STRYKER: March 10, 2014-Mayor Hughes brought down the gavel and opened the March Stryker Village Council Meeting on March 10 at the Stryker City Office. After the opening prayer and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, the role call was taken and all council members were present.
The first order of business was presentation and adoption of the monthly financial report. After a motion to accept by Council President Terry Weiland, and seconded by council member Mike Fox, the report was unanimously adapted. In Communication business, Mayor Hughes announced that the WEDCO Annual Meeting would be held at the Williams County Veterans Memorial Complex in Montpelier on March 20 from 11:30 – 1:00, with networking taking place from 11:30 to 12:00 and the Lunch/Annual Meeting from 12:00 – 1:00. The cost of the event will be $25.00 and will feature keynote speaker Gary Thompson, Director of Ohio jobs Northwest Ohio region.
Next item on the agenda was legislative matters, and the council considered repeal and replacement of Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) of Ordinance #1997-11. Sub section (b) (1) currently states:
925.02 BILLINGS:
Bills for the rates and charges herein established by the Village shall be sent monthly. All bills shall be payable on the fifteenth day of the month following the reading of the meters and shall be paid at the office of the clerk. If any charge for the service of the system shall not be be paid by the thirtieth day of the month, except for February which shall be paid by the twenty-eighth day of the month in which it shall become due and payable, a delayed payment charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith. Shut-off notices will be delivered on the 9th day following the due date. If any bills for the service of the water system shall remain unpaid by 9:00 a.m. of the tenth day from the due date, the water supply for the lot, parcel of land or premises affected shall be shut off and shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefore, in addition to the non-payment charges. Refer to section 925.01 (i). Shut-off or turn on outside of normal working hours or on Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays shall be subject to a charge of ($20.00).
(b) Temporary Disconnection:
(1) Whenever a consumer is to be absent from his residence or business for an extended period of time he may, at option; request the utility shut off to his business. Unless this request is made in writing prior to his absence, a minimum charge will be made for both water and sewage.
Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1) shall be repealed and replaced by:
Bills for the rates and charges herein established by the Village shall be sent monthly. All bills shall be payable on the fifteenth day of the month following the reading of the meters and shall be paid at the office of the clerk. If any charge for the service of the system shall not be be paid by the thirtieth day of the month, except for February which shall be paid by the twenty-eighth day of the month in which it shall become due and payable, a delayed payment charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith. Shut-off notices will be delivered on the 9th day following the due date. If any bills for the service of the water system shall remain unpaid by 9:00 a.m. of the tenth day from the due date, the water supply for the lot, parcel of land or premises affected shall be shut off and shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefore, in addition to the non-payment charges. Refer to section 925.01 (i). Shut-off or turn on will not occur outside of normal business hours unless it is deemed an emergency situation by appropriate Village personnel.
(b) Temporary Disconnection:
(1) Whenever a consumer is to be absent from his residence or business for an extended period of time he may, at his or her option; request the utility shut off to his business.
After passing the first reading of Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1), the Council next addressed an ordinance to repeal and replace section 925.01 (i) of Ordinance #1997-11, which reads as follows:
(i) Non-Payment Charge: Any customer for reason of non-payment of monthly charges or whose service has been disconnected shall be subject to the following charges-First time non-payment shut off fee will be ($20.00), second time non-payment shut off fee will be ($40.00), and third time non-payment shut off fee will be ($60.00). After third time shut off fee will remain at ($60.00) for each offence.
Section 925.01 (i) shall be repealed and replaced by:
(i) Any customer for reason of non-payment of monthly charges or whose service has been disconnected shall be subject to the following charges-twenty-five dollar shut off fee ($25.00) and a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) turn-on fee.
The council, voting on the first reading of Section 925.01 (i), passed the Ordinance and will put both Section 925.02 and Sub section (b) (1), and Section 925.01 (i) back in front of the council during the April and May meetings for second and third reading. Any resident who wishes to address these changes or submit input to the council regarding these Ordinances may contact the Village of Stryker Town Council.
In other Council business, the members approved a new time for Council Meetings, changing from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Council also approved the presentation of a plaque containing a Certificate of Appreciation for Lauri Rupp for her work in the Village Council office. Additionally, Councilman Rick Wityk announced he would be traveling in the company of four local Soldiers’ to Arlington National Cemetery for burial of Michael Sanford on March 23 and March 24.
In the Police Chief’s Report, Chief Schlosser reported the office received 83 reports during the month, issued 27 warning citations, 7 citations and announced 2 adult arrests and 4 juvenile arrests. Chief Schlosser also announced the department would be receiving a new 2014 Dodge Charger Patrol Vehicle on March 24, and after up-fitting of the lights, siren and other interior equipment, the vehicle should be in service by March 27.
The next Village Council meeting will take place on April 14 at 7:00 p.m.
