It appeared that Holiday City council would have a short agenda due to a lack of quorum on Thursday, December 20. As council member Dennis Hutchison is spending his winter in a warmer climate, and acting mayor Shawn Clark had been called in to work due to an approaching winter storm, there were not enough council members present to vote on ordinances and resolutions.
While awaiting news as to whether or not Clark could leave work to attend, council was able to proceed with some business with Ron Keil, Jr. conducting the meeting. Kristie Keil asked how council handles continued absences and pay to council members. At present, council members could be docked pay after three consecutive unexcused absences.
In her financial report, clerk-treasurer Lauri Ten-Eyck Rupp said that there were deposits of $499,164.67, expenditures of $501,132.53, and a balance as of the end of November of $2,214,914.38. There was a total investment balance of $172,745.54. She also read invoices for November.
The Visitor’s Bureau website is being updated by executive director Kellie Gray. During the Holiday City Santa visit, 132 children came to visit Santa and received gift bags. The address for the site is www.holidaycityohio.org
In his Administrator’s report, Gary Baker noted that power costs were going up due to rates set in contracts three years ago. The cost increase will be phased in slowly. He added that Menards and the Village of Montpelier are getting their sewer issue resolved.
The Visitor’s Burea furnace recently required repairs, which was completed by JMS. In old business, ditch cleaning has not yet been done. Also, work is still being done on the tornado siren at Menards. A new module is being built, and it will be easier to repair. The cost for a pole for the siren will be around $1000, with a total cost for the project at around $8000 – $9000.
As clerk-treasurer Lauri Rupp’s work computer needs replaced, council approved up to $2000 for a new computer and the required software. Rupp expected that she would shop for a good bargain and likely not need that full amount.
Word was received that the expected winter storm was breaking up, and that acting mayor Shawn Clark was on his way. Had he not been able to attend, council would have had to hold a special meeting during the next few days in order to vote on ordinances and resolutions.
After his arrival, council approved Ordinance 2012-10, an ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the Village of Holiday City during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.
Council approved Ordinance 2012-4B, an ordinance to revise appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the Village of Holiday City during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.
Resolution R-2012-8 was approved for and then-and-now purchase order for the purpose of paying the remaining balance for transmission fees; and Resolution R-2012-9 was approved for debt service to the Village of Montpelier for a water/sewage tap fee. This line goes out to 20/20. Enmergencies were declared on both resolutions and rules suspended to allow for these to be paid immediately.
An executive session was declared to discuss salaries. Council approved an increase in pay of 3 ½ % for Lauri Ten-Eyck Rupp. This brings her salary up to the level of other area clerks. Administrator Gary Baker and Deputy Administrator Blair Campbell’s salaries will remain the same at this time, but can be re-evaluated at a later date. Rupp’s pay increase will go into effect in January 2013. Ordinance 2012-11 was approved to allow for the increase in salary.
Council was adjourned with wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.