The Council of the Village of Riverlea met on the above date at the Old Worthington Library. The following Council members were present: Mayor Dan Schlichting, Jeffrey L. Amick, Charles T. Bell, Janet R. Heidkamp, Leah M. Pyter, and Emily J. Saving. Also present were Joshua C. Mehling, Clerk-Treasurer, Leah Reibel, Solicitor, and Greg Bonk, Web Manager. Guests of Council were Planning Commission members Rich Skowronski and Jennifer Zipfel, along with resident Hudson Isaac. At 6:30 p.m., the Mayor called the meeting to order.

Election of President Pro Tempore

Pyter nominated Emily Saving as President Pro Tempore of Council for 2024 and Heidkamp seconded the motion. The motion was approved (5-0).

Resolution 2025-01

Resolution 2025-01, A Resolution to Adopt Rules of Council for 2025 and to Provide for Certain Other Organizational Matters was introduced by Saving moved and Heidkamp seconded the motion to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to have the Council rules in place for the beginning of the year. The motion carried (5-0). Amick moved and Bell seconded the motion to approve the resolution. The motion carried (5-0).

Resolution 2025-02

Resolution 2025-02, A Resolution to Confirm the Interim Appointment of William Charles as Street Commissioner was introduced by Pyter and had its first reading.

Resolution 2025-03

Resolution 2025-03, A Resolution to Re-appoint Rich Skowronski and Jennifer Zipfel as Members of the Planning Commission was introduced by Pyter. Pyter moved and Saving seconded the motion to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to have the members of the Planning Commission in place in a timely manner. The motion carried (5-0). Bell moved and Heidkamp seconded the motion to approve the resolution. The motion carried (5-0).

Planning Commissioner

The Mayor appointed Bryce Jacob as Planning Commissioner for 2025.

Resolution 2025-04

Resolution 2025-04, A Resolution to Reauthorize the Infrastructure Committee to Support the Work of Village Council and to Appoint Members Thereto, and to Declare an Emergency was introduced by Saving moved and Heidkamp seconded the motion to waive the three readings of this resolution in order to have the Infrastructure Commission in place in a timely manner. The motion carried (5-0). Amick moved and Bell seconded the motion to approve the resolution. The motion carried (5-0).

Minutes

The minutes of the Council meeting of December 16, 2024 were not read since each member had received a copy. Saving moved and Bell seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Amick, Bell, Heidkamp, Pyter, Saving; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (5-0).

Report of the Clerk-Treasurer

Pyter moved and Bell seconded the motion to approve the payment of bills and to accept the financial reports for December 2024 as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Amick, Bell, Heidkamp, Pyter, Saving; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (5-0).

Report of the Mayor

  1. The Mayor reported that the stop sign at the corner of Riverglen & High had been knocked down in an auto accident. Worthington Police have placed a temporary stop sign at the corner until a permanent replacement can be installed. The Street Commissioner is working on ordering a replacement sign; the Mayor will work with Worthington Police to obtain contact and insurance information of the driver responsible to seek reimbursement for this replacement.
  2. The Mayor reported that the Ohio legislature has adopted the new method of dissolving a village discussed at the December meeting. This method would put dissolution on the ballot if the village does not meet a series of requirements.

Report of the Solicitor

  1. The Solicitor stated that the Planning Commission would like to redraft the fence ordinances. Notable among these changes are requirements around fence heights and the approval needed for variances to these heights.
  2. The Solicitor stated that the Clerk-Treasurer has attended Ohio Sunshine Law training on behalf of the Village. Saving motioned to make the Clerk-Treasurer the designated representative for Village Council and Heidkamp seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0). The Mayor recommended that the Council members take the training at least once as well if they are able.

Report of the Street Commissioner

  1. The Street Commissioner stated that he has contacted a company to get a quote to replace the downed stop sign at Riverglen & High.
  2. The Street Commissioner reported that the storm drain at Melbourne & Dover had been replaced.
  3. The Street Commissioner reported that he had Countryside Electric will be performing maintenance on the Lift Station.

Report of the Planning Commissioner

  1. The Planning Commissioner was not in attendance. The Clerk-Treasurer reported that the Commission had met in January and approved a Certificate of Approval for an addition at 5872 Olentangy pending submittal of colors and materials to be used.
  2. The Clerk-Treasurer reported that the Commission had discussed potential changes to the fence ordinances. The Planning Commissioner will share these proposals with the Council and will work with the Solicitor to draft these changes.

Comments from Residents on Agenda Items

Resident Hudson Isaac was in attendance to observe the Council as part of the Eagle Scout process. Councill members discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Village Council, including the Sunshine Law process discussed earlier in the meeting.

Old Business

  1. Committee on Infrastructure

 

  1. Schlichting, the Chair of the Committee, reported that they did not meet in January but that members will be reviewing the Infrastructure budget and what will be needed for long-term funding this Spring.
  2. The Chair of the Committee reported that he is reaching out to Burgess & Niple to obtain previous CCTV inspections of the storm sewer lines for comparison with the most recent version.

 

  1. Web Manager

The Web Manager was not in attendance.

3. Communications Committee

  1. Pyter, the Chair of the Committee, stated that the Mayor had reviewed the onboarding plan and submitted notes. The Mayor recommended that the rules of Council as adopted previously in the meeting be included with this plan. Bell suggested that new members discuss the Village budget and financials with the Clerk-Treasurer to better understand these.
  2. The Chair of the Committee distributed a draft of information to give to new residents in the form of a postcard. The Mayor suggested that the Village send a letter in place of a postcard. The Committee will draft a more formal version in the form of a letter.

New Business

New Resident Information

Saving questioned whether there should be a method for residents to share products and services that they provide to fellow residents. The Solicitor suggested that they join the Worthington Chamber of Commerce to share this information, also recommending the Village Facebook page.

Expenses

Amick moved and Bell seconded the motion to authorize the following expenditures:

$   123.39 – Kathy McClintock – Luminary supplies reimbursement

$   395.50 – Josh Mehling – Supplies & postage

$1,641.00 – Radico, Inc. – Storm drain replacement

$     55.00 – Gudenkauf Co. – Water & gas line locating

The motion was approved (5-0).

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 February 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Worthington Library.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Bell moved and Heidkamp seconded the motion to adjourn.  The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

 

Joshua C. Mehling, Clerk-Treasurer

Daniel E. Schlichting, Mayor