Approving the Board of Public Affairs’ recent land acquisition was just one item on a busy agenda addressed by Edon Village Council during its regular session held Monday, April 21, 2014 in Council Chambers. Attending the evening meeting were Councilors Lee Lawrence, Duane Thiel, Richard Chapin, Chuck Bidwell, Gale Horn, Mayor Darlene Burkhardt, Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell and Solicitor Tom Thompson; not answering roll was Councilor Roxana Nester.
Earlier this month, Andrew Ledyard, Edon BPA Trustee, entered into a contract with Leora Walkup for the purchase of 3.407 acres of real estate within the Village. Surrounding the Village’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and accessed from East Indiana Street, the Yoder Estate property was acquired at the purchase price of $16,000.
With a vote to suspend the three-reading rule, councilors unanimously approved Ordinance 03-14 thereby ratifying the execution of the Purchase Agreement and authorizing Mayor Burkhardt to take any and all actions necessary to carry out and complete the terms agreed to.
Council then went on to approve a contract with Larry Meyers to lease the 3.407 acres from the Village for farmland.
Additionally that night, Council again suspended the three-reading rule to pass Resolution 01-14: A resolution urging Ohio voters to support State Issue I, the renewal of the State Capital Improvements Program (SCIP), on the May 6, 2014 ballot.
Since its inception in 1987, and subsequent renewals in 1995 and 2005, more than 11,500 essential infrastructure improvement projects (roads, bridges, wastewater systems, etc.) have been built with this supplemental assistance. SCIP has not only provided much needed jobs through local contractors; it has also helped to grow the state’s economy.
State Issue I would renew SCIP by authorizing issuance of $1.875 billion in capital improvement bonds to directly benefit local governments and communities with no new taxes required to fund their repayment.
In other action, Council:
•Reminded everyone Spring Trash pickup is set for Saturday, May 17.
•Accepted Street Superintendent Jim Brigle’s submitted letter of retirement; his stated intentions are effective April 1, 2015.
•Was informed Ohio Health Plan Consortium had disbanded, ending health care coverage for all associates on May 31, 2014; quotes for new insurance options for Village employees are currently being examined.
•Heard Chief of Police Tom Szymczak’s detailed Service Log and Vehicle Report for March. He also noted golf cart inspections would take place May 1 through May 15 at the Police Station; owners will receive their stickers at that time.
•Was informed by Street Superintendent Brigle the Village backhoe would be picked up and taken to Ridgeville Corners during the week of April 21; transmission and brake repairs (estimated at $7,500-$10,000) are expected to take one week to complete.
•Reviewed the Street Department’s projected summer projects including widening Woodville Street; sealing pavement cracks (use of County equipment to be arranged) and replacing street name signs to comply with new federal regulations (to be completed by 2018).
•Approved the removal (cutting down, grinding stumps, etc.) of six trees throughout the Village by Quality Tree Service at a cost of eleven hundred dollars.
•Authorized Solicitor Thompson to prepare an ordinance sanctioning the removal of three stop signs at the intersection of Main and Railroad Streets; action was requested by Edon Farmers Co-Op (grain trucks entering the plant off Railroad Street would not have to stop.)
•Approved Taylor Muehlfeld and Brien Moore as summer employees for the Street and Park Departments, respectively; each will be working twenty hours per week at the 2013 hourly rate.
•Expressed their preference to have the Zoning Inspector position filled with a local individual; upon discussion of the proposed change, the current inspector would be asked to tender his resignation for the next meeting.
•Learned the Park Board had reorganized with Martha Michael now serving as president; they will meet next on Wednesday, May 7.
•Heard a transportation meeting sponsored by Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) was set for Monday, April 28; members were invited to attend at their choice.
•Joined Mayor Burkhardt in thanking Don Walton, Pat Dillon, Don Whitney (and all volunteers) for removing Christmas decorations at Walz Park; the time and effort put into completing this huge undertaking is greatly appreciated.
•Accepted the Minutes, Financial Report and Bills as presented.
•Voted to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel; no action was taken before adjourning.
The next regular monthly meeting of the Edon Village Council will be held Monday, May 19, 2014 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Village Chambers.