From announcing the 2024 beautification award winners to another in-depth discussion over what to do about the recycling conundrum, the West Liberty Village Council had cleaning up the town on their minds at their recent meeting on Monday, Sept. 9.
With Mayor Brad Hudson out of town on a business trip, council president Jayne Griffith took over the agenda, and she started by presenting the business beautification award to Elle A. Design and owner Lindsey McGlone for the second year in a row.
According to Elle A.’s lead designer, Chelsea Bray, the company won the same prize but not at the same location in 2023. In early January 2024, they moved to the office space next door—from 105 N. Detroit Street to 101.
As for the residential honor, Blaze and Amber Clark’s home on west Baird Street received the beautification award from Hudson on Labor Day.
After quickly approving the minutes and bills along with passing a resolution to accept the Logan County budget commission’s amounts and rates of $200,000, the council dove into the recycling issue. And though it was a deep dive, the ultimate conclusion was to table a vote until they could get a report from the finance committee.
Shannon Maier told her fellow councilmembers the committee had narrowed it down to four options.
“We could tit for tat all week long,” Maier admitted, “but it’s time to come to a decision.”
Basically, they narrowed down the options to whether to use an outside company, to keep the work within the village, or to let residents take care of their own recycling.
However, Maier pointed out, with the expected retirement of street superintendent Bill Detrick in June 2025, they’re already anticipating a new hire.
If the village handles it, though, they’ll need employees to do the work.
“I want you to have the facts to make a decision,” Detrick interjected. “To clarify, you will need a driver and two guys on the back of the truck at $20 an hour.”
The council quickly decided against Republic Services, however, which has raised its rate from $6.95 to $9. On the other hand, residents have been managing their own recycling since service ended in November of 2023.
“Keep in mind we haven’t had recycling for almost a year now and people are surviving,” Councilmember Jeanette Zerkle pointed out.
“They’re surviving,” Griffith responded, “but I keep getting a lot of complaints.”
Councilmember Trent Spriggs suggested they consider upgrading the recycling center to be more handicap accessible and easier to use overall. Though he was told that was a good idea, Detrick said it could lead to liability issues.
With all that in mind, the council will wait to hear final costs from the finance committee before bringing the issue up for a vote.
In other council news:
- Griffith reminded members that all employees and elected officials must complete the required fraud training from the Ohio state auditor, along with a sunshine laws course on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and certified public records training on Thursday, Oct. 17.
- Flood insurance, which the bank forced the village to get, will cost $236 a month.
- Village solicitor Chris Moell gave the councilmembers an overview of the pending real estate transaction that requires the village to put together a planning commission. This is one of the rare occasions when one is necessary. At least three of the five-member planning commission needs to approve the transaction before it can move forward.
- The 2024 Pink Out will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. It will be preceded by the health fair from 3 to 6 p.m.
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.