No parking on lawn requirement results in tickets for E. Lincoln resident
2nd reading of 2023 appropriations passed
By Paula Scott
The Village of Ada Council met on December 6 for the first of two December regular sessions. The meeting was chaired by Mayor David Retterer. Council members in attendance were Sheila Coressel, Jason Campbell, Linda Mason, Jeff Oestreich and Bob Simmons. Sean Beck was absent.
The meeting packet including the agenda is HERE. At this meeting, council chambers were arranged in a new fashion with councilors and staff in a u-shape and seating for guests on the fourth side of the room.
OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
A resident on E. Lincoln asked council to give her permission to park one of her two vehicles on her lawn (see attached photo). She has only recently been receiving tickets for the practice. Ada code requires that parking areas be concrete or asphalt.
Mayor Retterer responded that a Streets Committee meeting would be scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on December 20 to discuss the matter. Police Chief Michael Harnishfeger replied that he could not in the interim give permission to violate the code.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Retterer briefly commented on how busy the village is and expressed his satisfaction with the December 3 Neighborhood Revitalization meeting hosted at the Depot by Hardin County. The next public meeting on this grant application will be 10:00 a.m. on January 14.
RESOLUTIONS
Council unanimously approved a request to allow the Mayor to make a cleaning services agreement with Michelle Brunk of MLB Cleaning and Endeavors LLC. The contract will change from an hourly to a monthly rate. (attachment pages 21-22)
ORDINANCES
Council unanimously approved the second reading of the 2023 Annual Appropriations. Changes may be made to the following for the third and final reading on December 20.
Proposed appropriations include $2,480,152.90 for the General Fund, $1,627,691.50 for Special Revenue Funds and $1,825,000.00 for Capital Projects Funds. (See attachment pages 25-26 for additional details.)
PROPOSED GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2023
Elected Officials $ 38,070.00
Administration 285,566.00
Finance 159,130.00
Income Tax Administration 46,218.00
Municipal Facilities 96,700.00
Police 971,731.76
Hardin Drug 1,000.00
Hardin DUI 1,500.00
Safer Program 600.00
Furtherance of Justice 1,000.00
Public Works 30,000.00
Health & Welfare 20,300.00
Zoning & Planning 33,785.00
Tree Commission 30,030.00
Transfers Out 550,000.00
NEW BUSINESS
Bob Simmons suggested that the village look into Christmas decoration possibilities and create an ad hoc committee. Illuminated lights on Main St. poles were discussed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Personnel: Bob Simmons presented two requests which were approved unanimously.
Brian Howard promotion to Associate Water Treatment Plant Operator
Logan Matthews extension of probationary period; some training has been delayed by equipment being inactive and staff illnesses.
Finance: Linda Mason requested an executive session with no action expected at the end of the meeting.
Buildings and Grounds: Sheila Coressel presented a Depot Rental Rates Memo (attachment pages 28-29) recommending an increase in the Depot building rental rate and providing rates at other comparable facilities. The recommendation was to reduce refundable deposits to $50 and increase the rental rate to $100/day. The additional funds would help cover improvements and cost of operations which currently exceeds rental income.
Utilities: Linda Mason presented a water bill adjustment request of $115.23 at 124 W. Buckeye for a break inside the foundation, which was approved.
Fiscal Officer’s Report: Patty Navin reported that a Bureau of Workers Compensation audit for 2021 is underway. The village is sending documents to the BWC.
Police Chief’s Report: Michael Harnishfeger reported:
He will be attending online orientation for Lexipol policy and training services. He has learned that the department’s insurance will pay half of the Lexipol subscription in the first year, and reduced amounts in the second and third years.
Ada schools safety drill was conducted evacuating the whole school.
Burglary and assault arrest was
Local business suffered a $5K fraud by phone
Recent activity/cases have included mental health transports, domestic violence, child protective order and assault
Village Administrator’s Report: Jamie Hall reported:
Neighborhood Revitalization grant application meeting on December 3. Hall noted that community participation is essential to the application. Urged listeners, if you have an organization that does community projects, please submit information to the village.
Leaf pick up is done, but the machine isn’t put away. Call the village if are putting leaves out in the next week.
Tawa Tree Services removed seven trees, including two large trees on S. Main. Will be stump grinding on December 8-9. They did a great job crown clearing on the very large sycamore tree by the Ada Theater.
Council adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
