After listening to concerns expressed by West Liberty resident Keith LeVan over water overages and recycling charges, the village council heard from their chief of police regarding the hiring of a new part-time officer and the current status of three department vehicles.
This was Chief Shane Oelker’s first time to address the council since he left for the Public Safety Leadership Academy 11 weeks ago. West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey thought this was an invaluable experience for Oelker that will benefit the community as well. The academy was offered through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
Oelker’s first order of business was to recommend hiring Jason Fishbaugh as a part-time officer. Fishbaugh, who’s from Marysville, was vetted through the National Police Testing Network and, according to Oelker, is their best candidate. The board agreed.
“Our plan is to have him on the road in 90 days,” Oelker said.
The chief then updated councilmembers on the status of three police vehicles — one is being worked on but should be back in service today (Wednesday); one needs to be repaired but they plan to wait until after the fireworks on June 24; and they still need a third vehicle at a cost of $15,000.
Finally, Oelker expressed concern over a recent unexpected visit.
”A lady stopped by to discuss an event on Aug. 5 — a motorcycle rally — that will shut down the streets,” he told the council. “This is the first I’m hearing about it.”
McKelvey informed him a group of motorcyclists will converge on Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor that evening—after the business closes—to participate in the Logan County Ice Cream Trail and, at the same time, raise money for a young lady fighting cancer. The main issue will be finding parking for about 150 motorcycles.
In other council action:
- Six trees standing precariously along Mad River at Lions Park will be removed at a cost of $4,000. The fear is they will fall into the water and dam up the river.
- The council approved a request to move forward on replacing 52 broken troop banner brackets. They anticipate it will be done in no more than 10 weeks at a cost of $10,400.
- McKelvey showed the council a flag pole from downtown that had snapped off when a resident accidentally got the flag caught in her car door. Not realizing what had happened, the woman drove away, breaking the pole in the process. Since McKelvey witnessed the incident, she was able to stop the driver before she went too far.
“We need taller poles,” McKelvey said. “It’s a big problem.”
- The council agreed to purchase a new 12-foot table for $994, along with a bookshelf and six councilmember chairs.
- Repairs to the Sidney Street sewer — at a cost of almost $50,000 — is on hold while they wait for an estimate on the electrical work. This will fix the problems with the Merriman and Spiers properties.
- A State Road 245 bridge sewer line removal estimate must be submitted to ODOT by mid-August.
- Alistair Reynolds, an urban forester with Tree City USA, will be in West Liberty this month to measure the town’s boulevards. He will then recommend what trees should be planted to align with Tree City requirements and help with climate issues. Once they receive that list, the council will need to revise ordinance 909.03 to match those specifications.
- Direct deposit should be ready by July 1.
- A public meeting will be conducted at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, to plan for the Total Solar Eclipse celebration scheduled for April 6-8, 2024. Contact the village council office for more information.
- With room for more, the Veterans trip to the Air Force Museum on Tuesday, June 27, currently includes 26 veterans plus their significant others. They will be away from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will include lunch catered by Subway and paid for by the West Liberty Business Association (WLBA) along with other area companies.
- Street Superintendent Bill Detrick mentioned an urgent need to fix the alley between Washington and Liberty streets. A section needs to be cut out, repacked and paved before winter. This will cost almost $11,000.
- Reconstruction of Columbus Street will begin Monday, June 19.
- Superior Painting has been hired to paint a light pole by Aug. 1.
- The village of West Liberty has shared ownership of the townhall with the township for 150 years. Now that the township has a new building, the village is purchasing their half so it will be owned by West Liberty in full. The necessary paperwork has been processed, signed and filed. It’s now in the court’s hands.
- Two new purple heart recipients will be recognized on National Purple Heart Day, which is Aug. 7.
- Concern about the overgrown state of the flower beds at Sherman Ricketts Park were a topic of discussion. An offer has been made to mulch and freshen up the beds for $700, but the council hopes to find a church, school or organization willing to take on the project as a gift to the village.
- Aggregation rates set at 0.0651 for electric will start in August for the September bill. The council is waiting until November for gas rates to go down as they are “sky high” now, according to McKelvey.
- Sweetie Pie’s will be recognized as the July Business of the Month on June 30 at 10:30 a.m.
- The WLBA Summer Street Market & Car Show, featuring live music, food trucks and a Fourth of July fireworks celebration, will be held Saturday, June 24.
- Also, the WLBA will hold its Garden Tour from 3-7 p.m. on July 15.
The next West Liberty village council meeting will take place Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m.
