By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The West Unity Village Council met at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11th. Present were councilors Dave Short, Nathan Massie, Terri Lewbowski, Stephen Marvin, and Kevin Grey.
Alongside them were Fiscal Officer Sarah Higdon and Mayor Don Leu, with Village Administrator Joshua Fritsch and Police Chief JR Jones in attendance as well.
After the pledge of allegiance, council greeted Jason King, who requested permission for a downtown vegetable market. Potentially, the market would see a sidewalk stand, erected by Mill District Deli, that would run from May until early October.
The Deli would manage the stand and collect the money from the sales, with the goal to facilitate fresh food in the community, as well as “spur community involvement.”
Approval was granted for the idea, with discussion held on wanting to be sure the stand did not conflict with any other downtown businesses.
He also discussed getting permission for two street fairs, one on October 5th, and the other a live nativity on November 16th. The October 5th event would be much like the successful chili cook off, and the live nativity would see a lot of communal involvement.
Discussion was held on the feasibility of shutting down the roads for these events, with traffic always being a concern.
Permission was not given for the October 5th event, as a result of not wanting to close the road. The live nativity would be running from 4-7 p.m., and after discussion was held on the typical hours of the businesses downtown, council moved to approve the plans.
A lot issue was then discussed, as a previously plotted map would leave a private lot without road access. Approval was requested for the sale of land so that the driveway may accompany the lot legally.
Discussion was held on the authority of council to approve the lot split and sale of land, and a motion was made approving the sale contingent on Law Solicitor Mark Hagans’s approval.
A drainage issue off of South Main Street was then discussed, with it being shared that there was an issue with a property at a higher elevation causing drainage to flow into the resident’s garage. To resolve the issue, the resident channeled the excess water to the road.
After a while, he was told that he was unable to direct the water to the road, and as a result, looked into the legal reasoning as to why this was disallowed.
He shared his concerns over the legal use of village property, and asked for evidence of the ordinance that allowed Joshua Fritsch to work with the village without living within village limits.
As to the use of the property, it was argued that the lease didn’t cover the first year of the land’s use, with the village sharing that it was a verbal agreement at the beginning of the purchase.
He asked as to the legality of the land not being out for bid in 2021, and asked as to whether there were crops on the land at the time it transferred ownership.
The mayor shared that there was no lease agreement made at the beginning of the village’s ownership of the land, and so there was a non-verbal agreement made. It was shared that a request was made to the auditor to look into the legality of this agreement.
Resolution 4-2024-5, which authorized a then and now purchase order after a suspension of the rules on its first reading for a raised billing software rate.
Ordinance 2024-4, which requires landlords to report tenant information to the Tax Commissioner was given its second reading.
Resolution 4-2024-6 renewed the village’s annual road salt contract with ODOT after a suspension of the rules.
Fritsch shared that he has been trying to fill the open water / wastewater operator position, and that Bryan Excavating will be coming next month to work on the Church Street Waterline Project.
Fritsch then shared that he will be being advised on how to conduct the water rate study, and that Strait -Line Fencing has finished the batting cage, minus the roof, which should be here soon.
The driving cones that were stolen have been recovered, and the thief caught with a trail camera. Watson Well Drilling cleaned Well 2 and installed a new drop pipe and well pump.
One of the pumps was from 1939, with the other thought to be from the late 1950’s. It was recommended that the village look into replacement wells for the 1939 well.
Spring large trash will be May 9th and 10th for the north side, and May 16th and 17th for the south side of town.
Police Chief Jones’s report was accepted as presented, which showed that the department conducted 36 investigations throughout the month of March.
Approval was then given for the renewal of the health insurance of village employees, with the best offer being from the same company with a 14.9% cost increase.
Mayor Leu asked for permission for an additional light on Madison Street, with it being shared that there is already a pole erected. Permission was granted for the addition of a new light.
Council thanked Administrator Fritsch for helping with the responsibilities left unattended by the water operator position vacancy, and Councilor Lebowsky asked if the property on Buckeye Street has changed ownership, with it being shared that the property has quite the issue with blight.
Jones promised to look into whether there is a potential ordinance violation occurring at the property, and Councilor Massie shared that the Hilltop SRO has been doing a wonderful job.
Council then voted to adjourn at 8:23 p.m., set to meet next on May 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.