December 2022 Meeting Minutes

REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP
DECEMBER 19, 2022

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:30 P.M. BY MAYOR JAN REEB. COUNCIL PERSONS PRESENT: JASON FRANKS, STEVE JORDAN, KENNY REINHART, DEAN RISTER, BRYAN SMITH, AND BRYCE STEINER.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR, ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN DAVIS, FISCAL OFFICER AIMEE LICHTY, AND POLICE CHIEF GEORGE CLEMENS. VISITORS: GOVERNMENT STUDENTS, ADAM PAPIN WITH THE PAULDING PROGRESS, TIM COPSEY AND KRISTEN SCHILT WITH PCED, AND BILL BOYLAN.
MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 21, 2022, WERE REVIEWED.
• MOTION MADE BY STEINER, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 21, 2022, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
THE NOVEMBER DISBURSEMENTS WERE REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED.
• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER RECONCILIATION REPORT. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
VISITORS
TIM COPSEY AND KRISTEN SCHILT WERE IN ATTENDANCE TO PRESENT ANTWERP OFFICIALS WITH A PLAQUE FOR 20 YEARS OF INVESTING IN PAULDING COUNTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. COPSEY ALSO ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE A MEETING ON FEBRUARY 23, 2023 (LOCATION TBD) FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND GROUPS OF THE ANTWERP COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND DISCUSS WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IN ANTWERP.

POLICE REPORT
POLICE CHIEF CLEMENS PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 70 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER WITH 5 OFFENSES.

EMS REPORT
EMS COORDINATOR-CLERK ASHLEY MCDOUGALL PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
THIRD AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-23: AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE TIME AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, PAULDING COUNTY, OHIO, FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023
• MOTION MADE BY FRANKS, SECONDED BY SMITH, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-23. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
THIRD AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-24: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2018-17, AN ORDINANCE INCREASING WATER RATES FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, COUNTY OF PAULDING, OHIO, SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTIONS 2 AND 5 OF ORDINANCE NO. 2018-17 TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM CHARGE FOR EACH TAP EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023
• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY FRANKS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-24. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEINER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT CONTACTED WITH ANY NEGATIVE FEEDBACK ON THE RATE INCREASES OTHER THAN REQUESTS TO SEE WATERLINES REPLACED AS MENTIONED AT NOVEMBER MEETING.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-27: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO RESIDE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP
DISCUSSION ON REASON FOR THIS ORDINANCE AND TIMING OF PRESENTING TO COUNCIL. FISCAL OFFICER WAS A RESIDENT OF VILLAGE WHEN APPOINTED, BUT WHEN SHE LATER MOVED OUTSIDE THE CORPORATION LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE, AN ORDINANCE WAS NOT PRESENTED TO COUNCIL APPROVING RESIDENCY OUTSIDE THE CORPORATION LIMITS.
EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-28: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-28. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY FRANKS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-28. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-29: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY
• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-29. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
• MOTION MADE BY SMITH, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-29. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MET WITH FIRST INSURANCE GROUP ON OPTIONS TO REDUCE MEDICAL INSURANCE COSTS. REPORT ON PROCESS FOLLOWED AND OPTIONS PURSUED TO FIND REDUCED MEDICAL INSURANCE AND RECOMMENDATION MADE FOR 2023 MEDICAL INSURANCE TO BE PROVIDED BY ANTHEM UNDER PLAN SOCA BENEFIT PLUS BLUE ACCESS PPO 1500/20%/7000. THE RECOMMENDED PLAN IS ABOUT $70,000 LESS PER YEAR THAN THE CURRENT PROVIDERS RENEWAL FOR 2023. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL ON RECOMMENDATION ON VILLAGE EMPLOYEE MEDICAL INSURANCE.
• MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY STEINER, TO APPROVE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO ELECT ANTHEM AS HEALTH INSURER AND PLAN SOCA BENEFIT PLUS BLUE ACCESS PPO 1500/20%/7000 AS MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
RITA TAX COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, PAID IN DECEMBER, WAS $29,210.76. THIS AMOUNT IS UP FROM ALL OF THE ACCOUNTS THAT RECEIVED SUBPOENAS FOR TAX YEARS 2017-2020.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
ERIE STREET SIDEWALK
IN REVIEWING THIS PROJECT WITH ODOT AND VILLAGE’S ENGINEERING FIRM, IT IS CLEAR THE GRANT WILL LEAVE A SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING GAP SHOULD THE VILLAGE EXERCISE ITS USE.
THE VILLAGE RECEIVES PERMISSIVE LICENSE PLATE TAX AND GAS TAX FROM THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND ODOT. THE CURRENT FUND BALANCE IS APPROXIMATELY $34,000. THE ADMINISTRATOR CURRENTLY HAS A QUOTE FOR THIS PROJECT SLIGHTLY BELOW $50,000 FROM A LOCAL CONTRACTOR. ADMINISTRATOR’S QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL: SHOULD THE VILLAGE WITHDRAW FROM ODOT TAP GRANT? IF SO, DOES THE VILLAGE WANT TO USE ANY OF THE PERMISSIVE FEES TO OFFSET COST, OR DOES THE VILLAGE WANT TO ASSESS THE FULL COST?

OWNER WIDTH
BRAGG 175’
CIC 70’
LAWSON 62’
SMITH 60’
KEERAN 60’
REINHART 144’
MANELLA 150’
WALTERS 150’

ORDINANCE NO. 2008-49, SECTION 9, STATES, “ASSESSMENT OF THE INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS: AT ITS OPTION, THE VILLAGE MAY UTILIZE THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 727 OR 729 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE TO CONSTRUCT, REPAIR, OR REPLACE ANY SIDEWALKS, CURBS, OR GUTTERS IN VIOLATION OF ANY SECTION OF THE ANTWERP CODIFIED ORDINANCE.

IN ADDITION TO THE POWER CONFERRED UPON MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS UNDER SECTION 727.01 OF THE REVISED CODE TO CONSTRUCT SIDEWALKS, CURBS, OR GUTTERS AND LEVY AN ASSESSMENT THEREFOR, THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OF A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE THE CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR OF SIDEWALKS, CURBS, OR GUTTERS WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BY THE OWNERS OF LOTS OR LANDS ABUTTING THEREON, AND UPON THE FAILURE OF SUCH OWNERS TO CONSTRUCT OR REPAIR SUCH SIDEWALKS, CURBS, OR GUTTERS WITHIN THE TIME PRESCRIBED IN THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED UNDER SECTION 729.02 OF THE REVISED CODE, MAY CAUSE SUCH SIDEWALKS, CURBS, OR GUTTERS TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR REPAIRED AND ASSESS THE TOTAL COST THEREOF AGAINST THE LOTS OR LANDS ABUTTING THEREON, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 727.03 AND 727.05 OF THE REVISED CODE.

THE ADMINISTRATOR TOLD COUNCIL A DECISION DID NOT NEED MADE AT THE MEETING BUT ASKED COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO PROCEED. COUNCIL BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED COST PER OWNER, VARIOUS OPTIONS TO FUND AND/OR REQUIRE THE LANDOWNERS TO PAY AND TIMING OF REPAYMENT IF THAT OPTION IS PURSUED, AND PROCESS FOLLOWED IN PAST ON INSTALLING SIDEWALKS.

RAILROAD STREET
PAPERWORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED FOR THE UPDATED AWARD AMOUNT FROM CDBG. THE VILLAGE HAS RECEIVED AN INCREASE IN THE AWARD TO REFLECT $61,600 ($13,100). THE OVERALL COST ESTIMATE OF THE PROJECT IS $127,829.33. THIS LEAVES A BALANCE OWED BY THE VILLAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,229.

SHAFFER ROAD
THE ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVED A COST ESTIMATE OF $104,430. HE IS SEEKING A PROCESS TO FUND THIS PROJECT THROUGH GRANTS

WATER PLANT FUNDING
THE ADMINISTRATOR IS WORKING WITH JONES AND HENRY AND MAUMEE VALLEY PLANNING ORGANIZATION. DETERMINATION MADE THAT BEST OPTION TO SEEK FUNDING WOULD BE IN THE SUMMER OF 2024 AND TO SEEK GRANT FUNDING WITH CDBG AND OEPA TOTALING $1.25M, AS WELL AS A 0% INTEREST LOAN FOR UP TO 40 YEARS. THE NEXT STEP IS TO SUBMIT THE VILLAGE’S CURRENT GENERAL PLAN TO OEPA FOR APPROVAL. ONCE THE VILLAGE HAS THE APPROVAL, IT WILL NEED TO SEEK FUNDING THROUGH A LOAN FOR APPROXIMATELY $600,000 TO COVER THE COST OF ENGINEERING.

ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS INFORMED COUNCIL HE WILL BE MEETING WITH CURTIS TO PRIORITIZE WATERLINE REPLACEMENTS.

HOLLY BEACH SPLASH PAD UPDATE
THE ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE SPLASH PAD PROJECT / CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT. ODNR LEGAL IS REQUIRING A 15 YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT FOR ACDC TO HOLD AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY OR THAT THE VILLAGE BE THE PROJECT SPONSOR FOR THE GRANT. DISCUSSION ON ISSUES WITH VILLAGE LEASING PARK LAND, INCLUDING A DETERMINATION THAT MUST BE MADE THE PROPERTY IS NOT NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS, AS WELL AS FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON PARK LANDS IN GENERAL. ALSO, DONATION AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT THE VILLAGE WILL ASSUME OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN SPLASH PAD UPON COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION. THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL WORK WITH MVPO TO DETERMINE THE VILLAGE’S RESPONSIBILITY AS THE PROJECT SPONSOR FOR THE PROPOSED GRANT.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE WAS GIVEN BY COUNCIL MEMBER RISTER. THOSE UPDATES ARE FOUND IN THE FISCAL OFFICER REPORT WITH THE 2023 APPROPRIATIONS AND SALARY ORDINANCES AS WELL AS MEDICAL INSURANCE.

OLD BUSINESS
REINHART ASKED SOLICITOR FARR IF SHE HEARD BACK FROM ATTORNEY ON PROPERTY ON SOUTH ERIE STREET. SOLICITOR FARR INFORMED COUNCIL THAT SHE HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM PROPERTY OWNER’S ATTORNEY. COUNCIL MEMBER REINHART ASKED THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR REMIND THIS PROPERTY OWNER ON SOUTH ERIE STREET THAT HE NEEDS TO FILL IN VILLAGE PROPERTY THAT HE DUG UP TO MAKE A NEW DRIVEWAY. HOUSE IS UP FOR SALE AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT TAKEN CARE OF ASAP.

MAYOR REEB ASKED FOR AN UPDATE ON RECYCLE CENTER – CAMERAS TO STOP THE LITTERING OF PEOPLE LEAVING THEIR RECYCLING LAY AND IT BLOWING ALL OVER THE FARMLAND AND SEWER PROPERTY AND ALSO ABOUT GETTING A FENCE UP. ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS IS GETTING A QUOTE ON SOME POLES FOR THE FENCE AND WILL GET THE CAMERAS TAKEN CARE OF THIS SPRING.

NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL ON WAY TO RECOGNIZE MEMBERS OF VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT. JORDAN STATED THAT FIRE DEPARTMENT ONLY HAS 9 FIREFIGHTERS CURRENTLY.

COUNCIL MEMBER STEINER STATED THAT PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WANTS TO START PROCESS TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT STATE ROUTE 49 AT OVERPASS OF U.S. HIGHWAY 24. THIS PROPERTY IS OWNED BY ODOT, AND TIM COPSEY OF PCED HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR ON THIS TOPIC. DISCUSSION ON ANNEXATION NOT BEING INITIATED BY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THE 5 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANNEXATION PROCESSES UNDER OHIO LAW. DISCUSSION HAD ON EXPEDITED PROCESS IF ALL NECESSARY PARTIES AGREE. THE ADMINISTRATOR WAS WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES ON THEIR POSITION IN REGARD TO ANNEXING THIS PROPERTY.

COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH ASKED SOLICITOR FARR TO LOOK INTO WHAT THE VILLAGE CAN DO WITH THE INDIGENT DRIVER ALCOHOL FUND. SOLICITOR FARR WILL REPORT BACK NEXT MONTH ON THIS TOPIC.

MAYOR’S REPORT
MAYOR’S COURT BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF $525.00 IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2022 WITH $447.00 GOING TO THE VILLAGE, $75.00 GOING TO THE STATE, AND $3.00 GOING TO THE INDIGENT DRIVER’S FUND.

• MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY JORDAN, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 6 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:35 P.M.

MAYOR_________________________________________
FISCAL OFFICER___________________________________ DATE________________