For the first Vader City Council meeting of the year on January 14, the Council members met in the City Hall to discuss the matters of the New Year. Following the Call to Order, the Roll Call was taken and every member was in attendance. After the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Mark Fenison, the City Council moved to the Mayor's Report.
Before Mayor Kenneth Smith gave his report, he welcomed and thanked the audience for coming to the meeting. Next, he notified the Council and the audience of the "Water Meeting with Lewis County - January 19th, 6 p.m. at Vader City Hall." Mayor Smith then continued in his report to ask the Council if they were interested in keeping the Prayer before the Pledge as part of the Agenda. The Council agreed to keep this on the agenda. After this agreement, Mayor Smith brought attention to the New Council members Judi Costello and Ruth Crear.
After the Mayor's Report the Council turned their attention to the Park Board update. At this time the Council was notified of the Board's four new members.
These four new members had the Park Board staffed with five members total. In this update the Council was told that the goals for this year were to get water and power in the McMurphy Park install barbeque stands and concrete them in having help from the Toledo Boy Scouts paint the tables when the weather gets better and wanting to install a fence. Following this Councilwoman Judi Costello asked about the addition to the property. In response she was told there was going to be some playground equipment installed but there hadn't been enough money for the project. As the update came to a close the audience and Council were told that the Park Board was hoping to set a schedule soon.
Moving into Public Comment it was announced that there were five people signed up to talk. It was then brought to attention that four of these five were too discuss the same topic. These four decided to hold their comments until the item that they wanted to discuss would come up on the agenda. At this time Linda Smith came forward with her comment. Her comment was about getting a crosswalk on 506. She commented that she had almost been hit by a car that didn't see her walking across the unmarked road. Councilman Joe Schey brought up the idea of getting flashing signs or flags. As the Council seemed to approve this Schey told them that he would start to look into the possibilities. With no further comments the Council moved into the Agenda.
The first item on the agenda was for the "Council to consider Resolution 01-2016 - Law Enforcement Contract." With no discussion on this topic Wilson made the motion to approve and Councilwoman Ruth Crear seconded. With all members of the Council in favor the motion carried.
Second item on the Agenda was along the same lines but this was for the "Council to Consider Resolution 02-2016 - Jail Services Contract." This topic was about the numbers of beds used throughout the year. As City Clerk Jill Nielson continued to explain the previous numbers and prices to the Council, the Councilmembers began to discuss which method they would choose. After several minutes the Council came to an agreement and made a motion to approve using the daily rate. With all members in favor the motion passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was for the "Council to consider Nor Tec Pay Request #3 for $5,016.64 and Change Order #1." With no discussion on the matter Councilman Mark Fenison made the motion to approve, Councilwoman Judi Costello seconded and with no opposition the motion carried.
Moving to the fourth item of the night the Council members were to discuss the "Rental Property Regulations." It was this topic that the four Public Speakers wanted to have their comment on. So before moving into this matter Councilwoman Judy Costello asked to remove herself from the discussion due to the fact that the matter did include her. After being excused the Council started the discussion. At this time Councilman Andy Wilson stated that he believed this was running people out of town and that the topic should be dropped completely. Councilwoman Crear stated that she believed this to be overstepping the bounds and that she was not for it. As the discussion began to get more heated Councilman Wilson made the motion "to keep this topic off the agenda for the next two years." That's how long I have left." Wilson joked. After the seconding from Councilwoman Crear the motion passed with all in favor.
As the Council continued onto the next item the members were to "consider expenditure for income survey results." After the explanation and a long discussion the Council came to an agreement. At this time Councilman Fenison moved to approve this topic with the small alterations the council had made. With the second from Councilman Schey and the approval from all the Councilmembers the vote passed unanimously.
For the final item on the Agenda the Council was too look and appoint a Mayor Pro-Tem but due to the time the Council agreed to discuss this topic at the next meeting. Following the last topic the Council moved to adjourn the meeting.