By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Metamora Village Council held their meeting on Monday, April 1st. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes.
Council first moved to recognize visitors Steve and Stacy Kessler, who were in attendance to discuss their recently purchased property.
Attached to the pair’s property is an alley that had been vacated by the village. It is listed on the deed but there is no legal documentation showing this, with any paper trail possibly being initiated back in the early 1900s.
It was said that more research would be done on this matter and that if no documentation is found, an emergency ordinance will be completed.
The mayor’s report followed, with a motion being put forward to send letters out to residents to inform them of operation clean-up, as well as to pay the postage for these letters.
The topic of grants came next, with it being stated some OPWC grants are available that cover up to 90% of old infrastructure. A list of projects will be gone through to decide which one has the best chance of being awarded the grant.
The fiscal officers report followed next, with council moving to approve the Third Reading of Ordinance 2024-04 prohibiting adult-use cannabis operators, adult-use cultivators, and adult-use dispensaries from operating within the Village of Metamora, Ohio.
The rules were then suspended by council in order to pass Ordinance 2024-05, requesting the county auditor provide required tax levy information and declaring an emergency, in one reading.
Rules were suspended once more to pass Ordinance 2024-06, to amend 2024 appropriations during fiscal year ending December 31st, 2024, and declaring an emergency, in one reading.
Next, a motion was put forward, which was approved, to enter into an agreement with Walter Drane Co. for codified ordinance updates from 10/17/2022 through 12/27/2023, with replacement pages and online updates being received.
Reports of vandalism in village parks were discussed next. Plexiglass was broken on the display board and the top of the playground equipment was off. Discussion took place regarding the purchase of new cameras with no decision being made at this time.
Council then moved to approve the bill list before moving on to old business, with the following motions being made and approved by council.
A motion to hire Overhead Doors for repairs to the maintenance shop doors in the amount of $1,320.00. A motion to purchase bases, a pitcher’s mound, and a chalker for the ball diamonds from Game One in the amount of $945.00.
With leftover money budgeted for ballpark equipment, approval will be gained for a food permit to sell hot dogs in the concession stand.
A motion to rent a port-a-potty for the park during the months of April and May. A motion for village maintenance workers to repair the wooden floor in the office that has rotted from moisture.
A motion to purchase carpet for the office from Bowerman Carpet in the amount of $498.15. A motion to purchase a sewer camera from Infratech Solutions for $8,100.00.
Moving to new business, the door to the recycling center will be open from April to November and the Memorial Wall Dedication Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 9th.
The PUCO electric aggregate program needs to be resigned every two years. A motion was put forward to complete this which was approved by council.
Lastly, zoning items put before council were approved, before moving to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. The next council meeting will be held on April 15th at 8:00 p.m.
