September 10, 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).

Erdody made a motion, seconded by Heyman to suspend the reading and accept the minutes of the August 27 Council Meeting as submitted. Motion passed by voice vote.

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

Mayor Keifer recognized Jacque Varty from the Wood County Health Department. Mr. Varty was present regarding the Bidlack property on Wapakoneta Road. He stated there is a trial date set for September 19 and hopes for a resolution at that time. He informed Council that the Health Department cannot clean it up. They have made offers to Mr. Bidlack to provide dumpsters, boxes, etc. and at this time he has not accepted their offer.

Mr. Varty also reported on the 24242 and 24250 properties on Second Street. He stated he has not seen any rodents or evidence of rodents and cannot do anything until he sees evidence. The property owner has told him they will be fixing up the garage and cutting down the trees.

Mayor Keifer recognized Sheriff Wasylyshyn. The Sheriff explained Rodney Konard's position, which is he is in charge of the litter program. Konrad has also been assigned abandoned vehicles and sites any violations under the Village ordinance. The Sheriff reported there have been 18 letters sent out, with 5 returned. Konrad reinspects the properties and issues a citation if the issue has not been taken care of. The residents are given 10 days. Councilman Estep asked for a copy of the letters as they are sent so Council is aware of when the residents are given notice. Administrator Hoffman stated he has a copy of the letters and will provide them to Council.

Councilman Estep asked about the legality of golf carts on Village streets. Sheriff Wasylyshyn stated it is up to the Village and their Solicitor. Some villages sell permits and some require the golf carts to be licensed. When asked by the Mayor what they would do if they saw a golf cart in the Village, Council was informed that they could site them for items that needed to be operational for road traffic.

The Mayor announced the Applebutter Festival Safety Committee Meeting has been scheduled on September 19 at 7 p.m. at the Fire Hall.

The Mayor also announced there will be a representative from Job & Family Services at the next Council Meeting to discuss the levy that will be on the ballot.

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

After discussion, Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Berry to send Suburban Natural Gas a letter stating we request them to repair the gas line under the Route 578 bridge. Motion passed by voice vote.

Administrator Hoffman asked how to handle the passes for the Applebutter Festival. Council commented to send out three passes to each property owner. After discussion on property owner versus resident, Councilman Sherwood stated she would work with Karen to help define the difference.

Hoffman also stated the Village needs to send out a communication piece to inform residents of the street levy which will be on the ballot in November.

Councilman Erdody gave a report from the Sidewalk Committee Meeting held on August 30. (A copy will be attached to the Fiscal Officer's minutes.) She stated the Committee needs to finish their assessment of the sidewalks and send a letter to the residents who are not in compliance. Mayor Keifer stated she felt a policy needs to be in place before the letters are sent out so that all know the full plan and any financing that may be available.

The Fiscal Officer gave the first reading to Ordinance 2007-5. Ordinance 2007-5, an ordinance repealing ordinance number 1490.04 of the codified ordinances of the Village of Grand Rapids. Councilman Estep asked Hoffman to explain the ordinance. Hoffman explained if this ordinance is passed, it will put all trailers under the zoning code and if a trailer is removed a new one cannot be put back on the property. Estep stated she didn't feel this was fair since the property owners would not have an opportunity to replace a deteriorating trailer with a new one and when they purchased the property it was not under these circumstances.

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