The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Granville Village Council
Meeting Date: 09-18-2024
Meeting Details
Attendance: Council Members Present: Hartfield, Klein, Olbur, Demarest (arrived at 8:01 pm), Keethler Ball, Leithauser, Village Manager Koehler, Village Attorney. Absent: Johnson, Mickelson
Public Comment: WIN Waste made a presentation asking Council to select them for the solid waste contract, which expires in 45 days.
Old Business: Ord. 08-2024: Create a Joint Economic Development District with Granville twp. There were three changes in negotiations with the Township. Details in the meeting packet. Council voted 5-0 to approve.
New Business: Resolution 2024-53: to award the solid waste contract to the lowest bidder, Local Waste. Failed, 4-1. No: Ball, Olbur, Hartfield, Demorest. Yes: Leithauser
Ord. 19-2024: To grant a general use permit to Denison University to use the Village right of way at 215 N Prospect. This is because Denison wants to make significant improvements to the residence and, as many old properties are, it is located in a village right of way. A public hearing will be held on October 2.
Ord. 20-2024: To amend Ord. 23-2023 for adjustment to the annual budget due to increases in several areas including the General Fund for FOP Wage & Benefit Increase, Public Use Fee, Storm Line – Main St to Prospect, Clearing of Log Jam @ Raccoon Creek, Corridor Study – Pathway Along Burg Street, Consulting & Lobbyist Services, New Employee Planner I – Salary & Benefits and to the Water Fund: Repairs to Well # 2, Additional Supplies & Materials and to Waste Water: Screening of Lift Station @ Newark Granville Rd
A public hearing will be held on October 2.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, 10/2/2024
Related documents, websites: Meeting Packet
Observer Notes: Resolution 2024-53: to award the solid waste contract to the lowest bidder, Local Waste generated a great deal of comment. WIN-Waste is proposing a 12% increase in the monthly fee. Under this contract, rates would increase to $21.25 per non-senior household and $19.13 per senior household.
Village Manager Koehler stated there have been notable billing and service issues with WIN-Waste. If WIN-Waste is not selected, they will issue refunds to anyone who has paid quarterly.
Mayor Hartfield spoke about issues she has had, such as trash trucks on at least three occasions compacting the trash at her business, causing foul smelling liquid to leak on the ground. Village resident Amy Kobe spoke of her experience in Granville Township prior to moving into the Village, where at least 3-4 times the Local Waste employees scattered trash and or recycling on the ground without picking it up.
Hartfield also complained of high credit card fees for paying online for all of the vendors. There have been too many companies in recent years that have been a nightmare, especially since WIN-Waste bought Waste Away.
Keethler Ball reported that her neighborhood was without service for multiple weeks and it took quite a while to figure out why. She also observed a recycling truck back up to a trash truck and dump all of the recycling into the trash truck.
After the motion failed, the Village Attorney stated that the current Resolution could not be amended and a new package will have to be put together for a vote at the next meeting.
Village Manager Koehler also reported that due to the bridge project on SR 16, ODOT has notified the Village that the berms are collapsing, as they have been used for traffic lanes, and the project will be extended into 2025 to repair the berms.
Observer: Amy Kobe
Submission Date: 09/19/2024
Reviewer: Karen Semer