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MINSTER - A local resident aired concerns Tuesday night about seven Flock cameras installed around Minster, in particular one that he described as an AI surveillance camera that follows the movements of people.
Village council also moved a step closer to completing a land swap with the Minster Local School District and discussed several construction projects.
Dave Meyer addressed council about his strong reservations about Flock cameras that have been installed around the village to aid law enforcement. He said he trusts the local police force to properly use data generated by the cameras, particularly those that only record license plates.
"The one camera I have an issue with is the one at the Wooden Shoe," Meyer said, referring to a Concorde model surveillance camera located at the intersection of Main and Fourth streets. "It's an AI surveillance camera that tracks people. That's getting into a gray area."
Meyer questioned the possible misuse of data from the devices.
"Who's getting access to the data?" he asked.
Council members expressed support for the use of the Flock cameras. Councilor Trey Steele said while he understands Meyer's concerns, he thinks the benefits from the use of the cameras in combatting crime outweigh the potential problems.
Councilors gave second reading to land transfer resolution. Upon expected final approval later this month, Mayor Craig Oldiges will enter into an agreement to transfer 7.3 acres of village property to Minster Local School District, and the village will receive 11.446 acres of school-owned land adjacent to Four Seasons Park.
The land being transferred to the school is currently a tennis court, shelter house and parking lot. The swimming pool and parking lot will remain village property.
School officials have stated the additional land is needed to meet possible future building needs arising from growing enrollment. The school district purchased the 11.446 acres of farmland from the Edward J. Dirksen revocable trust at a cost of $572,369 or $50,006 per acre.
With the additional land, the Four Seasons Park will grow in size to 61.562 acres. Village administrator Don Harrod said this will be the first expansion of the park since it was established in the late 1990s on farmland the village purchased for the development of a wellfield.
Councilor and park committee member Curt Albers said a number of possible uses for the additional park space, such as a walking path or a fitness challenge course, have been discussed but no decisions have been made.
Councilors accepted bids on the North Garfield Street waterline replacement project and awarded an $899,000 contract to Finfrock Construction Co. of Covington. The engineer's estimate on the project is $1.1 million.
Six other bids on the work ranged from the second-lowest bid of $958,000 by Shinn Brothers Inc. of Celina to a high bid of $1.2 million submitted by Tom's Construction of St. Marys.
Village administrator Don Harrod said Finfrock plans to start the project after the Minster Oktoberfest concludes.
Councilors approved a contract with Choice One Engineering of Sidney to design the Midway waterline loop project, which would extend the waterline from Rosebud Subdivision in the north part of town behind the Western Ohio Hardware story and tie it into a waterline under Midway Drive. Choice One will be paid $15,400 for the design.
Councilors heard good news from Harrod who said two recent projects were completed under bid prices. He said the Paris Street Park parking lot came in about $92,000 less that the bid price and the Fourth Street brick repair project will cost the village $32,000 under the contract price.
Councilors also,
• approved a contract with CDM Smith to conduct a wastewater surcharge assessment rate study at a cost of $52,824. Harrod said the study will determine what the village should be charging for wastewater treatment in light of rising operation costs. The current rate was set in 2020.
• approved on third reading to a request by local property owners to have their land annexed into the village. The property owners are Isaac and Danae Hoying and the 1.32-acre tract is located at 03730 State Route 119. The parcel is located near Miami-Erie Drive.
• learned seven sections of concrete decking at the village pool need to be replaced. Crews will be making the repairs this fall.
• heard Harrod report Paulus Excavating has completed the connection of a storm sewer line from Garmann Miller's parking lot to the center of Main Street.
• approved second reading of an ordinance levying special assessments of more than $154,000 for the repair of sidewalks and driveway approaches. Property owners will have 45 days to pay the assessment or the amount will be placed on their property taxes.
• approved on three-reading rule suspension a resolution accepting the county's distribution of local government funds from the state. Harrod said the village will receive $101,098, up $7,720 from a year ago.
• approved on third reading a resolution to abolish generation fees for the Auglaize County Solid Waste District. Harrod said the switch is being made to a contracting fee with landfills accepting garbage from Auglaize County.
• heard Harrod report Quinter Well Drilling is cleaning two wells as part of a maintenance procedure to ensure the well production doesn't decline.
• learned Barrett Paving crews will be in the village soon to complete the minor street paving project.
• were informed repairs are being made to the Danone substation transformer to resolve a problem of water seeping into oil in the transformer due to a broken weld.
Council meets next at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at village hall.
