Middleport Council Continues Discussion on Sewer Changes

MIDDLEPORT – Middleport Council held a meeting on May 12, 2014 and discussed a few new items of business as well as revisiting the changes made to the sewer rates last meeting.

The April 28, 2014 minutes were read, but approval of the minutes was suspended due to a quote in the minutes accredited to councilmember Vaughn, which he claims he never said. The quote said Vaughn stated last meeting that he knew how to run the sewer/water system and knew what he was doing in changing the sewer rates. The recording of the last meeting will be reviewed and changed or approved accordingly.

Council moved to approve the payment of bills totaling $41,978.19. Council also approved the finance report, income tax report, public works report, and the refuse report.

The Police Chief report was presented to council and said they had billed $34,500 for housing for the month of April. The Building Inspectors report also stated there will be an auction on May 17, 2014 at the impound lot; the auction will start at 10 a.m.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources representative Jared Hittle came to discuss the new changes with FEMA and answer questions from citizens. Hittle explained there is a 50% rule; which means owners can make improvements totaling 50% or less of the total appraised value of the house before having to report the improvements and increasing the cost of coverage. Don Vaughn talked to Hittle about his concerns with FEMA in regards to him wanting to open a business; the grocery store. Due to the 50% rule and other expenses as a result of the new FEMA regulations, Vaughn will be delayed in opening the store, or may not even be able to open the store at all.
Hittle also told citizens that residential rate increases have been delayed but are still coming. Mayor Gerlach encouraged citizens to, “as individuals write your congressmen and representatives, send petitions about this because that will do the most good. When you do write make sure you have your facts correct though.”

As council was wrapping up the FEMA discussion after Don Vaughn and Jared Hittle had left council member Vaughn said, “We should have looked the other way on approving this law (FEMA) until the store was up and running.”
The Mayor explained that would have been breaking the law and would have gotten Middleport in trouble.
Last meetings changes to sewer bills were found to not be binding. In order to lower sewer rates would take an ordinance, which requires four votes; so there were not enough votes in favor of this at the last meeting. Councilmen Vaughn said he wanted reports and expenditures of monthly income and break down of expenses for the whole sewer system, but wanted to go ahead and make an ordinance to chage the rates before getting this information.

The Mayor explained that due to a loan that was taken from the Ohio Water Development Authority to get the sewer system back on track and up to code, Middleport is required to maintain an income flow that will properly maintain and operate the water/sewer system; this also includes fees to pay back the loan. The OWDA told the mayor that if such an ordinance as the one proposed in the last meeting were to take place in Middleport, the system would be broke by July. The mayor explained to council that due to the loans and the paperwork signed with the loans, the ordinance that was proposed could not even be passed or implicated if they wanted it to.

Council member Vaughn still wanted to go through with making the ordinance. Mayor Gerlach told council members he would make sure they had the contact information for OWDA so they could research it themselves and hear it straight from the OWDA. Nothing further will happen with this topic until more information is gathered.
Council heard the third reading of Ordinance 91-14 which will create the position of grant writer/economic developer for the village. Council approved the third reading, with council member Heighton voting no. The new ordinance was created along with the position.

Council member Manly requested for mayor and council to look into getting port-a-johns at the parks, or something better for the parks. He also requested a copy of last year’s performance review for Fayman Roberts.
Council member Burge said there was a stop sign by Speedway that needs replaced, and a speed limit sign on Middleport Hill that needs uncovered from overgrowth.

Council member Older asked for a no parking sign on Art Lewis Street because she said it is hard to see past the parked cars while pulling out, which makes it dangerous.

Council member Heighton also brought up a sign that needs redone, saying the stop sign on 7th and Main needs redone.

Council moved to adjourn the meeting.