Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include cost estimates at 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2023.
CENTERBURG — After a reconsideration vote, Centerburg Village Council members authorized a contract to repair the malfunctioning Jerry Street stormwater pipe.
The ordinance authorizes Village Administrator Teri Wise to contract with V3 Companies for the repairs. Cost estimates range from $49,300 to $144,500 depending on the scope of work.
Councilman Dave Beck initially voted not to suspend the rules and take the ordinance to its third reading. He questioned why the village was paying for the pipe rather than subdivision homeowners.
Mayor Greg Sands responded, “Because we always have.” He noted the current homeowners gave the village an easement to the pipe.
Village Solicitor Kyle Stroh said the subdivision has no homeowners association to handle the responsibility, nor is there any common property among the homeowners.
Additionally, Sands said that most of the water that contributes to the problem comes from village streets.
Beck then said he would reconsider his vote and agree to suspend the rules. Council members ultimately waived the third reading and adopted the ordinance.
Council members also waived the required three readings and authorized Wise to submit applications to the Ohio Public Works Commission for funding the stormwater pipe repairs.
The project is eligible for two OPWC programs: the State Capital Improvement Program and the Local Transportation Improvement Program.
Wise also will submit loan applications to two Ohio EPA programs: WPCLF (Water Pollution Control Loan Fund) and WSRLA (Water Supply Revolving Loan Account).
Sands said the village is not required to take the loan, but the applications “gets the project on the schedule.” The deadline to apply is Nov. 3.
Legislative action
Council members took the following additional action:
•Gave a second reading to legislation contracting with the Mount Vernon city law director for prosecutor services in Mount Vernon Municipal Court on behalf of the village
•Waived the three readings and adopted a building and zoning fee schedule (the only change is an increase to $600 for a demolition permit with a $300 refund after successful inspection)
•Gave a second reading to an ordinance increasing the compensation of the mayor ($10,000 annually) and council members ($3,600 annually)
•Suspended the rules and adopted as an emergency a 2023 budget amendment to include an additional $65,000 in solicitors’ fees
•Gave a second reading to an ordinance changing the parking limit from 48 hours to 24 hours on village streets, highways, or parking lots
•Heard the first reading of ordinances for 2024 appropriations and to amend the 2023 appropriations
•Went into executive session to discuss personnel
Reports
Village administrator. Mayor Sands reported that VA Wise submitted a $50,000 application to WPCLF for backup generators. One generator will be in each pump station; the fourth will be a mobile backup. The village will use American Rescue Plan Act money to pay the remaining cost.
CORPO (Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization) has added two village projects to its transportation list for 2023-2050: the recommended improvements on West Main/3/36 stemming from the recent traffic study and a connector from the Heart of Ohio Trail to downtown Centerburg.
Central Ohio Joint Fire District. Councilman Tom Stewart said the State Fire Marshal’s Office has a program through which deaf individuals can receive a free fire alert. The station will hold an open house on Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Fire Prevention Week.
The department is getting bids for a new roof, and the septic system needs to be evaluated. COJFD received $87,015.44 in grant money this year. One firefighter left the department and went to Orange Township for higher wages. Stewart noted that 23 former employees are now with Orange Township.
Public participation
Health Commissioner Zach Green updated council members on Knox County Public Health activities. He noted Lyme disease is still prevalent and is his No. 1 priority.
“It is imperative that we educate not just ourselves, but our loved ones. And we continue to educate our primary care providers,” he said.
The county has 102 cases to date, a 30 percent increase from last year.
“We will see those numbers continue to climb. We can get ahead of it with treatment.”
Green reviewed the services the Community Health Center provides and noted the health center is not just for Medicaid patients.
“I want to remove that stigma. It’s an opportunity for all of our community to receive care,” he said.
Regarding the state law requiring regular septic system inspection, Green said new builds are put on a 10-year cycle, as are systems in failure or for which KPH has received complaints. KPH is not anywhere near going township by township to inspect systems.
Green also told council members about available funding for homeowners who have to repair or replace their septic systems.
Council members also heard an update about the school levy on the Nov. 7 ballot.