May 2021 Meeting Minutes

REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP
MAY 17, 2021

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: DEAN RISTER, RUDIE REEB, KENNETH REINHART, MIKE ROHRS, AND KEITH WEST.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: SOLICITOR MELANIE FARR, ADMINISTRATOR SARA KEERAN, FISCAL OFFICER AIMEE LICHTY, EMS COORDINATOR-CLERK ASHLEY MCDOUGALL AND POLICE CHIEF GEORGE CLEMENS. VISITORS: BILL BOYLAN, TIM COPSEY, AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM WESSLER ENGINEERING – RYAN BRAUEN AND ERIC DAVIS.

MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD APRIL 19, 2021, WERE REVIEWED.

•  MOTION MADE BY REINHART, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 19, 2021, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD MAY 3, 2021, WERE REVIEWED.

•  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 3, 2021, SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

THE APRIL DISBURSEMENTS WERE REVIEWED. DISCUSSION ON EXPENSES.

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

VISITORS
REPRESENTATIVES OF WESSLER ENGINEERING WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL TO GIVE OVERVIEW OF THEIR FIRM’S EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS AND ASSISTANCE THEY CAN PROVIDE TO THE VILLAGE FOR ITS GENERAL WATER PLAN.

TIM COPSEY ADDRESSED COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE INTEREST IN WATER SUPPLY REGIONALIZATION AND REQUESTING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATION TO MEET WITH OTHER TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS REGIONALIZED WATER DISTRICT.

BILL BOYLAN ADDRESSED COUNCIL ABOUT CIC PROPERTY AND CONCERNS WITH PLANNED ACCESS TO PROPERTY.

POLICE REPORT
POLICE CHIEF CLEMENS PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 123 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL WITH 17 OFFENSES.

EMS REPORT
EMS COORDINATOR-CLERK ASHLEY MCDOUGALL PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT SHOWING 145 OUTSTANDING RUNS. EMS HAD 18 RUNS IN APRIL. COLLECTIONS IN APRIL WERE $6,716.50. A TOTAL OF $2,850.00 WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FUND FOR APRIL AND MAY.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2021-09: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8 ON TAPPING FEES FOR WATERLINES IN ORDINANCE NO. 2016-27 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2014-21 AUTHORIZING THE CHANGE OF WATER RATES FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP, COUNTY OF PAULDING, OHIO

THIS ORDINANCE INCREASES THE TAPPING FEES WHEN A BORING IS REQUIRED TO COVER THE INCREASED COST TO THE VILLAGE IN THIS SITUATION.

RITA TAX COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL, PAID IN MAY, WAS $54,904.50, DOWN $1,297.44 FROM LAST YEAR AT THIS SAME TIME.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON REZONING OF S. ERIE STREET ON THURSDAY, MAY 27TH AT 5:30 P.M.:
PLANNING COMMISSION WILL MEET ON MAY 27, 2021, 5:30 P.M., AT TOWN HALL ON THE REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP (4 LOTS ON S. ERIE STREET / WATER PLANT DRIVE) AND TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE (CHANGES TO THE B-2 GATEWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LANGUAGE).

INCOME SURVEY POSTCARDS HAVE BEEN MAILED TO ANTWERP RESIDENTS:
ACCORDING TO MVPO, 400 SURVEYS/POST CARDS WERE MAILED OUT TO RANDOM VILLAGE RESIDENTS AND IN ORDER TO HAVE A QUALIFIED SURVEY, 350 WILL NEED RETURNED. THE VILLAGE HAS 6 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY FROM START TO FINISH. SECOND MAILINGS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED AND OFTEN DOOR TO DOOR FOLLOW UP MAY BE REQUIRED. MVPO PROVIDED A FLYER THAT WAS PLACED ON THE VILLAGE’S WEBSITE, AT THE POST OFFICE, LIBRARY AND VILLAGE OFFICES. THE TOTAL RETURNED SURVEYS NEED TO REVEAL THAT THE VILLAGE IS AT 51% BELOW MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR THE VILLAGE TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR ZERO INTEREST LOANS AND GRANTS. THE INCOME SURVEY, IF IT SHOWS 51% LOW TO MODERATE INCOME, WOULD BE GOOD FOR 5 YEARS AND WOULD ALLOW THE VILLAGE TO APPLY FOR FORMULA CDBG GRANT FUNDING AND NUMEROUS OTHER WATER, SEWER, STREET TYPE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS AT A LOWER AND/OR ZERO INTEREST RATE. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE INCOME SURVEY TO ALLOW THE VILLAGE ACCESS TO MORE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

ANTWERP CIC MET AND APPROVED LISTING ITS OPTIONED PROPERTY WITH NAI HARMON GROUP OF TOLEDO:
THE ANTWERP CIC MET ON MAY 10, 2021, AND WAS PRESENTED A PROPOSAL BY NAI HARMON GROUP, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND DEVELOPERS. THE ADMINISTRATOR SHARED WITH COUNCIL A LIST OF THEIR STRATEGIC CLIENTS. THE ANTWERP CIC FELT THAT THIS WAS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THE APPROXIMATE 63 ACRES BY THE INTERCHANGE. HARMON GROUP WILL PROMOTE AND MARKET THIS PROPERTY AND WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PAULDING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ALONG WITH THE CIC AND THE VILLAGE IN DETERMINING THE PROPER MIX OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS SITE. A MASTER PLAN DOCUMENT WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPED BY FELLER FINCH ENGINEERS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, AVAILABLE UTILITIES AND CAPACITIES, WHAT UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT BE NEEDED, TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SO POTENTIAL BUYERS/DEVELOPERS WILL KNOW IF THE PROPERTY CAN BE SHOVEL READY. IT IS ANTICIPATED A PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY WILL ALSO BE NEEDED. THE MASTER PLAN WILL BE PRESENTED TO VILLAGE OFFICIALS FOR COMMENTS.

THE CIC INTENDS TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER/SEWER/STORM AND ROADWAY ON THE RECENTLY ACQUIRED STUMPHY PROPERTY AS AN ACCESS INTO THE OPTIONED PROPERTY. THE PCED OFFICE IS ASSISTING IN LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THESE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ALSO. THE ADMINISTRATOR FEELS THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE VILLAGE AND THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE KEPT UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT THE VILLAGE AND CIC IS TRYING TO DO TO ATTRACT DEVELOPMENT INTO THE VILLAGE.

RECOMMENDED ZONING CHANGES FOR THE OPTIONED PROPERTY:
IN DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROPERTY OPTIONED BY THE CIC APPROACH THE VILLAGE TO REQUEST THAT THE PROPERTY UNDER OPTION, CURRENTLY ZONED A-1 TO ALLOW IT TO BE FARMED, BE REZONED FOR MIXED USE SO ANY POTENTIAL BUYER WOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT 90 TO 120 DAYS WHILE THE PROPERTY IS REZONED. AS B-2 GATEWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT DOES NOT, AT THIS TIME, ALLOW CROP CULTIVATION AS A PERMITTED USE, THE VILLAGE COUNCIL SHOULD LOOK AT AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADD CROP CULTIVATION AS A PERMITTED USE IN A B-2 ZONING DISTRICT. THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE AUDITOR’S OFFICE TO RESEARCH IF THE VILLAGE ADDED CROP CULTIVATION TO B-2 ZONING AS PERMITTED USE WHETHER THAT WOULD AFFECT THE PROPERTY’S CAUV PROPERTY TAX RATES. THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE AUDITOR’S OFFICE THAT THIS CHANGE IN THE PERMITTED USE LANGUAGE WILL NOT AFFECT THE CURRENT AGRICULTURAL USE VALUATION OF THE PROPERTY IF IT CONTINUES TO BE FARMED. THE ADMINISTRATOR IS WAITING ON PARCEL NUMBERS FOR THE PROPERTY, AND THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE TO PRESENT RESOLUTIONS TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP AND THE ZONING ORDINANCE. THE MIXED USE TYPE DEFINITION FOR THIS PROPERTY WOULD ALLOW FOR HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WHETHER IT BE SENIOR HOUSING, VILLAS, HOTEL, RESTAURANT, RETAIL, ETC. AS WELL AS ALLOWING THE PROPERTY TO CONTINUE TO BE FARMED UNTIL A SALE.

ERIE STREET EXTENDED VACATION:
AN APPLICATION FOR STREET VACATION WILL PROBABLY BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL AFTER THE SURVEY WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. JEFF COOK INTENDS TO PURCHASE 3 LOTS ON STONE STREET LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FORMER H & H CLEANER BUILDING. BETWEEN LOTS 14 & 5 IS THE ERIE STREET EXTENDED RIGHT-OF-WAY. THE ADMINISTRATOR PROVIDED A GIS PHOTO TO COUNCIL THAT SHOWS THE LOTS AND THE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN THE TWO LOTS. THIS AGAIN IS AN EXTENDED STREET THAT WILL NEVER BE DEVELOPED AND IS NOT USED BY THE VILLAGE. COOK WILL BE THE OWNER OF THE LOTS AND THE VACATION OF THE SMALL AMOUNT OF LAND WILL GO TO HIM. ABUTTING THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH IS THE RAILROAD AND THEY HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION TO VACATE THE PROPERTY IF IT IS GRANTED. THE RAILROAD WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE VACATED ROAD AS THEY SIMPLY TOUCH THE LOT.

RAILROAD STREET TO BECOME ONE WAY AND ANGLE PARKING NEEDED:
DUE TO LACK OF PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT AND IMPROVEMENTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY SEVERAL BUSINESS OWNERS, PARKING HAS BECOME A REAL ISSUE. THE PROPOSAL IS TO REPLACE PARALLEL PARKING ON RAILROAD STREET BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND CLEVELAND STREET WITH ANGLE PARKING. THIS WOULD CREATE 17 PARKING SPACES. WITH THE ADDITION OF ANGLE PARKING, TRAFFIC ON RAILROAD STREET WOULD NEED TO BE REDUCED TO A ONE WAY STREET FROM CLEVELAND TO MAIN STREET TO ALLOW GRAIN TRUCKS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS SR 49. DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HAD WITH THE ELEVATOR WHO HAS AGREED THAT ONE WAY TRAFFIC WOULD WORK FOR THEM.

JEFF COOK INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT 4 APARTMENTS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE FORMER HOMETOWN PANTRY BUILDING AND HAS REQUESTED THAT THE VILLAGE HELP IN CREATING NEW PARKING SPACES. HE WILL IMPROVE THE DOWNSTAIRS COMMERCIAL AREAS AND HOPES TO HAVE THESE RENTED AND BRING NEW BUSINESS INTO THE DOWNTOWN. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT HE WILL INVEST $358,000.00 AND CREATE 9 FULL TIME AND 4 PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A CRA ABATEMENT TO HELP IN OFFSETTING THE COST OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF IMPROVEMENTS TO REMOVE OLD SIDEWALKS, REPLACE SIDEWALKS AND PAVE AND STRIPE WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $50,000.00. AT THE TIME THE SIDEWALKS ARE REMOVED, MR. COOK WILL PAY TO RUN NEW WATERLINE FROM THE CLEVELAND STREET WATER MAIN TO HIS BUILDINGS. THIS WILL RESULT IN ABANDONING A WATERLINE THAT IS CURRENTLY LOCATED UNDER THE VFW BUILDING, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING SHOULD IT NEED REPAIRED. THE NEW PARKING SPACES WILL BE USED BY OTHER BUSINESSES IN TOWN AND IS NOT SOLELY FOR THE PANTRY BUILDING.

RE-INSPECTION OF HOME AT 107 E. RIVER:
THE HOME AT 107 E. RIVER WAS RE-INSPECTED ON APRIL 30, 2021, BY HOUSING INSPECTOR BRUCE ESSEX WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MIKE ROHRS. BRUCE NOTED TREMENDOUS PROGRESS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOME. CARPET HAS BEEN ORDERED AND INVOICES HAVE BEEN SHOWN FOR PRODUCTS THAT HAVEN’T YET ARRIVED. BRUCE IS RECOMMENDING A FINAL INSPECTION DATE OF MAY 31, 2021.

AL FRANKLIN PROPERTY:
THE ADMINISTRATOR MET WITH AL FRANKLIN AND HE PREFERS THAT THE VILLAGE BUY THE PROPERTY DISCUSSED AT PRIOR MEETINGS, RATHER THAN HIM GRANTING AN EASEMENT TO THE VILLAGE. THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN APPRAISED AT $3,100.00. AL FRANKLIN SAID THIS PROPERTY IS ENCUMBERED BY A MORTGAGE, SO HE WILL CONTACT THE MORTGAGE COMPANY ABOUT CLEARING TITLE TO THIS PORTION BEING PURCHASED BY THE VILLAGE.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MET TO DISCUSS REGULATIONS ON FOOD TRUCKS. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE VILLAGE DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT REGULATIONS ON FOOD TRUCK OPERATIONS IN THE VILLAGE CORPORATION LIMITS.

•  MOTION MADE BY RISTER, SECONDED BY ROHRS, TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMITTEE TO PROCEED IN PROPOSING REGULATIONS FOR FOOD TRUCKS IN THE VILLAGE CORPORATION LIMITS. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING ON JUNE 1ST 4:00 PM AT TOWN HALL WITH SOLICITOR FARR IN ATTENDANCE TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE WITH REGULATIONS. ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE VILLAGE SIDEWALKS.

NEW BUSINESS
FARMERS WELL BACKFLOW PREVENTOR IS FAILING. WITH THE VILLAGE ONLY BRINGING IN ABOUT $400.00 IN 2020 AND COSTS OF APPROXIMATELY $2,300.00 TO REPAIR OR $4,800.00 TO REPLACE THIS PREVENTOR, KEERAN ASKED COUNCIL HOW THEY WANT TO PROCEED WITH FARMERS WELL. DISCUSSION ON REPAIRING / REPLACING PREVENTOR VERSUS SHUTTING THIS WELL OFF. COUNCIL RECOMMENDED THAT KEERAN CONTACT THE TWO FARMERS THAT USE THIS WELL AND SEE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE BY COUNCIL.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE SCHEDULED MEETING FOR JUNE 1ST 6:30 AM AT TOWNHALL TO DISCUSS ADMINISTRATOR JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSONNEL SAFETY.

UTILITY COMMITTEE REQUESTED THAT SOLICITOR FARR RESEARCH NEXT STEPS TO SELECT QUALIFIED ENGINEERING FIRM FOR WATER GENERAL PLAN DESIGN SERVICES. UTILITY COMMITTEE WILL THEN MEET TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS ON SELECTING QUALIFIED ENGINEERING FIRM FOR THIS PURPOSE.

OLD BUSINESS
KEERAN WILL CONTACT MAUMEE VALLEY PLANNING ORGANIZATION TO DETERMINE STATUS OF INCOME SURVEY PROCESS FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANTWERP.

MAYOR’S REPORT
MAYOR’S COURT BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF $3,370.00 IN THE MONTH OF APRIL 2021 WITH $2,609.00 GOING TO THE VILLAGE, $732.50 GOING TO THE STATE, AND $28.50 GOING TO THE INDIGENT DRIVER’S FUND.

•  MOTION MADE BY ROHRS, SECONDED BY WEST, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED AND APPROVED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:15 P.M.

MAYOR_________________________________________

FISCAL OFFICER___________________________________ DATE________________