PEMBERVILLE – Police matters ranging from vehicles to personnel issues and a surveillance camera occupied
much of village council’s time Tuesday night.
Council discussed a change to the personnel handbook that would reduce the police sergeant’s permanent
part-time position from 38 to 35 hours per week.
Council Member Randy Rothenbuhler said the reduction is intended to prevent potential problems with the
position being viewed under federal rules as full-time, thus requiring the village to provide health
insurance.
Mayor Gordon Bowman disagreed, saying there is no requirement for the limitation and the $45 weekly
income the three hours represents would also be appreciated by the sergeant. "We want to maintain
our good employees as much as possible," Bowman said.
The village has three other permanent part-time employees, all with a lower number of maximum hours than
the police sergeant. The permanent part-time employees get vacation pay, holiday pay and sick leave at
seven hours per day, versus eight hours per day for full-time employees.
The ordinance was tabled for additional attention from the Personnel Committee.
Council agreed to spend up to $100 for the surveillance camera and accessories after a long-discussed set
of guidelines for the camera’s use was presented by Bowman.
The camera is seen by village officials as a way to try to get a handle on vandalism problems on public
property. However, members were reluctant to buy the equipment until guidelines were in place.
Bowman said the guidelines were reviewed by Village Solicitor Mike Marsh and Wood County Sheriff Mark
Wasylyshyn.
The only concern raised Tuesday night was a question about creating public records by using the camera.
Bowman said he had been assured that was not a problem.
Relief for a depleted police motor pool is coming from the city of Perrysburg in the form of a used
cruiser. Equipment from a wrecked Pemberville cruiser will be installed in the vehicle from Perrysburg.
A 10-year-old SUV used by the department is said to be in constant need of repairs.
Perrysburg council approved giving the village the cruiser at its Tuesday night meeting.
Bowman said the village is considering purchasing a new cruiser in 2013.
Council also:
• Heard a presentation from several representatives of Wood Lane Industries regarding its Bridges to
Transitions Program. The program would provide services such as taking care for downtown flower pots in
the summer, trail maintenance and running the concession stand at the village pool at no cost to the
village. The program helps train individuals ages 14 to 22 with developmental disabilities to become
independent adults. The village and Wood Lane will continue to discuss the plan.
• Gave first reading to an ordinance outlining municipal employment for 2013 and indicated a full
discussion is planned at the Dec. 4 meeting.
• Learned the Pemberville Food Pantry has received a $5,000 grant from Thrivent and a challenge grant of
$10,000 from the same group. Vic Scheurman said (cash) donation locations are churches and Christmas
trees that have been placed in stores in the village. If the $10,000 is not met Thrivent will match
donations at 50 cents on the dollar.
• Heard a complaint about a street construction crew working near a church on Sunday morning.