Holgate council appoints Ricardo Valdez, adopts records-retention ordinance and approves routine finance items

The Holgate Village Council on June 24 appointed Ricardo Valdez to a vacant council seat and seated him after being sworn in by the village solicitor. The mayor said two residents — Ricardo Valdez and Nate Stephy — had been interested in the vacancy, and the mayor selected Valdez.

Council also moved quickly on administrative business. Members approved the June 10 and June 17 minutes, approved the finance statement, and approved the payment of bills. On a motion by Jeffery Rothman (seconded by Jamie Hohenberger), council voted to suspend the three readings and declare Ordinance #865 an emergency; on a subsequent motion by Mike Medina (seconded by Hohenberger) the ordinance was adopted. The ordinance establishes a records-retention policy for the village; the meeting minutes do not specify the text beyond that description.

Council authorized the purchase of up to three meters not to exceed $500 total (motion by Nick Stephy, second by Mike Medina) and recorded the routine roll-call votes with Chris Healy absent. Councilmember Medina moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.; the motion carried.

During the public portion of the meeting several residents raised zoning and maintenance issues: Rebecca Keasler inquired about requirements for an above-ground pool (the zoning administrator said she lacked the required room under ordinance, but council indicated it would allow the pool after discussion), Lonzo Thacker asked the zoning administrator to check further on a car-port request, and Steve Hershberger raised smelly water and sidewalk damage from tree roots and said he was awaiting action. The zoning administrator said he would follow up on the car-port and staff recorded Hershberger's complaint for follow-up.

The council scheduled its next regular meeting for July 8, 2024.