Barnesville Council Takes Action
Barnesville Village council took action on legislation at its Monday evening meeting, including approving a resolution to apply for a grant to construct fencing at the practice ball fields at the west end of the village.
The resolution, 4014, was for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks Grant. This resolution is for applying for the grant again this year. Last year, the village applied for the same grant and ODNR awarded it for the practice ball fields on the west end of the village at Pultney Avenue close to the hospital. Council utilized the funding for backstops. The grant this year would be used for a fence around the fields. ODNR may award up to $25,024 for the funding that requires a 25 percent match.
Council, including members Tim McKelvey, Robyn Misner, Leslie Tickhill, Terry McCort, Brad Hudson and Tony Johnson passed the resolution.
The next resolution, 4011, is to amend the agreement with CTI Engineers Inc. to provide services pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant improvement project. Mayor Jake Hershberger said years ago phase one upgrade at the treatment plant was done, and and the village needs to get phase two done. The village hired CTI Engineers, Inc. in 2018 to design phase two, but the project didn’t happen. Now, the village wants to get it rolling again. The agreement with CTI Engineers needed updated.
Council, including members McKelvey, Misner, Tickhill, McCort, Hudson and Johnson passed the resolution.
Meanwhile village administrator Roger Deal told council village employee Patrick Keiser has obtained his water licenses. He commended Keiser and said he shows up and does his job. He described him as a “great hire.”
Council tabled ordinance 4012 for the evening and did not take action. This ordinance is about a depot lease that is old, and the entity that held the lease is gone. The depot committee was awarded $75,000 for roof repair, and it is required the village have a valid lease. Now the state, village, Barnesville Community Foundation and the Depot have to agree on the same lease.
The next resolution read, 4013, is funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the water supply revolving loan account. The village got a hit on the PFAs, known as the forever chemicals. Ohio EPA lowered its threshold dramatically around two years ago. Hershberger said Barnesville has always had low numbers, but with the new threshold the village readings are above the state minimum. Ohio EPA is helping villages get plans together on how to fix treatment processes to meet the new threshold.
The village submitted an application for planning funds to hire engineers and get things rolling for the estimated $70,000 cost. The Ohio EPA has mentioned there is a probable loan forgiveness for the funds.
Council, including McKelvey, Misner, Tickhill, McCort, Hudson and Johnson suspended the rules and passed the resolution for the money and application.
Solicitor Richard Myser read the final resolution about the annexation of the practice fields.
Three months ago, the village started the annexation process of the 12-acre tract that a coal company gave it. Myser was halfway through the annexation process but was asked to stop because the village needed additional space for a parking Lot. The coal company donated another 1.7 acres for the lot.
Myser received the annexation plan Monday and prepared the documents for the legislation to start the process over again.
The council amended the first resolution, 3982, to authorize the annexation of the acreage for the ballpark and a parking lot.
The resolution authorizes the mayor and village to enter into an annexation agreement with the Warren Township trustees to annex 13.94 acres into the village.
Council, including McKelvey, Misner, Tickhill, McCort, Hudson and Johnson declared the resolution an emergency and passed it.
At the village’s last meeting, Police Chief Rocky Sirianni asked council if it would entertain amending its ordinance regarding golf carts. Myser said the Ohio legislature adopted several changes to the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to golf carts. Myser added he will take a look at the new changes and come back to council with an amended ordinance that incorporates current state law.
Council then discussed the bid advertisement for the upcoming Ohio Public Works Commission paving project, which is known as the 2025 street improvements program. The village cannot award the bid until it receives the grant, which comes out July 1. Bids may be advertised and opened prior to receiving the money, said Village Administrator Roger Deal. The bid opening will begin 2 p.m. June 26 with a prebid meeting at 10 a.m. June 12.
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