By: Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Edon Village Council took the first step toward a new water treatment plant during the August 17, 2015 regular session held in Council Chambers. Mayor Darlene Burkhardt called the evening meeting to order with Councilors Roxana Nester, Lee Lawrence, Duane Thiel, Dick Chapin, Chuck Bidwell, Gale Horn, Village Administrator Randy Mahlman, Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell and Solicitor Tom Thompson in attendance.
Resuming last month’s discussion regarding the Village’s thirty-three year-old Water Plant (useful lifespan is about thirty years), Administrator Mahlman provided Council additional information for its consideration. In full agreement to proceed with plans to construct a new facility, members voted to suspend the required three-reading rule and pass Resolution 03-15: A resolution authorizing the Village Administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement and/or local transportation improvement program(s) and to execute contracts as required to make capital improvements on the Water Treatment Plant.
Estimated to cost one million dollars, Council looks to complete the Water Plant Project without increasing rates.
Additionally that evening, Council acted to adjust sewer and water flat rates to better meet present and future financial responsibilities.
With a portion of the sanitary sewer system’s long term debt set to expire, Council found a reduction in existing rates would continue to provide sufficient revenue to offset the facility’s current annual operational and maintenance expenses. They also determined the current water rate structure did not generate adequate income to meet all of its outstanding obligations while providing for maintenance and improvement needs of the system.
On that basis, Council went on to approve the first of three required readings of Ordinance 07-15: Repealing existing Section 925.01 of the Codified Ordinances and enacting codified ordinance Section 925.01 setting forth user rates for the Village Sanitary Sewer System and Ordinance 08-15: Repealing Sections 921.02 and 921.03 and enacting codified ordinance Sections 921.02 and 921.03 ~ setting forth rates for the Village Water System.
The Village’s new user structure will not increase monthly rates; it only reassigns fourteen dollars from the flat sewer fee to the water portion of the billing. Each ordinance, upon passage, will take effect January 1, 2016.
In other action taken, Council:
•Voted to suspend the rules and pass on second reading Ordinance 05-15: Accepting Recodification of 2015 Ordinances for the Village of Edon Ohio.
•Heard Administrator Mahlman’s monthly report noting Aqua-Line Leak Detection investigated questionable spots, deciding a “false positive” leak on Woodville Street could be attributed to operations at Dimension Veneer and to its locater being unfamiliar with “Village sounds”; sewer tank lids were taken care of and the upcoming four-week planned work schedule included grounds upkeep, testing, reading meters, refurbishing the cemetery’s flagpole, brush pick-ups and locating individual water shutoff valves. Also shared were plans to communicate Village information with the public (i.e. ordinance and resolution updates, photos of purchases, assets, wastewater and water treatment plants, FAQ, etc.) via the Village website.
•Was made aware a new printer/copier/scanner would be purchased for Village offices through the State Purchasing Program; the unit ($3,278) and monthly maintenance plan are cost-saving measures for the Village.
•Heard Police Chief Tom Szymczak’s July Service Log (including 111 calls for service; 30 complaints; 5 citations; 44 warnings; no accidents; 1 alarm; no arrests; 13 assists; 79 follow-ups) and detailed Vehicle Report (including $481.50 in fuel costs). Additionally, Department officers provided traffic control for nearly one hundred seventy-five Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club escorts and cyclists participating in last month’s Kaleb McLaughlin Memorial Ride.
•Joined Mayor Burkhardt in thanking Edon Area Chamber of Commerce, Theta Kappa Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, Village Employees, Edon Police Department and all volunteers for the great Edon Days Weekend and Parade; the extra time put in by everyone is very much appreciated.
•Noted Village Offices would be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.
•Learned specially designed “Appreciation Rocks” were completed and in place on East Indiana Street. Recognized by a very appreciative Village were Richard and Wanda Held for their “beautification” efforts over the years and John and Marilyn Toner for their generous donation of property to the Village.
•Was informed the Zoning Committee would convene prior to the September session at 6:30 p.m.
•Accepted the Minutes, Financial Report and Bills as presented.
The next monthly regular meeting of Edon Village Council will be held Monday, September 21, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Village Chambers.
Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
May be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com