VANDAL … Archbold Village Council discusses the closure of the investigation into who vandalized the mural downtown. (PHOTO BY LINDSAY PHILLIPS, STAFF)
By: Lindsay Phillips
Archbold Village Council began their regular meeting on September 6 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor, Brad Grime, followed by a roll call of all members present. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved along with bills and payroll.
At 5:34 p.m. Council moved to an executive session to discuss real estate matters, which concluded at 5:54 p.m.
Resolution 2022-51, Authorizing the Fulton County Commissioners to act as the Purchasing Agent and Governmental Aggregator for Electric Power for the village was approved and declared an emergency.
Council member, Vaughn Bentz asked, “Is it safe to say a bigger pool will get us bigger rates?” Administrator, Donna Dettling replied, “There is really no downside, because if we don’t like the rates were seeing, and maybe Amy even says, ‘you guys could do better if you wait and hit the market later’ you might be seeing some trends there, so it’s the best of both worlds for us.”
Resolution 2022-52 was next on the table, authorizing the execution of a Revised Residential Refuse Service Agreement between the Village of Archbold and Archbold Refuse Service, Inc, and approved by council and declared an emergency.
Vice President of Archbold Refuse Service, Michelle Ryder was present to answer all questions regarding the service. The revised agreement includes a small adjustment in rates.
Aaron Alt shared regarding bulk trash pickup days, “If we could push it with those who we know are struggling to help clean up, that one time a year at least could be positive.”
Ryder added, “We can pick up bulk items at any time, they just must call and arrange that. Each household still gets two bulk items a month. So unlimited was taken away, but they do still get two items a month.” Bulk pickup does not include tires, or building/construction material.
Resolution 2022-53 was approved by council, accepting change order #1 for the 200,000 Gallon Elevated Storage Tank Project and Declaring it an Emergency. The total increase for the change order is $8,312.25.
This includes enlarging the logo, adding an interior fireproof product and a heating unit. Concrete was recently poured, and the council is waiting for the electric company to turn on the power.
Resolution 2022-54, authorizing the administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) and to execute contracts as required and declaring an emergency, was the final resolution approved by council.
With many projects planned, this will allow the council to proceed with planning projects for 2024.
Minutes from the Utility Committee meeting on August 15 were approved as well as minutes from the park board meeting on August 10.
August reports from Income Tax Receipts, Police Department Calls for Service, Fire & EMS Call Responses and Street Department Labor and Fleet were accepted.
Vaughn Bentz brought up a comment on the Archbold facebook page about branches and things being down at the Woodland Park, and that they’re working on getting out there to take care of it after the storm recently.
During council comments, Bentz brought up the mural vandalism and asked when that will be covered up. Mayor Grime shared, “Dave is going to try his best to get here this month, or early October.”
Council member, Kevin Morton asked if it would be possible to paint over it themselves as a solution for now.
Morton added, “The best thing for someone who does that is the publicity, and it’s there every day for everyone to see.” Mayor Grime stated, “I will contact him this evening.”
The investigation into the vandalism is complete and is now up to the grand jury to decide what happens. Mayor Grime added, “I think it is just all due process because it is a felony charge, if it was a misdemeanor, I think this would have been handled differently from the start. We will have all that information on the 19th, I believe is when the trial is.”
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Lindsay can be reached at lindsay@thevillagereporter.com