The Montpelier Village Council called their meeting to order on November 26, 2012, to discuss items on their agenda.
There were no comments from the audience following approval of the agenda and the minutes from the last meeting.
Mayor Steve Yagelski shared letters that he had received from Mrs. Calvin’s 2nd grade students, with whom he had recently spoken. He had talked to them about the plans for the Storrer Park on the site where the old Storrer elementary school building once stood, and shared blueprints for equipment that he hopes will be installed over time, depending on funds raised.
Council approved changes to the Montpelier Municipal Utilities Residential Utility Procedures. Council member Ric Echler brought up the subject of thawing meters. He said that although the village had provided this service in the past, it is now a rare occurrence due to increasingly warmer temperatures. At present, there is a policy in place so that the village can charge residents for the service, but he would like to see the service eliminated altogether. This will be considered.
Supervisor of administrative services Kurt Roan said that Phase 3 of the sewer separation project will be up for bid. The cost of the project is estimated at $730,000 and bids will open on December 12. Council members asked if leaf pick-up was still going on, and he confirmed that the village was still picking up leaves from residents’ curbs.
Montpelier Fire Chief Dail Fritsch requested that the council approve firefighter applicant Larry Marowelli to the department with a one year probationary period. He noted that although Marowelli has not been able to participate, he has faithfully attended every fire meeting in the last five months and has shown a desire to be a part of the fire department. Council moved and approved the motion approving Marowelli.
Council also approved a change in the date that residents are alerted to overdue utility bills. Beginning in January 2013, door hangers warning residents of impending shut-off will now be hung on Thursdays, and termination of service will occur the following Tuesday. For the months of January and February, however, door hangers will be placed on Wednesday with shut-offs on the following Monday. This was changed from the present timetable so that residents will not have to request an extension until they receive paychecks on Fridays. This change should be of benefit to most residents.
Director of finance Kelly Hephner said that she and an insurance agent had been investigating insurance companies to find the best rate for village employees at the best rate possible. At the time of the meeting, the best rate was with Medical Mutual who was offering coverage at about 10 percent above the current rate, which will be expiring. Employees currently pay 10 percent of their insurance premiums and they will cover a portion of that increase. Hephner said that their insurance agent is still trying to negotiate a better deal. Council approved the Insurance Renewal as presented at the table, but if a better rate is found, that will automatically be approved.
Ordinance 2149, authorizing the Village Manager to Execute a Power Purchase Agreement with Solar Planet, LLC, was picked up from the table for its third reading and passed. This will allow the village to buy solar power from the company following installation of a solar power plant. Law Director Chris Walker was complimented for his work on the project.
Council moved to pass ordinance 2150 to approve, adopt, and enact the 2012 Codified Ordinance. A motion to suspend rules was approved, and the motion was approved. This ordinance allows the enactment of new matters concerning criminal and traffic violations in order to bring the village up to date and be consistent with laws on a state level.
The meeting was adjourned following an executive session to discuss personnel and reserving the right to discuss other matters.
There will be only one council meeting in December due to the upcoming holidays. It will be held on December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the police station.