Pomeroy Council Discusses Parking Meters and Road Issues

POMEROY – Pomeroy council met this week and discussed several issues including parking meters and road issues.

The meeting started off with council president, Phil Ohlinger, wishing to clarify a statement in relation to the last meeting’s minutes. He said a statement made by council member Victor Young made at the last meeting made it sound like the council would exclude people from attending the council meetings. He said that was not the case and wanted it entered into the record that the council would, “never exclude people from attending.”

Ohlinger said the minutes did not need to be amended, but wanted to clarify the point. The minutes were unanimously approved.

Young had made a statement at the last meeting about people speaking and addressing the council. He asked who was approving it and added that Welker should be approving who speaks. He said it, “should go through Jackie.”

He added that if someone calls they should be referred to Welker. Young alluded to the people talking too much to the council and addressing them during the meetings. He said specific problems should be routed directly where they are related and asked Welker to “look at it closer.”

Young was absent from the meeting as was Pomeroy Police Chief Mark Proffitt. Village Administrator Paul Hellman arrived late.

A representative from Volunteer Energy presented the council with a community reinvestment check for $863.52. A brief discussion followed about electric aggregation. No action was taken.

Mayor Jackie Welker said, “a donation like this certainly helps us.”

The third reading of ordinance 763 was unanimously approved. It was read by title only. The ordinance changes the pay scale for the Pomeroy Police Department. The wages are now the following: Pomeroy Police Chief, $40,000; Police Captain, $15.75 per hour; Police Lieutenant, $14.75 per hour; Police Sergeant, $13.75 per hour; Police Corporal, $12.75 per hour; Police Patrolman, $12 per hour; Code Enforcement Officer, $11.50 per hour; Meter Enforcement, $9.50 per hour; Maryor’s Court Clerk, $1 per hour; Assistant Maryor’s Court Clerk, .50 cents per hour; Dispatcher Wages and all Dispatchers, $8.52 per hour. Dispatchers and officers that will be on working the “midnight shift be paid an additional .25 cents per hour differential.”

Additionally, the ordinance states, “All Police Department Employees shall be hired and promoted on a six month probation.”

Ordinance 764 dealing with an amendment of the housing ordinance and building code was also approved unanimously on the third reading by title only. The ordinance requires a change in the mandatory annual inspection for rental units.

According to the ordinance, “Each owner and/or landlord of the rental property will be responsible for setting the date and time of their inspection to be performed by the Pomeroy Code Enforcement Officer.” There is also an annual rental fee of $30 to be paid to the village and the registration of all rental housing units and fees must be paid by February 1 of each year, according to the ordinance. This ordinance replaces Ordinance 662.

A brief discussion about the work, progress and possibilities of development at the Mulberry Pond followed. The council gave credit to Jim Smith for his efforts over the years at the pond in writing grants and the work he has done there. Other grants including outdoor education grants are being perused as well. There was some discussion about a possible shelter house at the park with a couple of picnic tables. Fundraising may also be a possibility.

Ohlinger noted there has been a lot of positive feedback on the pond.

A discussion about the possible need for additional electric was also had in relation to the need for an aerator for the pond and electric for the shelter.

Hellman sad there is a gas transmission area through the that area in question. He would have to check in to it. He suggested looking into a green grant that might be able to provide a solar option for providing electric to a shelter.

No smoking signs were received from the Meigs County Health Department. Mayor Welker said they will first be placed around the ball fields. The council is giving $250 toward a ball tournament also.

The exercise equipment that was donated through a grant from the health department will be placed along a section of the walking path. It was noted that the weather has delayed that and it should be in place as soon as the weather permits.

Ohlinger asked about the need for mulch near the equipment. Hellman said there was a concrete pad, but mulch could be used around the outside of the pad.

The finance committee did not have a report because the meeting had been cancelled last week due to the weather according to council member, Robert Payne. A meeting has tentatively been set for March 17 at 6 p.m.

Hellman turned in an inventory list to the council for his department. He also proposed to allow water customers to purchase additional units of leak insurance. The units are $25 a year for $300 worth of coverage. Customers may purchase up to three units of insurance for a total of $900 worth of leak insurance coverage for $75.

He also noted several issues related to this winter with leaks and other pipe issues.

“You are going to see a lot of people complain about it,” Hellman said of customers next water bills.

Hellman also went to a grants meeting and reported that he received information on some grants he would like to apply for and the deadline is April 7.

Open discussion followed the brief meeting.

The road condition by Mark’s Auto near Subway was discussed. Welker said he would contact Middleport Mayor Michael Gerlach concerning the road work there. Welker said he expected it to take between three to six months the road would need to be closed for repairs to the every increasing issues there.

“It is going to impact everything down there,” Welker said.

It was noted they could spend $30,000 for a repaving that would only slip again or an estimated $300,000 to fix the problem. Welker said they would be pursuing grants and other sources to assist in paying for fixing the slip.

“If we go into it, we are not going to make anyone happy,” Welker said of working on the road and potentially closing it completely in that section for months.

The water department was briefly discussed and several council members noted they have not experienced the alleged chlorine odor many residents have complained in regards to.

Hellman did say the chlorine level is, “running a little high,” but added that he generally keeps it that way so it is effective to the ends of the water lines.

Luke Ortman said there has been work in preparation for the coming spring and summer in regards to beautification of the downtown area.

“We want it to look as good as possible,” he said.

Welker said the litter near hospital hill and watering the flowers correctly this summer is important.

Hellman then asked for $500 from the council to purchase a trailer with a water tank on it to water the flowers this summer.

“It doesn’t look the best,” he said adding it was, “rusted looking.” The trailer and tank are used.

Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase.

The parking meters were briefly discussed in relation to Welker working on having training for the meter officer with the Athens Police Department. He said he had left voice mails, but “sounds like it will happen.”

The meeting was adjourned. No one from the public addressed the council at the meeting.