Cost-cutting measures approved by village council
Mineral City Village Council approved two measures to cut costs at its Nov. 14 meeting. At the recommendation of Mayor Laurie Green, council voted not to renew a police prosecutor’s contract, which will save the village $11,000 per year.
Council also voted not to renew an annual contract with the Fitzpatrick, Zimmerman and Rose law firm, which will save the village another $10,000-$12,000 per year.
Public comments
John Klingelhoffer expressed interest in being appointed to the empty council seat vacated when Roy Burnham resigned in February 2024. Green said there are two ways Klingelhoffer can come onto council. One way is by mayoral appointment, and the other is to get on the ballot for the next election. Green is not ready to make the appointment at this time, asking Klingelhoffer to attend council meetings to get up to speed on village issues.
Zoning matters
Village Solicitor Cassidy Wahlie said a vehicle in violation of zoning regulations was removed from a property on First Street, and a report was sent to the county prosecutor for further action.
A new “no parking” sign was erected in the tow-away zone on Miners Street, and the resident who had been parking his vehicle there agreed to park it elsewhere.
Reports to council
Rick Cain, chair of the parks and recreation committee, said a special meeting needs to be held to discuss how to spend the $150,000 in grant funds received for the new park. When the weather is appropriate, Cain said he wants to put down grass seed.
Council member Beth Nill said a woman who was pulling into the library parking lot expressed concern about the lack of lighting. The woman said a child was riding a scooter in the lot, and she didn’t see him at first. Nill said better lighting is needed, and because funds are tight, she donated four sets of battery-operated motion sensor lights that can be mounted on the building’s soffits.
Discussion followed, with Green saying the village should contact AEP and have a light pole installed to better illuminate the alley and parking lot.
Green reported having received a complaint about a person on a motorcycle doing wheelies and driving recklessly on several streets, often near where children are playing. Complaints also were communicated to other council members regarding people riding four-wheeled ATVs on village streets. Sheriff Campbell will be contacted to see if either the sheriff’s department or the Highway Patrol can do anything to assist.
Announcements
The fire department’s Christmas Auction will be Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
Green thanked Moore and others who delivered supplies to hurricane victims in North Carolina. Council agreed to pay $60 for the fuel used on the 21-hour round trip. Daugherty said the fire department used funds from the food auction to purchase supplies and also sent a check for more than $800 gathered from a number of donors.
Council President Terry Nill asked Green to read a letter sent to him by Charles Graham from New Philadelphia. Graham said he travels through Mineral City on state Route 800 frequently and thanked the village for changing the stop lights to caution lights.
Voting
Council passed an agreement to contract with the Tuscarawas County Public Defender’s Office for indigent defense services.
Council also voted to increase the rent paid by the Mineral-Sandy Ambulance District for the space they utilize in the fire station. Council member Darla Daugherty said the district is expecting an increase and believes it is fair. Rent will increase from $200-$400 per month with the new contract in January. Daugherty abstained.
There will be no council meeting on Nov. 29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular meetings will resume in December. Mineral City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at Village Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
