(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BRIDGE … Currently, the pedestrian section of the Garnsey Avenue Bridge in Metamora remains closed. The section was closed last year after being deemed unsafe.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Metamora Village Council held their meeting on Wednesday, October 23rd. The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council first moved to approve minutes from the October 7th meeting before hearing from visitors.
Brandon Truckor spoke with council regarding sidewalks. A village ordinance is currently in place that cites the homeowner’s responsibility for sidewalk repairs and maintenance.
Brandon mentioned that there is a bad one (sidewalk) in front of his rental home and he stated he would get it taken care of. Members of council appreciated his attention to that.
Next to speak was Jeff Truckor. Jeff questioned if anyone had a way to get a hold of the property owners next to his bar. Their wires are on his property, and he is unable to move forward with repairs to his building without them being involved. It was further stated that no one has been in contact with them or knows how to reach them.
Jeff also informed council that all of the benches, flowerpots and smoking butt pots are put together and are ready to be placed around the village.
Moving to the VFO’s report, a motion was put forward to waive any hearing before the Fulton County Budget Commission and go ahead with the apportionment of the Undivided Local Government Fund pursuant to ORC 5757, and agree to the FCBC alternate plan, accepting the sum of $26,296.85 for the 2025 budget. This measure was approved by council.
Additional motions were then put forward, and approved, for the following expense line changes. A reallocation of $600.00 from expense line 2101-490-349 to expense line 2101-630-420. A reallocation of $550.00 from expense line 1000-730-410 to expense line 1000-730-220 and $200.00 from expense line 5201-549-312 to expense line 5201-549-220.
The mayor’s report came next with council moving to review the August and September Sheriff’s Report. Council was then informed of a conversation that took place with Mannik and Smith regarding the replacement of the Garnsey Avenue Bridge.
Three structure types will be submitted due to most grant applications requiring this. An alternate route will also need to be created while the bridge is out.
Inspections will begin in November with the grant being due in August of 2025. If the grant is awarded, the replacement will not begin until 2028. Council then moved to approve a request for $300.00 for a new office flagpole.
Reading of the bills took place next before moving on to discuss personnel, finance and security. At this time, it was stated that all of the committee meetings needed to start happening together in order to try and make the meetings fun more efficiently.
Employees Condon and Lietzke will no longer need to attend but, Jagodzinski would like to attend once a month to give a report on the maintenance department.
A motion was then put forward, and approved, to change the committee meetings as follows. The Committee of the Whole meeting to 6:00 p.m. on the third Monday of the month unless that falls on a holiday.
Council meetings will then be held at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month unless those dates fall on a holiday.
Next in Environment, Planning and Properties, a motion was put forward, and approved, to purchase mulch and a border from Penchura LLC, for the NatureWorks Grant Playground. The amount of the mulch is $10,106.00 and the amount of the border is $2,375.00.
Moving into old business, it was stated that advertisements for the new Village Administrators position will be cut off on November 14th.
Applications will be mailed out to all new council members as they come in. Discussions about future interviews will begin on November 18th during that meeting. With nothing else left to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.