By: Rebecca Miller
Mayor Steve Yagelski led the teleconference meeting for the Montpelier Village council meeting on Monday, May 11, 2020, with Pastor Paul Greutter opening in prayer. The council voted to approve the agenda for the meeting as well as the minutes from the April 27, 2020 meeting and the financial reports for April 2020.
Council member Chris Kannel informed council of the “Community Cleanup” event which will consist of three categories. Residential will be led by Pastor Ben Harris and will have volunteers who will assist community members with yard and landscaping cleanup, exterior painting and minor exterior repairs.
More volunteers are needed so for information contact Pastor Ben at 419-485-1111 or 419-485 3311. The Downtown will consist of basic painting and repair of cornices, cleaning windows and minor exterior repairs. Business owners will provide the materials needed. The third category will include Parks and Trails. The goal in this group is to improve the existing trail along the St. Joseph River by making it more passable and adding wood chips.
The Montpelier Rotary Club has committed $2000 to incentivize volunteerism and will provide Chamber Dollars matching the number of community service hours provided. ODOT has given approval and the chips are being donated by the village as they have a large pile.
They are hoping that as so many things have been canceled for the summer, residents will take the opportunity to volunteer with assisting, as individuals or as families. They are all jobs that lend themselves to social distancing. Mayor Yagelski said he has heard people talking about this and is excited that it is happening.
Council member Nathan Thompson inquired as to when the utility office will be opening up to the public. Village Manager Jason Rockey informed them that the office plans to open on Tuesday, with council’s approval. Customers will be asked to social distance, with no more than three people permitted in the lobby at a time.
Signs have been placed instructing customers where to stand while waiting and requesting customers to wait outside if the lobby is at capacity. All services will resume as normal.
Council member Kevin Motter noted to ensure the safety of the Village’s youth and elderly, the Memorial Day Ceremony will not take place as usual. The ceremony will be live-streamed through Facebook beginning at 10:55 a.m. on Memorial Day. At 11:00 a.m., a wreath will be placed on the Civil War monument followed by a 21 Gun Salute and playing of Taps. There will not be a guest speaker, parade, bicycle judging or luncheon this year.
Motter expressed that they are sorry that what has become a great family oriented event cannot happen as usual this year, but he hopes that people will watch on FaceBook Live. They look forward to making next year a memorable one like normal. Council members thanked him for doing what they can do.
“There’s no way we are not going to do something!” Motter said. “We had the big plans for the Vietnam Veterans event and that had to be canceled because of this. We just can’t keep putting these meaningful events off. They continue to do the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. We can do this at our cemetery in Montpelier.”
The Livestream event on FaceBook can be viewed at the Dane Michael Veteran Center, American Legion Post 109, and Williams County VFW 944 as they are all co-sponsors of the event.
Rockey reported that he and Fiscal officer Nikki Uribes attended the Park Board Meeting and got their opinion on activities for the summer and heard a good report from Recreation Director Sandy Gordon. He stated that the biggest issue seems to be the opening of the pool this year.
The three main reasons for a problem are 1. The governor’s orders, 2. Not enough life guards certified as YMCA is closed and they do the certifications and 3. The current financial position. The pool runs at a great cost and with the situation right now with lower income tax collections. They are recommending that the pool not be opened this year.
Dan Willis made a motion, with regret, to accept the recommendation. Motter said that for many children in the community the pool is the biggest and best thing they have going. He expressed that he hopes the Splash Pad will take the sting out of this decision. Some concern was expressed by Kannel that it seems so final. “Is there some middle ground, like we could open later?”
Rockey explained that it makes it hard for the lifeguards if they hold it open as a “maybe” for them to find jobs for the summer. Second was given by Melissa Ewers and sad voices voted to approve the closure for this summer.
Rockey said they will have an amended appropriation at the next meeting, but will be speaking to department supervisors before decisions are made. Council member Don Schlosser asked about how they are going to do that. Rockey said they will be creative and possibly do some department cross overs.
Summer help will be limited. Uribes said the biggest part of the financial problems is that she thinks they will be down 20% on revenue. Expenses will need to be cut. The adjustments will be big. Mayor said, “We’ve been down this road before and we are going to succeed. I have faith in everybody.”
Council proceeded to approve Resolution 1279 – A resolution authorizing the village manager to enter into a contract for property and liability insurance for the village of Montpelier. Question was raised about removing the pool from the policy since it will not be opening this season and Uribes said she will check with Conrad Beck, of Beck Insurance and the Ohio Plan. The Splash Pad will be added to the policy as soon as construction begins.
In her report, Uribes informed Council that income tax collections at the end of April 2020 were $624,322.23 as compared to $711,570.17 and $693,144.06 in 2019 and 2018 respectively. This is down 12.26% from 2019 and 9.93% from 2018.
Rockey reported that the Trailhead Park is moving forward. An asbestos report will be performed and then they can get a bid for demolition. He received an extension through December 31, 2020 for that project. On the County Road 13 project, the village is waiting on an approval letter from the Ohio EPA and then they can plan for construction of the Wabash Cannonball connector path.
Willis asked if the power is still on at the old tanning building? Rockey said they had to leave it on in order for an inspection to take place. Willis said the door is open and the lights are on. Rockey said he would see if they can get it to shut, or board it up.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
