PEMBERVILLE – Village officials continue to refine their efforts to find a new tenant for the
soon-to-be-vacant Modine Manufacturing plant on South Bierley Avenue.
Tuesday night council gave first reading to an ordinance that would adopt a job creation and retention
program.
"We want to get moving on this because we know people are looking at the site," Mayor James
Opelt said.
Council President Gordon Bowman, who heads council’s economic development committee, said the legislation
would help the village qualify for a grant program that would rebate 50 percent of the income tax
collected to a new firm. To qualify a firm would be required to have at least $1 million in payroll per
year, which Bowman said would translate to about 40 jobs at an average income of $25,000.
"We hope a firm would create more jobs, but the rebate would be available to any firm that creates
this minimum payroll," Bowman said. The plan is modeled after those at Perrysburg and Maumee.
Bowman said the rebate would be reviewed on an annual basis for a maximum of five years. The guidelines
also require making sure any firm is current on its utility bills, since Pemberville operates a
municipal electric system.
The Modine facility has apparently been shown to at least three prospective buyers.
Opelt said he had recently received a letter from Modine reporting the firm plans to reduce employment by
another 36 people by Oct. 23. At the time the closure was announced there were 230 employees.
Council also:
¥ Approved legislation to formally place police and park levies on the November ballot. Council thought
it had completed the task at its Aug. 3 meeting, but had combined the legislation. The problem was
discovered when the items were taken to the Wood County Board of Elections. The filing deadline is today
at 4 p.m.
¥ Tabled legislation adopting a new personnel rules and regulations manual after giving it a second
reading. Some members indicated they had not spent enough time going over the document, which has been
in the works for several years.
¥ Approved legislation, on an emergency basis, to install stop signs for eastbound and westbound traffic
at Maple and Perry streets.
¥ Heard member Eric Campbell report he has found documents that could clear up problems with village
responsibilities on the Perry Street extension. Information is being sent to village solicitor Mike
Marsh for review.
¥ Heard member Dave Meismer report the personnel committee was recommending no cost of living adjustments
for the village payroll in 2010 and no change to the health care package.
¥ Heard Opelt praise the Pemberville Free Fair and the efforts of volunteers and others. Nedra Sheets,
representing the fair, also praised the event and said more volunteers, especially younger people are
needed to keep the effort strong. She also said people need to focus on the spirit of the effort, which
said she can be accomplished by volunteering. "This is something for Pemberville to be proud of and
pull together. It’s wonderful to work together to get to know each other."
¥ Held an executive session to discuss personnel and adjourned without taking any action.
