ANNA — The Village of Anna Council swore in two new members during its regular monthly meeting, Tuesday, March 12.
Mayor Mark Pulfer appointed and swore in Justin Radick to Cindy Naseman’s vacant seat.
Pulfer also announced that council member Joel Kranenburg had decided to step down at the end of the meeting due to a career change that will not be allow him to fulfill the duties of his seat. Angela Wildermuth was sworn in as Kranenburg’s replacement.
Anna Rescue Squad Chief David Klopfenstein presented their 2018 annual report. The squad had a total of 670 calls in their territory, 11.19 percent being within the Village of Anna. There was an average Anna Village response time of 3.72 minutes and a total average response time of 3.62 minutes.
Steve Geise presented himself as a Republican candidate for Sidney Municipal Court Judge. Geise has been practicing for 25 years, including being the solicitor for the Village of Anna at one time.
Todd Garrett, of Pioneer Electric Cooperative, introduced himself to council. As part of his position, he attends various meetings and has met with Village Administrator Mike Homan and Village Fiscal Officer Stacy Meyer regarding service in the village.
Garrett is the manager of community and government relations. Those with questions may feel free to reach out to him.
Mitch Middendorf presented council with a proposed possible development in Anna. Several questions were emailed to the village pertaining to the development and answers are currently pending.
CRA (community reinvestment area) questions and terms also involve Anna Local School, as well as the Upper Valley Career Center. The CRA board will be setting a meeting time soon. There was also discussion regarding demolition and building in spring 2020. Various zoning questions are dependent on the type of development.
The engineering quote for the 2019 sidewalk program has been reviewed. Streets that are targeted are North Linden and East Walnut.
Members of Republic Services and North Central Solid Waste District attended the safety and refuse committee meeting in early March. Possible changes and/or solutions were proposed to the schedule and regular handling of certain things.
The I-75 utility extension project is progressing and questions are being answered. Ground should be breaking soon while equipment has been brought in.
Fire Chief Bender discussed the incident on Feb. 27, during which there was a semi that had a ruptured tank and leaked approximately 50 gallons of diesel fuel at the Shell gas station.
According to Bender, the driver was able to get off the interstate and the spill was contained. The EPA was notified and satisfied with the fire department clean-up of the spill.
Republic Services has proposed moving the village trash and recycling pickup to Wednesday instead of Monday. The company feels this will help equalize the weekly schedule. Council is in favor of moving to Wednesday. Republic Services will help with the transition. A date has not been determined at this point.
Various discussion was had regarding the recycling carts and the extension of the Republic Services contract. With the change to recycling carts versus bins, the recycling would be picked up every other week and would have a $0.43 increase per home per month; in addition to the regularly scheduled $.09 increase.
Council is willing to move forward with the change with the assurance from Jack DeWitt and Terry Thompson that things will be handled more effectively. Cindy Naseman recommended a trash ordinance with various specifics.
Meyer noted the health insurance renewal will come with a seven percent increase in premiums. The increase will range from $1.99 to $6.13 more per pay period for the employee share.
Being a member of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) benefit plan has helped to keep the premium costs down, Meyer said. A motion was passed to renew the health insurance policy.
Bender presented information regarding a utility vehicle purchase for the fire department. Two quotes have been obtained, one being the state purchase price. It will be used for transporting various equipment, members of the fire department and will have various other uses.
There has also been an increase in EMS response and the vehicle will be used as a primary vehicle for those calls, as well, Bender said. A motion was passed to approve the purchase of the F-250 heavy duty pickup truck and various supplies.
The next parks and recreation meeting will be held Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m.
The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m., in the Village Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
