By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On Monday, October 16, 2023, Stryker Village Council convened for its regular October meeting with councilors Vicki Cameron, Dave Benner, Rachel Garcia, Dusty Potter, and Nick Wlasiuk present and council member Sean Ingram absent.
Mayor Joey Beck, Village Administrator Alan Riegsecker, Fiscal Officer Beth Rediger, Police Chief Steve Mendez, and Village Solicitor Kevin Whitlock were also in attendance.
Pastor Nick Woodall of Stryker United Brethren in Christ Church offered a moment of prayer followed by Army Veteran Bob Davis leading the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first items to be approved before council were the meeting minutes from September 18, 2023, as well as the Finance Report as of October 13, 2023.
Council member Potter offered an update regarding the upcoming Stryker Fall Fest noting that “everything is in place.”
The event will be held on October 28 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Springfield Park and will include bounce houses, hayrides, face painting, music by Loco Sounds, and food trucks.
A monster truck will also be onsite to provide demonstrations and rides for $10.
Providing the weather is favorable, there will be a helicopter candy drop and helicopter rides ranging from $25 to $50.
Mayor Beck invited councilor Wlasiuk to speak about the September 18 Judiciary Committee meeting. Wlasuik shared that as a result of the meeting, the issue of parking in restricted areas on the highway downtown would remain “status quo.” Council voted to accept the minutes of the judiciary meeting.
The Finance Committee meeting minutes from September 26 were also accepted by council. Councilor Cameron shared, “Most of our meeting was to talk about wages for the Police Department and how to fund those. We were talking about increasing to $20 an hour for part-time just to meet with the other communities.”
In addition to the wage increase, the Finance Committee also recommended “that council start the process of initiating a General Fund levy in 2024 for Police Operating so that 24/7 police coverage can be attained.”
Chief Mendez noted in his report to council that the SPD is currently seeking donations to purchase at least two AEDs for police cruisers. In response, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles of Bryan donated $750 to be put toward that initiative.
Mendez further stated he plans to initiate the recruitment process for a fourth officer in November, aiming to finalize the selection by December so that the new hire can commence duties in 2024.
In the Fiscal Officer’s report, Redinger noted that through the Williams County electric aggregation program, Dynegy will be the new energy supplier. All residents will be getting a letter communicating this change. While village residents may opt out and choose another electric supplier, Redinger advises against doing so as many suppliers include extra fees to enroll which costs more in the long run.
Village Administrator Riegsecker noted that with leaf collection season beginning, he wants to remind residents to “put your leaves out to the curbs but not in the curbs. And with mowing and mulching, just to not blow it onto the streets and into the gutters.”
Legislation consisted of items looking ahead to 2024 including a first reading for Ordinance # 2023-03 regarding the 2024 Permanent Annual Appropriations for the village. Fiscal Officer Redinger noted that the numbers include budgeting for a fourth police officer next year.
Also before council was Ordinance #2023-04 pertaining to 2024 Payroll which was approved.
Village Health Insurance Renewal with an increase of 7.44% was passed by motion as was the Village Solicitor Agreement for the services of attorney Kevin Whitlock of Barber, Kaper, Stamm, McWatters, Whitlock & Maloney for the period of two years.
Following discussion on the matter, and after declaring an Emergency, Resolution 10-2023-05 was approved to establish a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) that includes all areas of the Village of Stryker not currently part of another CRA.
The legislation also allows for the designation of a Housing Officer to administer the program and the creation of a CRA Housing Council.
Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) are specific zones within municipalities or unincorporated county areas where property owners are eligible for tax incentives when they invest in improvements to real estate.
The next Stryker Village Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com
