Michael W Beeson

The meeting addressed concerns about a property on North Plum Street, including its status on a demolition grant list and issues with securing the property. The council discussed the process for addressing unsafe buildings, including title searches and notifications. There were discussions about Hometown Christmas, including potential carriage rides and the town's inclusion in a festival guide. A resident raised concerns about increasing water and sewage bills due to a leaking water meter, leading to a discussion about utility credits and repairs.

The meeting addressed concerns about electricity issues in eastern Grace Heights, including power outages and the need for routine maintenance of easements. There was a discussion about potential grants and funding options for infrastructure improvements. The council discussed the challenges of maintaining easements due to obstructions like barns, fences, and trees, and explored options for addressing these issues, including legal recourse and a potential surcharge on electric bills for maintenance. A plan of action was discussed, including walking through Grace Heights to identify problem structures and sending letters to residents in violation of easement rules.

The council held a public hearing for the town budget for the year of 2025. They discussed a partnership with the town for a cleanup event, focusing on removing junk and appliances, and the upcoming Fall Festival and Hometown Christmas events. A resident raised concerns about the blight grant, particularly regarding property ownership requirements and potential financial risks to the town. Council members discussed the complexities of the blight grant application process and the need for clarification from the EDC. They also discussed the adoption of ordinance number 7 2024, related to flood damage prevention, and medical trust rates.

The meeting included discussions on various topics such as wage and salary ordinance, potential claim recovery for the airport, placement of Little League signs, and the appointment of Jason Balmer to the Park and Recreation Board. The council also reviewed the fire department's report, including the need for repairs to the grass truck and preparations for the Fourth of July. Additionally, there were discussions regarding unauthorized dumping at the airport, evaluation of the unsafe building ordinance, wastewater treatment plant maintenance, water leaks, lead line inspection, electric department activities, street repairs, and the 50-50 sidewalk and tree grant removal program. The council also discussed unsafe homes, a junkyard on South Washington Street, fireworks donation to the American Legion, and an invoice from Triad for engineering services related to grant processing.

The council meeting addressed bids for the demolition project at 301 South Perry Street, with bids received from Cox Excavating Plus and B&B Construction of Richmond. Discussion included the introduction and first reading of ordinances for a bond issuance and rate adjustments for water services. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed water rate increases, with concerns raised about transparency regarding the percentage increase for residents and businesses. The council also discussed bids for a Community Crossings Grant project, awarding the bid to Milestone Paving. Updates were provided on the water emergency contingency plan, a building project at 450 North PL, the Parks and Recreation department's activities, including plans for a dog park, and the Police Department's year-end report, including staffing challenges and training hours. Finally, the council discussed the disposition of an old police car.