A group of 15 residents and village supervisors met with the West Liberty Business Association and the village council to address issues with the village’s Summer Street Market/Car Show and Halloween Spooktacular. Heather Chamberlain, the Business Administration President, expressed frustration over a permit that was issued to the group for Spooktacular.
According to Chamberlain, the permit stated that the organization would need to secure permission from the residents of East Columbus to hold the event on East Columbus Avenue. Chamberlain explained to the council that this has never been the case before, and the new requirement would require additional time to complete. Chamberlain talks about the issues:
Police Chief Shane Oelker addressed the issue directly, admitting that the permit given to the association was incorrect. He said as soon as he was made aware of the issue, he addressed the issue with Chamberlain and advised Mayor Brad Hudson of the snafu, and Hudson nixed the notification requirement.
During the discussion, it was proposed that the events be moved to another part of the village, possibly Lion’s Park. Chamberlain expressed reservations about moving the events, as one of the goals of the events is to bring people into the downtown area, and moving the events would defeat that purpose.
Another issue confronting the meeting was the blocking of fire department egress points. Village Fire Chief Darin Leach said that it takes several hours before and after the event to move equipment to allow a quick response to an emergency call. He mentioned that despite the crowds and parking issues, he and his department have been able to work around the events to ensure that emergency calls are handled.
It was mentioned that the events could be held starting to the east of the alley beside the fire station, allowing the fire department to pull out onto East Columbus. This was nixed because moving the events away from Detroit Street would take away from passersby seeing the festivities.
Additionally, Chamberlain expressed frustration that the Christmas decorations have yet to be put up in the downtown area, and it is already the second week of November. Street Superintendent Bill Detrick addressed this, stating that it has never been the street department’s responsibility to install the decorations. He did say that this crew has helped take them down in the past, and regularly puts in several man-hours during clean-up of the events.
Several members of the community spoke up and stated that it is very likely that a bucket truck could be located and rented to facilitate the decorations being installed.
After the special meeting, the Village Council handled a light agenda. One ordinance was adopted, 2024-12, which established curbside recycling and rubbish collection rates. It was determined that the recycling program will begin on December 1st. It was also determined that information about what can and cannot be recycled will be made available to the village residents.
In other action, Village Clerk Cindee Boyd announced that she would be retiring effective November 29th, but would like to return on December 3rd.
Boyd advised that she was contacted by a representative from Lee’s Roofing about inspecting the roof of the Town Hall. It was replaced in 2014, and the inspection will determine if the roof needs to be replaced again. The council authorized her to schedule the appointment.
It was also mentioned that Bobcat Multiworks will begin servicing the portable toilets at the Splash Pad and on the bike trail. They will also allow the village extra portable toilets during the fireworks weekend at no charge.
Several events are coming up in the village over the next few weeks:
- November 29th – Luminary 5K parade
- November 30th – Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
- November 30th – Small Business Saturday
- December 7th – WLBA Christmas Home Tour
