Richwood Mayor Scott Jerew told members of Richwood Village Council Monday night that Von Beal has resigned from his council seat.
Beal’s unexpired term ends Dec. 31, 2021. Council will be accepting resume’s seeking to fill the position, hopefully by its Sept. 10 council meeting.
Those interested in applying for the position must be 18 years of age or older and be a resident of the village of Richwood. Those interested should either mail or drop off their name, address, telephone number and work experience to Mayor Scott Jerew, 153 N. Franklin St., Richwood, Ohio 43344, before Sept. 9.
Dennis Baker from the North Central Ohio Solid Waste District attended the meeting to submit sample contract copies for council to view. The sample contracts are for refuse companies who may want to submit bids to be the village trash and recycling pick-up company. Other items of discussion included the contract being only for homes within the village; commercial businesses would be responsible for their own trash removal; selecting the size of recycling containers, how many times a month recycling will be picked up.
Council will look over the sample contracts and will discuss any changes, additions, or deletions in future meetings.
Jason Orcena, Union County Health Commissioner, informed council that the county health department will have an issue on the November ballot for voters to decide. There has been a renewal levy on the ballot for approximately 30 years. This levy is the main source of income for the health department, which funds many projects within the county to keep it a safe community. When determining the amount of cost to the property owners, it turned out that putting on a replacement levy would cost the property owners less money than to submit the renewal levy.
Council also questioned Orcena on the duties of the health department in declaring properties within the village as in habitable. Orcena stated that the health department has no jurisdiction in foreclosing a property. Their responsibility is to determine if an empty home or a home in which residents live in, is safe, due to rodents or animals getting into or living in the house, or if there is an immediate danger for area residents. After a request is made to inspect a property, the health department official will determine if the property is safe or not, and will submit a letter with their recommendation for the village to decide if they wish to proceed with removing the house or not.
Members of council have been frustrated for the past several years when they have tried to have some dilapidated homes removed. It is a lengthy process to locate the property owners. Council must first request an inspection from the health department, or the fire department declaring the home is not structurally safe for residency. After council receives confirmation, it can proceed in demolishing and removing the structure. When the work is complete, the cost of removal will be added to the owner’s property taxes. Council asked Orcena to come back to a meeting in three months and to check on the council’s progress in removing dilapidated homes in they village.
In other business, council;
-Passed the third reading of a resolution to adopt Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Union County Emergency Management Agency.
-Passed a resolution which declares the official intent and reasonable expectations of the Village of Richwood on behalf of the State of Ohio to reimburse its general fund for the Franklin Street Reconstruction Phase 1 with the proceeds of tax exempt debt of the State of Ohio. This project is possible through multiple sources of grant money;
-Approved the purchase of a 2019 four-wheel drive pick-up truck for village use. With a trade-in, the cost of purchase, which has been budgeted through the water and sewer funds, will be $16,011. This truck will be equipped with the current snow plow of the village and be ready for the winter season. The vehicle will be purchased through Middletown Ford.
-Learned the village is waiting for the final walk-through of the East Bomford Street project.
-Heard that crews will be installing signs around the walking path and a pedestrian crossing and lines will be painted soon.
-Was informed that Corropro will be scheduling its yearly inspection of the village water tower.
-Was told that when the village dump truck is back in service, employees will get more sand to be installed in the beach area of the lake.
-Saw a sample of the street lamps which will be installed when the downtown revitalization project begins.
-Heard from police chief Monte Asher that police are ready for the start of school Wednesday morning, for the North Union football season and for the upcoming Richwood Fair (Aug. 29-Sept. 3).
Council’s next regular meeting will be held at the village administration building on Monday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.