Minutes of the Van Wert City Council

February 26, 2024

Council President Thad Eikenbary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Bobby To gave the invocation.

On call of the roll:   Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall were present.

Moore made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.   Agler seconded; all concurred.  

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

MAYOR:  The Mayor reminded council of the special meeting scheduled for the swimming pool on March 4th at 6:30 p.m. and to focus at this meeting on design, cost and how to pay for it.

A complaint has been filed with the Court on Blighted property #13. 

SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR:  Fleming gave an update on the Leeson Ave. project and asked the public to avoid the area if possible.  

Fleming indicated that he has received a warning from the EPA for failure to monitor due to a failed circuit board.  He added the company that supplies the circuit board has one and they are trying to get a technician here on Thursday.  A notice will be sent to the public once it is fixed.  

AUDITOR:  No report

LAW DIRECTOR: The Law Director stated that Law Enforcement is enforcing the distracted driving law.  As many as 3-5 cases are coming into the Municipal Court each week.  He stated that if you have your phone in your hand, even if you are checking your GPS, it is a violation. 

COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

An invitation was received for the D.A.R.E. Graduation program scheduled for March 22nd at 1:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

A letter was received regarding the rezoning of property at 826 Kear Road from a R-2 residential to B-1 local business.  A public hearing was scheduled for April 1st at 6:15 p.m.  

Joe Jared, 113 W. Main, indicated that there are several spots downtown that do not have the city speakers and he does not feel he is being unreasonable in asking that there not be one in front of his property.  He was told it will be taken under advisement.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE:   No report

STREETS AND ALLEYS:  No report

JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION:  Bowers asked for an update on the annexation of the property owned by Dennis Dasher.  The Law Director indicated there was an issue and he is looking into it. 

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT:  No report

PARKS AND RECREATION:  No report

HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY:  No report

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Marshall asked for an ordinance to be introduced for Community Reinvestment Agreements (CRA) between the city and the Van Wert County Foundation for 15 units of new residential housing and 12,000 of new commercial space.  Kallas seconded; all concurred.

Marshall asked for an ordinance to be introduced for CRA between the city and the Van Wert County Foundation for 8,600 square feet at 223 E. Main Street.  Moore seconded; all concurred.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL AND PUBLIC:  None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Kallas brought up the issue of council committees and indicated if there were at least two council members voting no, the subject would be dropped.  Bowers was the only one who stated she is definitely voting no.  The subject will be kept on the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:  None

RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES

Third and Final Reading for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-01-004AN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE ZONING FOR PARCELS NO. 12-019472.000 AND 12-019468.0000 LOCATED ON NORTH VINE STREET AT THE CORNER OF E. JACKSON STREET FROM R-2 TO I-1 TO THE CITY OF VAN WERT, OHIO.  Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes.  Agler abstained.  Ordinance passed.

 

Third and Final Reading for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-01-005  AN ORDINANCE TO ADD A NEW PARKING SCHEDULE TO CHAPTER 78: PARKING SCHEDULES OF THE VAN WERT CITY ORDINANCES SECTION.   All concurred.  Ordinance passed. 

 

Second  Reading Advisory for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-009;  AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND AWARD CONTRACTS TO THE LOWEST AND BEST BIDDER FOR THE 2024 STREET PAINTING.  All concurred.  

 

Marshall  made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-010; Kallas seconded; Marshall, Kallas, Ringwald, Bowers, Dettrow and Moore voted yes.  Agler abstained. 

Marshall  made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-010; AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND THE MOHR ORGANIZATION (DBA YOUNGS WASTE) AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Moore seconded.  Marshall, Moore, Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, and Dettrow voted yes.  Agler abstained.  Ordinance Passed.

 

Marshall made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-011.  Kallas seconded; All concurred.

Marshall made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-011; Kallas seconded; all concurred. 

Marshall made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-011;  AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND THE VAN WERT COUNTY FOUNDATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Moore seconded; all concurred.  Ordinance Passed.

 

Marshall made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-012.  Moore seconded; All concurred.

Marshall made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-012; Moore seconded; all concurred. 

Marshall  made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-02-012; 

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND THE VAN WERT COUNTY FOUNDATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Ringwald  seconded; all concurred.  Ordinance Passed.

 

 

Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:08 p.m.   Bowers seconded; all concurred.