The regular meeting of the Village of Antwerp council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. By Mayor Ray DeLong. Council persons present: Rudie Reeb, Kenneth Reinhart, Dean Rister, Mike Rohrs, Keith West, and Jan Reeb.
Also in attendance: Solicitor Melanie Farr, Fiscal Officer Aimee Lichty, Village Administrator Sara Keeran, And Ems Clerk Ashley McDougall. Media present: Joe Shouse of the Paulding Progress And Peter Greer of The Crescent News. Visitors: Jerry Zielke from Paulding County Economic Development, Mark Holtsberry and high school government students.
Minutes from the regular council meeting held February 21, 2018, were reviewed.
• Motion made by Rohrs, seconded by West, to accept the minutes from the February 21, 2018, regular council meeting. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
The February disbursements were reviewed. Discussion on expenses.
• Motion made by Reinhart, seconded by Rudie Reeb, to approve the February reconciliation report. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
VISITORS
Jerry Zielke spoke on behalf of Paulding County Economic Development providing a village and county economic update. He is working on 7 projects in the Village of Antwerp and 3 of them are new businesses.
Zielke notified council that Van Crest will not be renewing it’s lease with the Manor House when it expires this year; however, the Manor House will remain open as an assisted living facility.
Zielke has an architect coming to look at historical buildings in the area. He is also working with Jason Hamman of Hamman Consulting Group on ideas for development at the interchange in Antwerp. Jerry and Jason both attended a conference that provided the opportunity to meet with representatives of Cobblestone Hotel and investors to obtain leads for a possible hotel at the interchange.
Zielke stated that there are 50 projects county wide with an approximate $500,000 in investments and creation of 200 plus jobs.
Zielke notified council that there will be a career opportunity showcase for area high school students with 16 colleges attending as well as several businesses on April 10. There will also be a small business start-up class held on april 19. Contact paulding county economic development for more information.
Mark Holtsberry was in attendance. He spoke of his 3.5 years of service as Paulding County Commissioner and informed council that he would be seeking re-election in the May 8 primary election.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Clemens provided a written report showing 112 calls for service for the month of February with 19 offenses.
EMS REPORT
EMS Clerk Ashley McDougall provided a written report showing collections of $4,274.92 For the month of February and year-to-date total collected of $12,327.43. She provided a written report showing 18 EMS runs for February with a total of 43 EMS runs for 2018.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
Emergency reading of ordinance no. 2018-05: An ordinance authorizing the village fiscal officer to transfer $7,500.00 From the general fund to the street lighting fund, and declaring the same an emergency
• Motion made by Reinhart, seconded by West, to suspend the rules regarding ordinance no. 2018-05. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
• Motion made by West, seconded by Reinhart, to accept ordinance no. 2018-05. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
Emergency reading of ordinance no. 2018-06: An ordinance to amend exhibit a to ordinance no. 2015-27, Specifically to amend sections 3(f)(4)(a) and 5(s) and to add a new section, section 27, to exhibit a, said exhibit a being the Village of Antwerp income tax ordinance, and declaring the same an emergency
• Motion made by Rohrs, seconded by Jan Reeb, to suspend the rules regarding ordinance no. 2018-06. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
• Motion made by Reinhart, seconded by West, to accept ordinance no. 2018-06. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved.
First reading of ordinance no. 2018-07: An ordinance amending section 2 of ordinance no. 2012-27 To designate East Woodcox Street as a two-way street except during the Day in the Park Festival in which East Woodcox street shall be designated as a one-way street
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S INVITATION TO APPLY IS RECEIVED:
The village received notification from ODOT that is has been chosen to submit a full application for sidewalks. ODOT received 71 letters of intent. The full application is due to ODOT by May 18, 2018. Maumee Valley Planning Organization will assist in putting the full application together with the Village. The Transportation Alternatives Program offered through ODOT can fund bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The Villages proposed project would include installation of sidewalk on the East side of S. Erie from Water Plant Drive to Dollar General. The letter outlined a project cost of $63,223.35 which would cover the cost of installation of sidewalks and handicap ramps on the East side of S. Erie Street. The Village would be responsible for 5% of the project cost and all engineering. Engineering is capped at 10% of the project cost. It is anticipated the village would be responsible for approximately $9,500.00 if we are funded. It is anticipated that this would be a 2019 construction project if funded.
CHANGE OF VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECT:
It was anticipated that the village would submit a tornado siren for the east side of the village as it’s CDBG project to the County Commissioners. Since February council meeting it was learned that the project would not qualify due to the fact that the range of the new siren would encompass more of the eastern section of the village which is not low to moderate income. This is the qualifying factor to be able to apply for CDBG funding.
The village could apply for funding to address drainage issues at Riverside Park as the park serves all residents. The village’s income survey for the entire village shows we are low to moderate income. I intend to get an engineer’s estimate for this project, as required by the guidelines, to submit to Maumee Valley Planning Organization by April 9, 2018. The Commissioners anticipate approximately $150,000 will be made available and they would choice up to 4 projects with awards up to $32,000.
REVERSAL OF ONE WAY STREET DESIGNATION IN RIVERSIDE PARK NEEDED:
In 2012 the Village designated the road in Riverside Park as one-way which made it easier for visitors to Day in the Park to get in and out. Since that time the Village has joined the effort to have the Maumee River designated a state Water Trail and has promoted the construction of a canoe and kayak launch on the river bank at the park. The state has designated the river a Scenic Water Trail and in May the trail will be dedicated. As the Village of Antwerp is noted on the water trail map it is anticipated that we will receive more and more canoe and kayak visitors. We have become aware that visitors bringing their canoe and kayaks have found it impossible to exit the park on the east end due to the narrow road and no way to come up from the river bottom and turn left to the east exit. Reversing the one way designation will allow boaters to exit the park safely by turning right and hearing west to the Island Street intersection.
An ordinance has been prepared to reverse this one way designation and allow for traffic to go both east and west in the park. Three readings will be given with the first reading for Monday night. Traffic for Day in the Park can be required to be one way just for that occasion and any other special events that might occur in the park.
FIRE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE OHIO BUREAU OF WORKER’S COMP:
Fire Chief Ray Friend approached the undersigned to seek assistance in putting together a grant application currently being offered by the Bureau of Work’s Compensation. The grant is specifically for Fire Department to minimize firefighters’ exposure to dangerous environmental elements. The grant program provides financial assistance to purchase: Diesel exhaust systems; Extractors/washing machines; Hoods with barrier protection and washable gloves for optimal protection against these exposures. Employers will payroll less than $500,000 are eligible for a $15,000 grant with no match. The village does qualify to apply as our total payroll is under the limit. This is an ongoing grant cycle and we will put together the application after estimates are received.
WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT BID OPENING:
The village opened one bid for the water treatment plant improvements on March 7, 2018. The only bid submitted was from Zachrich Construction of Defiance, Ohio. The estimate for the improvements was $165,000.00. The base bid submitted was $197, 798.00, clearly over 10% of the estimate. The project will need to be re-bid and more maintenance type construction firms will be encouraged to bid.
The village received $175, 450.00 for this project from Ohio Public Works Commission. Included in the improvements planned with these funds were the replacement of filter media in the villages 2 filter media tanks, paint tanks, backwash, disinfect and prepare to be put back in service, replace existing redwood baffles in clear well and clean basin, install new chlorine injection quill, replace existing chemical feed piping along with installing a new air scour blower for filter backwash along with miscellaneous valve, starters and wiring to main panel.
COMPOST SITE TO RE-OPEN ON MARCH 30TH:
It is anticipated that the village’s compost site will re-open on Friday, March 30th. We will leave the site open unless weather makes it too wet for vehicles to get out of the drop off site. The branches are to be chipped next week. The site is for village residents only and the site is equipped with live cameras. Nothing but branches should be dropped off in the branch pile and the leaf pile can accept garden vegetation also. Leaves should not be dropped off in plastic or paper bags, rather they are to be dumped loose. Violators caught on camera will be prosecuted.
REMINDER ON LITTER/TALL GRASS AND JUNK VEHICLES:
With Spring approaching, residents should be reminded that litter, tall grass and junk vehicles notices will be sent out as needed. Violations of these ordinances can result in being cited into Mayor’s Court or County Court resulting in fines and Court Costs. Four notices have already been sent out.
Boats, campers and other recreational type vehicles are not to be kept in the front of residences. Any automotive vehicles or trailers without current license plates/tags shall not be parked or stored on any residentially zoned property other than in completely enclosed buildings. However, one boat and one travel trailer may be stored in the rear yard if they have a current license/tag.
GRAND OPENING OF PAULDING COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER:
The Paulding County Regional Medical Center will hold its grand opening at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at its new location on S. Erie. Open house will be held the same day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Public is invited to attend.
HYDRANT FLUSHING TO BEGIN THE WEEK OF MARCH 28TH:
The village will start flushing hydrants on the north side of River Street start the week of March 28, 2018. Starting approximately April 23, 2018, hydrants south of River Street will be flushed. The schedule is contingent on weather and/or emergency repairs. Residents may experience temporary discolored water during this process. If notices, residents should run tap water until the water is clear. This notice is being given to try to avoid discoloration to clothing during the hydrant flushing.
Paulding county medical center’s grand opening is March 22, 2018, at 10:00 am.
Village received notification from ODOT that it has been chosen to submit full application for sidewalk installation project on South Erie. The full application is due to ODOT by May 8. Funding should be awarded in august with construction to begin in 2019.
Since February council meeting, it was learned that a tornado siren project would not qualify for CDBG funding due to the fact that the range of the new siren would encompass more of the eastern section of the village, which section does not meet the low to moderate income standard for funding. Administrator Keeran mentioned applying for funding to address drainage issues at Riverside Park as the park serves all village residents.
Fire Chief Ray Friend met with Keeran to discuss a grant from the Bureau of Workers Compensation and seeking assistance in submitting a grant application to minimize firefighters’ exposure to dangerous environmental elements. The fire department may be eligible for $15,000.00 To purchase equipment that protects against such exposures.
The village only had one bid at bid opening for the water treatment plant improvements. This bid was over the 10% estimate. This project will need to be re-bid with more maintenance type construction firms being encouraged to submit bids.
Compost site to re-open March 30th.
Hydrant flushing to begin week of March 26th.
Keeran stated there are grant monies available through ODNR and that she would like to apply for monies for repaving streets on west and north side of park. Village could receive $42,000 in grant monies and she suggested seeking local donations to help pay the remaining $17,000.00 For this project.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None to report.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor’s court brought in a total of $2,935.00 in the month of February with $2,180.00 going to the village, $725.00 going to the state, and $30.00 going to the county.
• Motion made by Reinhart, seconded by Rister, to adjourn the meeting. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried and approved. Meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
XMINUTES X57.75
