WELCOME ABOARD … Kimberlee Priestap is sworn into office by Fayette Mayor David Borer. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Tim Kays
The resignation of Linda Short from Fayette Village Council was read into record during their February 10 meeting. The seat was not vacant for long as after an executive session to discuss the matter, Council named Ms. Kimberlee Priestap to fill the vacancy. Ms. Priestap will serve the remainder of Short’s term, which expires at the end of 2021.
In her report to Council, Village Administrator Genna Biddix spoke on the Water Distribution System Project. “The RFQ (Request for Qualifications) deadline has passed,” she said, “…and we have received two SOQ’s (Statements of Qualification) for our selection committee to review.”
“Our selection committee will consist of Council members who sit on Public Works, the Mayor, Superintendent Zach Lester, and myself. We will discuss the SOQ’s at the next Public Works committee meeting. I have sent copies of them to all the committee members so that they have time to review everything prior to the meeting.”
Referencing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation funding, Ms. Biddix reported, “Back in November, I reported to you that I had attended a CDBG public hearing and learned that the State was considering eliminating the allocation piece of the CDBG funding mechanism.”
“Following that, the Mayor and I attended the TMACOG (Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments) virtual General Assembly Village Caucus meeting where Senator Theresa Gavarone (Ohio District 2) was in attendance.”
“During a roundtable discussion, I voiced my concerns about the State’s tentative plan to eliminate allocation funding. Senator Gavarone asked for a few more details during the meeting, and then immediately following the meeting I had an email from Senator Gavarone’s aide asking for more information about allocation funding.”
“The Senator’s office eventually scheduled a meeting with ODSA (Ohio Development Services Agency) to discuss the issue, but prior to having the meeting ODSA notified the Senator’s office that they had decided to not eliminate the allocation funding for this Project Year 2021-2022 cycle.”
“I immediately let MVPO (Maumee Valley Planning Organization) know that the funding would remain intact, for now. The allocation applications are due May 17, 2021.”
In other actions, Council heard the second reading of Ordinance 2021-02, allowing for permanent appropriations for 2021.
Tim can be reached at tim@thevillagereporter.com