JACKSON CENTER — Jackson Center Council approved the sale of a village bucket truck that was recently replaced by a new one. Village Administrator Bruce Metz reported the village received several bids for the used truck which will be sold to the highest bidder, CJ Electric, of McCartyville, for $42,650.
In old business, Council approved the third reading of a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies, certifying them to the county auditor. The auditor estimates the village will receive $44,472 for the inside 10 mill limitation levy at the rate of 2.0 mills and $43,559 for the outside 10 mill levy passed by voters in November 2013.
In new business, Council members passed an ordinance authorizing Metz to enter into a real estate purchase agreement with Airstream Inc. and the Jackson Center Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) allowing Airstream to purchase 11.994 acres on Jerry drive for $83,958.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing the village administrator to submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for grant monies to make miscellaneous street repairs and improvements in the infrastructure including a new water main, catch basin, and paving on College Street. The village hopes to receive around $800,000 in grant money; the work is slated to begin in 2019.
In the regular session council passed a recommendation of changes in wages and compensation for village employees suggested in a report by Councilman Ken Gloyeskye by the Wage and Benefits Committee meeting held on Sept. 18. After reviewing the cell phone policy the committee approved paying $40 a month for full-time employees, and $20 a month for part-time employees toward their chosen cell phone plans since cell phones are used for village business as well as personal use.
The committee also recommended dropping the part-time police officer hours from 60 to 40 in 2018 with the hiring of a full time officer. The committee recommends a 2 percent cost of living pay increase for all village employees and increases in compensation for the following positions:
• Increase in zoning officer’s salary from $2,000 to $5,000 based on his performance, work load, and comparisons of compensation for similar positions in like villages in the area.
• A $1,500 increase in the mayor’s salary to $6,000 effective the start of the next mayor’s term.
• Increase in council members pay from $2,000 to $3,000 effective at the start of the council member’s next term.
• Recommended the fiscal officers salary to increase from $1,155 to $5,000 effective Jan. 1, 2018.
• The fire chief’s salary will be tied in with the 2 peercent cost of living increase for employees to be determined sometime in 2018.
Metz shared the following items in his report:
Electrical Department is working on a problem with the motion detectors at the new traffic light at Airstream Drive; and is working on the lighting project on Davis, Linden and South Streets.
Street Department is crack sealing streets and doing street sweeping.
Metz told council he attended the village administrators meeting; attended the Wage & Benefits Committee meeting; is working on 2018 appropriation budget.
Metz also reported the radar will be adjusted at the Airstream Drive traffic light. The village received the grant from EcoSmart Choice for $14,169 to be used for planting trees at the new park. The village has an agreement with Kah’s Nursery for 56 trees to be planted which should be in this fall.
In other business, council learned:
• Job trailers have been moved in for the solar field and sent tickets in to OUPS. They should start clearing trees next week.
• Casey’s had some problems with their plumbing permits. The opening date will be January.
• All new streets lights are up around the school and will come on Monday night for the first time.
• New streets signs are in that will be going up around the school. Hamer Street parking lot will be cut in soon.
An executive session for the purpose of discussing the purchase or sale of real estate and the employment of a public employee was held. No action was taken.
