Village of Bremen

Key discussions included the introduction of a mayoral candidate and the acceptance of a council member's resignation. The Clerk/Treasurer's report detailed actions such as bill payments, payroll completion, and updates regarding the Regional Income Tax Authority (RITA) ordinance adoption and data conversion. The Administrator's report covered fulfilling EPA mandate requirements for water disposal, coordinating street and brick repairs, updates on the swimming pool floor repair and ADA compliance exploration, and scheduling various community events. Council approved the payment of bills. Committee reports were submitted by Budget & Finance, Design Review Board, Policy and Grants, Pool, Parks & Recreation, Record Commission, Safety, Streets & Alleys, Water & Sewer, and Zoning, Property Maintenance & Planning. Old Business involved accepting a proclamation declaring Volunteer and Help a Neighbor Week, and a request for a council member to serve as the voting representative for the Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission. New Business included addressing rejected certified mail regarding a property violation, assigning the new Zoning Inspector to create a blueprint for violations, and approving the Village to fund the necessary electric work for the future Gazebo development. A second reading was held for Resolution 1047 regarding the Annual Budget 2012, and a motion was approved for the appointment of delegates to the Regional Income Tax Agency, Regional Council of Government.

Key discussions during the meeting included granting a one-time special allowance for a new water department employee to exceed accumulated comp time limits for necessary travel in 2016. The committee established an interview panel for the Clerk/Treasurer assistant position, noting that a recommendation would follow later. The resignation of the street department employee due to salary constraints was noted. Recommended revisions to Section 14 of the Employee Handbook were reviewed. Updates were provided on the advertising status for lifeguard positions and the replacement for the street department position, including application statuses. Finally, the salary range for the Clerk's Assistant position was reaffirmed.

The Council meeting addressed several operational and administrative matters. Key discussion points included corrections to the previous meeting's minutes, the status of grading work on Ruff Drive contingent on contractor availability and weather, and obtaining necessary homeowner signatures for the Ruff Drive project. The Clerk/Treasurer confirmed year-end closing for 2009 books and opening new books for 2010. The Administrator reported on snow removal, equipment maintenance, and water department building work pending state inspection finalization. Several ordinances were reviewed, notably Ordinance 11-15-09 regarding village office hours, which sparked a debate concerning Sunshine Law compliance and prior discussion. The Council also approved an ordinance to vacate certain alleys, an ordinance to accept the Sheriff's contract for 2010, and proceeded with the second reading of a zoning ordinance for Westerman, Inc. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss Village security matters.

The council meeting addressed residents' concerns regarding basement flooding that occurred in June and September due to heavy rainfall, with discussions focusing on municipal drainage and future sewer separation projects scheduled for 2012. A resident requested that the Village Fiscal Officer position be changed from an elected to an appointed role to allow Council to set working hours, which the Committee on Administrative and Safety was tasked to investigate. The Mayor acknowledged the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and various departments for the recent German Festival. The Clerk's report detailed participation in election and sustainability meetings, clearing of stale checks, and CD investment returns. Committee reports included updates on pool maintenance, potential park improvements funded by grants, an ongoing dispute with a business owner over building paint colors reviewed by the Design Review Board, and issues concerning road repairs and storm drains managed by the Streets & Alleys Committee. The Council also passed several resolutions regarding a Downtown Enhancement project, accepting budget commission rates, and approving the Bremen Pumpkin Walk.

The council meeting included reports from the Sheriff's Office concerning vandalism and a domestic violence incident, as well as discussions on supporting a volunteer foot patrol and launching a community block watch program. The Clerk/Treasurer's report detailed administrative tasks, payroll completion, budget and finance committee attendance, and potential utilization of Regional Income Tax Authority services. The Administrator's report covered required updates to village insurance, updating Siren Standard Operating Guidelines, repairing a street sweeper, advertising bids for a new storm sewer project, and obtaining council approval to publish a newsletter with water bills. Resolutions were approved to waive the third reading for emergency approvals related to contracting ODOT for salt/rock salt, and to transfer funds from the Sewer Fund and Water Fund to their respective Debt Funds. A motion to file a complaint regarding the McLaughlin property failed.