Roll call showed the following members present for the meeting on this date at 6:30 p.m. Burnell, Kronenberger, Larger, Lomakin, Kuck and Wuebker. Also, present were Mayor Parker, Solicitor This, Fiscal Officer Speelman and Village Administrator Richter. Chief Skinner was absent.
Visitors attending were Tom Millhouse from The Daily Standard, Corey Maxwell from The Evening Leader, Jerry McClannan from Mote & Associates and Dan Condon.
Minutes from the June 28, 2021 regular meeting were approved. Motion by Larger. Second by Burnell. Five ayes. Wuebker abstained.
Mayor Parker’s Report:
- No report.
Village Administrator Richter Report:
- Swimming Pool chlorine controller – currently operating with no backup. Cost for new is $6,950. With one month remaining in the season, we will wait to purchase new for 2022 season.
- Waste Water Plant Ohio EPA Draft 5 year permit – Waiting for EPA response.
- The remaining Komminsk Sculptures will be placed on July 13. Two in Komminsk Legacy Park and one in Bremenfest Park.
- The enlarging and laser grading of Diamond 3 is put on hold. CRC is rethinking the diamond layout and playing pony league on high school diamonds.
- Will begin installing the Story Book Project in Jaycee park later this week.
Discussed offering a separate water meter for irrigation systems. This is offered in a few local communities. A resident would need a separate line as well as purchasing a meter and tap in fee. Discussed having an annual inspection to check that nothing else is tied to the meter, to avoid abuse. Will put together a policy and rate ordinance for future meeting discussion.
The improvements the EPA is proposing at the waste water plant are estimated to cost $5 million to $14 million. A plan is needed for funding the future improvements. Option 1 is to charge a fee based on water usage. Option 2 is to charge a flat fee per tap. Current sewer fee is 67% of water usage. Discussed different scenarios if the improvement cost $5 million to $14 million and loan terms of 15 to 30 years. In agreement to increase sewer rates based on water usage. Would prefer this to show as a separate line on monthly utility bill and placed into a separate fund for Sewer Improvements.
First Reading Ordinance 2021-07-14 Sewer rate increase
Received from Auglaize County Budget Commission amounts for general property tax of $204,812 and EMS levy of $166,580. Prior year amounts were $175,813 for property tax and $166,521 for EMS levy.
First Reading Resolution 2021-07-08 Accept Local Government Funds and Rates set up by Auglaize County Budget Commission
The 2021 OPWC Paving Project and Bike Path Project were re-bid. Bids were opened on July 1, received one bid. Buehler Asphalt and Paving bid $695,373.50 for the 2021 OPWC Paving and $279,408.75 for the Bike Path.
Kronenberger made a motion to suspend the rule. Second by Kuck. Six ayes. Declaring Emergency Ordinance 2021-07-13 Award 2021 OPWC Paving Project and New Bremen Bike Path to Buehler Asphalt and Paving. Motion by Larger. Second by Wuebker. Six ayes.
There are six delinquent utility accounts dating back to 2003-2015, total of $5,740.60. Efforts were made in the past to collect but these remain uncollectible. These accounts will be removed from the utility software.
Third Reading Ordinance 2021-06-12 Deem certain utility accounts uncollectible. Motion by Lomakin. Second by Burnell. Six ayes.
Larger made a motion at 6:55 p.m. to enter executive session to discuss property. Mayor Parker removed personnel from executive discussion. Second by Wuebker. Came out at 8:15 p.m. with no action.
Larger made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Second by Kronenberger. Five ayes.