PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ZONING DISCUSSION … From left: Fiscal Officer Nikki Uribes, council members Heather Freese, Don Schlosser and Nathan Thompson discuss the approval of minutes from June 8 at the Montpelier Village Council meeting held on Monday, June 22.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier Village Council met in regular session on Monday, June 22, with council members Don Schlosser, Heather Freese, Chris Kannel, Nathan Thompson, Kevin Motter, and Melissa Ewers in attendance.
Also in attendance were Fiscal Officer Nikki Uribes, Clerk of Council Molly Collert, Village Manager Jason Rockey, and Mayor Steve Yagelski.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the council approved the agenda for the meeting.
There were two additions to the agenda: Uribes being named acting clerk of council since Collert will be absent from the July 13 meeting, and an additional executive session item concerning personnel matters.
Jesse Rayford, who owns Mobile Auto Service in Montpelier, addressed council regarding a business and zoning issue at 120 South Monroe Street.
“We started the business just to try and help the community out a little bit,” Rayford said.
“There are a lot of people down here that can’t afford to just pay out of pocket to get their car fixed and that’s why we’re asking for a rezoning variance.
“At the end of the day, we just want to keep going we do up there and try to keep up with the community and benefit the people that need it.”
Rockey had previously spoken with Rayford prior to the meeting. He said that Rayford operated his mobile repair shop by going out to residents’ houses and fixing cars on site.
“That was consistent with the downtown zoning as the building had been occupied at one time by a construction company,” Rockey said.
Rayford currently doesn’t own the building at 120 South Monroe Street but is leasing it and had signed a lease from his landlord to operate an automotive service building out of that location.
“I told him that I understand his issue, and he thought (Rayford) would be able to run that business out of that building,” Rockey commented.
“I told him it was more of an error on his landlord’s part as opposed to him but he’s kind of caught in the middle now.”
Rayford had asked Rockey just before the end of their conversation if council would consider rezoning in order to allow his business to continue to operate in the downtown area.
Council member Chris Kannel acknowledged Rayford during the meeting, but stressed the village has to protect the downtown area from other existing businesses.
“The ordinance specifically says that is the intent of the district to prohibit automotive-related services, and non-retail uses which tend to interfere with the continuity of retail frontage,” Kannel pointed out.
“The whole point of this zone is to protect it for retail. We have to protect the retail businesses that operate in the small store frontages that we have there in the downtown.”
He then continued, “From my perspective, this council has really worked hard for the last ten years or so, to reassert the strength of our zoning ordinance again for the protection of the other residents and building owners that happen to be around one particular property or another.”
Rayford has already looked at other buildings in the area for his business but hasn’t heard back from the owners of the properties.
“This is all new to everybody within the last week,” said Yagelski. “He (Rayford) had trouble getting a response back from Zillow/Realtor.com and never got a phone call back.
“I think we owe Jesse (Rayford) to try to reach out to that phone number to get a response for time. I appreciate you for coming up here, but this is the council’s decision.”
Rockey, who will be out of the office next week and returning on July 6, said he would propose to get a letter to Jesse Rayford unless the council tells him differently.
“We’ll start the process,” Rockey commented. “I will follow up with you (Rayford) before that letter goes out when I get back on July 6.
“I will be talking to Police Chief Dan McGhee and find out how long the court usually gives as a timeline for coming into compliance that would be 30 days.”
Council approved a retirement agreement for Mark Smith effective July 2, 2027. He is taking advantage of a program offering retiring employees who have announced the date of their retirement at least 12 months ahead of time, but not more than 18 months in advance.
He will be paid a one-time lump sum of $6,131.84.
Village Manager’s Report
Rockey reported the electric department had replaced all the downtown lights they have materials for.
Originally, there were several of the new arms that came in, and they were not drilled properly and had to go back to the manufacturer.
They went back into a big truck and came back damaged with the finish being scratched up. The village has reached an agreement with the manufacturer who will replace the damaged ones.
The storm warning siren located on Meadow Avenue didn’t work properly during last week’s storm event. It was reported that a dead battery was the cause of the problem.
Paving crews are scheduled to be in the village later this week. They will begin milling the streets for this year’s asphalt program with resurfacing to follow.
An executive session was held to discuss personnel and the consideration of purchase or sale of property. No action was taken.
The next meeting is on Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m.
