LATTY– Latty Village Council held its January reorganizational meeting. Council President Shawn Gerber was sworn in as mayor to fill the void presented when former Mayor Tom Sinn retired effective December 31, 2022.

Mayor Gerber then made council aware that Latty’s electric aggregation contract with Palmer Energy expires in May 2023. The mayor will reach out to Palmer Energy contact Amy Hoffman to arrange a meeting soon.

Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey was present to bring a new opportunity to the council and provide some program updates. Copsey introduced and explained a Community Reinvestment Agreement (CRA) and how it could incentivize investment in the community. Following questions and good discussion the council voted to move forward with the creation of the paperwork and legal steps of moving forward in hopes of developing the program for Latty.

Discussion then moved to the county Land Reutilization Committee (Land Bank) and updates on current projects taking place within the village. Copsey assured the council there will be finishing work and grass planting this spring on the two sites that were in the county residential blight program. It was also shared there are contractors looking for sites in villages around the county to build affordable housing. Council should indicate properties available to build on within the village to the PCED office.

In other monthly business the council:

• Solicitor Harvey Hyman noted work continues with Norfolk Southern railroad about properly closing the crossing on Alexander Street.

• Copsey shared a discussion with the group about municipal solar. More information was to take place at the county mayors’ meeting which Mayor Gerber would attend.

• Council was presented with bids for a new mower to replace an old zero-turn mower. Council will review the bids and decide on an award in the February meeting.

• Council member Beth Stoller presented the opportunity of a village Easter egg hunt. Council will review and make a decision at the February meeting. Council will also be establishing a village employee policy for mowing and maintenance responsibilities.

• Council member Kirk Stoller shared that the new scoreboard for the baseball field will be installed as soon as the steel support posts are delivered.

• The village parks and recreation committee did not have an update. More information will be shared as projects develop.

The February council meeting will be Tuesday, February 7 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.