With the 28e Agency Agreement finally being approved and established, the next step for the agency is the formation of its board, which includes four representatives from West Liberty.
Mayor Mark Smith, during the Feb. 4 council meeting, recommended the appointing of Robert Dewar, Melody Russell, and council member Tim Parizek as the other three members to serve on the agency board.
Smith said Dewar was a good choice due to his 11 years at the West Liberty Fire Department before temporarily moving out of West Liberty. Smith said Dewar’s Hispanic wife could allow for him to possibly also act as a liaison between the board and West Liberty’s Latino community.
Though she had no concerns with Dewar’s qualifications, council member Dana Dominguez said she didn’t know much about him since he briefly left the community. “I just don’t know this person. I would love to just get to know him,” she said.
Council member Josh Shiltz agreed. Shiltz recommended Larry Miller, who had interest in being part of the board. Miller also has ties with the fire department and was previously on the library board. Other board members acknowledged that Miller was level-headed, not wanting to pick sides and typically seen as a mediator who does research on each topic or conflict that comes to him. But a majority of council members felt it would be better to go with fresher perspectives.
Russell previously served as a teacher at West Liberty Middle School, and president of the West Liberty Community Center’s Board of Directors, and vice president on the WeLead board.
Council member Parizek was out of town and not at the meeting.
After a roll call vote for the appointing of Dewar, Russel, and Parizek was motioned, Shiltz and Dominguez both voted no, resulting in a failed motion. Dominquez then changed her mind, acknowledging that by the agency agreement, the first board meeting must be on Feb. 10.
Dominguez said that didn’t want to halt the process, and that she understood how the West Liberty fire department had been anticipating the formation of this board. After another roll call vote was motioned, Dominguez voted yes while Shiltz kept his no. The motion passed 3-1.
Shop With a Cop award
Chief Josh Houser presented this year’s Community Impact Award to Kelly Morrison, who currently serves as a PE teacher at West Liberty Middle School.
“Whenever anybody needs help, they just call 911. Well, (Morrison) is my 911 and she has been since I’ve been here,” Houser said as he, alongside Mayor Mark Smith and the city council, thanked her for everything she has done for the West Liberty Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program.
“I was very honored and touched that (the department) wanted to thank me for helping in a great cause with Shop with a Cop,” Morrison said after the meeting. “I feel like this event is a team effort, and I am proud to be part of the team. It is a joy to hear about all their shopping experiences, and I love my role as the activity planner during this event.”
Police calls, and new body armor
Houser said police saw 213 calls in January, averaging 7.3 calls per day. This remains in line with the monthly average of 227.66 calls and daily average of 7.48 calls that the department saw throughout 2024. The most frequent call types were vehicle inspection at 36 calls, extra patrol at 27, traffic stop at 18, parking problem at 13, and follow ups and business checks, both at 11.
West Liberty officers were also given new body armor this month. Several officers enrolled in trainings such as sexual assault/victim assistance, DARE, and firearms instructor. Houser met with West Liberty school administration to discuss security and emergency planning with the district, alongside Officer Holmes. Chief Houser, as well as Officer Murdock, was also invited to the public library’s Celebrity Storytime.
January waste and recycling totals
West Liberty solid waste pickup totaled 125 tons in January, a decrease of 21.57 tons when compared to Jan. 2024.
Recycling was 38.44 tons, an increase of 7.53. The solid waste department was also able to remove all the trash left at the Early Learning Center as well as put up 9 new fire exit signs, and made 2,000 gallons of brine on Jan. 9. And another 2,800 gallons on Jan. 29.
The water and sewer department completed some minor repairs at the water plant as well as repaired two water leaks in the basement of city hall and one leak by the powerhouse during the month of January. The department also attended two different safety meetings, including a safety training on Jan. 29.
Reimbursement approval
The council approved Resolution 20250204-216, which granted reimbursement in the amount of $25,000 to WLFE LLC following the completion of its latest project.
On March 2, 2021, the council approved the renovation of the structure at 103 East 3rd Street, specifically its second floor. This renovation, which was completed on Jan. 29, has allowed the second floor to be converted into apartment space.
Through the city’s approval, the project was funded using a West Liberty Economic Development Grant in the matched amount of $25,000. It was determined that WLFE met the requirements of the grant by providing receipts for the completion of the project, which saw a total cost of $73,076.61.