Parking regulations were the subject of a lengthy discussion at the Feb. 13 meeting of Mineral City Village Council. The village has recently established new parking regulations and posted signs where parking is no longer allowed.
Rich Adams, who owns several rental properties in the village, told council he was upset to have received a $150 parking ticket while he was working on a property on High Street. He said he saw the No Parking This Block sign but thought it meant parking was not allowed from the point of the sign to the end of the block.
The need to institute new parking policies came about after the Tusky Valley Elementary School was closed. Traffic lights that were needed because of the school were no longer necessary. Those lights came down at the end of January.
Adams asked if council could make an exception that would allow him to park in front of his building. Council member Terry Nill said that was not possible because, with the traffic lights no longer in place, people pulling out onto High Street need to be able to see clearly both ways.
A compromise was reached when Mayor Laurie Green suggested Adams park in front of the building with hazard lights on long enough to unload materials for repairing the property and then move his vehicle.
Legal matters
Village Solicitor Cassidy Wahlie told council Jason Dallas, a resident who had not complied with a notice for property cleanup, did not appear for his court date. Wahlie said attorney Steve Anderson tried to stop the issuing of a warrant for arrest, but the magistrate overseeing the case did issue one.
Wahlie also said if council wishes to pursue a service contract for trash collection in the village, the Ohio Revised Code requires a request for bids and setting a date for publicly opening and reading the bids received.
Council voted to pass an ordinance requiring owners of skilled gaming facilities or adult arcades in the village to apply for permits. The village will charge owners $25 per game, per year to operate such facilities.
Wahlie reported having met with the owner of a skilled gaming business on High Street regarding the requirements of state licensing and a permit from the village to operate the business. According to Wahlie, the village cannot issue the business a permit unless it is licensed by the State of Ohio.
In other matters
Council approved covering expenses for Fiscal Officer Becky Carpenter to attend a training workshop put on by the Ohio Auditor of State. The cost of the conference is $200. The village also will pay for a hotel room and meals.
Council voted to sever a $12,000-per-year contract with attorney Steve Anderson for prosecution of cases from Mineral City that would go through the New Philadelphia Municipal Court. Green said cases will go through the county prosecutor’s office instead.
Fire Chief Sam Moore reminded council of the Frozen Food and Grocery Auction at the fire station March 8 at 3 p.m.
Terry Nill said the Queen of Hearts fundraiser has started again at the library. Tickets can be purchased at the library for drawings, which will take place every Friday at 5 p.m. Nill said the library also will raffle $150 worth of Ohio Lottery tickets.
Council seat still vacant
There is still an open seat on village council that needs to be filled by mayoral appointment. Green said there are a number of ways for residents to communicate their interest: call 330-859-2222, send a letter of interest to Village Council at P.O. Box 336 in Mineral City or email interest through the village website at www.mineralcityoh.org. Candidates must live within the village limits.
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.
