January 8, 2007 
7:30 p.m.

The regular meeting of the Village of Grand Rapids was held in the Town Hall. Mayor Keifer asked the Fiscal Officer to take roll call: Pam Sherwood (here), Carolyn Erdody (here), John Berry (here), Nancy Heyman (here), Linda Hall (here) and Louise Estep (here).

Mayor Keifer stated we needed to elect a President of Council for 2007. Hall made a motion, seconded by Sherwood to nominate John Berry as President of Council for 2007. Motion passed by voice vote.

Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Berry to suspend the reading and accept the minutes of the December 11 Council Meeting as submitted. Motion passed by voice vote.

The bills were presented. Heyman made a motion, seconded by Erdody to pay the bills. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Mayor Keifer announced the committee assignments for 2007. (A copy will be attached to the Fiscal Officer's minutes.) She then gave a list of topics for several committees to review.

Mayor Keifer announced trick-or-treat will be Wednesday, October 31. Councilman Estep asked if there would be any discussion on this date since it was brought up at a previous meeting? Mayor Keifer responded that the Fire Department does the parade and this is when they want it. Estep commented that other communities have the parade and trick-or-treat on different nights. Mayor Keifer responded that would not work. Estep responded that it would be nice to see if we could get all of the communities in our school district on the same night.

Administrator Hoffman presented his report. (A copy will be attached to the Fiscal Officer's minutes.)

Councilman Estep asked Hoffman questions regarding the letter in the packet addressed to the Otsego School District dated January, 2006. She stated she didn't remember signing the letter. Hoffman stated that this letter was never sent. Mayor Keifer then presented an updated letter and requested Council to sign it. Estep stated she did not feel comfortable signing the letter as it was currently written. She said she would like time to review and have discussion. There has not been any recent discussion on this topic. Councilman Sherwood and Berry also stated they would like to discuss further.

Mayor Keifer recognized Lieutenant Hillard who gave a verbal report.

A Streets & Sidewalks Committee meeting was scheduled on January 18 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building.

Fiscal Officer Estep presented and gave the first reading to Resolution 2007-1. Resolution 2007-1, a resolution authorizing the Village Administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safe Routes to School Program and to execute contracts as required. Erdody made a motion, seconded by Sherwood to suspend the rules and declare Resolution 2007-1 an emergency. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Erdody to pass Resolution 2007-1. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Fiscal Officer Estep presented and gave the first reading to Resolution 2007-2. Resolution 2007-2, a resolution declaring the amount of taxes that may be raised by levy at the maximum rate authorized by law without a vote of the electors to be insufficient, and declaring the necessity of a levy in excess of such rate.

With no further business to discuss, Erdody made a motion, seconded by Heyman to adjourn. Meeting adjourned.