Residents press Valley View officials over animal-control enforcement, road access and drainage; engineer to provide written timeline

Two Valley View residents used public comment at the July 8 Village Council meeting to press officials for action on animal-control enforcement, limited access to Pleasant Valley and Alexander Road, and a drainage problem under the Pleasant Valley bridge.

Paul Johnston of Alexander Road said his property had a goat carcass removed by the Village’s animal-control partner, then another carcass appeared and the animal-protection group picked that up as well. He said a neighboring property now keeps three horses and cited an ordinance passed last December, asking, 'Why did you pass an ordinance if you can't or won't enforce it?'

Mayor Matt March responded that 'until he is picked up or turns himself in there is still an active warrant for his arrest and it is in the hands of the Garfield Court,' and said the Village is doing everything it can on its end to enforce the ordinance. Engineer Sciano offered to provide Mr. Johnston with written confirmation of the roadway/project timeline.

Mr. Johnston also raised access concerns, asking how many more years residents must tolerate the inaccessibility of Pleasant Valley and Alexander Road. Mayor March said the Village has held meetings with the county and the companies working on the road and that 'the plan is to try to get two-way traffic by Thanksgiving of 2025,' while noting he could not bind the contractors to that schedule.

Dave Bronza of Donald Avenue reported standing water on Canal Road beneath the Pleasant Valley bridge that soaks vehicles; he said a neighbor on a motorcycle was soaked driving through. Engineer Sciano said the bridge and drainage work fall under county responsibility, that the Village has filed multiple complaints, and that he 'will follow up and have an answer by the next meeting.'

Bronza asked whether the Village could distribute flyers warning residents not to put liquids and oil into household trash, which can leak when compacted. Service Director Harter said field crews use oil-dry and attempt cleanup but that liquid can still escape truck plugs; Mayor March said the Village would look into different ways to remind residents.

What happens next: Engineer Sciano committed to provide written confirmation about the Alexander/Pleasant Valley access timeline for Mr. Johnston and to report back on the drainage complaint at the next council meeting. Service Director Harter will coordinate resident reminders regarding liquids in household trash.

The council moved to executive session later in the meeting for personnel matters and reconvened and adjourned at 7:05 p.m.