Macon Reporter

Village of Bethany Board of Trustees met March 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Jon Book. The following Trustees were present; Dave Doty, Jeannie Ruppert, Mike Jennings, Greg McLain, Raven Allen, and Brian Gill.

A motion was made by Trustee Doty to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2022, regular meeting, seconded by Trustee McLain. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee Doty to approve the “Statement of Income and Expenses”, seconded by Trustee McLain. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve the “Banks and Checks Journal”, seconded by Trustee Allen. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Library Rock Project - Tim Moon was here on behalf of the Library. They are asking for some rock to be placed on the west side of the building where some of the employees park. It is on both the Library property and the Village easement. There will need to be a measurement to see what is the Library property and what is the Village. It was mentioned to talk with the Township to see about donating the rock and possibly some of the work. Mr. Moon has not talked with them as of yet.

Public – Ron Martin - The Publisher - Recently the State increased what they would allow for the amount of gaming machines be allowed (6). They are asking the Village to modify the current ordinance to allow for this. The current ordinance only allows for 5 machines. Mr. Martin asked the Board to consider that this would help their business and if not, it could negatively affect them in that customers would go elsewhere to play. The State also allows non home rule municipalities to charge up to $250 per terminal. A motion was made by Trustee Jennings to increase the number of terminals allowed from five (5) to six (6), seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Celebration Donation - There were no prices listed with the different levels on the paper given by the Committee in regards to donation levels. Chief Nichols had the list of prices in an email and he relayed this to the Board. $1200 for fireworks and $500 for the ad booklet was given last year. A motion was made by Trustee Allen to sponsor the silver level $500, half page ad with the Village logo to be paid from the Utilities dept., seconded by Trustee Gill. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Greg Gustafson Water Improvement Project Update - All plans have been submitted, and received corrections needed, those have been taken care of. Water main plans are still in progress. Water tower bids will be opened next Tuesday at Mr. Gustafson’s office. This saves time with travel and contacting those who have placed bids. There will need to be a special meeting after bids have been opened for approval of the recommended bid. Mr. Gustafson thanked Mr. Kiley, Village attorney, for all his help on this project.

Ordinance Fines/Complaint Policy - Mr. Kiley brought in an updated version of our Nuisance ordinance. It included a marked-up version so the Trustees could see what was added and what was deleted. There was a major change in adding a parental responsibility provision. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve Ordinance #22-803 amending the Nuisance Code, seconded by Trustee Allen. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve Ordinance #22-804 amending Title 1 Chapter 1 of the Administration Code, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve Ordinance # 22-805 amending the Offenses Code, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Contract with Raymond Broadhacker for purchase of 410 N Washington St. - Mr. Broadhacker says there is another red flag moved by the neighbors on the Washington St. side. He has asked for the Village to give him the bill for the survey and he would like to back out of this deal.

Water Improvement Fee Ordinance - This is the line-item fee to be placed on the utility bills to help with the cost of the water project. Treasurer Henderson included a letter she would like to send out to all the residents. Trustee Gill made a motion to approve Ordinance #22-806 for the monthly water system improvement fee, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Pam Hays TIF Repayment - Trustee McLain asked if this had been paid regularly and how close Mrs. Hayes was. He had wondered if the Board would consider forgiving the rest of the balance. The balance is $750. Wanted this to be an act of goodwill on the part of the Village. A motion was made by Trustee Allen to eliminate the remaining balance of the TIF loan to Pam Hayes in the amount of $750, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Area Disposal Garbage Service - Trustee Allen feels that there has been a rocky start to the service with this new company. She was concerned about the spotty service and getting the wrinkles ironed out between the old company and the new company. Trustee McLain asked Mr. Kiley if the Village has a legal right to contact them if there are more issues within the Village. Mr. Kiley thought a letter would help curb some of the problems.

Net Metering Policy Update - This Ordinance is just to update our current policy. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve Ordinance #22-807 updating our Net Metering Policy, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Reports – Shannon Risley, Chief Nichols

Correspondence – One resident sent an email asking about the Village infrastructure and how to avoid such a long power outage.

Committee Meeting Dates - 

Streets/Alleys Finance

3/16/22-7:00 pm 3/22/22-6:00 pm

*MFT Improvements *Employee Compensation

*Sidewalks *Utility Rates

There will be a Special Board Meeting on 3/24/22 at 6:30 pm to approve the bid for the water tower project.

Trustee Allen made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation and contractual matters, seconded by Trustee McLain. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Trustee Ruppert made a motion to enter back into Open Session, seconded by Trustee McLain. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Trustee McLain informed the Board that the Diner has decided to close on April 30th for the BBQ Festival.

With no other business to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Allen and seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned.

https://www.villageofbethany.com/documents/116/MINUTES_3-10-22.pdf