ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
October, 2015
HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL:
Finance Committee met on September 28, 2015 to review the health insurance renewal for 2016. Due to many factors if the village kept the current coverage with the same deductibles and out of pocket limits, the premium was proposed to raise 15.7%
After review of several different choices submitted by First Insurance of Defiance, the village’s insurance administrator, the committee agreed to propose raising the deductible and out of pocket limits but to keep Anthem Blue Cross as the provider. This choice of raising the deductibles to $1,000 individual/$2,000 family and out of pocket to $2,000 individual/$4,000 family should keep the premium at or under 2015 premium rate.
W. WOODCOX WATERLINE REPLACEMENT:
Waterline replace on W. Woodcox has passed pressure testing and bacteria testing have been completed. Next individual service lines will be re-connected and two new fire hydrants will be installed in the next few weeks, weather permitting. The project is to be completed and closed out by December 31, 2015.
RENTAL WATER DEPOSIT ORDINANCE:
The first reading of the ordinance to amend the utility deposit raising it from $100 to $150.00 for renters will be Monday night. The final reading will be in December and put in place by January of 2016.
BUILDING/RENTAL STANDARDS:
As stated at the September council meeting, Maumee Valley Planning Organization has housing inspectors on staff and they would be willing to do rental inspections for us once we have developed and put into place our own guidelines. Public Service Committee needs to set another meeting to continue to review and develop guidelines for rental properties.
3rd ROUND OF CONFIDENTIAL INCOME SURVEY HAS BEEN MAILED:
A third round of mailing of the confidential income survey was completed and as of today, 10/13/15, 220 surveys have been returned. A total of 300 returned surveys are required for a qualified survey. Of the 220 returned, 97 were non-LMI and 123 were LMI (Low to Moderate Income), which is 55% LMI. The threshold to meet is 51% which we are surpassing. A door to door canvassing will be undertaken next Tuesday, 10/20/15 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The village administrator along with representatives of Poggemeyer Design Group will be conducting the survey. Again, residents with questions on the need for this survey should contact the village administrator.
OSWALT LOTS:
The Village could re-advertised these lots and remove the minimums if it chooses. A motion would be required to be made by council to proceed with re-advertising these two lots for sale. Solicitor Farr reported to the undersigned that the lots cannot be auctioned and the only other choice we have is to re-advertise.
NEW LIGHTED CHRISTMAS POLE MOUNT DISPLAYS:
The new Christmas pole decorations were ordered and are ready for pick-up. The administrator plans on making the trip to Marion, Indiana with Brian McLaughlin to pick the decorations up in the next week or two. 23 pole mounted led lighted decorations were ordered from GP Designs of Marion, Indiana.
TREAT OR TREAT AND PARADE REMINDER FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST:
The Halloween Parade will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31st with line up at VanCrest at 3:00 p.m. Parade will head to the Antwerp Fire Department for costume judging with sandwiches and drinks provided by the Antwerp Fire Department Auxiliary. Trick or Treat will follow at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
2016 BUDGET:
Work continues on the 2016 budget, finance committee will be contacted when the budget is put together enough to begin review. This is anticipated to be ready before November’s council meeting.