Millersburg Council approves solicitor’s contract

Millersburg Village Council held a regular meeting in the Council Chambers on Nov. 13.

Several items of note took place during the meeting.

Village solicitor
revised contract

A revised contract for village solicitor Bob Hines was presented to council.

The revised contract includes language that limits the monthly hours to be charged at 18 hours. If additional hours are needed, the contract reads that upon the request of Hines or a village officer, the number of hours billed in a particular month may be increased by council by a motion.

However, in exceptional circumstances when Hines is close to maxing out his 18-hour limit and time is of the essence on a particular legal issue and a council meeting is not scheduled before the legal action needs attention, the village officer who has requested the legal assistance may authorize Hines to perform the necessary legal action. At the next council meeting, the exceptional circumstances will be explained to council.

Council member Kelly Hoffee noted that an emergency meeting can be called for with a 12-hour notice at any time.

Council then voted 6-0 in favor of approving Hines’ revised contract.

Marijuana dispensaries

Council member Robert Shoemaker asked Hines what it would entail to allow marijuana dispensaries in Millersburg. Shoemaker said this could bring revenue to the village.

Hines said he could research the matter if directed to do so. Shoemaker asked him to do that and report back to council.

Millersburg Mobile
Home Park

Visitor Eric Vinson, chief product officer of CMH Capital, took the floor to inform council and the public of the company’s intentions and goals and to discuss progress made so far at the Millersburg Mobile Home Park.

Vinson said CMH Capital’s intention is to create affordable housing and provide a decent quality of life for those living in the mobile home park. He said the goal is to create value and improve the park’s appearance.

Earlier this year village officials brought several safety and cosmetic issues at the mobile home park to CMH Capital’s attention. Vinson said nearly all those concerns have been addressed, and most have been remedied or will be by the end of the year.

Shoemaker said he is seeing more junk being cleaned up. Vinson acknowledged the junk complaints were valid and said they have made progress in this area as funding has allowed and will keep working on it.

Visitor Andrea Kellogg asked Vinson about securing the abandoned mobile homes in the park and the mobile home that recently burned in the park while they were waiting to be torn down or moved. Vinson said the company is relying on the park’s management to secure and monitor the two vacant trailers and the recently burned trailer for trespassers.

He said the recently burned trailer was not accessible to the company due to an arson investigation; however, they have gotten the go-ahead to begin cleanup now. The cleanup of the burned trailer is now the company’s priority.

Council member Brad Conn asked for specific plans for the other two abandoned mobile homes currently located near the Holmes County Trail. Vinson said one of them is slated to be torn down and scrapped/hauled away while the other one could be viable housing once maintenance and repairs are made and it is set on a lot.

Vinson said prior to the recent mobile home fire, the two abandoned homes were a top priority. Now the burned trailer takes priority.

Vinson said they plan to tear down the burned trailer by the end of December and move on to the other two vacant trailers as soon as the money is available.

Vinson said there are currently 18 pending evictions, which involve fees and legal expenses. He said CMH Capital plans to continue with improvements next year as budgets allow.

Kellogg asked about grant money to help the company. Vinson is open to exploring grant funds.

It was noted village officials and CMH Capital have developed a working relationship.

Bed tax grant applications

The 2024 Millersburg Economic Development Fund (bed tax grant) applications were received from the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, the Holmes County Historical Society, the Millersburg Lions Club and Historic Downtown Millersburg and were sent to council members and the mayor for review prior to the Nov. 13 council meeting.

Hoffee asked if HDM could explain the lack of advertisement for recent events such as the Chocolate Walk. HDM board member Jason Hummel said their system was hacked and completely shut down in October, leaving them unable to access their social media, website and more. HDM President Robyn Harford said the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce was used to advertise the events.

Hoffee asked if HDM collects any data on foot traffic in the downtown businesses, noting collecting this data would be a good tool for evaluating and planning events. Hummel said they do not at this time. Harford said the Chamber of Commerce is currently looking into ways to track visitor data.

After further discussion, council voted 6-0 in favor of approving the 2024 bed tax applications.

Police cruiser crashed

Police Chief Matt Shaner informed council that a cruiser was involved in a traffic pursuit on Nov. 12, and the officer crashed the cruiser. The officer was not injured; however, there was substantial damage to the car.

Shaner said an estimate is being sought from Village Motors, but it may not be until the end of December for the work to be completed. Shaner said he also is contacting Collision Auto for an estimate and a time frame for repairs.

Shaner also informed council the recently delivered new cruiser is awaiting outfitting, and the estimated time for that is the first week in February.

DRB & P&Z Commission

Village administrator Nate Troyer informed council DRB met on Nov. 1 and approved the CO application submitted by the Eagles for a covered deck and cooler at 143 W. Jackson St.

Troyer said P&Z recommended approval of a change of zoning district application for 177 St. Clair St. that was submitted by Matt Rentals. The request is to change the zoning district from R-3 to SU to allow for the construction of a triplex.

Troyer said a public hearing for the proposed zoning district change will need to be set, and the last council meeting in December is the earliest they can set it because of a required 30-day notice.

Because Christmas is on the same day as the regularly scheduled council meeting, Mayor Jeff Huebner asked to reschedule the meeting. Council agreed to meet Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. and to hold the public hearing the same evening at 6:45 p.m.

Sidewalk and street repairs

Council member Tom Vaughn asked Troyer when Northeast Ohio Gas is going to repair the sidewalks and streets it has removed and/or dug up. Vaughn said he has concerns with winter coming.

Troyer said he has contacted them numerous times, and no time frame has been given.