The January 25, 2021 meeting was held in person at Valleywood for Swanton Village Council. Plans are scheduled for an Independence Day Celebration with Fireworks to be held on Saturday, July 3rd, if it is allowed by the Health Department at that time.
Council will change the plans if they have to closer to the date, but want to be ready for whichever scenario.
Swanton Historical Society and the village council have worked together for quite a while to bring about the new Railroad Park. The Historical Society has received a $150,000 grant for this project, but Mayor Neil Toeppe stated that additional funds will need to be raised as they plan for landscaping and parking and an historic depot. The project will most likely be done in three phases.
Public Service and Public Safety Committees held meetings prior to the regular council meeting with many specific details to discuss, including election of chairpersons.
The agenda for the Regular meeting, which started at 7 p.m., and minutes from January 11, 2021 meeting were approved. Water and Sewer Committee gave a report and Mayor Toeppe gave a proclamation naming it Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.
Council voted to approve:
•Third reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 74 (parking generally) of the Codified Ordinances to now read: Schedule 1. Parking Prohibited at all times on the East Side of Black Canyon Drive and on the North Side of Waterwood Drive
•Third reading of Ordinance amending Village Zoning map by amending the zoning classification for 13950 Airport Highway in the Village of Swanton, from Central Business B-3 to One Family Residential R-1
•First reading of An ordinance declaring the necessity to assess all properties in the Village of Swanton, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 727.01. et seq. For the cost of Leaf Collection, Approving plans, Establishing tentative assessments and Method of payment
•First reading of Ordinance declaring the necessity to assess all properties in the Village of Swanton, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section727.01 et seq. For the cost of Street lighting, approving plans, establishing tentative assessments, and method of payment
•Emergency passage of Ordinance Authorizing the Village Administrator to enter into an agreement for the Beard Pavilion Replacement Project and declaring an emergency (With the bid from Rupp/Rosebrock, Inc. of Liberty Center being recommended and approved at the cost of $63,900, not to exceed $75,000)
In her Administrator’s Report, Rosanna Hoelzle informed council that COVID-19 vaccine roll out is going as well as it can in both counties, with Kroger in Swanton as the location for distribution. The Village has no direct affiliation with the rollout so those interested should contact Kroger or the Heath Department for information.
Hoelzle also reported that the village received a Certificate regarding the 2020 US Census, and that the publishing of the data is delayed until sometime in February or march.
Concerning the TMACOG General Assembly which she attended, Hoelzle shared that the keynote speaker, the Consul General of Canada, spoke about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a project with is “massive and is expected to be complete in 2024.”
Other info she gained was that “Ohio’s exporters sell more to Canada than the next eight foreign destinations combined.” She also attended a Village Caucus and “gleaned good information from other local governments.”
In Project updates, Council learned:
•Project 8&9 – working on permit to install document to send to EPA; sent letter of intent to EPA; and finishing design
•WRRF Master Plan – Mr. Geise is working with Fishbeck to gather pertinent information to begin analysis and review
•Membrane Softening – Mr. Yackee is working with Shoaf Consulting and hopes to have a preliminary sketch soon
•Memorial Park Drainage – still on track for 2021 project; necessary to elevated flooding at Memorial Park before any more major improvements can be made
•Phase 2 Meter Update – finalizing total number of meters with much back and forth review to ensure any possible deviations were highlighted
•Safe Routes – Received the proposed service agreement with the firm to perform construction administration, MAAKIL Goup, proposed fee is $29,810 but does indicate that once a contractor is awarded, a revised cost can be calculated
In the Personnel report, given by Mrs. Harkey, council heard an explanation of how COVID Leave will work.
Mayor Toeppe is giving short informative talks on the Swanton Village Facebook page for anyone who is interested in hearing information. He feels that since COVID has cut back on public participation, the residents might appreciate his updates.