By: Rebecca Miller
Adjusting to the quarantine has caused many governmental groups to learn how to have their necessary meetings online. This past Thursday, April 9, 2020, West Unity Village Council tested the waters with their first ZOOM meeting. It went well with just a few glitches which will certainly be ironed out in the coming days.
Mayor Don Leu began the meeting by having Dee Custar lead in prayer and then inviting all to stand at home for the Pledge of Allegiance. “I guess we will need to mute next time before saying the pledge together,” he said with a chuckle as everyone took their seats wherever they were located.
Mike Kurivial of First Insurance Group gave a report to the council about their insurance for four employees, two spouses and six families. He spoke about options and took questions, explaining that it needs to be renewed by May 1, 2020. Following some discussion, Council voted to Approve the renewal as is.
Council also voted to approve the March 12, 2020 minutes; to accept a resolution for the purchase of salt for next winter; and a resolution to go join Ohio Municipal League Program through Palmer Energy.
In his administrative report, Josh Fritsch informed council of a possible issue in getting the water tower done in time for winter. “The people building the water tower have been kicked off the site where they have been working because it is a high corona virus possibility site. I was hoping that they would use the time to come here and get started,” he said.
His question to council was if they have concerns about that. Mayor Don Leu said that he does not think the West Unity site would put them in a high risk area for the corona virus. Council member Dave Short asked what the timeline will be if they do come early and Fritsch said it would probably be the end of May.
He shared his concern that it will “bump the painting too late and then it would have to wait till next year.” He also said that he has spoken with the grant and loan finance groups and they said it will not affect the money. Council tabled the topic until further information can be gathered.
Fritsch also recommended that Big Trash Pick Up be postponed as he does not feel it is a safe thing to do right now. After some discussion it was agreed to postpone it and to consider it again at the May Council meeting.
Mayor Leu mentioned that the Street Crew has had to do a lot of leaf and limb pick up. He wanted to remind all residents that “ONLY leaves and grass are to be dumped at the town compost pile! NOTHING ELSE mixed in please! Bag your leaves and they will pick them up on Mondays.”
Police Chief J.R. Jones reminded council of a Safety meeting to be held on May 14 at 7 p.m. Council voted to approve a recommendation from Jones that they form a Mutual Aid Agreement with County Law Enforcement Agencies, “In case a police agency is compromised by Coronavirus, this will allow us all to assist each other.”
In the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Leu shared a list of things that have gotten done:
- they put updates on FB
- Made list of elderly to call weekly
- Did flyers to business and industry
- Temp taken every day at the village offices
- Social distancing
- Street crews are one person per vehicle
- Wipe down daily of the building and vehicles
- Put guard up between office workers
- Canceled use of Kissel building
- No water is shut off during this crisis (Would have shut off 29, but they have a reprieve, hopefully the village will recover finances at a later date) and (With biggest businesses closed, they are losing $4000 per month on water)
- Big budget will need to be adjusted
- Remember that funds are coming in slower
- Someone asked him about the possibility of getting a discount on their water bills when they fill their pools so it doesn’t cost them so much. Mayor said he isn’t sure how they would determine the amount and wants them to consider it.
- Food Drive is going well! Cars are getting filled often and money is coming in as well. The food and money is being taken to the school and used to help others.
- West Unity is Tree City again this year but they will celebrate at a later date.
- Prices for W.U. signs is $3400 for all five signs and there is $25,000 in the account. Go with this instead of expensive signs, identical to the present signs. It may be slightly more as ¾ inch plywood is a little more than ½ inch plywood. He recommended that they go with the cheaper signs and Council voted to approve his recommendation. “Josh will get that rolling and the man doing it said it will only be three to four weeks,” the mayor added.
In other business, Village Solicitor Katie Rakes informed council that she and Fritsch are working on amending the Zoning Map to bring it up to date. Council member Dave Short thanked all the employees for the good job they are doing and said that he is happy that the “council meetings are smooth and easy.”
He also thanked Clerk Sarah Higdon for the extra financial paperwork. Council member Steve Marvin said that a village resident has had a running water problem behind the Tasty Freeze. Fritsch will check into it. Other council members commented on their hope that everyone stays safe and well and this crisis ends soon.
In response to a question concerning taxes from council member Kevin Gray, Higdon said that the village will extend taxes to July 15, 2020 just like state and federal.
That means that since refunds are also extended it is fine for the village budget. She said she will get a report ready for next month to show what is coming in compared to last year.
There will be a Street Committee meeting on May 14 from 6-7. The meeting adjourned at 8:46.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com