Village of Forest Council met in regular session on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM in council chambers.
Mayor, Dave Book called the meeting to order with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attendance:
- Mary Dickinson- present
- Derek Hastings- present
- Loretta Perkins- present
- Suzanne Shark- present
- Jerrie Whitling- present
- Valerie Mullholand- present
Approval/Corrections of Minutes: M. Dickinson motioned to approve minutes from December 12, 2024 council meeting. D. Hastings seconded. Vote: all yeas, motion carried.
Bills: D. Hastings motioned to approve payment of bills. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: all yeas, motion carried.
Citizen’s Comments: None
Guest Comments: Wessler Engineering provided an update on the wastewater system evaluation. GPS mapping has been completed. Village is in process of transferring maps from Wessler. Sanitary Sewer Ordinance is drafted and in final review stage. Wessler is waiting on data from OEPA, Triumph, and Village. Smoke Testing, CCTV Televising, and Manhole Inspections have been completed and draft report shared with J. Rinehammer. Wessler provided the general observations that the public portion of the system is in generally decent condition. The main issues are gravel and debris in storm sewers and debris and solids in wastewater sewers It was recommended to flush and clean sanitary and storm sewers. Wessler also noted that the private portion of the system is in rough condition. The common issues being lateral and cleanout defects. Wessler advised that their report is in its early states and the final should be completed around July 2025.
Old Business: Ordinance 2024-32 Final Reading. V. Mullholand motion to approve Ordinance 2024-32 Noxious Weeds, Tall Grass, and Litter. D. Hastings seconded the motion. Vote: all yeas, motion carried.
New Business: Fiscal Officer B. Kromer discussed obtaining a new website provider. B. Kromer has met with multiple providers. Council asked that more information be provided to include provider’s websites. No decision to be made at this time.
Reports
Mayor: L. Perkins motioned to nominate D. Hastings as Council President. J. Whitling seconded. Vote: all yeas, but D. Hastings abstained, motion carried. D. Hastings accepted the role of Council President.
Mayor Book made his recommendations for committee appointments as follows. Discussions were held regarding such. D. Hastings motioned to approve the following committee appointments:
Finance- Loretta Perkins (Chair), Valerie Mullholand, Mary Dickinson, Jakob Rinehammer, Brenda Kromer
Safety- Jerrie Whitling (Chair), Suzanne Shark, Doug Hankins, Kate Parthemore, Brandon Kromer
Service- Derek Hastings (Chair), Suzanne Shark, Valerie Mullholand, Jakob Rinehammer, Mark Shuck
Park Board- Valarie Stephan (President), Pam Thames, Alec Loveridge, Beth Deringer, Derek Hastings
Zoning/Planning- Derek Hastings (Chair), Suzanne Shark, Doug Hankins, Jakob Rinehammer, Mary Dickinson
Tree Commission- Pam Thames (Chair), Carl Kissling
Human Resources- Mary Dickinson (Chair), Jakob Rinehammer, Valerie Mullholand, Doug Hankins, Brandon Kromer
Business/Industrial Development- Valerie Mullholand (Chair), Mary Dickinson, Derek Hastings, Dean Hankins
M. Dickinson seconded the motion. Vote: D. Hastings, V. Mullholand, L. Perkins, M, Dickinson voted yea. S. Shark and J. Whitling abstained. Motion carried.
Finance- No update
Safety: No updates, did not meet.
Police Chief: Monthly Statistics given. R. Herr was recognized for 527.5 Auxiliary hours since July 2024.
Fire Chief: No Update
Ambulance Board: Continue to improve their responses. Missed 8 out of 29 calls. Have received 2 applicants to start classes.
Administrator: J. Rinehammer reported that the service pump at the water treatment plant has been fixed. He is obtaining a quote for new control and VFD panels. J. Rinehammer is scheduling a meeting with Layne Corp to discuss new wells which is a requirement by OEPA. J. Rinehammer is working with Hempy Water regarding the resin tank. New pump for the sewer system is still on track to arrive in the next few weeks. Water meters are being checked to ensure they are properly reading. Last month 85% of all meters that are able to be read were completed. We are now at 87%. There are roughly 40 Rockwell meters that have to be read manually. A. Kober has been coordinating with Core and Main to address any software and data issues. The Service Dept has been keeping track of the weather to schedule plowing and salting needs. J. Rinehammer advised that this can be a timely job duty especially if only have one worker to complete. Service workers are focusing on main streets first, and those that include businesses. They have plowed and salted all roads, including dead end roads. Intersections are being salted the best as possible with the amount of salt the department has. J. Rinehammer advised that the EPA has restrictions on how and where salt can be stored. J. Rinehammer spoke about how he had a conversation with the Hardin County Dog Warden. They discussed the challenges the Dog Warden faces. The Dog Warden reported he is always in need of dog food, dog treats, leashes, collars, blankets, and beds. Adoptions have slowed down which limits the room he has. J. Rinehammer discussed having any donations from the community be dropped off at the City Building for the Hardin County Dog Warden.
Park Board: Next meeting is January 19, 2025 @ 9:30am. The Service Committee will attend and get plans in place for 2025. The park board has purchased 80 new resin chairs for pavilion and wanting the old chairs moved to west pavilion for the time being. They would like 80 of the old chairs removed.
Market Square: Angie asked about insurance before send out event schedule. J. Rinehammer advised that our insurance company stated that they are covered. Tudor and Jay looking into lease agreement with property owners.
Service: No updates. Scheduled to meet January 14, 2025 @ 5pm.
Economic Development: Have met with Hardin and Wyandot County Chambers. Working on letter to send to businesses to gain insight and invite to become involved. Discussed restructuring how things are laid out clarify responsibilities. Solicitor A. Tudor will check into legality.
Zoning/Zoning Board of Appeals: No updates
Human Resources: No new updates. Will complete Employee Handbook in 2025.
CIC: Next meeting scheduled for January 15, 2025 @ 12:30pm. Working on Welcome to Forest sign project, business banners, benches for sale for $300, and working on ideas for picnic tables.
Village Solicitor: Will work with J. Rinehammer on lease agreement.
Office Administration/Fiscal Officer: B. Kromer is working with Republic on new contract and they have approved a refund. Did receive a refund from GWorks. Still have not gone live with new program. B. Kromer requested approval for Reallocation of Appropriations for 2024. V. Mullholand motioned to approve the Reallocation of Appropriations. J. Whitling seconded. Vote: all yeas, motion carried. B. Kromer is working on closing out the year 2024. Will meet with all department supervisors to discuss budget. B. Kromer will be attending Park Board meeting on 1/19/25.
V. Mullholand motioned for meeting to be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.