Paulding Village to see at least $636K 'Rescue Plan' funding

PAULDING – Paulding Village Council learned about a new round of federal funding and introduced two proposed ordinances – regarding vacant buildings and noxious weeds – at the regular meeting Monday, April 5.

Ed Bohn, county EMA director, attended the meeting with two topics for council.

Bohn said Paulding Village will be receiving from $636,565 up to $765,182 through the federal American Rescue Plan related to Covid-19 aid. The village will get more than it did last year through the CARES Act.

He explained the first funds should be coming in May. Half of the money will be available in 2021 and the other half in 2022. The money can be used to off-set loss of revenue due to the pandemic, such as swimming pool admission fees, and for water and sewer projects and possibly streets. More details will be released.

Secondly, Bohn noted that any tornado sirens in a village are the village’s responsibility to maintain. Paulding has four of the county’s 23 sirens.

In response to a question, Bohn said that policy is for a siren test at 1 p.m. each Wednesday. However, if there’s an emergency event in progress at that time, the siren test is canceled for the week.

Council held the first readings of two ordinances.

Ordinance 1616-21 would establish a vacant building registration program. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed measure at an ordinance committee meeting at 4:30 p.m. April 14 in council chambers.

According to the ordinance, “The council … has identified a pervasive issue which exists with regard to vacant buildings within the village… . Council has determined that it is necessary to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the the residents … by providing for the regulation of vacant buildings within the village.”

The ordinance defines “vacant building” for business, industrial and multi-family residential structures; outlines the duties of the owner; and requires registration with the village administrator. Inspections, fees and penalties for violations also would be established.

The second ordinance would repeal and replace a 2011 ordinance regarding disposing of noxious weeds and litter.

Administrator Jason Vance requested approval to hire Jason McClain for the street utility department.

Vance also reported the Walnut Street reconstruction project will begin April 12, weather permitting. One block will be closed between Jackson and Caroline streets. Plans call for asphalt pavement to be removed and replaced with concrete.

A sanitary sewer project between Walnut Street and Kay Nora Avenue, from North Drive south to Opossum Run ditch, is set to begin May 10.

Councilman Dan Workman urges residents to place items for bulk trash pickup at the curb at the appropriate time for collection. Items should not be set out weeks ahead of time. If residents don’t know when their bulk pickup is scheduled, they can check the village’s website.

Councilman David Burtch reported CoRP (Community Revitalizing Paulding) is working with the county economic developer to establish a Community Reinvestment Area in the village. The program would offer property tax abatements for different types of construction and improvements.

Resident Matt Sunday inquired about plans to open the pool this season. Vance said only five lifeguard applications have been received; 10-12 lifeguards will be needed.

Sunday mentioned the condition of the village’s brush pile, located behind Live Oak Cemetery. Village officials noted rules prohibit leaving bags of yard waste. Residents can obtain logs for firewood, at their own risk.

Council suspended the rules to pass two new resolutions as emergencies:

• Resolution 1371-21 authorizes the finance director to enter into an agreement and the subsequent contract necessary to receive funds from Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the construction of soccer fields. The village will receive about $73,500 toward the project.

• Resolution 1372-21 authorizing participation in the ODOT road salt contracts for 2021.

Also approved was the third and final reading of Ordinance 1614-21 to change zoning classification of certain school- owned lots at Water and Wall streets.

The police department during March responded to 248 service requests and nine traffic accidents; wrote three traffic citation; wrote seven parking tickets; completed 1,163 security checks; sent one junk notice letters; and issued zero junk ordinance citations.

The mayor’s office during March collected $465. A total of $100 in parking fines were received during the month.

In other business, council:

• Heard income tax receipts so far this year are ahead of projections, and could exceed $1 million this year if the trend continues.

• Learned the income tax filing deadline has been extended to May 17 this year.

• Heard the second reading of Resolution 1370-21 to approve the solid waste management plan update for the Joint Solid Waste District of Defiance, Fulton, Paulding and Williams Counties.

Committee meetings scheduled were:

• Combined safety committee and street committee meeting, 4:15 Wednesday, April 7, to discuss an issue regarding the fall festival.

• Utilities committee, 3 p.m. Thursday.

• Park and recreation committee, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13 at the park regarding the pool.

• Ordinance committee, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 14.

The next regular council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 19. Watch via Zoom at https://us02web.- zoom.us/j/4451352151. The meeting ID number is 445 135 2151.