Millersburg council renews solicitor’s contract

Millersburg Village Council held a regular meeting in Council Chambers on Oct. 9.

Several items of note took place during the meeting.

DRB & P&Z Commission

Village administrator Nate Troyer said the P&Z Commission met Oct. 4 and denied the variance submittal for a tiny home on Lot 503 on Critchfield Street. The denial was because the square footage was too small and the structure was proposed as a short-term (Airbnb) rental, which was not favorably looked upon by neighboring residents.

The commission also recommended approval of the vacation of alleys within the village that Baker Surveying had prepared. Troyer said there are 10 or 11 alleys council will need to vote on for vacation.

ARPA

Troyer said work continues on the storm sewer project. He said they are currently awaiting some gas line relocations to allow for finishing the line installation.

Appalachian
Community Grant

After the Sept. 25 council meeting, there was more discussion about the proposed path from the old fairgrounds to Harvest Ridge. Troyer said they are soliciting input from the community on this idea for future consideration; however, it will not be part of the ACG application as it pushed the total for the county beyond the projected awards and would likely not have been funded through the ACG grant.

Troyer said he still thinks it is worthwhile to see what the community feels about the project, and he also has seen good suggestions for other areas of town that would benefit from a sidewalk/path.

Troyer said the feedback brought out good points about the project for future consideration such as concerns with the maintenance of the path, snow removal, et cetera. Community feedback also revealed good suggestions for other projects in the village such as sidewalk completion on Wooster Road from the hospital to the medical building and sidewalks from East Jackson to Glenn Drive (along Port Washington Road).

Medical insurance plan renewal update

The village received word that its current medical insurance/hospitalization plan with Aultcare can be renewed through 2024 with a 2% premium increase. Comparable ACA plans would cost the village about 53% more.

Council then approved a motion to renew the Aultcare medical/hospitalization insurance plan through 2024 with a 2% increase in premium.

Village solicitor
contract renewal

Village solicitor Bob Hines’ contract will end Nov. 14. Hines agreed to another yearly contract with the same terms. Council member Kelly Hoffee said last year Hines said it would be his final year. Hines said that is not the case and would like to renew his contract.

Council then voted 5-1 in favor of a motion to approve the renewal of Hines as village solicitor for a 12-month period running Nov. 14, 2023, to Nov. 14, 2024.

Mayor Jeff Huebner asked Hoffee to explain why she voted no. Hoffee said she thinks she is the only council member Hines has tried to “shut up.” That is why she voted no.

Legislation

At the Sept. 25 council meeting, the third reading and vote on an ordinance amending the zoning map (zoned territory) of the Village of Millersburg was tabled pending the receipt of proof of a plan for off-street parking for the duplex. The property owner submitted the plan, and it was distributed with the Oct. 9 meeting’s agenda.

Hoffee had some questions about the street parking exhibited on the submitted plan. Troyer answered all the questions.

Council then voted 5-1 in favor of Ordinance 2023-104.

Huebner asked Hoffee to explain why she voted no. Hoffee said the property owner has the money to totally upgrade his property and build a new duplex; however, the recent cleanup of the property had to be funded by grant money, which is tax dollars. Hoffee said she feels those funds could have been better used by those in need.

Tree city committee

Council member Brent Hofstetter said Millersburg Christian Church offered to do a service project to help the tree city committee. They help spread about 100 bags of mulch around trees in the village. Hofstetter said the committee was very appreciative of their help to beautify the village just in time for the Antique Festival.

Hofstetter also extended a thank you to Arlie Rodhe, Keim Lumber, Kauffman Mulch and E&H Ace Hardware for their donation of mulch for that project.

Paving project

Hofstetter asked for an update on this year’s paving project. Troyer said the plans have yet to be submitted by the engineering firm, so it’s expected no paving will be done until 2024.