South Russell council confirms park patrol appointment, approves park restroom payment and two ordinances

South Russell Village Council confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Michael McIver to a part‑time Parkland Patrol officer post and voted to pay the contractor for a newly installed restroom at the village park, council members said at the meeting.

The council also adopted two ordinances: an agreement to participate in the Auditor of State uniform accounting network not to exceed $6,000 and an operating agreement to license village parking areas for the Jag Fresh Farmers Market from May through November 2025. The council accepted in open session the resignation of part‑time officer Dennis Harmon.

The appointment of Michael McIver was moved on behalf of the safety committee and seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. Council then administered the oath to McIver, who was introduced to the council as a full‑time officer with Russell Township Police Department and described as having training in crime‑scene and accident investigation and field training officer certification.

The fiscal officer reported that the village’s April net income tax collections were $224,098, an increase of $78,605 from March and $73,597 above April 2024; year‑to‑date collections since January total $898,686, an increase of $136,244 compared with the same period last year.

On the park restroom, council discussed minor follow‑up work to straighten masonry and then voted to authorize payment to the vendor for the installed restroom. During discussion a council member noted the contract amount was "a hundred and 15 thousand," and the motion to pay the vendor was moved and seconded; the motion passed on voice vote.

The council adopted an ordinance authorizing the fiscal officer to execute a participation agreement with the Auditor of State uniform accounting network with an upper limit stated in the ordinance (not to exceed $6,000) and declared an emergency to waive further readings. The council also adopted an ordinance authorizing an operating agreement for the Jag Fresh Farmers Market to use a designated portion of village parking areas for vendor stalls, subject to execution of the final agreement and receipt of updated insurance documentation.

Council formally acknowledged the resignation letter from part‑time officer Dennis Harmon; a motion to accept the resignation passed on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes from the April 14 regular council meeting: passed (voice vote). - Motion to confirm the mayor’s appointment of Michael McIver as part‑time Parkland Patrol officer: passed (moved by the safety committee representative, seconded; oath administered). - Motion authorizing payment to the restroom contractor (installation at village park; amount discussed as $115,000): passed (moved by fiscal officer, seconded; voice vote). - Ordinance: Auditor of State uniform accounting network participation agreement (authorization, not to exceed $6,000; emergency clause): adopted (roll call recorded). - Ordinance: Operating agreement with Jag Fresh Farmers Market (May–November 2025; subject to execution and insurance certificate): adopted (roll call recorded). - Acceptance of resignation of part‑time officer Dennis Harmon: passed (voice vote).

Council members and staff said they expect follow‑up at committee level on remaining minor punch‑list items for the park restroom work and to finalize the farmers market insurance and execution before operational startup.