Village Manager's Report

For the November 21, 2005 Council Meeting

The following report is intended to supplement the information related to the upcoming Village Council meeting. If you have questions or comments about these or other issues, please feel free to give me a call at (937) 767-1279 , or e-mail me at phawkey(at)yso.com - Phil Hawkey, Interim Village Manager

A. Council Items:

First Reading of Ordinance #2005-26 Mutual Aid - This replaces our existing mutual aid agreement for through Amp-Ohio for emergency repairs to ours and other municipal electric systems. It sets out the methods used for receiving and providing assistance. This gives us the resources we would need to repair our system in the case of a major wind or ice storm. Members of our crew assisted the member communities of Minster and Celina last winter. We are compensated for any aid we provide under this agreement.

Second Reading & Public Hearing of Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Code: BZA Quorum - Planning Commission passed a motion recommending this legislation at their October 10th meeting. Currently the BZA quorum is four for a board of five. The likelihood of conflicts of interest in a town our size, coupled with normal absences can make it difficult to obtain a quorum. Solicitor Chambers recommends that we change to a quorum of three, as is the case for Council and Planning Commission.

Resolution Awarding Contract to Eggeman Engineering - This legislation will authorize a modification of our existing professional services agreement with Eggeman Engineering and Consulting to include $25,000 for the preparation of the environmental documentation required to move the Northern Gateway Project forward. Funds for this were approved as part of the October Supplemental Appropriations. The selection of Eggeman for the original design contract was based on the qualification based procedures adopted in Ordinance 2005-04.

Village Manager Search - I greatly appreciate the support of those who have called for my inclusion in the interview process. However, I concur with the selection committee's decision to interview the top three candidates. I have no desire to re-enter the process at this time. We need the most capable and experienced leadership we can find, and we need to fill the manager's position as soon as possible.

Policy re: Surplus Items under $1,000: I have shared the draft in your packet with staff and the Village Solicitor. I feel that it provides the appropriate amount of control and flexibility to dispose of the surplus items in a fair and ethical manner.

Agenda Planning:

Kartina Relief - A potential sister community has been located in the Mississippi Delta. The Solicitor will have this legislation prepared in time for the December 5th meeting.

Final Approvals - Thistle Creek, Phase 1 and Birch 3, Section 2 - Planning Commission recommended approval of both developments at their November 14th meeting. Council has until December 21st to hold its public hearing and act.

Western Area Service Group (WASG) Legislation: WASG has updated their Master Service Agreement at the advice of the legal team at AMP-Ohio. The power purchasing Pool Agreement was also modified to include Piqua and Celina. The new agreement has provisions that protect the purchasing advantages that the current members enjoy. This legislation will be presented at the next meeting.

Updates:

Traffic Signals - The contractor is working on the punch-list items required by ODOT. We expect them to reach final completion the week after Thanksgiving.

Street Reclamation Project - Base stabilization on Corry, West Limestone, South High, East Herman, Spillan and Allen should be complete by the 19th of this month. Asphalt will be placed by the end of the month.

Library Entrance Improvements - The concrete work at northeast entrance is progressing well despite some delays for adverse weather.

Glass Farm Detention Basin Project - Work is proceeding nicely. Clearing and topsoil stripping is complete and the shaping of the basin is underway. Once the shaping is complete, the topsoil will be replaced in anticipation of the native species revegetation effort.

Supervisor of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants - I interviewed five qualified and capable applicants for the position and will send an appointment letter to the preferred candidate this weekend.

Final Thoughts:

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, by a long shot. I appreciate the good food, family and friends. It is refreshing and inspiring to pause from consideration of personal and community problems and reflect on our general good fortune.

Thank you all.

Have a happy Thanksgiving.