PAULDING
– A new EMS coordinator, EMS service contracts, questions about
economic development and a liquor permit for a new business were among
the business before Paulding Village Council at its final meeting of the
year Monday, Dec. 19.
Following an executive session, council
approved hiring Thomas Shrider as new coordinator of Paulding EMS.
Shrider, a current squad member, will begin his duties Jan. 1.
He replaces Dave Foltz, who resigned from the position in October.
Several candidates for the job had been interviewed in recent weeks.
Interim
EMS coordinator Sue Crossland presented the names of Samantha Fuentes
and Mandy Bryant for consideration as emergency medical technicians
(EMTs). Both need to complete paperwork before they can begin making
runs.
Tim Copsey, Paulding County Economic Development director,
was a guest at the meeting. He thanked the village for its 20 years of
support for PCED and presented a plaque in appreciation.
Copsey
said that as a nonprofit entity, “the only way we’re going to survive is
through partnerships like this, and for 20 consecutive years you’ve
been a partner and we appreciate everything that you guys do for us.”
Village officials expressed their appreciation of Copsey’s work on behalf of the county and village.
Council
asked Copsey about the status of the TIF (tax increment funding)
agreement proposed for a new subdivision planned next to Countryside
Estates. Copsey replied the developer is working with his attorney and
engineer on completing the draft agreement.
Copsey also was asked
whether any industrial projects are on the horizon for Gasser Road, now
that an infrastructure expansion has been completed. Copsey’s office
manager, Kristen Schilt, responded the office is marketing six
properties, and the one on Gasser Road has the most inquiries. However,
many potential businesses want a building already built, or a larger
number of acres.
Mayor Greg White asked about a possible
development project near Maple Avenue. Copsey recommends that council or
one of its committees sit down with Jackson and Paulding township
officials and talk about the future and what can be done together. He
believes more proactive conversations will smooth out the process and
make projects go easier.
Finance Director Cheryl Halter told
council the village’s three-year EMS service contracts are set to expire
Dec. 31. She was uncertain how council wanted to proceed with new
contracts, due to supply cost increases, fuel increases, the possibility
of hiring a full-time EMT for the squad, and other factors.
Paulding
EMS has contracts with Paulding, Emerald, Jackson and Crane townships
plus the villages of Broughton, Cecil and Paulding.
She asked
whether officials want to negotiate new contracts now, or extend the
current contract for one year then write new three-year contracts.
After
some discussion, council voted to extend the current contract until
July 31, and begin evaluating costs and information for new contracts.
Halter
also notified council that a liquor permit application has been
received from Corbin Griffith for an establishment called The Beck Alley
at 117 W. Perry St., formerly known as Three Brothers. Council
requested a hearing be held on the application.
Village
administrator Jason Vance reported the solid waste fuel surcharge for
this January through March will be an additional 39 cents on top of the
base monthly solid waste charge, for a total monthly charge of $11.80.
This is slightly lower than the current charge of $11.87.
Vance received approval to advertise for bids for the upcoming street improvement project. Bids will be opened Feb. 1.
Council unanimously suspended the rules to pass three emergency ordinances introduced at the meeting.
Ordinance
1636-22 makes temporary appropriations for current expenses and other
expenditures of the village during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2023.
Halter
explained the temporary appropriations are a short-term measure until
council approves the permanent appropriations, which she expects to
present at the Jan. 16 meeting.
Ordinance 1635-22 establishes
appropriations for Fund 4201, OPWC Various Street Construction, for
$40,750. Halter said this is for engineering work already completed on
the upcoming project.
The third emergency measure was Ordinance
1637-22 granting an easement to certain property located adjacent to 213
S. Williams. A garage built on this property encroaches 2.2 feet into
the alley. Council action was necessary for the sale of the property to
proceed.
Council unanimously approved the third and final reading
of Ordinance 1634-22 to create a new zoning code section for solar
panels and establish regulations for residential and commercial users.
The
police department during November responded to 212 service requests and
seven traffic accidents; issued zero traffic citations; wrote one
parking ticket; completed 128 security checks; sent zero junk notice
letters; and issued no junk ordinance citations.
In other business, council:
• Set a finance committee meeting for 4:45 p.m. Jan. 10.
• Approved fund transfers of $41,550 for the parks fund, $50,000 for the police fund and $250,000 for the debt reduction fund.
• Heard the financial data from the biennial audit has been returned to the village.
The
next regular council meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, due to the
New Year’s holiday. The public may watch live via Zoom at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4451352151. The meeting ID number is 445 135
2151.