January 2021 Meeting Minutes

REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP
JANUARY 20, 2021

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 A.M. BY MAYOR JAN REEB. COUNCIL PERSONS PRESENT: DEAN RISTER, RUDIE REEB, KENNETH REINHART, MIKE ROHRS, AND KEITH WEST.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR, ADMINISTRATOR SARA KEERAN, FISCAL OFFICER AIMEE LICHTY, AND POLICE CHIEF GEORGE CLEMENS. VISITORS: TIM COPSEY, CODY MABIS AND ALLIE BEREGSZAZI.

MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 21, 2020, WERE REVIEWED.

•  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY REINHART, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 21, 2020, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 30, 2020, WERE REVIEWED.

•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 30, 2020, SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THE DECEMBER DISBURSEMENTS WERE REVIEWED. DISCUSSION ON EXPENSES.

•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO ACCEPT THE DECEMBER RECONCILIATION REPORT. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

VISITORS
ALLIE BEREGSZAZI ADDRESSED COUNCIL WITH HER CONCERNS ON A PROPERTY NEXT TO HER HOME ON EAST RIVER THAT WAS FOUND TO BE UNINHABITABLE TWO YEARS AGO. SHE WANTED TO LET COUNCIL KNOW THAT SHE HAD INFORMED THE POLICE CHIEF THAT SOMEONE WAS ON THE PROPERTY AND SHE WAS CONCERNED. CHIEF CLEMENS ARRIVED AT THE PROPERTY TO FIND THAT PEOPLE WERE MOVING IN. CHIEF CLEMENS INFORMED THE TENANTS THAT THE HOUSE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE LIVED IN UNTIL IT WAS BROUGHT TO CODE.

CODY MABIS WAS PRESENT AT THE MEETING AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE VISION BOARD. HE INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE VISION BOARD HAS NOT MET RECENTLY BUT IS ON TRACK TO MEET IN FEBRUARY AND WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COUNCIL WANTED HIM TO BRING UP AT THE MEETING. COUNCIL SAID THEY COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING AT THIS TIME.

TIM COPSEY WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE TO DISCUSS THE CIC PROPERTY AND GET A GUIDED FOCUS ON WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTY THE VILLAGE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THIS AREA. TIM IS ALSO ASKING FOR A DIAGRAM ON HOW THE ROADS ARE GOING TO GO BACK INTO THAT PROPERTY. ADMINISTRATOR KEERAN STATED THAT SHE IS MEETING WITH AN ENGINEER TO GET QUOTES ON GETTING WATER AND SEWER AND THAT CIC WOULD HAVE SOMETHING MORE ON ALL OF THIS IN THE NEXT MONTH TO MONTH AND A HALF.

POLICE REPORT
POLICE CHIEF CLEMENS PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 111 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER WITH 25 OFFENSES. CLEMENS ALSO INFORMED COUCNIL THE NEW CRUISER HAS ARRIVED AND IS GETTING LIGHTS INSTALLED. THE SPEED TRAILER HAS ALSO BEEN ORDERED WITH DONATION MONIES FROM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

RISTER ASKED CHIEF CLEMENS ABOUT THE FRAUD SHOWING ON THE POLICE REPORTS. CHIEF CLEMENS SAID THERE IS A LOT OF PHONE FRAUD RIGHT NOW AND TO REMIND CITIZENS TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT GIVING OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION.

EMS REPORT
EMS COORDINATOR-CLERK ASHLEY MCDOUGALL WAS ABSENT.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-01: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $5,793.13 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE SEVERANCE PAY RESERVE FUND, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

•  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-01. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
•  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-01. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-02: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $114,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE POLICE FUND, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

•  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-02. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-02. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-03: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE PERSONNEL MANUAL FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ALL APPLICABLE STATEMENTS ATTACHED THERETO, FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-03. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
•  MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-03. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-04: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN ADDENDUM TO THE AGREEMENT FOR COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO

EMERGENCY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-05: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING, ADOPTING AND ENACTING AMERICAN LEGAL PUBLISHING’S OHIO BASIC CODE, 2021 EDITION, AS THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, OHIO, AND DECLARING THE SAME AN EMERGENCY

•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY RISTER, TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-05. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.
•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY RUDIE REEB, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-05. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

RITA TAX COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, PAID IN DECEMBER, WAS $12,476.44.

FISCAL OFFICER REQUESTED THAT COUNCIL ALLOW A CHANGE IN PAYROLL PERIOD FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT PAY. THE VILLAGE CURRENTLY HAS DECEMBER PAY ON WITH THE FOLLOWING YEAR’S PAY AND LICHTY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PAYROLL BE PAID IN JANUARY AND JULY EACH YEAR.

•  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO APPROVE FISCAL OFFICER LICHTY TO INCLUDE DECEMBER 2020 PAY IN FEBRUARY 2021 TO BRING THE VILLAGE TO CURRENT YEAR AND THEN PROCEED PAYING PAYROLL FOR JANUARY – JUNE EACH YEAR IN JULY AND JULY – DECEMBER IN JANUARY. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

DISCUSSION ON INTERNET AUCTIONS. LICHTY INFOMRED COUNCIL THAT THE SECOND PUBLICATION ON PASSAGE OF INTERNET AUCTION RESOLUTION WAS IN THE PAPER AND THAT INTERNET AUCTIONS COULD NOT PROCEED. DISCUSSION ON PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS WHEN CONDUCTING INTERNET AUCTIONS. SOLICITOR FARR STATED THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO PUBLISH NOTICE IN NEWSPAPER EACH TIME AN INTERNET AUCTION WOULD OCCUR BUT THAT IT MAY HELP GENERATE INTEREST IN BIDDING ON SUCH ITEMS. THE VILLAGE’S WEBSITE SHOULD INCLUDE THE INFORMATION ON INTERNET AUCTIONS AS SET FORTH IN THE RESOLUTION PASSED BY COUNCIL. ADMINISTRATOR KEEREN WILL MOVE FORWARD ON INTERNET AUCTIONS ACCORDING TO THE RESOLUTION. THERE WILL BE A POLICE CRUISER, DUMP TRUCK AND OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE TO SELL BY INTERNET AUCTION. RISTER ASKED THAT THE OLD POLICE CRUISER BE MOVED TO THE SEWER PLANT UNTIL IT IS SOLD.

PAULDING COUNTY HOSPITAL IS WILLING TO WORK WITH THE VILLAGE ON A CONTRACT FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS TO REDUCE THE PRICE FOR NEW FULL TIME POLICE HIRES IN THE FUTURE.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
WATER TREATMENT PLANT GENERAL PLAN RFQ REQUESTED:
THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FROM ENGINEERING FIRMS WILL BE ADVERTISED ON THE VILLAGE’S WEBSITE, THE WEST BEND NEWS AND DIRECT MAIL. THE ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE POSTED ON 1/13/2021 AND 1/30/2021. A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT WAS PROVIDED TO COUNCIL. THE RFQS ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 5, 2021. AFTER THEY ARE RECEIVED, THE UTILITY COMMITTEE WILL MEET AND SCORE EACH OF THE PROPOSALS AND WILL REPORT THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL AT THE FEBRUARY 17TH COUNCIL MEETING. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THE GUIDELINES FOR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IS CONTROLLED BY THE OHIO REVISED CODE.

BUFFALO STREET VACATION APPLICATION:
THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR HAS RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FROM JOHN & SHELIA HILTON OF 502 S. ERIE STREET AND MASON GERKEN OF 406 S. ERIE STREET ASKING FOR THE VACATION OF BUFFALO STREET EXTENDED. A COPY OF THE APPLICATION WAS PROVIDED TO COUNCIL. THIS CONCERNS THE UNDEVELOPED SECTION OF BUFFALO STREET BETWEEN HILTONS’ AND GERKEN’S PROPERTIES, AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE STREET VACATED. THEY HAVE HAD THE SECTION SURVEYED BY A QUALIFIED ENGINEER. THERE ARE NO PLANS OF THE VILLAGE TO DEVELOP THIS SECTION INTO A STREET FOR PUBLIC USE. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL PROPERTY OWNER, AUSTIN BOWERS, WHO’S PROPERTY ABUTS THE END OF BUFFALO STREET EXTENDED AND HE WILL CONSENT TO THE VACATION. MR. BOWERS WILL NOT SHARE IN ANY OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATED AS IT DOES NOT CROSS ONTO HIS PROPERTY. A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS VACATION APPLICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2021, AT 7:00 A.M. AT THE VFW POST 5087. THE VACATION APPLICATION WILL BE ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING, FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

FAMILY DOLLAR TREE COMING TO ANTWERP IN THE SPRING:
A HYBRID FAMILY DOLLAR TREE STORE WILL BE COMING TO THE VILLAGE IN THE SPRING OF 2021. A PURCHASE OF LOTS FROM MASON GERKEN, LOCATED AT 406 S. ERIE STREET, IS UNDERWAY AND THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR FAMILY DOLLAR TREE IS WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY RE-ZONING AND PERMITS NEEDED TO GO FORWARD. THE BUSINESS WAS OFFERED GROUND IN THE CIC’S OPTIONED PROPERTY, BUT THE BUSINESS STATED THEY WANTED TO BE LOCATED DIRECTLY ON S. ERIE STREET. A LAYOUT OF THE PROPOSED STORE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND A COPY PROVIDED TO COUNCIL.

REZONING OF S. ERIE STREET INITIATED:
THE ADMINISTRATOR MET WITH GABE OBERLIN, THE ZONING INSPECTOR, TO GO OVER THE CURRENT ZONING AND DISTRICT DEFINITIONS FOR S. ERIE STREET. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE AREA FROM THE COMMUNITY CHURCH TO E. CANAL SHOULD BE ZONED B-2 (GATEWAY COMMERCIAL) AS THIS AREA HAS 5 COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES AND THE VILLAGE ANTICIPATES AN ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, FAMILY DOLLAR TREE, COMING TO THE AREA. THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT EXISTING RESIDENTIAL SHOULD BE A PERMITTED USE IN THIS DISTRICT WHICH WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES TO BE IMPROVED AND/OR ADDED ONTO. CURRENTLY HOP’S PLACE AND ERIE RECYCLING PROPERTIES ARE ZONED R-2 (RESIDENTIAL) AND THIS NEEDS TO BE REZONED TO ADDRESS ANY FUTURE EXPANSIONS THEY MIGHT WANT TO UNDERTAKE.

AS THIS AREA INCLUDES MORE THAN ONE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, THE ZONING INSPECTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR FEEL THAT THE VILLAGE ITSELF SHOULD UNDERTAKE THE REQUEST FOR RE-ZONING. IF THE COUNCIL WOULD REQUEST THIS AREA BE RE-ZONED TO B-2, THE REQUEST AND SUBSEQUENT DISTRICT LANGUAGE AND MAP CHANGE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION COMMITTEE. THEY WOULD REVIEW AND IF THEY APPROVE, A PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE HELD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. FINALLY, A RECOMMENDATION WOULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL TO APPROVE, AMEND OR DENY THE RE-ZONING. A COPY OF THE SECTION OF THE ZONING MAP THAT AFFECTS THIS PART OF S. ERIE AND ALSO THE DISTRICT LANGUAGE THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED IN THE B2 DISTRICT WAS PROVIDED TO COUNCIL. SOLICITOR FARR POINTED OUT THE ZONING ORDINANCE LANGUAGE ON AMENDMENTS AND HOW THOSE ARE INITIATED. ADMINISTRATOR KEERAN SAID THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL INITIATE ANY ZONING AMENDMENTS.

ADDITIONAL STREETLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FOR KROOS DRIVE:
DUE TO ADDITIONAL HOMES BEING BUILT ON THE NORTH END OF KROOS DRIVE, IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR’S ATTENTION THAT BETWEEN THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 103 AND 107 KROOS DRIVE, A STREETLIGHT SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PROVIDE LIGHTING TO THESE NEW HOMES. A REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED TO AEP AND THEY WILL INSTALL TWO ADDITIONAL LIGHTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

FIRE DEPARTMENT BID ADVERTISEMENT AND DOCUMENTS PREPARED FOR SCBA GEAR:
THE SOLICITOR, WITH INPUT FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR AND FIRE CHIEF, PREPARED THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID AND BID DOCUMENTS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S SCBA GEAR. THE ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE PLACED ON THE VILLAGE’S WEBSITE AND IN THE WEST BEND NEWS AND WILL APPEAR ON 1/19/2021 AND 1/26/2021. A BID OPENING DATE IS SCHEDULED FOR NOON ON FEBRUARY 9, 2021. DIRECT MAIL OF THE INVITATION TO BID WILL BE MAILED TO SUPPLIERS OF THE SCBA EQUIPMENT AS WELL.

DISCUSSION ON UNINHABITABLE PROPERTY ON EAST RIVER AND THE APPLICABLE ORDINANCES ON MINIMUM BUILDING STANDARDS AND DEMOLISHING UNSAFE BUILDINGS. THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL WORK ON THIS ISSUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE ORDINANCES.

DISCUSSION ON PENDING COUNTY COURT CASE ON RESIDENT VIOLATION OF JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE AND LITTER ORDINANCES. DISCUSSION ALSO ON CITING RESIDENTS TO COUNTY COURT ON JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE AND/OR WEEDS AND LITTER IN VIOLATION OF MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES IN THE FUTURE AND POTENTIAL PENALTIES. NO CHANGES TO BE MADE TO CURRENT ORDINANCES AT THIS TIME AFTER DISCUSSION.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE ROHRS INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THEY MET IN REGARD TO TAX INCENTIVES FOR NEW BUSINESS EMPLOYEES WITH MINIMUM STANDARDS SET BY COUNCIL TO ENTICE NEW BUSINESSES TO CHOSE ANTWERP AS THEIR NEW LOCATION FOR THEIR BUSINESS. DISCUSSION ON IDEAS OF BENFETS TOOK PLACE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE DECIDED THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND MEET WITH PCED BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL.

UTILITY COMMITTEE MET TO DISCUSS GETTING AN ACTION PLAN TOGETHER TO GET BETTER WATER FOR OUR RESIDENTS. THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD TO GET THIS PLAN TOGETHER ONCE RFP’S MENTIONED IN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ARE RECEIVED AND STEPS FOLLOWED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATON TO COUCNIL. RISTER NOTED THAT OML WAS HAVING AN ONLINE SEMINAR ON THURSDAY MORNING ON MONIES THAT WOULD BE AVAILBALE FOR THESE PROJECTS. ROHRS ASKED WHILE DISCUSSING THE WATER, WHAT THE CRITERIA IS TO ORDER A BOIL ADVISORY. ADMINISTRATOR KEERAN STATED THAT IT WAS WHEN COMPLETE PRESSURE WAS LOST. WEST STATED HE FELT THE VILLAGE SHOULD HAVE ORDERED AN ADVISORY WHEN THE VILLAGE WAS WITHOUT WATER ON NEW YEAR’S DAY AND THAT HE CONTACTED THE ADMINSITRATOR AT THAT TIME ABOUT IT. KEERAN STATED THE TOWER WAS NEVER EMPTY AND ONLY CERTAIN AREAS HAD LOST PRESSURE.

AT THIS TIME, KENNY REINHART INFORMED COUNCIL HE HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND HAD TO EXCUSE HIMSELF FROM THE MEETING.

WEST ASKED ABOUT A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE BARRICADE OFF OF PARK AVENUE AND THE PARK VILLAS APARTMENTS. CURRENTLY IT IS BARRICADED AND HE WAS WANTING THE VILLAGE TO PUT UP A NEW GATE THAT CAN BE OPENED AND CLOSED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A PRIVATE DRIVE AND NOT VILLAGE OWNED PROPERTY. THE VILLAGE WOULD NEED TO WORK WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THIS AREA. WEST ASKED SOLICITOR FARR TO RESEARCH FIRE CHIEF AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE ACCESS TO THIS AREA FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES.

MAYOR’S REPORT
MAYOR’S COURT BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF $2,985.00 IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2020 WITH $2,147.00 GOING TO THE VILLAGE, $805.00 GOING TO THE STATE, AND $33.00 GOING TO THE INDIGENT DRIVER’S FUND.

MAYOR REMINDED COUNCIL THAT THIS IS A NEW YEAR AND THEREFORE COUNCIL WOULD NEED TO ELECT A NEW COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

• ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT:
  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY WEST, TO NOMINATE DEAN RISTER AS 2021 COUNCIL PRESIDENT. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THERE BEING NO OTHER NOMINATIONS, NOMINATIONS WERE CLOSED.

•  MOTION MADE BY WEST, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO ELECT DEAN RISTER AS 2021 COUNCIL PRESIDENT. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MAYOR JAN REEB THEN WENT ON TO READ THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THE PANDEMIC ENCOMPASSING MOST OF 2020:

THE VILLAGE WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED THRU TO THE STATE OF OHIO CARES GRANT DOLLARS. THOSE FUNDS COULD BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITEMS THAT WERE NOT BUDGETED FOR AND COULD PROTECT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FROM CONTACTING THE VIRUS IN THEIR INTERACTIONS THROUGH EMS RUNS AND POLICE RESPONSES. THE VILLAGE RECEIVED $132,748.59 DIRECTLY AND ANOTHER $53,243.55 ($24,303.57 FOR EMS AND $28,939.98 FOR FIRE) FROM CARRYALL TOWNSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF $185,992.14. AS ANTWERP EMS AND FIRE COVER CARRYALL TOWNSHIP, THE TOWNSHIP SUB-GRANTED SOME OF THEIR ALLOCATION TO THE EMS WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO PURCHASE LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT. THE EMS WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE TWO (2) LUCAS CHEST COMPRESSION SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES AT A COST OF $46,417.20 AND ADDITIONALLY TWO (2) LIFEPAK MONITOR/DEFIBRILLATORS, ECG LEADS, ETC., AT A COST OF $65,445.42. THESE FOUR ITEMS WILL ALLOW THE EMS TO PERFORM CPR WITHOUT HAVING TO PERSONALLY GIVE CHEST COMPRESSIONS AND BREATHS, KEEPING THE EMTS SAFE AND ALSO BE ABLE TO MONITOR VITAL SIGNS THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF THE LIFEPAK MONITORS. WITH CARRYALL TOWNSHIP SUB-GRANT, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE TURNOUT GEAR AT THE COST OF $28,939.98, ALL FUNDS FOR THE TURNOUT GEAR COMING FROM CARRYALL TOWNSHIP.

ADDITIONALLY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A NEW POLICE CRUISER WHICH IS OUTFITTED WITH THERMAL CAPABILITIES TO SANITIZE THE VEHICLE AFTER USE IF THE OFFICER SUSPECTS THAT THEY HAD COME INTO CONTACT WITH COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS. ALL OF THESE ITEMS WERE APPROVED TO BE PURCHASED BY THE GRANT MONEY AND THAT IS WHAT THE GRANT DOLLARS WERE MEANT TO BE SPENT ON. ADDITIONALLY ALL VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS IN THE COUNTY RECEIVED CARES GRANT FUNDS BASED ON POPULATION COUNTS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.

THE VILLAGE HAD 5 NEW HOMES BUILT IN THE VILLAGE FOR 2020, WITH AN INVESTMENT OF APPROXIMATELY $1,008,971 IN NEW HOMES. TWO COMMERCIAL IMPROVEMENTS INVESTED $403,700.00. ONE POLE BARN, 6 GARAGE/STORAGE BUILDINGS, 6 FENCES, ONE INGROUND POOL AND TWO HOME ADDITIONS WERE ALSO BUILT FOR AN ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT OF $757,350.00 FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,766,321.00. THERE ARE SEVERAL NEW INVESTMENTS IN THE PIPELINE FOR 2021 WITH INVESTMENT CURRENTLY ONGOING IN THE 200 BLOCK OF S. MAIN STREET.

THE MAIN AND RIVER STREET TRAFFIC LIGHTS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW LED LIGHTING AND HOUSINGS USING STATE HIGHWAY FUNDING.

KROOS DRIVE STORM DRAINAGE WAS COMPLETED ALLOWING FOR ALL OF KROOS TO HAVE ACCESS TO STORM DRAINAGE. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED BY THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT WITH HELP FROM PENDERGRAST FARM DRAINAGE AND PUDGE KENNEDY.

AN OHIO PUBLIC WORKS APPLICATION TO REPLACE WATERLINE ON W. WASHINGTON STREET WAS NOT FUNDED. THE VILLAGE WILL SUBMIT AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021.

A HILLSIDE DECK PROJECT AT RIVERSIDE PARK IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES AND WILL ENCOMPASSES DECKING AND STAIRS FROM THE TOP OF THE PARK DOWN TO THE RIVER. MULTIPLE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT COMING FROM THE VILLAGE, ROTARY AND POSSIBLE STATE CAPITAL DOLLARS. AS THE FUNDING IS CONFIRMED, THE PROJECT WILL THEN GO FORWARD IN 2021.

EVEN WITH THE UNCERTAINTY IN REVENUE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE VILLAGE STILL WAS ABLE TO STAY WITHIN ITS BUDGET AND NOT OVERSPEND WHAT HAD BEEN PASSED FOR 2020.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE VILLAGE’S FIRST RESPONDERS AND VILLAGE EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC TO KEEP THE VILLAGE OPEN TO ITS RESIDENTS. IT IS THE HOPE THAT 2021 WILL BE BETTER AND WE CAN GET BACK TO NORMAL. UNTIL THAT TIME, WE WOULD ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021, AT 7:00 AM AT VFW POST 5087 DUE TO NORMAL MEETING DATE BEING A HOLIDAY.

•  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 4 YEAS, 0 NAY. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:42 A.M.

MAYOR_________________________________________

FISCAL OFFICER___________________________________ DATE________________