Roll call showed the following members present for the meeting on this date at 6:30 p.m. Burnell, Kronenberger, Lomakin, Kuck and Wuebker. Larger was excused with a motion by Kronenberger. Second by Kuck. Also, present were Mayor Parker, Solicitor This, Fiscal Officer Speelman, Village Administrator Richter and Chief Skinner.
Visitors attending were Dan Condon, Tess Elshoff, Corey Maxwell from The Evening Leader, William Kincaid from Daily Standard, Sandy Schwieterman from Sidney Daily News and Jerry McClannan from Mote & Associates.
Minutes from the November 22, 2021 regular meeting were approved. Motion by Lomakin. Second by Wuebker. Five ayes.
Mayor Parker’s Report:
- Christmas Tree Lighting on November 29 was a success.
Village Administrator Richter Report:
- Looking into a slow leak at the south water tower. Inspection scheduled for Dec 15.
- Received final EPA permit for Waste water plant. Effective Jan 2, 2022 and expires Dec 31, 2026. Reviewing the preliminary plan for sledge removal of lagoons. Ordered an automatic 24-hour sampling unit, expected to arrive in April 2022.
- Jefferson St Reconstruction bid advertisement is set of Dec 22, 2021 with bid opening Jan 12, 2022.
- The intake radiator transmission cooler broke on leaf truck. The truck will be out of service for the remainder of the season. Village of Minster will finish leaf collection for us on Dec 17.
Nathan Davis from Great Lakes Community Partnership attended by Teams Meeting to present Water and Waste water rate recommendations. Over the last 5 years the water and sewer rates have received only minimum increases. The utility fees should create a revenue stream that creates a complete cost recovery for operations & maintenance, asset replacement, preventative and predictive maintenance, capital improvements and emergency set asides. Currently not generating enough revenue for all these categories. Currently sewer is charged as 67% of water usage. This does not provide a full cost recovery. Discussed increase in monthly minimum charge and cost per cubit feet. Council will review recommendations and discuss in January.
First Reading Ordinance 2021-12-30 2022 Wage increase of 3% effective January 17, 2022
Remaining wage and benefit appropriations were reviewed for 2021. Request to reallocate $40,000 of wages in general fund. No increase in overall wage appropriations, reallocating between departments within general fund.
Kuck made motion to suspend the rule. Second by Lomakin. Five ayes. Declaring Emergency Ordinance 2021-12-31 Amend 2021 appropriations. Motion by Burnell. Second by Wuebker. Five ayes.
Final meeting for 2021 will be December 29 at 6:30pm.
Second Reading Ordinance 2021-11-28 2022 Appropriations in the amount of $24,864,158.07.
Second Reading Ordinance 2021-11-29 Solicitor Jason This contract for January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 at an annual cost of $16,000.
Third Reading Resolution 2021-11-15 Accept salt bid from Artesian of Pioneer at $140/ton. An increase of 4.5%. Motion by Kuck. Second by Burnell. Five ayes.
Lomakin noted they are working on quotes for the proposed sign to be placed at Lockkeeper’s House with the New Bremen Historical Society and Miami Erie Canal Corridor.
Kronenberger made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Second by Wuebker. Five ayes.