RESPECTFULLY PROPOSED … Mrs. Kathryn Morr, a resident of Delta, spoke with council at the May 3, 2021 Delta Village Council meeting concerning her hope that they will get started soon on the sidewalks in the parks. Her family had donated $290 toward this project and she wants to see it completed to benefit all those with wheels. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
At the beginning of the Monday evening, May 3, 2021, Delta Village Council meeting, Mrs. Robert (Kathryn) Morr, Jr. addressed council.
Her concern was that she has not seen anything being done about the sidewalks in the park that would make it possible for strollers, assistance walkers and wheel chairs to get throughout the park.
In memory of her husband, in April 2018, she and her family donated $290 toward the cost of putting in sidewalks at the park “to have a continuous pathway wide enough for a stroller or handicap equipment, to each sports field from a parking area” as well as “sidewalk from the west restrooms, and south to the police station.”
It was in the statement that if the village “should choose not to complete this pathway by end of 2019 the money will be returned to Robert Morr family.”
It has not been done, so Mrs. Morr stated to council that if the village would start that project, which “would be advantageous to the public using equipment for mobility and to comply with the American Disability Act accessibility to public parks,” she would consider matching the donation funds if needed for completion.
Village Administrator Brad Peebles made a statement to council that they do plan to do this project. “It is on our docket to do…hopefully to accomplish this year, at a cost of around $10,000.”
“The money is already there and we do intend to do it,” he said.
He has contractors looking at it right now but could not promise when that will be accomplished, especially with the cost of materials at present.
In his report, Peebles spoke about the status of property sales for Wood Street and Madison St. The village has accepted a sale for the Wood St. property.
Concerning the Madison St. property, which is $17,500, they did accept one bid on that and it will be sold to the Smith family who wanted it. There was a lengthy discussion about where that money should be spent, but also as to whether that land should become a shooting range for training law enforcement.
Council members Chad Johnson and Michael Tanner brought up the thought of spending the money to build a training center, or Law Enforcement Agency Complex.
Peebles said that he has spoken with a number of people and it looks like the government is moving in the direction of mandating that for counties, so it would behoove the village to start moving in that direction. “It will take some consensus building,” he said, “but it is worth working toward that, instead of just a shooting range.”
Council voted to pass a motion to put the money from the sale of the Madison St. property into a separate account/fund, line item, for a Law Enforcement Training Complex. Council member Anthony Dawson voted against this, as he had spoken about an agreement in the past to put money from property sales in the general funds to pay off a loan.
Peebles reviewed the pricing agreement for electric usage within village operations and the Liquor License Renewal process. A motion and vote was taken to pass the license renewal.
He also reported that a water line was discovered to have lead in it and EPA is requiring it be replaced. He has priced that at around $27,500 for design and approval.
In one last topic, he suggested that the village connect to the Fulton County Water system near North Star, with a 15” connection, to cover any emergency needs of the village if the upper walls of the reservoir were to give way.
The estimated cost is approximately $500,000 plus $39,000 for design and he recommended that they pay for it with the $610,000 that should be coming from the federal government. He will be presenting legislation at another meeting.
Police Chief Nathan Hartsock reported that 12 pounds of drugs were received during the Drug Take Back. Council voted to suspend the reading rules and approve Resolution 21-04 Authorizing participation in the ODOT Road Salt contracts awarded in 2021; and Ordinance 21-07 Estimating amount of active and inter monies and amount of inactive monies of the village of Delta and designating the depository of the active an intern and inactive funds.
Also approved was the first reading of Ordinance 21-08 establishing Weight Limits to 5 tons or 10,000 pounds for all vehicles on any dedicated alley with the Village of Delta.
This is to stop the trash trucks from breaking up some specific allies in the village.
The meeting adjourned and the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 17, 2021 at 5:30.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com