Loudonville Village Council approves donating funds

Loudonville Village Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, July 17 in the Village Council Chambers.

Several items of note took place during the meeting.

Street inventory and analysis project quote

Village administrator Garret DeWitt reported National Pavement Analysis LLC submitted a proposal for the previously discussed proposed street inventory and analysis at a cost of $5,500 for just the streets and $5,950 to include the streets and alleys. DeWitt said he spoke with Street Superintendent Jarrod Heffelfinger and fiscal officer Elaine Van Horn and noted it was the consensus of the three that council included the cost of the project in the 2024 annual appropriation budget rather than try to allocate additional funds this year. No action was taken by council.

H2Ohio grant

DeWitt said he had applied for and was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Ohio EPA Division of Drinking Water for leak detection equipment for the water-distribution system. He said this will save about $3,000-$4,000 every couple of years in sub-contracting costs. He said the piece of equipment is approximately $20,000.

Paving project update and change order

DeWitt said the paving project is back on schedule after a short delay during the milling process. He said the contractor Kingsway confirmed Pendleton and Butler streets did not have much subsurface asphalt in those areas, noting that was anticipated. He discussed a proposed change order to add an additional 1-inch of paving, estimating an additional 60 cubic yards at about $15,000. He said the other option would be to add additional base, which would be more costly. He asked council for formal approval to authorize the change order for the additional 1-inch of blacktop at a cost not to exceed $18,000. Council then approved the change order.

Swimming pool budget performance

Van Horn said the swimming pool is having a successful season and has met the revenue budget estimate. She said an increase is needed in the appropriation budget.

Loudonville Fire Department/EMS staffing update

Assistant Fire Chief Brad Dilgard said two EMS employees have finished their paramedic training, one full-time and one part-time. He said a volunteer has passed her basic EMT, and there are two additional volunteers currently in training.

Wally Road bridge

Councilman Tom Young said the construction of the new bridge on Wally Road outside the village in Holmes County is nearly complete, and it may be finished the first or second week in September. He said Holmes County has plans to complete a big trail from the bridge to the Ashland County line, and he thinks the Ashland County commissioners need to become involved in the project to extend the bike path. Mayor Jason Van Sickle said the Mohican Area Growth Foundation is working with Ashland County in that regard.

Pickleball court
construction project

Councilman Brandon Biddinger asked council to consider allocating some funds to assist the Loudonville Pickleball Organization to reach its final goal of funding for the $169,065 project. He said he spoke with Van Horn and DeWitt and proposed the village donate the appropriated, unencumbered $3,058 balance in the general fund building and other structures capital expenses.

Councilman Matt Young expressed his support of the commitment and said the village will have an outstanding facility at the conclusion of the project. Council then approved a motion to allocate $3,058 toward the pickleball court construction project.

Vulture deterrent project

Van Sickle said the village has again partnered with ODNR and USDA to begin the nonlethal noise harassment tactic to deter the black vultures that are roosting near Mill Road. He said the tactic was successful last year in relocating the vultures to the outskirts of town.

Legislation

—Council approved an ordinance authorizing the village administrator to enter a contract for the provision materials and services for the 2023 pickleball court construction project in the Village of Loudonville.

—Council approved an ordinance to make additional appropriations for the current year and declaring an emergency.

—Council approved an ordinance authorizing the village administrator and fiscal officer to enter into an agreement with the Loudonville Agricultural Society Inc. for the utilization of the streets of the Village of Loudonville for the 2023 free street fair.

—Council approved an ordinance amending Section 660.13 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Loudonville regarding lawn care and property maintenance. It was noted that the revisions include cutting to a height shorter than 6 inches within three days after service of notice. The revisions also allow for a third-degree misdemeanor penalty if found guilty of violating any of the provisions of Section 660.13. Upon question by councilman Bill Huffman regarding trees in the tree lawn, Van Sickle said the village is responsible for trees in the tree lawn with the regulations overseen by the Loudonville Tree Commission.

—Council approved an ordinance amending Section 880.03 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Loudonville regarding food vehicles.

—Council approved an ordinance giving approval and consent of the village for the Ohio Department of Transportation to remove snow and ice and use snow and ice control material on state highways inside the village corporate limits.

The next Loudonville Village Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 7.