Plain City Police Department is adding a Canine Unit. The village had a canine unit for many years, but it was eventually disbanded. Recently, the village received a donation from the Union County Prosecutors office to help pay for a dog. Local businesses also donated a vehicle to transport it, as well as food and veterinary services for as long as the dog is in service. Above, Chief Dale McKee, left, introduces Joshua Hirtzinger, who will serve as the village’s K-9 officer.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
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There is a lot of activity within Plain City’s committees.
At Monday night’s council meeting, leaders of a variety of committees gave a plea for members of the public to get involved.
Fiscal Officer Renee Sonnett said there are spots for residents to serve on the village Capital Improvement Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, Park Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee.
“I would like to encourage residents, if you are interested in serving on committees, please submit a letter of interest to the mayor,” said Council President Kerri Fergusson.
Letters may be sent by mail to the village office or by e-mail to dlane@plain-city.com.
Fergusson said that recently council had a pair of “jam packed” work sessions — one on Jan. 10 and another Saturday.
At the first, council discussed the status of village capital improvement projects and the financing. Sonnett introduced David Conley, of Rockmill Financial Consulting, and explained he has worked with the village in the past. He explained that he has been involved with the Capital Improvement Plan process and encouraged council members to review the guidelines and last year’s plan.
Conley offered that for $32,500 he would serve as municipal advisor for 2018. According to minutes from the meeting, council voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
Village Administrator Kevin Vaughn provided a copy of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 2018. Jeff Coleman, village engineer, explained in detail each of the projects listed in 2018. Village officials said council will need to pass legislation adopting new projects and the financing plan. Sonnett explained the legislation process and said the ordinances need to start the approval process during the first meeting in February.
At the end of the first meeting, council scheduled the second work session for Saturday to discuss the village’s strategic plan, code of ethics, organizational chart, explanation of the monthly reports.
At the work sessions, both the Capital Improvement Committee and the Personnel and Finance Committees scheduled meetings for Monday with Conley.
Fergusson, who chairs the personnel and finance committee, said the meeting was “just cleaning up some things — job descriptions, thing like that.”
“Rockmill is talking about updating our organizational chart,” Fergusson said. “We are kind of laying the groundwork for the future for positions.”
She talked about the approval of Rockmill’s contract. In both 2015 and 2016, the village paid Rockmill $25,000 for consulting work. In 2017, the village used the company to help with financing of capital improvement projects, but Rockmill was not paid.
“They understand our community. We have worked with them in the past,” Fergusson said. “They have experience. We don’t want to reinvent the wheel, we want guidance.”
Council member John Rucker, who chairs the village Capital Improvement Committee, said his meeting was a little more complicated. He said in 2017 the village borrowed money for projects, some of which came in under budget, never happened or were changed.
He used the example of an infrastructure project on Shepper and Converse avenues. He said the project was planned for 2017 but pushed back “until at least 2019.” He said the money will be diverted to a project to reconstruct Maple and Gay streets.
The village will host a public meeting to discuss this project on Wednesday, at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Fire House Conference Room, 650 West Main St. The meeting will include an up to date set of construction plans, funding details and other detailed information regarding the project.
Sonnett explained that by moving the money, it allowed the village to leverage additional grant money for the project.
The village’s bond counselor explained that money is borrowed in good faith it will be used. If it is not, it should be repaid.
Rucker said the excess money will likely be rolled into 2018 projects.
“The good news is, we will probably be borrowing less than expected in 2018,” Rucker said.
Sonnett said she will research and provide guidance on the village options.
The committees, along with the full council have had discussions about a planned municipal building. Vaughn has explained setbacks have occurred and asked for direction from Council. At the council work session, the body agreed Vaughn should continue pursuing a land purchase and build a new building.