March 24, 2008 
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), Bill Hutchison (excused), Carolyn Erdody (here), John Berry (here), Linda Hall (here) and Louise Estep (here).

Erdody made a motion, seconded by Sherwood to suspend the reading and accept the minutes of the March 10 Council Meeting as submitted. Motion passed by voice vote.

The bills were presented. Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Estep to pay the bills, excluding Poggemeyer Design and Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Councilman Hall asked to abstain from the voting on the Poggemeyer Design bill, due to place of employment. Estep made a motion, seconded by Erdody to approve Hall's request to abstain. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Berry to pay the Poggemeyer Design bill. Motion passed, with Hall abstaining.

After discussion, Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Erdody to pay the voting membership fee to the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce ($100). Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

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

Mayor Keifer read a letter from Jane Spoerl, President of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. She requested that the white lights be left on all year long until 10 p.m. in the business district. (Councilman Hutchison joined Council at this time.) After discussion on the impact of the budding of the trees, the fact that it stays later longer during the summer, etc., Administrator Hoffman recommended using a flood light to shine up through the trees. Councilman Berry will hook one up and Mayor Keifer asked Council to take a look at it before the next meeting. Council also discussed putting the lights on earlier in the Fall. Hoffman was also asked to get a cost estimate on the electricity for the lights.

The Fiscal Officer gave the second reading to Ordinance 2008-1. Ordinance 2008-1, an ordinance accepting annexation of approximately 1.35 acres of land in Grand Rapids Township, Wood County, Ohio.

The Fiscal Officer gave the second reading to Ordinance 2008-2. Ordinance 2008-2, an ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the Village of Grand Rapids, State of Ohio, during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Hall to suspend the rules and declare Ordinance 2008-2 an emergency. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Sherwood made a motion, seconded by Hutchison to pass Ordinance 2008-2. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

The Fiscal Officer presented and gave the first reading to Resolution 2008-2. Resolution 2008-2, a resolution of the Village of Grand Rapids in support of the nomination of the Village of Grand Rapids as a site of the underground railroad network to freedom project. Erdody made a motion, seconded by Berry to suspend the rules and declare Resolution 2008-2 an emergency. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Estep made a motion, seconded by Erdody to pass Resolution 2008-2. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

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