Melbourne council appoints Beth Smith, approves ARP funding request and utility payment policy

The Melbourne City Council on July 12 appointed Beth Smith of Park Avenue to fill an interim council seat and approved a package of administrative actions including a resolution to request American Rescue Plan funds and a resolution authorizing payment agreements for delinquent utility accounts.

Beth Smith was appointed to the vacant seat left by Shawn Goodrich after the council received her letter of interest. The motion to appoint Smith, made by Councilmember David Gibbs and seconded by Councilmember Carrie White, passed unanimously; the seat will appear on the November ballot for a two‑year term. Clerk Mary Pothast was directed to swear in Councilperson Smith at her earliest convenience.

On separate motions the council approved Resolution 21‑07‑01, to request funding from the American Rescue Plan, and Resolution 21‑07‑02, giving the mayor and clerk authority to set up payment agreements for delinquent utility accounts. Both resolutions passed on unanimous roll‑call votes of the three members present (Lucas Hauser made the motion to approve the ARP request; David Gibbs and Carrie White were among the movers and seconders noted on other motions).

The council also approved an LP‑gas winter fill contract with New Century FS bulk at $1.449 per gallon. The contract passed on a roll‑call vote of all ayes.

Clerk Mary Pothast read a projected sewer‑improvement schedule in the event the city does not receive another extension of disadvantaged status: complete a facility plan, intended use plan and SRF loan application in fall 2022; begin construction in spring 2024; complete construction in spring 2025; and achieve compliance with final ammonia, nitrogen and E. coli limits by June 1, 2025. No formal vote on the schedule was recorded; it was presented as the planning timeline.

The mayor told the council he had discussed an employee, Fricke, and an anticipated last date of service in October or November; the clerk will work with Councilperson Carrie White on job descriptions and post a public‑works position for applications and interviews. Council members noted wages and benefits will need to be addressed as part of that hiring process.

The council also discussed filling a vacancy on the library board; the library director asked whether outreach to the Rhodes community would be acceptable and the council indicated the outreach would be allowed, noting that the city ordinance may need amendment to reflect the practice.

The meeting concluded with a published financial summary showing total revenues of $96,830.04 and total expenses of $173,359.83 as printed in the minutes; several expense line items contained apparent transcription errors in the posted figures and were noted for correction.

Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes as amended (add Vickie Stahl): motion by David Gibbs, second Lucas Hauser; outcome: approved, voice vote/all ayes. - Approve agenda and bills: motion by Lucas Hauser, second Carrie White; outcome: approved, voice vote/all ayes. - Appoint Beth Smith to interim council seat: motion by David Gibbs, second Carrie White; outcome: approved, voice vote/all ayes. - Resolution 21‑07‑01 (request ARP funding): motion by Lucas Hauser, second David Gibbs; outcome: approved, roll‑call/all ayes (3 present). - Resolution 21‑07‑02 (authorize payment agreements): motion by David Gibbs, second Carrie White; outcome: approved, roll‑call/all ayes (3 present). - LP‑gas winter fill contract with New Century FS at $1.449/gal: motion by Lucas Hauser, second Carrie White; outcome: approved, roll‑call/all ayes. - Adjournment: motion by David Gibbs, second Lucas Hauser; outcome: approved, voice vote/all ayes.

The council scheduled no additional votes at the meeting and took no action on proposed changes to the fireworks ordinance or on potential new recycling fundraising arrangements; those items were discussed but not formally decided. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.