Council adopts petty cash update, insurance renewal, sidewalk contract and new employee rules; confirms deed restriction and interim pay change

Macedonia City Council on April 10 approved several ordinances and resolutions covering petty cash amounts, an insurance renewal, the 2025 sidewalk program contract, a formal definition of seasonal employees, confirmation of an occupancy deed restriction for a 55-and-older independent-living project, and extra compensation for an interim appointee.

The package of actions also included the council’s agreement to cancel several summer meetings as part of the body’s annual recess schedule.

Council members moved and approved each item by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The council handled most measures by the expedited “pass and post” procedure; a single appropriation for the Historical Society of Old Northfield was held at first reading pending a written report from the society.

Resolution 21 (petty cash): The council adopted a resolution updating petty-cash drawer locations and dollar amounts across departments. Director Varus described the item as a long-overdue update to inventories and cash amounts; council members noted the amounts were modest and that the last change had been in February but the schedule had drifted for 25 years. A council member moved to adopt; the motion carried with no opposition.

Ordinance 22 (insurance renewal): Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a one-year renewal contract with Ohio Plan Risk Management Inc. for insurance coverage beginning April 1, 2025. Staff said the renewal bridged the city until the full contract could be finalized; the motion passed without recorded opposition.

Ordinance 24 (sidewalk program): The council awarded the 2025 sidewalk program to the contractor named in the legislation (Pike Developing and Excavating Inc.) and passed the ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement. Council discussion included the project scope (the whole city), bid activity (13 bidders), the contract figure presented to council ($395,000), an inspection allocation ($75,000), and owner-paid repairs already credited ($13,000). Council stated the city’s current estimated net obligation was about $305,000. The ordinance passed on voice vote.

Ordinance 25 (seasonal employees): Council adopted an amendment to Section 161.01 to define “seasonal employee” as an employee who may work up to 29 hours per week for up to six months a year. Staff described the change as codifying an existing practice without altering pay scales. The ordinance passed on first/expedited reading and was adopted.

Resolution 26 (deed restriction confirmation): Council confirmed the mayor’s acceptance of evidence of an occupancy restriction for the NCR Senior Independent Living project requiring at least one person aged 55 or older per unit. Planning staff explained the city requested a recorded deed restriction to ensure the occupancy limitation “runs with the property” and described annual certification and enforcement mechanisms. The resolution carried.

Resolution 27 (interim appointee compensation): Council waived the 48‑hour rule, added resolution 27 to the agenda, and adopted a resolution to increase interim compensation for a city employee temporarily performing a director’s duties. The mayor and staff said the change was rare and intended to fairly compensate the additional work. The resolution passed.

Historical Society appropriation (Ordinance 23): Council introduced but held an ordinance to appropriate $500 to the Historical Society of Old Northfield for preservation of Macedonia-related artifacts. Councilors requested the society provide a written account of the previous year’s expenditures before final passage.

Meeting scheduling: A council motion to cancel several summer meetings (May 22, June 20, July 10 and August 28 in the motion) carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (council actions adopted April 10): - Resolution 21 (petty cash update): adopted (voice). - Ordinance 22 (insurance renewal, one-year contract): adopted (voice). - Ordinance 24 (Sidewalk Program agreement with Pike Developing and Excavating Inc.): adopted (voice). - Ordinance 25 (seasonal employee definition): adopted (voice). - Resolution 26 (confirm deed restriction for NCR Senior Independent Living): adopted (voice). - Resolution 27 (interim appointee pay increase; waived 48-hour rule): adopted (voice). - Ordinance 23 (Historical Society $500 appropriation): introduced and held at first reading pending written documentation from the society.

The council took no recorded roll-call votes showing opposition on the adopted measures; minutes show adopted by voice vote with the chair calling for “Aye” and no objections.

Ending: Several items were handled as routine legislative business and will appear in the city’s posted minutes; staff and council members said they would follow up on the Historical Society documentation and on a resident request to review the city’s animal-leash ordinance.