Holiday pay for street department workers, extra training for the chief of police, a raise for a hard-working secretary and employee evaluations took precedence at Monday night’s West Liberty Village Council meeting. Deciding what to do about overtime pay for the street department in light of concerns since the recent Labor Day weekend festivities helped get things rolling.
The problem centers around a previous ordinance, 2019-14, which had to be rescinded when it became irrelevant after the street superintendent’s salary was increased. As a result, a revised one needs to be written. The new ordinance will clear up pay, hours and compensation.
West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey also presented a request from Chief of Police Shane Oelker to take an 11-week furlough in order to attend the Public Safety Leadership Academy from March 27 to June 9, 2023.
This intensive, residential training program—sponsored by the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), hosted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, and administered by The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs—provides added education for senior law enforcement officers throughout Ohio.
Besides providing Oelker with new management and leadership skills, the training would send him to Washington, D.C. for National Police Week. Tuition plus room and board are all covered by the ODPS and are free to qualified applicants.
If the council approves the request, Sergeant Lee DeLoye would fill in during that time, though Chief Oelker would still be actively involved and accessible by phone or e-mail.
The council also approved a raise for Missy Hughes, who serves as secretary to the clerk, after suspending three readings. Hughes’ position has expanded, leading to the offer of $14 an hour.
An employee review report was passed. They’re looking to finish supervisor evaluations in November so they can have three readings approved in time for regular raises in January.
In other council action Monday night:
- Clerk Cindee Boyd reported on the success of West Liberty’s first Pink Out kickoff for Breast Cancer Awareness. They raised $1,900 thanks to the sponsored flags now seen throughout town. Attendance included 14 survivors and around 80 residents. “It was just an awesome night,” McKelvey said, “and something we should continue to do every year.” The council discussed holding a similar event in the spring to support all cancer survivors.
- The West Liberty United Church of Christ will offer ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate) active shooter training on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. All are welcome.
- Marie’s Candies has been named the November Business of the Month.
- Nominations are being accepted for Business of the Year. Any business that has been nominated for Business of the Month is automatically eligible. Companies should meet four criteria to be considered: a successful marketing or business strategy; growth; community involvement; exceptional customer service.
- This year’s Halloween Spooktacular—on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. —will include games and free hotdogs. Trick-or-treating will start at 6 p.m.
- Mayor McKelvey asked the council to schedule a time to welcome new residents to the village in November. They estimate there are 10 to 15 since August.
- The safety council will meet at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, to discuss Bureau of Workers Compensation fraud. This will take place at the Mary Rutan Health Center at 1134 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine.
- Two West Liberty businesses will be honored at the Stars In Business event on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m., at the Holland Theatre. LeVan’s Excavating will receive an award for Entrepreneur of the Year and Elle A. Design was named Small Business of the Year. Registration must be done in advance and the cost is $25.
- The annual West Liberty Christmas parade will take place on Black Friday, Nov. 25, at 6:30 p.m. Deadline to enter is Nov. 18. For more information, visit the Christmas Preview Floats page under the events tab at mywestliberty.com.
- Once again, the West Liberty Business Association (WLBA) will host a small Christmas tree silent auction. Bidding will take place November 1-26. The 10 sponsored trees will be displayed at town hall. Money raised will go to the WLBA.
- An option to replace rusted metal plugs for flag pole holes was presented by councilmember Trent Spriggs. These new 3D-printed plugs can be done in any color at a cost of $2 each. Council approved the purchase of 30 red plugs for $60.
- Councilmembers discussed the need for a retention policy in response to a report from Boyd and councilwoman Jayne Griffith after attending Sunshine Law training. The Sunshine Law provides a right of access to governmental proceedings. “We meet the criteria,” Griffith said. “We need to be able to pull out records for anyone who wants to see them.” The suggestion was to turn their current meeting room into a library of public records.
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in the town hall.