The success of West Liberty’s annual fire sales day, which took place Saturday, May 20, has led to a level of traffic congestion the village’s council feels must be addressed. They touched on the difficulties it presents at Monday’s regular meeting.
“We have lots of things on the roads that don’t belong on the roads,” Mayor Jill McKelvey said.
And even though golf carts are allowed, she noted seeing at least a dozen of the small vehicles in her neighbor’s driveway. Not only that, but, besides the numerous golf carts, she also saw ATVs and gators tooling around town, some under the command of underage drivers.
As a reminder, only golf carts are permissable on streets with a speed limit of 35 or below. They must be operated by licensed drivers; those with permits need to be accompanied by a licensed adult.
All other vehicles are not authorized at all.
McKelvey advised the council of the need to look into the details of the annual May event earlier next year and not wait until April.
“It’s getting so big—” McKelvey concluded—“we need to step in.”
They decided to revisit the low-speed vehicle issue next month, before the summer street market and car show on Saturday, June 24.
In other council action Monday night:
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- Councilwoman Jayne Griffith met with Rob Cunningham on May 19 to get a breakdown of four different proposals to repair and/or replace the W. Columbus Street bridge. With three of the options hitting well over $1 million, the council believes the one just under $900,000 is their best option.
- Another meeting took place on Friday to go over the violations at the old high school building with the owners. “I think they understood what needs to be repaired,” McKelvey told the council. She then asked them to approve having the property surveyed so “we know what’s ours to repair,” which they did.
- According to Griffith, they are continuing negotiations with DeGraff to provide EMS service through the Macochee Joint Ambulance District. “They don’t have [an EMS] at all,” Griffith said. “And I want to address other municipalities without coverage right now.”
- The village will do a trial run of using a social media platform called Capsule at the opening of the Splash Pad this weekend. Residents are encouraged to take photos then use a provided QR code to download them to the site.
If they get at least 50 people to participate, they’ll use the images to make a video to promote West Liberty.
- Since the subject has been raised recently, McKelvey clarified the village’s position with regard to any resident who wants to set up their home as an Airbnb. Other than zoning codes, they don’t have control over short-term rentals.
“You just have to register with the county auditor’s office,” she stated.
- Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor was chosen as the June Business of the Month. A presentation of the award will be held there at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31.
- Nominees for July Business of the Month are Sweetie Pie’s, Community Health and Wellness, and Hughes Heating, Plumbing and A/C.
- Tami Wenger approached the council about setting up two new historical markers to commemorate the fire on May 13, 1880, and the flood on March 25, 1913. Wenger has already received pledges covering one-third of the cost for each marker.
- Other important dates:
- Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. to noon—Splash Pad opening event
- Monday, May 29, 2 p.m.—Memorial Day parade
- Saturday, June 24—West Liberty Business Association Summer Street Market & Car Show, featuring live music, food trucks and Fourth of July fireworks
- Tuesday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—Veterans’ trip to the Air Force Museum; interested veterans have until May 31 to sign up
The next West Liberty village council meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, June 12.