After starting their regular meeting with an executive session about employee compensation, the West Liberty Village Council went over several points of interest with Chief of Police Shane Oelker.
Their first decision was to approve medical leave for Officer John Puckett, who received as many as 10 stitches due to severe dog bites he suffered Feb. 6 while on duty. The injury to his dominant hand and arm was severe enough to keep him from returning to work for almost two weeks.
“This is medical leave rather than sick leave because it’s at the village’s expense,” Councilwoman Jayne Griffith said. She added, “The dog had to be quarantined.”
Oelker also asked the council to approve a bigger fireworks display for the Fourth of July at a cost of $4,500. This year’s celebration will take place after sunset on Saturday, June 24. The council approved the request with the understanding $1,000 will be covered by the West Liberty Business Association.
The loss of power at the police department almost two weeks ago convinced Oelker of the need to purchase and install a generator to the building.
“When the power’s out, the phone lines are down,” he said. “Unless the council says absolutely not, I’ll get a quote (from Busher Electric) and bring it to the next meeting.”
Oelker told the council he sees the generator costing under $10,000, which is less than anticipated. The council approved his plan, along with the request to purchase a new copier for the PD.
In other action Monday night:
- Logan Lawn and Landscaping has been named the March Business of the Month. The presentation will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the townhall gazebo.
- The date of the Your Hometown Tech public awareness training has been changed to Monday, March 20, at 6 p.m. Shawn Suter will help residents know how to spot and handle online scams and spam accounts, including phone scams. This will still be held at Green Hills Foundation Hall.
- Women who served in the military are invited to come to the West Liberty townhall for a taping on Wednesday, March 22, at 11 a.m. to share their stories. At 9:30 that morning, they will also record a veteran who wishes to thank the men who rescued him from North Africa during World War II.
- West Liberty’s Easter celebration will start with the Lions Club pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, at the firehouse. An egg hunt, which will be divided according to age, will take place on April 2. Details will be added to the village website at mywestliberty.com when they’re available.
You’ll also find the Easter bunny at the gazebo next to townhall that weekend, where you can get free professional photos from Serina Ann Photography. Open house passports will be available as well, which offer discounts at participating West Liberty stores.
- McKelvey asked the council to consider purchasing a screen and projector for the Opera House to add to the curtains and other equipment the space needs.
- The village paid for two trucks, including one built new to their specifications, which will be shipped when it’s ready. The other is a used truck in “very nice” condition, according to Griffith.
- New firing range signs were purchased by the police department for $820. They will only be posted only when the range is in use.
- After council suspended the first three readings, they passed ordinance 2023-05. It will allow vacation pay to part-time employees after one year. They did the same with ordinance 2023-04, which would pay a weekend water/sewer department employee $28.08 an hour, retroactive to Jan. 27, 2023.
- A proposed 3 percent increase to water and sewer rates, which equals $1.82, passed its second reading.
- As discussed and approved at the last council meeting, Boyd put $12,000 into a CD at Citizens Federal Bank for 12 months at an interest rate of 4.06 percent. The money came from the sale of a deuce-and-a-half and will go toward a new firetruck.
- Regarding the aforementioned firetruck, the council has applied for a grant to cover the cost. If they’re awarded the money, the village would only have to provide 5 to 20 percent of the price. Unfortunately, the current wait for delivery on firetrucks is 42 months.
- A letter has been sent to the residents of West Columbus Street, from Reynolds to the bridge, letting them know they are responsible for replacing the curbs and gutters on their property. It’s a cost per square foot, which the council will pay upfront, then the homeowner needs to reimburse them. The residents have three years to pay it off. After that, it will come out of their property taxes. Those who have a financial hardship can request assistance from the village.
- With regard to the property next to the Shell station, which the village would like to purchase to turn into a parking lot, legal advisor Chris Moell said, “There’s nothing we can do to force the sale of the land.” With that in mind, the only recourse, for now, is to wait and see if the owner’s failure to pay taxes will lead to foreclosure.
- Cindee Boyd, city clerk, received a call from Trimlight in Indian Lake about installing troop banners again this year. This had been done by volunteers since 2017, but those have been harder to find. Trimlight’s offer to take over the task was appreciated.
Though Councilman Trent Spriggs is still looking into whether to repair or replace the current old brackets, which could affect banner installation, the council decided to approve the $600 requested by Trimlight. Considering the trouble the work has been in the past, Boyd feels the help is worth the cost.
- The council approved spending almost $1,200 to replace the downtown flags and flagpoles. Mayor Jill McKelvey encouraged the purchase of new flags, describing the old ones as worn, torn and “in bad shape.”
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Feb. 27.