GAMBIER — The Village of Gambier is in good financial health for 2011, according Gambier Mayor Kirk Emmert. Emmert told village council Monday night that the village has adequate resources to fund its regular programs and maintenance programs.
“In our budget committee discussions in January, we concluded that the balance in our general fund is sufficient for the village to undertake this year significant park and sidewalk improvements,” Emmert said.
There were no surprises in the 2011 budget with all areas adequately funded. After a minimum of discussion, council passed the 2011 budget unanimously. The budget authorizes expenditures of $2,714,548.55 for 2011.
Village secretary-treasurer Mary Samuell also noted the village’s general fund is in such good shape that the village’s checking account is too big.
“Our checking account is interest bearing,” she said. “But it doesn’t pay very much interest.”
Samuell said she and council member Susan Sukys have been discussing several different investment options for the money the village could afford to tie up for three or five years in accounts that pay more interest.
“I’m the one who decides how to invest the money,” she said. “But I don’t want to do it without council’s support. I will, of course keep you informed about what I am doing.”
In an informal vote, council members gave its support to Samuell to continue to investigate possible investment opportunities and to take advantage of the ones she and Sukys felt were good for the village.
Council also passed, as an emergency, legislation updates that would add five new parking violations to the law books.
“We found out that since 2002, we had not added any of our new violations to that section,” explained Village Administrator Suzanne Hopkins.
Ordinances added to ordinance 2002-04, Section 11 parts A and B are:
•No person shall stand or park a motor vehicle at any time in the following areas: Meadow Lane, both side, the entire length thereof.
•Ordinance 2003-10 defining snow emergency and snow streets. Snow streets defined as both sides and entire length of Wiggin Street, Brooklyn Street, Gaskin Avenue, Chase Avenue and any and all spaces that would be considered “on street” parking.
•Ordinance 2006-10 creating “Back in angle parking on the south side of Wiggin Street to the east of Acland Street and west of Duff Street. There shall be no time limit for parking in these areas.
•Ordinance 2006-12 creating a 10-minute parking zone on Wiggin Street near the elementary school building.
•Ordinance 2008-10 updating parking laws, to wit: No person who is not handicapped or operating a motor vehicle to transport a handicapped person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in parking spaces marked for handicapped use only.
In other business council:
•Approved a handicapped parking space on Gaskin Avenue in front of the bookstore.
•Heard the first reading of an ordinance to update employee wages and benefits.
•Approved a resolution to participate in the state of Ohio Purchasing Program. For an annual $100 fee, the village can join the program and get significant discounts on major purchases. The village has used it in the past to save significant money on new vehicle purchases.
•Approved the expenditure of $2,595 to Laser Technology, Inc. for a new speed gun laser for use in the village by the village’s deputies.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Mar. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Village Community Center on Meadow Lane.
