will be ($40.00), and third time non-payment shut off fee will be ($60.00). After third time shut off fee will remain at ($60.00) for each offence.
Section 925.01 (i) shall be repealed and replaced by:
(i)Non-Payment Any customer for reason of non-payment of monthly charges shall be subject to the following charges-twenty-five dollar shut off fee ($25.00) and a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) turn-on fee.
The council, voting on the third reading of Section 925.01 (i), passed the Ordinance by a 4-0 vote, and will put both Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) (2), and Section 925.01 (i) back in front of the council during the June meeting for final passage. Any resident who wishes to address these changes or submit input to the council regarding these Ordinances may contact the Village of Stryker Town Council.
In other Council business, Tom Thompson from the Law Firm of Bish Butler & Thompson LTD addressed the members of the council regarding open inquiries into Village Solicitor representation.
In the Administrator’s Report, Village Administrator Gary St. John briefed the members of the council on the examination of a Tractor-Trailer-parking area for use by village residents. The site has not yet been determined specifically and the project is in the planning stage, but Administrator St. John expects to move forward after consideration during the June Council Meeting.
In the Police Chief’s Report, Chief Schlosser reported the office received 81 reports during the month, issued 23 warning citations, 16 citations and announced 4 adult arrests, along with 1 juvenile arrest.
Chief Schlosser also announced the Department will be closely monitoring code enforcement throughout the village regarding property maintenance and upkeep. Chief Schlosser would also like to remind residents the Village of Stryker’s Website has links to all applicable Village Ordinances and that all property owners should make sure they are familiar with the requirements set forth.
The Police department also announced dates for the “Click It O Ticket” mobilization, which will run from May 19 through June 1, 2014. All drivers should be aware that traffic enforcement will be a high priority during those dates and seatbelt enforcement will be without exception.
The next Village Council meeting will take place on June 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Office.