The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at Thomas Worthington High School. The following Council members were present: Mayor Eric A. MacGilvray, Marc J. Benevento, Scott K. Gordon, Ted C. Miller, and Dan Schlichting. Also present were Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner, Joshua C. Mehling, Clerk-Treasurer and L. Leah Reibel, Solicitor. Guest of Council was Steven Orenchuk. At 7:01 p.m., the Mayor called the meeting to order.

Minutes

The minutes of the Council meeting of November 15, 2021 were not read since each member had received a copy. Benevento moved and Schlichting seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion carried (4-0).

Report of the Clerk-Treasurer

Benevento moved and Schlichting seconded the motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial reports for November 2021 as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The motion carried (4-0).

Report of the Mayor

  1. The Mayor thanked Kathy McClintock and the members of the Social Committee for their work in putting on the Luminaria event throughout the Village the previous weekend.
  2. The Mayor noted that the work by Russell Tree Services on trimming the trees in the Circle and ravine was complete and that Russell would grind the remaining stump in the Circle soon. Russell will remove any additional limbs if needed in the spring.
  3. The Mayor reminded Council that there would be an open position on Council in January 2022 and encouraged residents to apply for this position. He noted that Council would also be appointing someone to fill an expired term on the Planning Commission in January.
  4. The Mayor noted that Kathy McClintock had volunteered to remain as Chair of the Social Committee after her term on Council expires on December 31. The Solicitor stated that the Village has nothing in the ordinances requiring these Chairs to be Council members.

Report of the Solicitor

The Solicitor stated that she had prepared a resolution for the contract with the Worthington Police Department as well as resolutions of appreciation for the departing Council members.

Report of the Street Commissioner

The Street Commissioner was not in attendance.

Report of the Planning Commissioner

  1. The Planning Commissioner mentioned that the Village had received a complaint from a resident on Southington about water runoff from an adjoining property. Although an attempt has been made to redirect the water from the downspouts, water continues to collect in the area. This appears to be due to the grade of the surrounding lawn. Although the current Village code calls for all new constructions and renovations within the Village to run downspouts to the curb, many houses were constructed before this ordinance was enacted. Council discussed whether an ordinance should be created requiring all houses within the Village to connect downspouts to the curb and decided that this would not be necessary at this time.
  2. The Planning Commissioner stated that there are two expiring terms on the Commission as of December 31. Rich Skowronski will remain on the Commission for a new term and Jennifer Zipfel will fill the other expiring term beginning in January.
  3. The Planning Commissioner stated that there had been some contention between neighbors at the December Planning Commission meeting. A resident had submitted a proposal to install a fence in the rear yard along the property line and the adjoining neighbor had concerns with this, as it would be along their driveway and would make maneuvering through the driveway difficult. As the fence would be along the property line, it conforms to the Village code. The proposal was tabled at the meeting pending potential surveys of the property line and discussions between the neighbors.
  4. Benevento inquired about the status of the house at 5707 Olentangy due for demolition and new build on the site. The Planning Commissioner stated that the project had been conditionally approved to move forward, with future discussions to be held around some details of the new build. The plans were revised at the December meeting to expand the square footage and adjust the orientation of the house on the lot.
  5. Benevento inquired as to whether there had been any further discussions of plans for a new house on the vacant lot at the end of Olentangy, and the Planning Commissioner replied that there had been no new activity on this property.

Comments from Residents on Agenda Items

Resident Steven Orenchuk addressed the Council concerning residents who had raked leaves into the street prior to the recent street cleaning, despite instructions from the Village not to do so. Benevento encouraged residents to contact the Mayor or a Council member with any complaints so that a process can be followed and documented.

Old Business

  1. Committee on Infrastructure

 

  1. Benevento, the Chair of the Committee, updated Council on the applications that the Village had submitted for funding of the Lift Station generator and sanitary sewer lining.
    1. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – This 75% grant, 25% loan application is still pending
    2. Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) – The application was submitted targeting a 60% grant, 40% loan split via the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). OPWC switched the request to 100% loan after submission to conform with SCIP guidelines, and Riverlea was among the successful SCIP applicants. The Village has the option of declining the SCIP loan and reapplying for the Small Government Program, a statewide infrastructure funding program for villages and small townships. Unlike SCIP, the Small Government Program offers grant awards as well as loans; there is no guarantee that the Village’s application would be successful but we could re-apply in the coming years if necessary. Accepting the 100% loan option through SCIP would increase the annual cost of repayment from the desired $5K-$8K to around $19K. Benevento moved to decline the SCIP loan and pursue a 50% grant, 50% loan award through the Small Government Program and Schlichting seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0).

 

  1. Benevento noted that the accent light at the corner of Riverglen & High is out. He is looking into replacing the bulb.
  2. Benevento stated that the physical survey work on the southern end of the Village is complete. The Village should receive the results of the survey by the end of the year. The Village is waiting to hear from Columbia Gas about the installation of a gas line on the lot at the end of Olentangy to serve the lift station generator.

 

  1. Committee on Communications

Gordon, the Chair of the Committee, reported that he is working with a resident and the Web Manager on finalizing the Village directory and that it is almost ready. He noted that the initial printer who planned on printing the directories is now out of business and the Village would need to find a new printer.

  1. Web Manager

There was no report from the Web Manager.

  1. Resolution 2021-13

Resolution 2021-13 – A Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the Contract to Provide for Integrated Pest Management Services to Reduce Mosquito Populations Within the Village had its third reading. Miller moved to approve this resolution and Schlichting seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. Ordinance 04-2021

Ordinance 04-2021, 2022 Annual Appropriation Ordinance (Village) had its third reading. Miller moved to approve this ordinance and Benevento seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0).

New Business

  1. Resolution 2021-14

Resolution 2021-14 – A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor of the Village of Riverlea, Ohio to Contract with the City of Worthington, Ohio and the Worthington Police Department to Provide Police Services in the Village was introduced by Schlichting. Schlichting moved to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to sign the contract in a timely manner and Gordon seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0). Schlichting moved to approve the resolution and Miller seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. Resolution 2021-15

Resolution 2021-15 – A Resolution of Appreciation to Retiring Councilmember Marc Benevento for his Outstanding Service to the Residents of the Village of Riverlea, Ohio was introduced by Gordon. The Mayor thanked Benevento, along with fellow retiring Council members Kathy McClintock and Ted Miller for their work on behalf of the Village.

Gordon thanked Benevento for his work on the Council and committees, calling out especially the work that has been done by Benevento and Mayor Eric MacGilvray to restore the streets and infrastructure in the Village. Benevento thanked Street Commissioner Bill Charles for his leadership, vision, and guidance throughout the process.

Gordon moved to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to pass the resolution a timely manner prior to the expiration of the term and Schlichting seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0). Schlichting moved to approve the resolution and Miller seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. Resolution 2021-16

Resolution 2021-16 – A Resolution of Appreciation to Retiring Councilmember Kathy McClintock for her Outstanding Service to the Residents of the Village of Riverlea, Ohio was introduced by Miller. Miller moved to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to pass the resolution a timely manner prior to the expiration of the term and Schlichting seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0). Gordon moved to approve the resolution and Schlichting seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. Resolution 2021-17

Resolution 2021-17 – A Resolution of Appreciation to Retiring Councilmember Ted Miller for his Outstanding Service to the Residents of the Village of Riverlea, Ohio was introduced by Schlichting. Schlichting moved to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to pass the resolution a timely manner prior to the expiration of the term and Gordon seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0). Gordon moved to approve the resolution and Schlichting seconded this motion. The motion carried (4-0).

Expenses

Schlichting moved and Benevento seconded the motion to authorize the following expenditures:

$    295.00 – Ohio Municipal League – 2022 Membership dues

$      74.50 – Clarke Mosquito Services – Mosquito treatment

$    495.00 – American Legal Publishing Corp – 2022 code hosting

$    275.00 – Gudenkauf Corp – Water & gas line locating

$ 1,000.00 – MORPC – 2022 dues

$    195.00 – Shields Turf Management – Park Mowing

The motion was approved unanimously (4-0).

Comments from Residents on Non-Agenda Items

There were no comments from residents on non-agenda items.

Next Meeting Announcement

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Worthington High School.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Miller moved and Schlichting seconded the motion to adjourn.  The motion was approved unanimously (4-0).  The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

 

Joshua C. Mehling, Clerk-Treasurer

Eric A. MacGilvray, Mayor