Romeo Village Council Meeting Recap 7-16-2012

Jul 17, 2012 by Zach Clark

The Romeo Village Council held their seventh regular meeting of the year Monday night at the Romeo Community Center. Here are some of the highlights:

• All council members except Russell Rinke were in attendance along with the Village President, Clerk and Attorney.
• Marian McLaughlin, Village Clerk, announced that the Village has a current surplus of $47,709.73 out of a budget of $2,866,874.77, year to date.
• The Village Council unanimously approved the Medilodge Group’s Final Site Plan for their new building on South Main Street, just south of St. Clement Catholic Church. The council approved the plan after the Romeo Planning Commission approved the same plan at their regular meeting on June 21.
• The Village Council unanimously approved the Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation’s request to close Benjamin Street, from Main Street to Rawles Street on Friday, August 31 for the Peach Jam, held at the TNT Martial Arts Studio on Main Street. The Peach Jam will feature a skateboarding clinic and skateboarding competitions.
• The Village Council unanimously approved the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce’s request to close Main Street at Newberry Street, in front of The Douglas House along with the alley at the rear of the property on August 17 for ‘Night Under the Stars’. ‘Night Under the Stars’ will feature live music, art, wine and beer tasting along with a keynote speaker, Romeo native and author, Jillian Dembowski. The Chamber will have to go to the state to apply for a temporary liquor license.
• The Village Council unanimously approved Youngers Irish Tavern and Thee Office Pub & Cookery’s request to block off the first two rows in the southwest parking lot for a stunt motorcycle performance by Josh Borne on July 26th, starting at 5 PM.
• The Village Council unanimously approved Thee Office Pub & Cookery’s request for six parking spaces north of the dumpster corral in the southwest parking lot behind the establishment during the Peach Festival. The Pub, represented by Nicole Czajka, requested the spaces to place a refrigerated truck there to help them keep their kitchen supplied during the busy holiday weekend. Councilman Bob Hart expressed concern that it is unfair to the other businesses located in the area to only give the Pub spaces. Czajka explained that the Council had approved her request in the past. Hart asked Czajka if she could explore other means to keep supplied while only using one space  in the future.
• The Romeo Police Department received several phone calls over the 4th of July holiday, regarding complaints over fireworks, according to Romeo Police Chief, Greg Paduch. The council explored their options to rectify the problem. Mark Clark, Village Attorney, explained to the council that, because of state law, the village could not enforce their no fireworks ordinance the day before, the day of or the day after a national holiday.  Clark pointed out that the village could still enforce their noise and disturbing the peace ordinances before, during and after national holidays. Clark also advised the Council to adopt the same ordinance that Howard City, MI has adopted. The Howard City ordinance only allows the ignition, discharge or use of consumer fireworks on the day before, day of and day after a national holiday. It also bans fireworks from public or school property without a permit. The council resolved to explore this further during their August meeting.