(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PLAYGROUND … Work has been done by APC to clear the area at the park for the new playground. On October 5th some council members and volunteers will put the new playground equipment together.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Metamora Village Council held their meeting on Wednesday, September 4th. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance before council moved to approve minutes from the August 19th meeting.
A review was then conducted of the sheriff’s report before moving on to discuss an issue at the park. Mayor Mossing received a phone call regarding disturbances in the park involving children making noise and banging trash cans around.
It was stated that Mossing went to look around and did not see any damage. Conversations were then had with some of the residents in the area that informed her the children were the same boys that vandalized a door at the park earlier this year.
Upon hearing this, council moved to send a no trespass order to the area kids who were causing the issue.
It was then stated that Mossing has been researching deeds to the property the village owns. It was learned that the office buildings property goes behind the building and is part of the parking lot in the rear.
It was stated that several council members knew this and also thought Big’s Bar and Grill patio may be on village property. The village solicitor will look into this due to the village not wanting to be liable for the patio area.
Moving on to the fiscal officer’s report, council moved to approve two recommendations for fund reallocations for the purchase of semi weight limit signs for Garnsey Bridge and the 2nd ½ real estate tax settlement/expenses.
It was also stated that Solicitor Bohmer will be drafting documentation regarding the vacated alley on Maple Street. No paperwork was ever filed with the county for the vacated alley and this was brought to the village’s attention by the recent sale of this property.
Next, council moved to approve payment of the bills before moving on to hear committee reports. Discussion was held regarding the hiring of a village administrator at 20 hours per week and a village ordinance officer at around 20 hours a month.
This is due to the amount of big projects needing done. It was stated an administrator could help oversee these projects and could help to work on growth within the village.
It was further stated that a village ordinance officer would help to enforce nuisance and maintenance violations in order to clean up the village. Concerns were voiced as to if the village could afford this. A decision was made to look into the village financials and discuss this further.
Continuing on, APC is done preparing land in the park where the new playground is going. On October 5th some council members and volunteers will put the new playground equipment together.
A list of issues were then passed out that CT Consultants provided after conducted smoke testing. Discussion took place as to what items on the list had been taken care of and which ones still need addressed. These items will be reviewed with maintenance workers.
Council then moved to pass the Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-16 establishing a central purchasing, electronic banking and credit card policy for the Village of Metamora.
Also approved was the First Reading of Ordinance 2024-18 to amend Chapter 147 (Tree Commission) of the Codified Ordinances within the Village of Metamora, Ohio.
The village Christmas parade was then set for December 15th. It was stated that the Lyons Christmas Parade is set for December 14th, and with this parade being scheduled for the day after, many entries may already be decorated from the Lyons parade.
A motion was then put forward, and approved, to pay the cost of sandwiches for Arbor Day, up to $175.00, with Gleaners Life Insurance donating $100.00 towards this.
A notice was sent out on August 21st to the property owner of 124 East Main Street regarding the building code violation. It was stated that the village is waiting for the building inspector to put out word what the owner’s intent is (fixing the building or demolition).
Under new business, reviews were given for recently attended seminars, before council moved to approve Lumbrezer and Lietzke to attend the 2024 Village Fiscal Officer training in Perrysburg, OH, at a cost of $100.00 per person.
Discussion was then held regarding Halloween and the giving out of candy from the village office. It was also stated work could be done with the fire department to provide food there after trick or treating.
Lastly, it was stated the recycling center always looks like a mess. Pupos will reach out to Triangular Processing to see what their procedure is. With no other items to attend to, the meeting will adjourn at 8:52 p.m.