The Metamora Village Council held their meeting on Wednesday, February 21st. The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the minutes from the February 5th meeting. Reading of the bills took place next before moving to hear a report delivered by the mayor.
Included in the report was the January sheriff’s report, information about a CDBG grant to grind and replace the village parking lot, and an update to the Metamora Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program. This program is being renamed the Financial Aid Opportunity.
There will be forms for each event that volunteers are needed at, with a need for 2 spring clean-up days, Party in the Park, and the Easter Egg Hunt. Students who volunteer qualify for financial aid from the chamber.
Also discussed during the report was the pedestrian bridge portion of Garnsey Avenue. It was stated that state law does not require pedestrian bridges.
Due to the high cost of the repairs, a motion was put forward to keep the current barricades up, blocking off the pedestrian position of the bridge. The motion passed, with it also being stated a full bridge replacement will be needed in the near future.
The fiscal officer’s report came next with a motion coming first to waive J. Langenderfer’s income tax penalty from a RITA invoice for his 2017 taxes.
An interest payment of $19.75 will still be needed. This motion was approved and followed up with discussion regarding House Bill 101.
It was stated that HB 101 increases the competitive bidding threshold from $50,000.00 to $75,000.00 and will be going into effect sometime this summer.
Moving along to personnel and finance, a review took place of an insurance renewal, planning has begun for the Easter Egg Hunt, and a motion was put forward to hire Gerig Eavespouting to install seamless gutters and downspouts to the maintenance shop, increasing the budget for this project from $1,100.00 to $1,400.00. This motion was approved along with another motion to join Shaw’s Corporate Program for maintenance uniforms.
Continuing over to Environment, Planning and Properties, discussion started with landscaping. Landscaping companies will be looked at and contacted for donations of shrubs/plants that can be put around the village entrance signs.
Discussion then took place regarding who is running the concession stand in the park this summer, as well as the upcoming EYA ball season. EYA representatives will be asked to attend a council meeting to discuss things.
As for Streets, Transportation and Utilities, the lift stations are running well. A sewer issue arose at 252 Maple Street and new sewer camera quotes have come in.
Amounts range from $8,000.00 to $16,000.00 with council asking for a cheaper price. The idea of hiring Earl Mechanical to camera the sewer lines was also looked at with it being determined this route would be costly and inconvenient.
Check valves were next on the agenda with it being stated the ones at the East Lift Station need replacing. The valves are original to the unit. The cost for replacements is set at $7,500.00 with labor coming in at around $5,000.00.
The cost to rebuild/replace the entire top of the lift station would cost $32,000.00. Lastly, a motion was put forward, and approved, to purchase a new toolbox from Lowes for $1,000.00.
Under new business, it was stated a resident had complained about the speed limit on County Road 2 going into Michigan. The complaint said that cars were going too fast.
Council stated that the state is responsible for the speed limit on the east side of the road, but that a 35 MPH sign can be put up on the west side lane traveling into the Village.
First Energy/Toledo Edison will also be conducting vegetation management work in the village sometime this year.
A zoning report then followed with a complaint being made about a car with a broken window being parked on Main Street for long periods of time. A letter will be sent to the resident/owner.
With no other business to attend to, council moved to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.