Oxford Board changes dog ordinance
The Village of Oxford Board of Trustees met on Monday, October 5 at 7 pm at the Village Office. Absent from the meeting was trustee Mike Minarik. All other trustees were present. Also present at the meeting was Clerk/treasurer Becky Calderone and public works director Duane Hoffman. The meeting was called to order by board Chairman Neal McInturf.
The board approved the minutes from the August 24 meeting and the minutes from the September 21 meeting. They also approved the claims from September 22 through October 5. The absence of McInturf from the August 24 meeting was approved. The absences of Minarik and Chad Cunningham from the September 21 meeting were also approved.
Next on the agenda was ordinance 458 revoking the two complaints requirement for barking and offensive dogs. The new ordinance will allow for one complaint to be sufficient to take action. Calderone said she talked with Patrick, the village attorney. The ordinance is written that that one complaint is needed and also a written complaint will be needed to be on file with the village clerk. The written complaint with the clerk can be filed within 72 hours of a report the sheriff’s department. Ordinance 458 was introduced and the three readings were suspended. The Ordinance was approved.
Next was a resolution to accept the property offered to the village by David Jones and Sue Sheneman. This has been discussed over the last couple meetings. Calderone reported that taxes are current. She said there may be some additional paper work done by the title company. The resolution will allow them to sign the agreement to move forward. The purchase agreement states that if there is not a clean title the Village can back out. The next step will be a title search. The board approved the resolution.
A request to close downtown on Halloween on Saturday, October 31 was next on the agenda. There was a consensus to approve closing the street.
Next was approval of a landlord consent form. This issue has been discussed at a couple previous meetings. This form is more of a formality. It is written in the Oxford code book that they can hold the property owner responsible for unpaid utilities. Calderone asked if the form is necessary to turn on utilities for a renter. Hoffman said there has not been an issue with utilities and owners up to this point. McInturf said this will just make a landlord aware of the policy if they do not already know. They did not want not yet having the form on files to hold up turning on a renter’s utilities. They discussed some changes to be made to the form. Calderone will send letters out with forms to the property owners to make sure they are aware of the policy.
Next the board had to reapprove a bid for a new ambulance. The price changed with the timing of trying to get everything approved. The new unit will be a 2021. They are still working on financing and how much will need to be borrowed. The cost for the ambulance is just over $218,000. The bid from Fyrtek was approved.
Next the board approved the resignation of Renae Brooks from the library board. McInturf said she has served quite a while on that board. He said they appreciate her time.
Next was discussion on filling the library board vacancy and term limits according to the code book. The library board is now down to four members. Calderone reached out and asked if the library board had anyone in mind to put forward for the Village board to approve. She has not yet heard back from them. Calderone does not know how long the current members have been on the board. She also said it can be difficult to stick to term limits as there are not always enough people to serve. McInturf said the only issue would be if there were a couple people who wanted on, the Village board could approve their recommendation. McInturf said to run the ad about the vacancy and the library board can look at the applicants.
Next was discussion on a hazard mitigation plan. Hoffman said he believes Oxford is a part of this group anyway but it is time to update. They had information on in person and virtual meetings. Hoffman said he is planning on going. Hoffman said they need to be part of this in case of a need for federal money.
Calderone gave her report. Code enforcement committee is making another round and getting letters sent out. They are in the process of working on some clean ups.
Hoffman gave his report. A company is going to look at the street sweeper to see what it needs. Hoffman said the engine and transmission or good, but there are other issues.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
