By Leigh Ann Rutledge
FPS Reporter
April 14, 2009
SOAP (Save Our Area Pool) Committee had their bubbles bust at the Monday night Carrollton Council meeting.
Kim Podratz, representative for SOAP, told council of the many benefits of the Vet’s Pool. The pool is operated and funded by Carrollton schools. However, the school district has closed the pool and may sell it. Podratz explained, “The pool is a family friendly activity and nearly 500,000 children have learned to swim there over the last 40 years. Closure of the pool could cause a 25 percent increase in childhood obesity.” The Carrollton Water Warriors have approximately 100 members who use the pool to train for B-level competitions.
Podratz said the group is aware of possible problems with the pool such as a leak, roofing issues and tiles needing replaced. SOAP is aware of the cost to run the pool but said they can make a go of it. The group will use the collaboration of community groups including the Carroll County YMCA, Washington Twp., the school district’s “learn to swim” program and received a letter from the Carroll County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) supporting their efforts. MRDD noted they would like to hold their Special Olympics at the pool.
Due to time constraints, it is too late to receive grants for 2009 but the group can apply to receive funding for 2010. Until that time, SOAP and the Water Warriors have several fundraisers in place already, the hot dog stand, a bowl-a-thon and walk-a-thon.
Podratz stated the school board can transfer the property to another public entity otherwise it could be sold at auction.
Council asked Podratz what the group wanted from them. “We want the village to take ownership of the pool,” she stated. “The school board meets tomorrow night and I would like a decision to take to them.” Members told Podratz they couldn’t make a decision in one meeting and several members said the village does not have the funds or time to run the pool. Podratz replied, “It would be up to the village to fill it with water and let us run it.” Council reiterated there are no funds to take on this project.
In another matter, Pastor Mike Doak spoke for the Carroll County Ministerial Association asking for use of the gazebo May 7 for National Day of Prayer. Barb Walton and Jeri Smethers told members they would like to set up a tent at 6 p.m. Wednesday night and have the electric turned on at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The group would use the gazebo until 10 p.m. The theme for this year is “Prayer- America’s Hope.” Council approved the use of the gazebo and for the group to place a sign April 23 on the Public Square announcing this event.
In an unrelated matter, Mayor Dave Flanary mentioned his has been receiving complaints of people walking their dogs in the Courtview Allotment and not cleaning up after them. Flanary asks those walking their dogs to be courteous and clean up when walking their dogs.
In other business, Council:
-APPROVED $1,429 maximum for fence installation at the village owned ball field at the Vet’s Club Park. A local contractor agreed to donate labor for free.
-GAVE permission to the Carrollton High School prom committee to close 3rd St., N.E. April 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for the annual promenade.
-GRANTED a request from Earl Bryan to park a piece of equipment in front of the OSU Extension Office April 17 in the no parking zone. Workers will be fixing the front of the building and will not hinder traffic.
-LEARNED a part-time police officer, Andrew Shuster, quit. He did not give a letter of resignation and did not turn in his policy or ordinance books.
-APPROVED a request to advertise for bids to construct a new water tank. Ads will run the weeks of April 27 and May 4 with bids due May 11 at 4 p.m. Bids for street paving were rejected and advertisement for new bids with different specifications will run with the water tank ads, with bids due May 11 at 4 p.m.
-HEARD Automatic Electronic Defibrillator training will be held May 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in council chambers.
-RECEIVED a thank you from Carrollton Schools Asst. Superintendent Robert Mehno for installing new lighting at the crosswalks at the high school and 2nd St.
-THANKED the Carrollton Civic Club for spreading mulch at Kiddie Land Park. The club has volunteered to do some other improvement work at the park.
-LEARNED the village has received a $2,400 reduction for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District assessment.
-GRANTED permission to close 3rd St. NE April 23 from 8:30-11 a.m. to SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) for a mock crash demonstration.
-ACCEPTED the resignation of Firefighter Steve Yeager from the Carrollton Village Fire Department effective April 1.
-APPROVED two zero percent 30-year loans and grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission for $440,000 for storm water improvements and for $500,000 for water tank improvements.
-GAVE permission to the Carroll County Health Department for use of Public Square May 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in observance of Children’s Mental Health Day. Health Commissioner Melanie Campbell will conduct a “ring of resilience” at noon followed by a picnic in the park with hot dogs cooked by Carrollton Civic Club.
-PASSED an amendment to the policy and procedures manual regarding employee vacation.
-AGREED to a contract with WSOS for a feasibility study for the GIS system not to exceed $6,800.
-LEARNED from Street Superintendent Bill Grimes the hot mix is ready and the department has been working on the streets.
-ACCEPTED a bid from MJ Excavating for $125,300 for waterline replacement on South Lisbon and Raley Ave.
-APPROVED a bid from Huebner Chevrolet for $25, 233 for a new truck for the water department.
-HEARD second readings of ordinances to establish flat increase rate in sewer rates and to establish a grooming policy for village employees.
-ACCEPTED the resignation of William Stoneman from the Planning Commission effective April 7. No replacement has been appointed at this time.
-ANNEXED the Roswell-Moody Ave. property (44.003 acres) owned by Sisters of Our Lady of Charity into the village of Carrollton.
-TABLED an emergency ordinance for Engineering Associates to design a waterline replacement from the south end of the fairgrounds to Kensington Greene on SR 9 not to exceed $17,000. Councilman Bob Dunlap told Fowler there was a lot of information he hadn’t heard before and he didn’t see where this was an emergency. Village Administrator Robert Fowler told council the Ohio Department of Transportation will be paving that road next year and he wants this done before they pave. Dunlap felt the issue should go before the water and sewer committee before being presented to council.
-ENTERED into an agreement with Ohio Office of Information Technology, Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) program to provide six radios for the police department and one radio for the village fire department. These radios would allow police and fire to communicate with the Sheriff’s office. The Sheriff’s department is changing over to the MARCS system. The contract lists fees of $240 per month for police radios and a one-time $50 fee for fire department. However, Fowler explained Darryl Anderson, MARCS program manager told him these fees would be covered through grant monies. Anderson later learned these fees did not qualify to be paid by grant monies. Fowler is going to continue to work on getting these fees alleviated.
-APPROVED a contract with WSOS for an environmental report for Community Development Block Grant funding for the wastewater treatment plant, not to exceed $1,700.
-SCHEDULED a water and sewer committee meeting for April 27 at 6 p.m.
-APPROVED payment of bills totaling $112,396.97 for vendors and $28,427.86 for payroll.
-SET the next council meeting for April 27 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. |
